Athletic brand Tracksmith unveiled its premier super shoe, however, amidst the release, it seems to have flown under the radar.
Tracksmith's Eliot Racer: A Super Shoe for Long-Distance Runners
The Tracksmith Eliot Racer, priced at $280, is a super shoe designed for long-distance racing and training, combining vintage style with advanced running technology. This new addition to the Tracksmith family, available for purchase on their website, is a game-changer in the world of running shoes.
The Eliot Racer features a lightweight mesh upper for breathability and comfort, along with a multi-layered midsole that incorporates a removable high-rebound foam insole, a full-length carbon fiber plate, and a Pebax foam chassis. This construction delivers 38 mm of cushioning while maintaining responsiveness and stability, making it suitable primarily for shorter races like 5K to 10K distances. Weighing approximately 7.7 ounces, the shoe has a moderate 7.5 mm heel-to-toe drop, which supports efficient and stable strides without the excessive height seen in some other super shoes.
Key aspects of the technology include a midsole layering that combines a high-rebound foam insole with a carbon fiber plate and an energy-returning Pebax foam, producing a responsive yet comfortable ride. The full-length carbon fiber plate enhances propulsion and helps maintain speed, typical of "super shoe" designs. The lightweight mesh upper balances breathability, lightness, and a classic aesthetic that differentiates it in a market often filled with flashy high-tech shoes.
Testers from Men's Health have praised the Eliot Racer for providing a stable stride and comfort in fast-paced racing scenarios, particularly favoring track workouts and corner-heavy courses. They found it easier to wear than many competitors and well suited to races from 5K to 10K.
While the Eliot Racer does not look like a typical super shoe, it retains a carbon fiber plate, has a stack height of 38mm, and a heel drop of 7.5mm. The outsole is made of rubber, ensuring durable performance on the road. The shoe is available in two colours: ivory-gold and black-gold.
Tracksmith, a respected boutique running brand founded in 2014, has entered the footwear sphere with the Eliot Racer. Prior to 2022, they had not ventured into the footwear market. The Eliot Racer's midsole is made of ATPU foam with a Pebax chassis, delivering the highest energy return of any shoe "tested in the lab."
Since 2020, every major world record in endurance racing has been broken by a wearer of super shoes. The Vaporfly 4% by Nike inaugurated the super shoe category in 2017. Since then, the number of world record-breaking performances has skyrocketed, with an average of 7 per year in the past five years, and 11 in 2021 alone.
The Eliot Racer, a successor to the Eliot Runner, is Tracksmith's first foray into the super shoe market. Despite its technological improvements, it retains a classic, minimalist look that sets it apart from other super shoes. Tracksmith's focus remains on making running garments for non-professional competitive runners.
The Eliot Racer, a super shoe from Tracksmith, boasts a stylish and minimalist design while incorporating advanced running technology, making it suitable for sports like track workouts and 5K to 10K races. The shoe's technology, such as the lightweight mesh upper and full-length carbon fiber plate, enhances comfort, breathability, propulsion, and speed, setting it apart in the footwear market.
