KNOW YOUR TECH: adidas SpringBlade

KNOW YOUR TECH breaks down the scientific technology used in your favorite sneakers and activewear.

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KNOW YOUR TECH breaks down the scientific technology used in your favorite sneakers and activewear. Let’s demystify your next purchase: today’s technology is the adidas SpringBlade midsole. Utilizing "Energy Blades", this setup forgoes foam compounds for a new level of energy return. The first-of-its-kind midsole design makes its debut on the homonymously named model which releases on August 1.

What is it? An midsole/outsole made up of 16 high-grade polymer blades, forgoing any sort of traditional foam-based midsole compound. Each blade features a slightly different width and angle, resulting in an individually tuned configuration. Currently, it has only been applied to the SpringBlade running model.

How does it work? SpringBlade technology quite literally functions much like a spring. The idea is to provide a high amount of energy return, giving runners an extra push forward as they complete their stride. As soon as the foot strikes the ground, the blades compress, quickly releasing spring-like energy as the gait cycle finishes. While foam compounds only rebound in a vertical direction, the angled blades in SpringBlade technology offer multidirectional responsiveness and support.

Notable products: adidas Springblade Running Shoe

Bottom line: If the adidas Energy Boost from earlier this year is any indication, Springblade technology is sure to continue the brand's trend of popular running innovations.

[Runner's Wolrd]

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