_Marathon racing shoe
2022
I joined adidas right at the moment the team were briefing this shoe, which marked the beginning of a transformative chapter for our racing lineup. At that stage, I was primarily supporting the lead developers, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to a project that was setting new standards in performance footwear. One of the most significant innovations during this phase was the increase in stack height and bending stiffness—key biomechanical levers shown to enhance racing efficiency from both a physiological and biomechanical standpoint. To ensure we didn’t compromise on weight while increasing the stack, a new, lighter, and more responsive foam was introduced—pushing the boundaries of cushioning without adding bulk. Another bold move was rethinking the grip: replacing the traditional, heavier rubber outsole with a much lighter, performance-optimized traction system. These design decisions were backed by data and emerged from close collaboration with the strong sport science team. The entire process was a true cross-functional effort, with product development, biomechanics, and design teams working in sync to deliver a shoe that was not only groundbreaking but performance-proven.
