Why Trail Running Still Hasn’t Had a "Vaporfly Moment" (Geoff Burns Explains)

In this episode of the Singletrack Podcast, I chat with sport scientist and physiologist Geoff Burns to unpack one of the biggest open questions in trail running right now: why shoe technology hasn’t produced a single, decisive “Vaporfly moment” on the trails - and whether it ever will.

Geoff explains why trail running is fundamentally different from road running when it comes to performance gains. While road shoes can be optimized for straight-line efficiency on uniform surfaces, trail shoes operate in a far more complex system - one shaped by uneven terrain, gradients, stability demands, traction, weight, and constantly changing conditions

Geoff explains:

* Why super-shoe logic breaks down on trails
* The real role of foams, plates, and energy return off-road
* Why shoe tech gains often disappear on uphill, downhill, or technical terrain
* Whether trail shoes are nearing saturation—or still wide open for innovation
* How weight, traction, durability, and stability compete with pure efficiency
* Why different trail races may require entirely different “optimal” shoes
* What shoe tech might be changing in the sport

Partners:

• Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
• Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
• Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
• Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
• Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

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