Sports footwear firm inov-8 has unveiled the world’s first running shoe to use a graphene-enhanced foam in the sole, bucking the widespread trend for carbon-plate technology and doubling the industry standard for longevity.
Developed in collaboration with graphene experts at The University of Manchester, the cushioned foam, called G-FLY™, features as part of inov-8’s new trail shoe, the TRAILFLY ULTRA G 300 MAX™, designed for ultramarathon and long-distance runners.
Tests have shown the foam delivers 25% greater energy return than standard EVA foams and is far more resistant to compressive wear. It therefore maintains optimum levels of underfoot bounce and comfort for much longer.
This helps runners maintain a faster speed over greater distances, aid their feet in feeling fresher for longer, and prolong the life of their footwear.
Since graphene was first isolated at The University of Manchester in 2004, a team of more than 300 staff at the University has pioneered a diverse range of projects and contributed to graphene-enhanced sports cars, medical devices, aerospace developments, improvements in infrastructure and sports footwear.
The collaboration between The University of Manchester and inov-8 was made possible by funding provided by Innovate UK as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).
