Super shoes in the spotlight

SATRA was recently asked by the BBC to provide expert information about sports shoes for a radio programme.

With the latest generation of ‘super shoes’ attracting global attention, SATRA was pleased to be part of the wider conversation on this game changing footwear technology. BBC Radio Northampton recently invited SATRA to contribute to a broadcast by discussing the evolving athletic shoe market and the impact of super shoes on modern sport. BBC programme editor Tom Percival visited SATRA’s Kettering head office to record an interview with footwear technologist Niamh Bailey.

The interest in sports shoes was the result of the exceptional London Marathon run just days before, in which world records were set in both the men’s and women’s races. The men’s event saw history made as Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe became the first man to run a sub two-hour marathon in a competitive setting. In fact, the first two athletes broke the two-hour barrier for the first time, with Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia crossing the line just 11 seconds after Sawe.

Innovation boosting performance

Such performances continue to fuel debate across the industry and among athletes and fans. Super shoes are a topic regularly explored in SATRA webinars, including in-depth discussions on developments such as supercritical foam. Regardless of whether you believe that advanced footwear technology enhances athletic performance fairly or risks changing the nature of the sport, it certainly makes for an exciting conversation. This is central to SATRA’s role in understanding, testing and guiding innovation within performance footwear, particularly when it comes to adhering to the rules and restriction for footwear imposed by the World Athletics body.

The BBC interview provided valuable exposure for SATRA, reinforcing its position as an industry leader and trusted authority, and highlights the organisation’s commitment to supporting progress, innovation and integrity within sport.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 4 of the May 2026 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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