Running Shoe Plates: Speedboard vs. Carbon Plate, Materials, and Performance

Is Speedboard a Carbon Plate?

No, the Speedboard is not inherently a carbon plate. While both are performance-enhancing plate technologies found in running shoe midsoles, a Speedboard is a proprietary technology primarily used by On Running, often constructed from thermoplastic polymers, whereas a carbon plate is specifically made from carbon fiber.

Understanding Running Shoe Technology

Modern running shoe design is a complex interplay of materials and biomechanics, aiming to optimize performance, comfort, and injury prevention. A significant innovation in recent years has been the integration of stiff plates within the midsole, designed to enhance propulsion and running economy. These plates vary widely in material composition, stiffness, and intended function, leading to specific brand-named technologies like On's Speedboard and the more generic "carbon plate."

What is a Carbon Plate?

A carbon plate refers to a rigid insert, typically made from carbon fiber composites, embedded within the foam midsole of a running shoe.

• Material Composition: Carbon fiber is known for its exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio. When woven into a composite material, it creates a very strong, lightweight, and inflexible structure.
• Biomechanical Function: The primary biomechanical role of a carbon plate is to stiffen the shoe's forefoot. This stiffness serves several critical functions:
  • Leverage: It creates a rigid lever arm, reducing energy loss at the metatarsophalangeal joints (where the toes meet the foot) during toe-off.
  • Propulsion: By maintaining its shape and resisting deformation, the plate helps to store and return energy more efficiently, contributing to a more powerful push-off.
  • Stability: It can also contribute to the overall stability of the shoe, particularly in conjunction with highly cushioned, soft foams.
• Performance Benefits: Carbon plates are most famously associated with "super shoes" and have been instrumental in breaking numerous marathon records, primarily by improving running economy—the amount of oxygen a runner consumes at a given pace.

What is a Speedboard?

The Speedboard is a signature technology developed by the Swiss running shoe company, On Running. It is a plate embedded within the midsole, designed to work in conjunction with On's "CloudTec" cushioning system.

• Manufacturer Specificity: The Speedboard is exclusive to On Running shoes.
• Material Composition: Unlike a generic carbon plate, the Speedboard is typically made from a high-performance thermoplastic polymer, such as Pebax or TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). While some specialized Speedboards might incorporate carbon fiber or be carbon-infused for specific racing models, the standard Speedboard is not pure carbon fiber.
• Biomechanical Function: The Speedboard's design is highly optimized for On's unique CloudTec elements. Its functions include:
  • Energy Transfer: It acts as a bridge, distributing pressure evenly across the Cloud elements and translating impact energy into forward momentum.
  • Propulsion and Responsiveness: It provides a firm platform for toe-off, contributing to a responsive and propulsive ride. The flexibility and shape of the Speedboard are tuned to each shoe model to offer a specific feel.
  • Adaptability: Depending on the model, the Speedboard can be designed to be more flexible for daily training or stiffer for racing, adapting to different running styles and terrains.
• Distinction from Carbon Plates: The key distinction lies in the material. While both aim to enhance propulsion, the thermoplastic nature of most Speedboards often allows for a different balance of stiffness, flexibility, and feel compared to the unyielding rigidity of a full carbon fiber plate.

Key Differences and Similarities

While both technologies aim to improve running performance, their execution and characteristics differ:

• Material:
  • Carbon Plate: Primarily carbon fiber composite.
  • Speedboard: Primarily thermoplastic polymer (e.g., Pebax, TPU); some specialized versions may be carbon-infused.
• Stiffness and Energy Return:
  • Carbon Plate: Generally provides a very high degree of stiffness and aggressive, high-energy return, optimized for maximal forward propulsion.
  • Speedboard: Offers varying degrees of stiffness and responsiveness, often tuned to provide a more balanced ride that integrates with the shoe's cushioning for both propulsion and adaptability.
• Purpose/Mechanism:
  • Carbon Plate: Acts as a rigid lever to reduce energy loss and create a powerful toe-off.
  • Speedboard: Works as a central integrating element that channels energy and provides propulsion, specifically interacting with On's CloudTec system.
• Targeted Performance:
  • Carbon Plate: Most often found in elite racing shoes designed for speed and personal bests.
  • Speedboard: Utilized across a wider range of On's footwear, from daily trainers to tempo shoes and racing flats, with its properties adjusted for the shoe's specific purpose.

Why Does This Distinction Matter?

Understanding the difference between a Speedboard and a carbon plate is crucial for runners making informed decisions about their footwear.

• Shoe Selection: Your choice of shoe should align with your running goals. If you're seeking the most aggressive, maximally stiff platform for racing and chasing personal records, a shoe with a dedicated carbon fiber plate might be your preference. If you prioritize a balance of responsiveness, cushioning, and adaptability for a variety of runs, an On shoe with its Speedboard might offer a more suitable experience.
• Running Economy: Both technologies can improve running economy, but potentially through slightly different biomechanical pathways and to varying degrees. A full carbon plate typically offers the most significant gains in controlled lab settings for elite runners.
• Feel and Ride: The material of the plate significantly influences the "feel" of the shoe. Carbon plates often provide a very firm, snappy, and propulsive sensation. Speedboards, depending on their construction, can offer a more integrated, adaptive, and sometimes less aggressive, yet still highly responsive, ride.

Conclusion: The Nuance of Shoe Engineering

In conclusion, while both the On Running Speedboard and a generic carbon plate are innovative technologies designed to enhance running performance through improved energy return and propulsion, they are distinct in their material composition and often in their specific biomechanical application. A Speedboard is a proprietary thermoplastic plate by On Running, whereas a carbon plate is specifically made from carbon fiber. Recognizing these differences empowers runners to select footwear that best suits their individual needs, preferences, and performance objectives.