Gear & Tech
41 terms
Bib
Bib: Your Race Day Identity
Body Glide
A brand name synonymous with anti-chafing balm, used to prevent friction burns and blisters.
Calf Sleeves
Compression gear that covers the lower leg from ankle to knee without covering the foot.
Carbon Plate
A stiff carbon fiber plate embedded in racing shoes that provides propulsion and energy return, often called a "legal performance enhancer."
Compression Socks
Tight-fitting socks designed to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle oscillation during running.
Daily Trainer
A durable, comfortable running shoe designed to handle the bulk of your weekly mileage.
Drop / Offset
The difference in height between the heel and the forefoot of a running shoe, affecting how your foot strikes the ground.
Energy Gel
A concentrated carbohydrate supplement in gel form, used during long runs and races to quickly replenish energy stores.
Foot Pod
A small sensor attached to the shoe laces that measures stride metrics and pace with high precision.
Forefoot Strike
A running pattern where the ball of the foot lands first. Common among sprinters and elite runners, but demands strong calves.
Fuel Belt
A waist belt designed to carry small water bottles, energy gels, and other essentials during a run.
Garmin
The dominant brand of GPS running watches, so ubiquitous that "Garmin" has become shorthand for any running watch.
GPS Watch
A wristwatch equipped with Global Positioning System technology to track run data like distance, pace, and route.
Ground Contact Time
The amount of time (in milliseconds) your foot spends touching the ground during each step.
Handheld Bottle
A water bottle equipped with a strap to secure it to the runner's hand for easy carrying.
Headlamp
A hands-free light source worn on the forehead, essential for visibility and safety during night runs.
Heart Rate Monitor
A device that measures a runner's heart rate in beats per minute (bpm), used to gauge effort intensity.
Heel Strike
A running footstrike pattern where the heel lands first. The most common pattern among recreational runners.
Hydration Pack
A wearable backpack or vest designed to carry water and essentials, crucial for long-distance and trail running.
Maximalist Shoe
A running shoe characterized by an extra-thick midsole, offering high levels of cushioning and shock absorption.
Midsole
The core of a running shoe, sandwiched between the upper and the outsole, providing cushioning and energy return.
Minimalist Shoe
A shoe with little to no cushioning and very little structure, designed to mimic barefoot running while providing some protection.
Motion Control
Heavy-duty supportive shoes designed for severe overpronation and flat feet.
Neutral Shoe
The most common type of running shoe, designed for runners with normal pronation or supination.
Offset
Another term for "Drop," referring to the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot of a shoe.
Outsole
The bottom layer of a running shoe that contacts the ground, providing traction and durability.
Power
A metric (measured in watts) that represents the work rate of your running, independent of terrain or wind.
Pronation
The natural inward rolling of the foot upon landing to absorb shock. Often misunderstood as a bad thing.
Pronation Control
Structural features in a shoe designed to limit the inward rolling of the foot.
Racer
A lightweight, stripped-down shoe designed specifically for running fast on race day.
Rotation
Owning multiple pairs of running shoes for different purposes to extend shoe life and reduce injury risk.
Stability Shoe
Running shoes designed to reduce mild to moderate overpronation, offering support to guide the foot.
Stack Height
The total thickness of the shoe sole (midsole + outsole) between your foot and the ground.
Strava
The world's most popular running and cycling app, known for GPS tracking, segments, social features, and the infamous "Strava or it didn't happen."
Super Shoe
The modern category of racing shoes defined by high stack heights, super-critical foams, and carbon fiber plates.
Supination
The outward rolling of the foot during running. Also known as underpronation, common in runners with high arches.
Toe Box
The front part of the shoe that covers and protects the toes. A critical area for fit and comfort.
Upper
The top part of a running shoe that holds the foot in place, typically made of engineered mesh or knit materials.
Vertical Oscillation
A metric measuring how much your torso moves up and down with each step (the "bounce").
Wetsuit
A neoprene suit used in swimming to provide warmth and buoyancy, allowing for faster swim times.
Zero Drop
A shoe design where the heel and forefoot are at the exact same height off the ground (0mm offset).