Reebok have experimented with carbon plated shoes for decades, but logistical challenges like dealing with the additional weight has often caused a quandary. Now, with the full-length carbon plated “SpeedShifter” releasing on October 20, the brand’s Director of Running, Chris Stone talks to M&F about the challenges, and ultimate success of a shoe that Reebok hails as its latest “performance running innovation.”
The new SpeedShifter Running Shoe, featuring a full-length carbon plate, offers a lightweight design with a high energy return, says the brand. Built for speed, long distance running, and striders of all abilities, runners from varied disciplines will all be happy with the SpeedShifter, explains Stone. But combining comfort along with a carbon plate is no mean feat.
The SpeedShifter Utilizes a HyperFloat ‘Sandwich’ with a Carbon Plate filling
In the 90s, Reebok worked with a lighter version of carbon fiber that the brand called Graphlite. “Graphlite was a shoe that was far ahead of its time in the 1990s,” Stone tells M&F. “Now, carbon fiber engineering and technology has advanced, along with running foams in general . With the SpeedShifter, we are able to get the same stiffness and propulsion with a lighter plate — engineered to complement our all-new foam, HyperFloat”
Apparently, the biggest challenge in constructing the SpeedShifter was finding a way to build a shoe that balanced the carbon plate with its cushioning, without losing responsiveness. “The plate itself is sandwiched between two layers of HyperFloat foam, which are different densities,” explains Stone, noting that the final design also includes a forefoot rocker. “The recipe for getting this right involved many rounds of perfecting our foam compound and process to execute at the densities that balance giving the best ride and feeling of energy return.”
Elaborating on the complexities, Stone explains that the upper layer of this “sandwich” is slightly softer, to achieve spring. The bottom layer is slightly firmer, and this is for stability. “Ultimately, this allows cushioning of the plate on landing, at which point the carbon fiber does it’s propulsive work, to drive you to toe off,” says Stone. “Our objective was to achieve this underfoot experience, while limiting weight.”
The SpeedShifter tips the scales at just 7.4 oz (210g), but a feeling of weightlessness while running is a “revolution” when compared to previous carbon fiber offerings like the Reebok FloatZig, explains Stone. “The plate itself is very lightweight but also has a high flex modulus, meaning it snaps back to form giving you a feeling of propulsion.”
The SpeedShifter is Already Setting PRs Thanks to the Fit
Of course, a great fit is essential for comfort and performance. “The combination of HyperFloat foam, which is light but has very high energy return properties, along with the carbon fiber plate has made this shoe feel bouncy and fast, without losing comfort,” hails Stone. “A notable factor with footwear, even despite Innovation getting all of the headlines, is fit. So many people are wearing shoes built for very narrow feet, especially in the running category. Our shoes are built for the ‘ordinary elite,’ so the toe box has more volume than some other carbon plated shoes that are out there. Finding shoes that fit better will only amplify the benefits that all of this technology provides. For me, the SpeedShifter has found a balance which has allowed me to find a flow state when I’m speed training. Additionally, one of our wear testers loved the shoe so much that he ran a marathon in them, setting a new PR and providing us with fantastic feedback.”
The SpeedShifter’s construction also includes a durable but lightweight rubber grip, to meet a wide range of running conditions, while the top frame provides a locked in feel for stability. Those who are new to the carbon plate experience or just want to try Reebok’s full-length offering for themselves, can test its capabilities for explosiveness and propulsion from October 20, 2026, when the SpeedShifter launches in two colorways, with unisex sizing at $220.
To view the SpeedShifter on Reebok’s official website, click here.
