Off-set in the sole
Off-set in the sole
The shape varies between brands from the very flat to a pronounced difference from heel to toe. Those with a notable difference in height place the foot in a “plantarflex” position.
Hewitt offers the example of running for a bus – we’re very unlikely to begin such an activity flat-footed. Instead, we raise our heels, and push off on the balls of our feet.
Track sprinters like Usain Bolt use starting blocks to place their feet in this position at the start of a running race. The blocks create a powerful leg extension. Cycling shoes with off-set in the sole can do the same.
“Ideally, we want the foot’s posture to ‘draw’ the pedal and to be slightly plantarflex,” Hewitt explains, “slightly ‘toes down’, but not extremely, like Jacques Anquetil! A shoe that has a bit more off-set will facilitate that.”