Carbon Fibre Plate (Carbon x) VS No Carbon Fibre Plate (Turbo 2) Running Workout Test | FOD Runner - The FOD Runner

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of Carbon Fibre Plate (Carbon x) VS No Carbon Fibre Plate (Turbo 2) Running Workout Test from The FOD Runner. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

The test compares a non‑carbon shoe (Nike Pegasus Turbo 2) with a carbon‑plate shoe (Hoka Carbon X) using the same interval workout.
Both sessions consisted of 6 × 4‑minute hard intervals with 1 ½‑minute jog recovery plus a brief 30‑second walk back to the start.
The carbon shoe was ~2 seconds per interval faster on average, but the runner felt it was harder and gave no clear performance edge.
Keeping variables constant (same route, similar weather, same recovery structure) is essential for a fair shoe comparison.

Workout Example

6 × 4‑minute hard effort (target pace: whatever you normally use for a 4‑minute interval)
  → 1:30 jog recovery
  → 30‑second walk back to start (to reset breathing)
Repeat for 6 reps, same route each time.

Tip: Track your average pace per interval and compare the “gap pace” (the flat‑ground equivalent) to see any subtle differences.

Closing Note

Give this simple interval test a try—adjust the paces to match your own training zones in the Pacing app, and see how your shoes feel. Whether you stick with a carbon shoe or not, the key is consistency. Try it out and see what works best for you!

Remember to watch the full video for more context and the author’s final verdict.