School · Shoes, explained · 50 s .
Foams
EVA, supercritical, PEBA, TPU: what's under your foot.
EVA is the classic foam: durable, affordable, a bit firmer. Supercritical foams are expanded with nitrogen or CO₂, so they're lighter and bouncier for the same feel.
PEBA (often sold as Pebax) is the lightest and most resilient: it's the foam in most race shoes, but it wears faster.
TPU and eTPU are very durable and springy, but heavier. Many shoes stack two foams: a lively one near the foot over a more stable, durable one below.
Lighter and bouncier usually means less durable: match the foam to how often you'll use the shoe.
Quick check .
Which foam do almost all racing shoes use?
PEBA is the lightest and bounciest, although it wears faster.