FACT: The Z-CoiL shoe significantly reduces impact.

We knew we had a great shoe, so we had the Department of Energy at 

Los Alamos National Laboratory put it to the test. They found that 

Z-CoiL shoes have an energy return of 40-50% and that Z-CoiLs are 

far SUPERIOR to running shoes in reducing impact to the legs and 

joints.  Read more about their findings below.

Los Alamos National Laboratory Project:

Evaluation of Z-Coil Running Shoes

Purpose

This document is intended to provide the reader with an overview of 

research performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (the 

Laboratory), ESA-DE, under the auspices of the Laboratory's 

Industrial Partnership Office. The information and data in this 

document is intended to be an objective presentation of the results of 

the research performed. It is not the Laboratory's intention that this 

document be interpreted as an endorsement of the products mentioned 

herein.

Conclusions

The pulse curves for the Recoil running shoes were typically of longer 

total duration than the curves for the elastomer cushioned running 

shoe. Pulse durations were observed to be as much as 50% longer for 

the Recoil shoes in some cases. This was particularly true for the lower 

energy impacts that would be typical of relatively light weight runners 

(100-150 lbs.) or heavier runners with relatively little vertical 

displacement in their running style (<2 inches).

The longer duration pulse curves for the Recoil shoes were due to the 

curves being generally more bell-shaped than the curves generated by 

the elastomer cushioned running shoe. The curves for the typical 

running shoe tended to have a steeper slope at the onset of the shock 

pulse and lacked the transitional slope that was observed in the curves 

for the Recoil running shoes. This was interpreted to represent a more 

gradual onset of shock forces in the Recoil shoes as compared to

the elastomer cushioned running shoe.

The energy return levels of the Recoil running shoes were not 

specifically measured as part of the testing procedures. This was due 

to a lack of high speed video equipment that would be required to 

precisely quantify the energy return levels. However, based on the 

magnitude of the second impact pulse seen on several of the pulse

plots, it can be stated with relative certainty that the energy

return for the Recoil running shoes falls somewhere in the range of 

40% - 50%.

Summary

The data obtained in this project seems to indicate one area in which 

the design of the Recoil shoe may be an improvement over that of the 

typical elastomer cushioned running shoe. The initial impact forces 

appear to be less abrupt in the Recoil shoes, resulting in a reduction of 

the jarring effect to the foot and the lower leg of a runner as the heel 

impacts the ground. The fact that the peak forces are equivalent to 

those of the traditional running shoe may be offset by the longer

period of time required to reach these peaks after initial impact.

For a complete report please contact: Info@Z-CoiL-Miami.com