Craft Running Shoes Explained: Everything You Need To Know

Craft may be a familiar name to runners who know the brand for technical clothing, base layers and cold weather running kit, but its running shoes are still considerably less familiar than those from Asics, Brooks, Hoka, Nike or New Balance. That is beginning to change. Craft now has a substantial footwear range covering everyday road running, faster training, carbon plated racing, trail running and shoes designed to move between road, gravel and lighter trails.

The company has also developed its own cushioning technologies and some particularly interesting approaches to mixed terrain running. If you've seen a pair of Craft running shoes and wondered who makes them, what the different technologies mean or which shoe might suit your running, here's everything you need to know about Craft running shoes explained.

The History Of Craft

Craft is a Swedish sportswear company whose origins go back to the 1970s. Founder Anders Bengtsson began experimenting with clothing designed to move moisture away from the body while exercising, helping establish the technical layering principles for which Craft subsequently became well known.

The Craft of Sweden brand was established in 1977 and became particularly associated with endurance sports such as cross country skiing and cycling. Running clothing also became an important part of the company's range long before its running shoes achieved significant international recognition.

Footwear is therefore a relatively newer part of the Craft story. However, the company has expanded its running shoe collection considerably and now produces everything from everyday road trainers to specialist racing and trail footwear.

Why Are Craft Running Shoes Becoming More Popular?

One reason Craft has started attracting more attention is that its shoe range has become much broader. It is no longer simply an established sportswear company producing a handful of running shoes alongside its clothing.

Craft now offers everyday road trainers, lightweight performance shoes, carbon plated racing footwear and a substantial selection of trail and mixed terrain shoes. Models including Endurance, Pacer, Nordlite and Kype cover different types of road running, while Xplor and Pure Trail extend the range away from conventional pavement.

The company has also developed increasingly sophisticated footwear technology. Supercritical foams, PEBA based cushioning and carbon fibre plates now feature across parts of the collection, placing Craft in many of the same technical areas as considerably better known running shoe manufacturers.

What Makes Craft Running Shoes Different?

One of the most interesting aspects of Craft's approach is its emphasis on endurance and running across different surfaces. Several shoes are designed to cope with more than one type of terrain rather than being restricted entirely to pavement or technical trails.

The Xplor range is a good example. Craft worked with Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria on its outsole technology, taking inspiration from gravel cycling where equipment needs to perform efficiently on both smooth and loose surfaces.

That mixed terrain philosophy appears elsewhere in the range as well. It makes Craft particularly interesting for runners whose normal routes combine pavement, park paths, gravel tracks and trails rather than remaining entirely on one surface.

What Are Px Foam, Cr Foam And Xx Foam?

Like many running shoe companies, Craft uses different cushioning compounds depending on what a shoe is designed to do. The different names can initially make the range appear more complicated than it really is.

Px Foam is one of Craft's main cushioning materials and is used across several everyday and mixed terrain shoes. It is designed to provide high levels of energy return while remaining relatively lightweight, with Craft saying that it is lighter than traditional EVA foam.

Cr Foam moves further towards responsive performance cushioning, while Cr Foam Pro incorporates PEBA to increase energy return and reduce weight further. It appears in faster shoes including the Nordlite Tempo and Nordlite Speed 2 as well as some of Craft's trail footwear.

At the top of the performance range is Xx Foam, used in the Kype Pro. It incorporates Pebax and is designed specifically for lightweight racing performance rather than everyday mileage.

What Is Craft Endurance Fit?

Another feature appearing across much of Craft's current range is Craft Endurance Fit. Rather than simply making the entire shoe narrow or wide, Craft changes the shape through different parts of the foot.

The design combines a relatively narrow heel cup with secure midfoot hold and more space towards the forefoot. The idea is to keep the rear and middle of the foot secure while allowing more natural movement around the toes.

This doesn't mean every Craft running shoe will fit every runner in exactly the same way. However, the approach helps explain why some Craft shoes can feel secure around the heel without becoming particularly restrictive towards the front.

Why Does Craft Work With Vittoria?

One of the more unusual aspects of Craft running shoes is the company's collaboration with Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria.

Vittoria is best known for producing performance bicycle tyres, but Craft has used the company's knowledge of rubber compounds and tread patterns when developing outsoles for several running shoes. The Xplor range takes inspiration from Vittoria's gravel tyres, while the Pure Trail Pro uses an outsole developed for more demanding trail conditions.

It may initially seem an unusual partnership, but there is some obvious crossover. Both running shoes and bicycle tyres need to balance traction, durability, weight and performance across different surfaces.

The partnership has become particularly important to Craft's mixed terrain shoes and helps distinguish that part of the collection from more conventional road and trail footwear.

What Is Heel Drop?

Heel drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot of a running shoe. It can have a noticeable effect on how a shoe feels even when two models provide similar amounts of overall cushioning.

There isn't one standard heel drop across the Craft range. The Endurance 3, for example, uses a 9mm drop, while several of the company's faster shoes use a 6mm drop and the Kype Pro uses an 8mm drop.

A lower drop isn't automatically better, and changing dramatically from the type of shoe you normally wear can place different demands on your calves and Achilles tendons. Fit, comfort and how naturally you run in a shoe remain more important than selecting one purely because of its heel drop.

Read more about maximalist and minimalist running shoes here.

Does Craft Make Neutral Running Shoes?

Most of Craft's current road running range is best considered neutral footwear, with models designed for everything from everyday training and longer runs to faster sessions and racing.

The Endurance is one of the company's pinciple running shoes, while the Pacer provides another option for regular road running. Runners wanting something faster can move towards the Nordlite range, with the Kype Pro sitting at the specialist racing end.

Neutral shoes are suitable for a wide range of runners and don't rely on the additional guidance systems traditionally associated with stability footwear. As with any running shoe, however, comfort and fit remain more important than the category written on the box.

Does Craft Make Stability Running Shoes?

Craft doesn't currently have the same extensive dedicated stability range offered by brands such as Asics, Brooks or New Balance.

That doesn't mean its neutral shoes are necessarily unstable. Wider platforms, midsole geometry, upper construction and the way the foot sits within the shoe can all contribute to creating a stable running experience without using a traditional medial post.

However, runners who know they prefer a dedicated stability model shouldn't assume that Craft has a direct equivalent to established stability shoes simply because one of its neutral models feels supportive.

Many runners also pronate naturally without requiring a stability shoe, so choosing footwear purely because somebody has told you that you pronate isn't necessarily the best approach.

Does Craft Make Carbon Plate Running Shoes?

Carbon plated running shoes now form an important part of Craft's performance range.

The Nordlite Speed 2 combines Cr Foam Pro cushioning with Craft's Ultra Carbon Plate and is designed for faster running and racing. The Kype Pro sits further towards the specialist supershoe end of the collection, combining Xx Foam containing Pebax with a carbon fibre plate.

Not every fast Craft shoe contains a carbon plate. The Nordlite Tempo uses Cr Foam Pro to create a responsive performance shoe without relying on plated construction.

Most recreational runners don't need to use a carbon plated shoe for all of their running. A conventional daily trainer will normally account for most weekly mileage, with a faster shoe reserved for selected sessions and races.

Does Craft Make Trail Running Shoes?

Trail and mixed terrain running are particularly important parts of the Craft range, with several shoes designed for different types of off road conditions.

The Pure Trail series covers more dedicated trail running. The range includes different versions designed around varying requirements, including the standard Pure Trail, more protective options and the performance focused Pure Trail Pro.

Craft also produces shoes designed to bridge the gap between road and trail. The Xplor range is particularly relevant here, with its Vittoria developed outsole designed for runners who regularly move between pavement, gravel and off road surfaces.

Choosing between them depends heavily on where you actually run. Someone regularly tackling muddy, steep or technical trails needs something different from a runner whose routes mainly involve roads, parks, towpaths and firm gravel tracks.

Craft Running Shoes Explained

Craft Endurance 3

The Endurance 3 (pictured above) is one of Craft's main everyday training shoes and is designed for building mileage and longer road runs. Px Foam cushioning and a relatively versatile outsole make it suitable for regular training as well as some lighter off road surfaces.

Craft Pacer 2

The Pacer 2 is a cushioned road running shoe designed for daily training, recovery running and faster sessions. It uses a softer version of Px Foam and offers a lighter, more responsive alternative within Craft's everyday road range.

Craft Nordlite Tempo

The Nordlite Tempo is a performance focused road shoe designed for faster training. It uses Cr Foam Pro containing PEBA but doesn't have a carbon plate, making it an option for runners wanting greater responsiveness without moving into plated footwear.

Craft Nordlite Speed 2

The Nordlite Speed 2 is a carbon plated road running shoe designed for faster sessions and racing. It combines Cr Foam Pro with Craft's Ultra Carbon Plate and is intended for runners wanting more performance than a conventional daily trainer.

Craft Kype Pro

The Kype Pro is Craft's premium road racing shoe. It combines lightweight Xx Foam containing Pebax with a carbon fibre plate and Vittoria developed outsole, making it the most specialist road racing option in the current Craft range.

Craft Xplor 2

The Xplor 2 is designed for runners who regularly move between road, gravel and trails. Its Vittoria developed outsole is one of its defining features and makes it particularly relevant to runners whose routes don't fit neatly into either a road or trail category.

Craft Pure Trail Pro

The Pure Trail Pro is a dedicated trail running shoe designed for more demanding off road conditions. It combines responsive cushioning with a Vittoria developed outsole and is aimed at runners wanting greater grip and performance away from the road.

Read more about other shoe brands here.

The Nordlite Speed 2

Are Craft Running Shoes Sustainable?

Like many running shoe manufacturers, Craft is incorporating recycled and alternative materials into parts of its footwear range. Recycled polyester is used in the uppers of several current shoes, while recycled materials also appear in components such as laces and insoles.

The company also highlights the manufacturing approach used for Px Foam. Craft says the foam is produced using a single natural foaming agent without chemical cross linking agents, with raw and finished materials capable of being reused during production.

That doesn't make Craft running shoes environmentally neutral. Running footwear remains difficult to manufacture sustainably because each shoe combines multiple foams, rubbers, textiles, adhesives and other materials.

It is therefore more accurate to say that Craft is introducing recycled materials and lower impact manufacturing approaches into parts of its footwear rather than describing the shoes themselves as sustainable.

Are Craft Running Shoes Worth It?

Craft is certainly worth considering if you're looking beyond the running shoe brands you already know. The current range is considerably more developed than the company's relatively modest profile in UK running footwear might suggest.

There are genuine choices for everyday road running, faster training, racing and trail running, while the mixed terrain collection gives Craft something slightly different from many more conventional footwear ranges.

The biggest challenge may simply be familiarity. Most runners already understand approximately what a Ghost, Gel Nimbus or Clifton is designed to do, whereas names such as Endurance, Nordlite, Kype and Xplor may initially mean very little.

That shouldn't be a reason to dismiss the brand. The best running shoe isn't determined by how recognisable its logo is, but by whether it fits properly, feels comfortable and works for the type of running you intend to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Craft Running Shoes Good For Beginners?

Craft produces several shoes suitable for runners who are just starting, particularly everyday road models such as the Endurance and Pacer. Beginners don't need carbon plates, PEBA foams or specialist racing footwear simply because those technologies are available. A comfortable daily trainer that fits properly and suits your normal running is usually a much more sensible starting point.

Who Makes Craft Running Shoes?

Craft running shoes are made by Craft Sportswear, a Swedish sportswear company whose history dates back to the 1970s. The company originally became particularly well known for technical base layers and endurance sports clothing before developing a much broader running footwear range covering road, racing and trail shoes.

Where Is Craft From?

Craft is a Swedish company with its origins in Borås in western Sweden. Founder Anders Bengtsson began developing technical sportswear there during the 1970s. Its Scandinavian endurance background remains an important part of the brand, particularly through its long association with sports including cross country skiing, cycling and running.

Does Craft Make Shoes For Marathon Running?

Several Craft shoes can be used for marathon training and racing depending on what you want from your footwear. The Endurance 3 is designed for building mileage and longer training runs, while the Nordlite Tempo provides a faster non-plated option. Runners wanting a dedicated carbon plated race shoe can look towards the Nordlite Speed 2 or Kype Pro.

You don't need a carbon plate to run a marathon. Comfort, fit and having a shoe that works well for you over longer distances remain more important than whether the shoe contains the latest racing technology.

How Do Craft Running Shoes Fit?

Many current Craft shoes use the company's Endurance Fit design, which combines a relatively narrow heel, secure midfoot and more spacious forefoot. That doesn't mean every Craft model will fit identically or that the range should automatically be considered wide fitting. Trying shoes on remains worthwhile, particularly if you have particularly wide or narrow feet.

How Long Do Craft Running Shoes Last?

There isn't a fixed mileage at which every pair of Craft running shoes needs replacing. How long they last depends on the particular shoe, your running style, body weight, the surfaces you run on and how frequently you use them. Rather than relying entirely on mileage, look for substantial outsole wear, damage to the upper and changes in how the cushioning feels. If a previously comfortable shoe begins to feel noticeably different during your runs, it may be approaching the end of its useful running life.

Final Thoughts On Craft Running Shoes

Craft may still be better known for technical running clothing than running shoes, but its footwear range has developed considerably. It now covers everyday road running, faster training, carbon plated racing, mixed terrain running and dedicated trail footwear.

Understanding the collection becomes easier once you look beyond the unfamiliar model and technology names. Endurance and Pacer cover much of the everyday road running territory, Nordlite moves towards faster training and racing, Kype sits at the specialist performance end, while Xplor and Pure Trail show Craft's particular strength away from conventional road running.

Features such as Craft Endurance Fit and the company's collaboration with Vittoria also give the range its own identity rather than simply copying what better known shoe brands are already doing. If you're considering Craft running shoes, start with the type of running you actually do and then concentrate on finding the model that fits comfortably and suits that purpose.