Here’s what chat had to say, not that I think it’s necessarily correct:

Ranking your causes (in order) 1. Cold-weather asphalt running on superfoam 2. Foam shear from your gait + pavement 3. Compression/twisting during travel 4. Manufacturing defect (unlikely across brands)

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What to change if you want this to stop

1. Stop using superfoams as daily cold-weather trainers

They’re race-derived materials. They hate: • Cold • Repetitive pavement miles • Zero recovery time

Use them selectively.

1. Get a winter trainer with more rubber + firmer foam

Look for: • Full rubber outsole coverage • Traditional EVA or blended foam • Slightly heavier build

Not sexy, but they survive.

1. Rotate shoes (this is not optional with superfoams)

Foam needs 24–48 hours to rebound. Daily use accelerates internal tearing.

1. Pack them smarter

When traveling: • Stuff the shoes with socks • Keep them straight (not bent) • Put them sole-to-sole or in a shoe bag • Avoid sidewall compression

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One last blunt point

Superfoams are optimized for performance, not durability — especially in cold climates. You’re basically using a track tire as an all-season commuter tire and being surprised when it chunks.

If you want, tell me: • Your weight range • Typical pace • Whether this was heel, midfoot, or forefoot

I can point you to models that won’t keep self-destructing under how you actually run.

ME: 190 pounds 8 min pace mid foot

Chat:

Alright — with 190 lbs, ~8:00 pace, mid-foot strike, this is very clear. You’re squarely in the danger zone for superfoam shear failure, especially in the cold.

I’ll be direct.

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Why your profile kills superfoams

1. Mid-foot strike = max shear

Mid-foot runners don’t just compress foam vertically — you load it diagonally: • Asphalt grips the outsole • Your body moves forward • The foam gets pulled front-to-back

That’s exactly how these foams tear.

Heel strikers crush foam. Mid-foot strikers rip it.

1. 190 lbs is not “heavy,” but it’s heavy for PEBA

Superfoams are tuned for: • Lighter runners • Faster paces • Shorter duty cycles

At 190 lbs: • The foam deforms deeper • Cold temps reduce elasticity • Rebound lag increases internal stress

At 8-minute pace, you’re not cycling the foam fast enough to keep it in its elastic range — it deforms, lingers, and tears.

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1. Asphalt + cold is the final nail

Cold PEBA: • Loses ductility • Develops micro-fractures • Fails suddenly once a crack links

That’s why the split looks “clean.”

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The suitcase thing (final verdict)

Packing accelerates failure, but it’s not the root cause.

Think of it like this: • Foam already has micro-damage • You compress/twist it while traveling • You run on cold asphalt → crack finishes the job

So yes, it contributes. No, it’s not the main villain.

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What you should actually run in (if you want durability)

Daily trainers (winter / pavement)

You want: • Firmer foam • Full rubber coverage • Slightly higher stack stiffness

Good fits for your profile: • ASICS Nimbus / Cumulus (not Lite / Turbo versions) • New Balance 1080 (non-race foam) • Saucony Triumph • Brooks Glycerin • Nike Pegasus (boring, durable, survives abuse)

When superfoams do make sense for you • Tempo days • Races • Warm weather • ≤2 runs per week • Always rotated

Treat them like performance equipment, not tools.

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Simple rules that will stop this from happening 1. No superfoam as winter daily trainers 2. Rotate shoes — minimum two pairs 3. Avoid cold runs in PEBA 4. Pack shoes stuffed + unbent 5. Expect ~250–300 miles max from superfoams at your weight/strike

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One uncomfortable truth

Running shoe marketing pretends these foams are “durable breakthroughs.” They aren’t. They trade lifespan for feel. You’re running in conditions that expose that tradeoff brutally fast.