Case & Capability

Superfeet, Carbitex & Haumann at TRE 2025: Why the Future of Running Isn’t Just a Shoe

Haumann Group, Plastic Injection Molding & Carbon Composite Specialists in Houston and Foshan

At The Running Event (TRE) 2025 in San Antonio, the conversation around performance footwear took a powerful new direction toward what’s inside the shoe. One of the biggest takeaways was the overwhelmingly positive performance composite insoles market feedback shared by brands like Superfeet and Carbitex. These companies showcased next-gen insole technologies focused on propulsion, comfort, and biomechanical support all without changing the shoe itself. As a trusted manufacturing partner to Carbitex, Haumann Group is proud to support the precision molding and integration that bring these innovations to life.

Below, we’ll walk through what happened at TRE 2025, why Superfeet’s message “The Future of Running Isn’t a Shoe.” is so important, and how Haumann supports advanced composite technologies for performance footwear brands worldwide.

What Are Carbon-Composite Insoles?

Carbon-composite insoles combine carbon fiber or carbon-composite structures with specialized foams and insole geometries. Superfeet, for example, integrates Carbitex® flexible carbon fiber plates and its own SuperRev™ or EVOLyte® technologies to create insoles that offer:

Enhanced energy return and propulsion
Lightweight yet strong underfoot structure
Improved stability and support
A more responsive, “alive” feel underfoot

In simple terms:

A carbon-composite insole acts like a tuned engine inside your shoe — upgrading performance without changing the shoe itself.

These insoles are increasingly used by:

Runners and athletes looking to upgrade their existing shoes
Brands that want performance-grade underfoot tech without redesigning entire models
Specialty retailers offering high-value add-ons that genuinely improve performance

Superfeet Shares Strong Market Feedback at TRE 2025

At TRE 2025, the Superfeet exhibit team reported powerful market feedback on their newest composite insole models developed with Carbitex carbon fiber plates:

They highlighted that:

Recent sell-through has been exceptionally strong
- Retail partners are seeing fast turns and repeat purchases.
Athletes and retailers are responding extremely well
- Runners notice a more “connected” and propulsive feel underfoot.
- Specialty shops appreciate the clear performance story and tangible benefits.
Carbon-composite structures are becoming a key differentiator
- In a crowded running market, what’s inside the shoe is now a strategic point of differentiation — not just foams and uppers.

This aligns with a broader industry trend seen across TRE 2025:

More products featuring carbon plates, composite shanks, and engineered insoles
A shift from “just cushioning” to biomechanically informed underfoot structures

“The Future of Running Isn’t a Shoe.” — What That Really Means

One of the boldest statements at TRE 2025 came from the Superfeet exhibit:

“The Future of Running Isn’t a Shoe.”

This message captures a major shift in how brands and athletes think about performance:

Performance is moving inside the shoe.
- Carbon plates, flexible composites, and structured insoles are becoming the true performance engine.
Upgrading the insole upgrades the system.
- A highly engineered insole can transform the feel and efficiency of many different shoe models — not just one flagship shoe.
Data-driven and biomechanical design.
- Insole geometry, stiffness profiles, and material stacks are increasingly optimized using biomechanics and gait analysis, rather than relying solely on trial and error.

The rising demand for Carbitex-designed carbon-composite insoles, paired with Superfeet’s shape and foam systems, fits this shift perfectly:

Responsiveness – carbon-composite plates store and release energy as the foot moves.
Energy return – optimized stiffness curves help runners feel more “spring” with each stride.
Biomechanical support – insoles can stabilize the foot, reduce stress, and support more efficient

Injection molded energy return systems and lightweight plastic components for high-performance running gear — Lightweight and responsive components engineered for elite performance in professional running gear

Haumann’s Role Supporting Advanced Composite Technologies

Behind the scenes, Haumann helps turn these advanced composite concepts into reliable, scalable products. As a long-term manufacturing partner supporting Carbitex and other high-performance OEMs, Haumann contributes at several stages: Precision injection-molded footwear components

Structural carriers, frames, and housings that interface with carbon-composite plates and foam.
Composite–injection hybrid integration
- Engineered components that lock, support, or encapsulate the carbon plate within the insole or footwear platform.
Rapid prototyping for new model cycles
- Early sample runs to help brands test different stiffness profiles, geometries, and insole constructions quickly.
High-consistency mass production across U.S. and China facilities
- Dual-region manufacturing (Houston & Foshan) that supports both pilot volumes and global product launches.

Our mission is simple:

Provide reliable, high-quality manufacturing so that next-generation performance insoles and components can reach athletes efficiently and at scale.

Why Performance Footwear Brands Are Investing in Carbon-Composite Insoles

Manufacturers and performance brands are increasingly choosing carbon-composite insoles because they offer:

Higher perceived value for athletes
- Runners feel the difference in propulsion and support immediately.
Upgradeable performance without redesigning the entire shoe
- Brands and retailers can enhance performance inside existing platforms.
Clear, compelling storytelling
- “Carbon-composite insole with tuned flex and energy return” is a simple, powerful message at retail.
Better alignment with how athletes actually move
- Flexible composites and structured insoles support more natural motion while reducing fatigue.

For OEMs and brands, this means a new product category where materials, biomechanics, and manufacturing quality directly translate into business results — exactly what the feedback from Superfeet at TRE 2025 confirms.

Why Footwear Brands Choose Haumann as a Manufacturing Partner

Brands working on advanced insoles, carbon-composite plates, and high-performance footwear components choose Haumann because we offer:

German-led engineering expertise
- DFM, tooling design, and process optimization for complex components.
End-to-end capabilities
- Tooling, injection molding, carbon composites, assembly, and inspection under one coordinated team.
Certified quality systems
- ISO 9001 and IATF 16949-compliant quality control for demanding OEM applications.
Dual-region manufacturing (Houston & Foshan)
- Balancing speed, cost, and volume for global launches.
Experience in sporting goods and footwear
- Proven work with carbon plates, outsoles, and performance components for athletic products.

Whether you are integrating Carbitex carbon plates, developing your own composite insole line, or building a new performance footwear platform, Haumann provides the manufacturing backbone needed to move from prototype to global distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What kinds of insoles or footwear components can Haumann support?
Haumann manufactures injection-molded plastic components, carbon-composite parts, and hybrid assemblies used in performance insoles, midsoles, outsoles, and internal support structures.

2. Do we need final designs before talking to Haumann?
No. Many brands involve Haumann early for DFM review, material guidance, and cost optimization. We can work from concept sketches, early CAD, or benchmark samples.

3. Can Haumann work with third-party composites like Carbitex?
Yes. We regularly integrate third-party carbon plates and textiles (including Carbitex technologies) with injection-molded carriers, frames, and support components.

4. What production volumes can Haumann handle?
From pilot and low-volume runs for testing to high-volume global production, we scale manufacturing through our facilities in Houston and Foshan.

5. How does Haumann ensure quality for performance footwear components?
We apply ISO 9001 / IATF 16949-grade quality systems, first article inspection, dimensional checks, and ongoing process monitoring across all production lines.

6. How do we start a project with Haumann?
You can start with a simple conversation. Share your concept, CAD files, or performance goals, and our team will help outline the right combination of tooling, materials, and manufacturing processes.

Conclusion: Partner With Haumann for Next-Generation Composite Insoles

The positive feedback Superfeet shared at TRE 2025 confirms a clear industry shift:

The future of running performance is increasingly driven by engineered composite solutions inside the shoe — not just by the shoe itself.

As demand grows for Carbitex composite insoles and other advanced underfoot systems, brands need manufacturing partners who understand both composites and injection molding, and who can reliably deliver precision components at scale.

Haumann is committed to supporting partners like Carbitex and Superfeet with: