These futuristic running products sound like they belong in a sci-fi movie. Glasses that speak to you, treadmills that let you run without gravity, insoles that analyze your stride with AI. As someone who competes at a high level in Division I, I am always looking for an edge (just like when I tested the scientifically perfect running routine). So I decided to buy, borrow, and test some of the most futuristic running products on the market to see which ones actually live up to the hype and which ones are just running on marketing.
The $45,000 anti-gravity treadmill
The first product I tested was a Boost anti-gravity treadmill. It retails for around $45,000 and claims to reduce the effects of gravity so you can run at as low as 20 percent of your body weight. To put that in perspective, that is still half the body weight you would have running on Mars. I am lucky enough to be at a large D1 school like LSU, so I did not actually have to buy one. Our athletic facilities have one, and I have even done an NIL deal with Boost in the past.
Running on the Boost feels like floating. The sensation is genuinely unlike anything else I have experienced in training. It is incredible for rehab and for getting volume in without the pounding on your joints. One thing I will say, though, is that if you are a male, you might want to be careful about running on it too much. The pressure coming up from below hits you in places you would rather it did not. But in terms of feeling futuristic, this thing delivers. You genuinely feel like you are running in space.
AI-powered gait analysis insoles
The next product I tested was a pair of AI-powered insoles that claimed to analyze your running gait in real time. I wanted to compare their results to an official running gait assessment I had done at a professional lab. The lab testing showed that I have some asymmetry and pronation, a mild crossover gait pattern where my legs cross slightly in the middle like running on a tightrope, and an anterior pelvic tilt on my right leg stance.
Comparing the lab data to the AI insole data was fascinating. The AI picked up on the asymmetry and some of the pronation issues, but it missed the crossover gait pattern entirely. Where the official lab assessment gave me a full picture of my biomechanics with specific corrective recommendations, the AI insoles gave a decent overview without much depth. For the average runner, the insoles would be a useful tool. For someone competing at a high level who needs precision, I would still trust the full lab assessment over AI sensors in my shoes.
The COROS watch and Engo smart glasses
I also tested the Engo 2 smart glasses, which retail for just under $300. These project your pace, activity time, heart rate, and distance into the top left corner of your field of vision while you run. The catch is they only connect to Garmin watches, so I had to borrow a teammate’s watch to use them. Running down the road and seeing my pace flash at 6:45 per mile right in my line of sight was pretty cool. They have a definite Terminator look, which earns some style points.
That said, I cannot see myself wearing these in a race. It would feel a little corny showing up to an SEC meet with data projected onto my eyeballs. As a training tool for long runs or workouts where you want to monitor effort without constantly checking your wrist, they have some practical use. But the technology is not quite futuristic enough to justify the price tag for most runners.
Meta smart glasses for content creation on the run
I also got my hands on a pair of Meta smart glasses, which I tested for both running and content creation. They press really hard on the sides of your head, which gave me a headache after wearing them while studying. The camera quality is not great, and it is built almost exclusively for vertical video. You also need Wi-Fi for about 90 percent of the functions, which makes them impractical for most outdoor running situations.
On the purple rating, a totally scientific scale I invented, I gave them about a five out of 10. They look futuristic, but the drawbacks outweigh the cool factor. Unless you need them for a very specific filming situation, they are not worth the investment for a runner.
The Verdict on These Futuristic Running Products
After testing everything from a $45,000 treadmill to AI insoles to smart glasses, my takeaway is this. The technology is getting better, but most of it is not ready to replace the fundamentals. A good coach, consistent training, and proper recovery will always matter more than any gadget. That said, tools like the anti-gravity treadmill are genuinely game-changing for rehabilitation, and AI gait analysis is only going to get more accurate over time.
If you are a college athlete or competitive runner looking to invest in tech, start with what addresses your biggest needs. For me, access to the Boost treadmill through LSU has been the most impactful tool for staying healthy. Everything else is fun to experiment with, but I am not trading my regular training shoes and a solid workout plan for any pair of smart glasses anytime soon.
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