Speed and control in one intelligent system. The patented BowTech kinetic technology uses dual plates to store energy during impact and forefoot load, releasing it explosively at push-off, driving you forward while guiding every stride along a centered, controlled forward momentum.
Together with Supercritical N+Foam, Optaspeed delivers a new running experience. Explosive propulsion and guided stability, improving your running form, focusing your energy, and leveraging the natural mechanics of the foot. EVA in the heel cushions impact for lasting comfort.
High-Performance
Training Shoe
Neutral Stable
7mm
Forefoot 30mm
Heel 37mm
290g
Road
The Optaspeed BowTech is designed for ambitious runners who want speed and control in one intelligent system. It performs best during structured training sessions including tempo runs, progression runs, interval sessions, and longer steady efforts where propulsion, alignment, and repeatability need to work together.
From controlled tempo runs to long, steady efforts under fatigue, the Optaspeed BowTech supports structured training where pace and precision are vital.
Primarily a performance trainer, Optaspeed BowTech transitions confidently to race day—especially for runners who want control at higher speeds.
The Optaspeed BowTech performs best for heel and midfoot runners, allowing the BowTech system and dual-density midsole to work optimally for propulsion, stability, and controlled transitions.
The Optaspeed is designed primarily for road running, including pavement, track, and paved paths. It can also handle light gravel or smooth dirt paths, but it is not intended for technical trails or off-road terrain.
The BowTech system has been tested for durability beyond 620 miles, while the road-ready rubber outsole is built to last up to 500 miles.
The patented BowTech kinetic technology uses dual plates to store energy during impact and forefoot load, releasing it explosively at push-off, driving you forward while guiding every stride along a centered, controlled forward momentum.
BowTech works with your foot’s natural load and release instead of forcing a rigid ride. Its dual-plate design helps deliver responsive energy return, guided stability, and a centered stride from impact to push-off.
The dual-plate system allows BowTech to deliver propulsion and guided stability from the same system. By working with the foot’s natural load and release, it stores and releases energy efficiently while helping guide forces along a centered line of progression.
Unlike traditional carbon-plated shoes that rely on extreme stiffness, BowTech works with the foot’s natural windlass mechanism to deliver propulsion together with guided stability. This creates a more controlled, stable ride experience across a broader range of training paces, especially as fatigue builds.
The Optaspeed combines Supercritical N+Foam in the forefoot with EVA cushioning in the heel to create a balance of explosive propulsion, guided stability, and lasting comfort. The dual-density setup helps improve running form while reducing harsh impact over long distances.
Yes. BowTech engages the foot’s natural windlass mechanism, tightening the arch at toe-off and supporting a centered, controlled line of progression throughout the stride.
The CEP Optaspeed fits true to running shoe size. We recommend ordering a half size up from your everyday casual shoe size.
If you experience minor heel slippage, try using a runner’s knot (also called marathon or race-lock lacing) for a more secure heel fit without added pressure:
The Optaspeed is built for a precise, performance fit and works best with lightweight, moisture-wicking running socks. Pair with any CEP Run Sock to maximize comfort and complete the CEP system.
Yes. The CEP Optaspeed BowTech can be worn by recreational runners in major city marathons, as long as they are not competing for official records, rankings, or prize money. It has not been submitted for World Athletics approval, and event organizers may set their own equipment rules.
Overall rating: 3.56 / 5 from 25 reviews.
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"Great overall shoe. This shoe 100% performs as advertised, getting smoother and smoother as the tempo increases. I was able to get about 20 miles in these doing tempo, progressive, and long run workouts. A little too firm underfoot for my liking to do runs outside of short tempo and race day, but that’s my only complaint. Great work on the Optaspeed!"
"I was only able to run two runs in this shoe. My first run in the shoe it started to rub my heel after about a mile into my threshold run and it blistered me really bad. I tried again a week later and still had it rub my heel raw. This shoe feels amazing at rest but I couldn't get it to fit my heel right even with several lacing techniques. If it wasn't for that this shoe would be incredible"
"This would be a great addition to anyones lineup for a fast paced medium mile shoe! Id feel great running a 10-15k in this shoe due to its rebound, easy fast pace feel. The foam is nice and responsive without being to stiff and the plastic plates definitely provides that carbon like rebound feel. The only thing id improve is a slight more accommodating fit, u do not have wide feet but this was bit narrow for me , so id recommend a half size up from ur expected size and it should do the trick. The shoe looks great tho ! This may be one of the raddest looking shoe and black sock combos i have ever worn. Its slick and great color choices. Id definitely recommend this for a entry-middle level athlete looking to try something new and integrate a pace show into their lineup."
"Putting on the Pro Run Optaspeed, you initially feel like you can jump as high as (insert famous basketball player). The dual plate technology is instantly noticeable, and the energy return feels significant. The biggest upside to this shoe is how bouncy it feels. The ride is quite smooth; however, it does naturally force you up on your forefoot, which is great for faster paces. My biggest complaint is that the shoe felt surprisingly heavy, and I'm not sure how much benefit from the energy return is negated by the shoe's weight. Additionally, the shoe is quite narrow (as advertised) however, it creates a little instability in the ride. I definitely would recommend this shoe for efforts where you're looking to pick up the pace a bit but not looking to max out because I found the instability increases at faster speeds. Overall, I would say it could be a great addition to an already well-rounded shoe closet. Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
"I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. I am currently one month out from an Ironman and integrated the CEP Optaspeed into my daily outdoor road runs. I was surprised they didn't need much breaking in or getting used to. I logged roughly 36 miles during the evaluation period. My routes consist of heavy urban terrain, forcing me to navigate sidewalks, curb cuts, grass, and paved city paths. This is my second time running in a polycarbonate plate style shoe, and the plate feels remarkably like a natural extension of my soleus. The shoe definitely demands precision form to unlock its maximum performance capabilities. While unpredictable urban running makes it difficult to settle into a solid rhythm, these shoes actively help you kick back into proper form easily. When I had the chance to open up my stride and let a sprint settle in, I could immediately feel the intense forward propulsion driving from my big toe through the shoe. The CEP Optaspeed truly lives up to its description as a performance shoe built for runners training with purpose. They require a bit of form discipline, but the energetic return makes them an incredibly fun shoe to run in. I highly recommend them to fellow runners chasing a personal best"
"I tested the CEP Optaspeed for over 50 miles across a variety of runs, including sidewalks, paved surfaces, and trails. After spending that much time in the shoe, I came away really liking it, although it did take me a little while to get used to the fit and feel. The first thing I noticed when I put them on was that the bottom of the shoe didn’t initially feel completely flat under my foot. I could feel what seemed like the edges of the sole or insert. It was an unusual sensation and honestly something I didn’t like at first. However, as I continued putting miles on them, that feeling became much less noticeable. Whether the shoe broke in or I simply adjusted to it, it hasn’t bothered me after 50+ miles. Cushioning is one of the biggest strengths of the Optaspeed. There is a lot of cushion underfoot, and I found them comfortable on both shorter runs and when spending more time on my feet. Despite having substantial cushioning, they don’t feel like an overly heavy or bulky shoe. The upper is probably the other feature that stands out the most. The fabric is incredibly thin and lightweight, which makes the shoe feel very breathable. There is a tradeoff, though. Because there isn’t much structure to the upper, you don’t get a lot of support across the top of your foot. I noticed this more when making quick turns, particularly when running on trails. If you want your foot to feel very locked in during aggressive turns or lateral movements, this might not be the shoe for you. For normal forward running, however, I really enjoyed the combination of the lightweight upper and substantial cushioning. I think the Optaspeed is particularly well suited for runners who want a lot of cushioning without a heavy or restrictive upper. After more than 50 miles on sidewalks, pavement, and trails, I would absolutely continue training in the Optaspeed. It took some time for me to get used to the underfoot feel, but the more miles I put on the shoe, the more I liked it."
"I was super stoked to get picked to test out and review the Optaspeed shoes by CEP. They look so cool, and I was looking forward to wearing them during training for my fastest 5k. Unfortunately, I received the wrong size (honest mistake, it happens), so even though the shoe were a half size too big, they oddly felt way too big. I tried the shoes on with the CEP compression socks they sent, and the shoes were still too big/the arch support felt way too far forward for me to really even take a walk in them. I ended up giving them to my 12 year old nephew, as his feet are now bigger than mine. He and I both agreed they are a very good looking shoe. We both liked the light/breathable upper part of the shoe. The laces felt a bit abrasive, but perhaps that’s so they “stick” better. Trying to get a 12 year old boy to give me more than a “they feel good” was hard, but he said that they felt good on his feet – the “smooth inside” is how he described it. He said he appreciated the cushioning and was still able to feel the responsiveness too. He’s about 90lbs, so he didn’t really sink the cushioning or anything, but overall his take on these shoes were positive. He didn’t get to wear them more than a few times so far, because his mom/my sister wants him to wait until school start to wear them regularly. We played basketball last night while he wore the shoes, and he looked able to pivot and change directions pretty easily/didn’t seem to have any concerns re: ankle stability. That said, as cool as these shoes look, they didn’t help him enough for his auntie to win in a game of HORSE 😊 The runner I think would benefit the most from this shoe is someone with a narrow foot and who lands on their mid to forefoot. Additionally, someone who trains fast could benefit from this shoe. The compression socks that came with the shoes – they were baggy on my nephews legs, but to be fair, my nephew has really skinny legs. I wore the socks a few times as well, and they were baggy on me, which surprised me. Additionally, as nice as the socks felt putting them on (they are very soft), they got way sweatier than other socks – so much so it was really noticeable. I’m not sure why they didn’t wick as well, but it made me less likely to want to wear them. They also didn’t compress my feet or calves, despite them (the socks) being the correct size that I would wear. I got to try these shoes out for free thanks to ExpertVoice and CEP in exchange for my honest review. I was bummed to not be able to get the correct size, especially since I had really looked forward to getting these shoes. I was also bummed my sister wouldn’t let my nephew wear them enough to get a bunch of miles in. That said, these really are a fun/attractive looking pair of shoes, so hopefully the folks who like flashy shoes will like these."
"The Optaspeed is a narrow shoe with TONS of technology built in! It has really innovative fabric throughout and an amazing heel cup. I LOVE the way the tongue is connected and form fitting. Sizing is accurate and spot on to "normal" sizing expectations. Forefoot cushioning is great! Roll and feel while running is really solid! Show allows you to transition from a mid foot strike to heel strike effortlessly. I've been able to put in 36 miles so far and a variety of runs. Trail running in these could be a bit precocious, as the traction isn't meant for that and it has a solid sole height (that can allow for easy ankle rolls). For me, this is a PERFECT road day shoe! The "Bow Tech" spring system inside has a ton of energy return! For me, this makes it a great long day shoe and recovery shoe. However, that being said, I find the Bow Tech spring a bit narrow and I can "feel" it in my heel. It's a bit odd right now. I do want to give it a bit more break-in time though. I have this feeling that harder plastic will break-in and not be as noticeable soon. Overall, I'm enjoying the shoe! I did give it a 4 because of the narrowness of the shoe (causing a bit of rubbing on my pinky toe on each foot) and the feel in my heel of the Bow Tech spring. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
"I am very impressed. I was not sure to expect from a shoe with the word BowTech in its title. But I think it’s very fitting. To start off, I was blown away by the overall product design and styling. I love the blaze orange as well as the reflective accents for my night runs (it’s hot here). I mostly ran long distance on pavement with some shorter runs coming in at a weekly average of around 15 miles. Hoping to up the miles as the days and nights cool off. On that note, I will mention that they are not extremely breathable. I found my feet sweating a lot and I am not sure if that is due to the material my CEP socks are or something with the shoe. I got these at a size 9. 5 which is my typical size and they fit perfectly. I like how lightweight they are and also how well they wrap my foot. There was a short break-in period where my heels hurt, though that may be my fault. Now, in reference to their name Optispeed BowTech… they live up to it. Even walking, every single step feels responsive. Like walking on springs almost. But springs with rocker and a tendency to push you forwards. This was great on my runs making every step feel natural and boosted. It’s almost so good that I feel like I’m cheating in making myself faster and smoother. This shoe is very much intended for road runners. I did not and would not take this near gravel or a trail. I’m excited to keep using these shoes as I think they will be my favorite pair going forwards"
"I tested the CEP Optaspeed BowTech for 20. 54 miles across six outdoor road runs, including very easy running, steady aerobic work, an hour-long run, intervals, an easy progression, and a stop-start run club 5K with faster surges. My normal training includes multiple runs each week at a variety of paces, so I wanted to see whether the Optaspeed was only a fast-day shoe or something I could use more broadly. My first few runs required some adjustment. The BowTech structure was very noticeable under my arches when standing and walking, the forefoot felt snug compared with many of my usual running shoes, and the segmented lacing took some experimentation. I also experienced some arch pressure and a right forefoot hot spot early in testing. Loosening the laces slightly made a significant difference without sacrificing lockdown. As I accumulated miles and learned how to fit the shoe correctly, those issues progressively disappeared, and my final two runs were completely symptom-free. The heel was another interesting part of the fit. It could feel slightly loose while standing, but I never experienced actual heel slip while running. The tongue stayed firmly centered throughout testing, and the upper provided good breathability. Cushioning was comfortable from heel to forefoot. The heel felt well protected, the forefoot had a plush feel, and I never noticed an awkward transition between the different cushioning areas. The ride felt connected rather than like separate pieces of technology working underneath the foot. Where the Optaspeed really impressed me was when I increased the pace. The BowTech system became much more noticeable as a performance feature, and turnover felt quick and natural rather than forced. During a six-repetition interval workout, I averaged about 8:59/mi for the work portions, and the shoe made it easy to settle into a quicker cadence and more natural midfoot landing. On another easy progressive run, I went from roughly 13:00/mi to the low-11:00s without intentionally turning the session into a hard effort. By the final run, I was comfortable accelerating, slowing to regroup, restarting, and finishing fast without any of the earlier arch or forefoot issues. That progression changed my opinion of the shoe considerably. I think the Optaspeed is best for runners who enjoy a performance-oriented shoe and are willing to spend a little time dialing in the fit. I would especially consider it for tempo runs, intervals, faster aerobic sessions, and potentially race day. It can handle easy running, but for me its personality becomes much more apparent when I start putting more force through the BowTech system and increasing cadence. I would continue training in the Optaspeed and would seriously consider using it for faster road races. My biggest caution is the initial fit: runners with wider or higher-volume forefeet may find the upper snug, and the unusual lacing/BowTech construction may take a few runs to get right. Once I figured that out, though, the shoe became considerably more comfortable and showed why it is designed as a performance shoe. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
