Why do the toes of some running/walking shoes curve slightly upward? What's the point of that?

[raccoon]

[LuckyCharms]

1. This is what I found on Runner's World...

Toe spring refers to the degree of upward curvature of the sole under the toes or forefoot (front of the foot). Its purpose is to facilitate forward motion through the front of the shoe.

https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a35713264/toe-spring-running-shoes/

[haele]

2. So you don't jam to a stop if you step down wrong while running.

It creates a "give" or a slight rock at the toe like your feet do when you run barefoot.
I remember athletic shoes with box toes growing up. Fractured my forearm when I came down and jammed the toe of my shoe avoiding something on the sidewalk while I was running.

Haele

[LucasD]

3. It's called rocker.

It's supposed to maintain your momentum as your foot moves from heel to toe, kind of like a rocking chair
converts your motion from back to front, propelling you forward.

A lot depends upon how your foot strikes the ground while running. You might run on the balls of your
feet, in which case a shoe with a rocker sole would not benefit you at all.

Some runners prefer barefoot shoes, which have minimal cushion and zero rocking. They mainly run
on the balls of their feet.

As with everything on the internet, there are pro/con arguments for both.