A shoe whose sole is greater than the maximum thickness set out in the table below is no longer approved and cannot be worn in Applicable Competitions.

As of November 1, 2024, the maximum thickness for the soles of shoes worn by competitors in track and field events will be 20 millimeters. This rule applies to all events except road races, which can have shoes with soles up to 40 millimeters thick. 

World Athletics introduced this rule to limit the advancement of technology and to protect the integrity of the sport. The governing body also wants to strike a balance between innovation and fairness for athletes.