We at POWERLAB like the light, direct feel of On running shoes. We are delighted with the success of this Swiss running company and had the opportunity to ask Caspar Coppetti, entrepreneur, innovator and runner, a few questions.
PL: Hello Caspar. Thank you for this runner-to-runner interview. What does your daily routine look like? When do you get up? How often do you run? What is your favorite shoe and why?
Caspar:My daily routine is quite different depending on whether I'm at home or out and about in our markets. At home, I usually run at lunchtime, and here in the Engadin in winter I also like to go cross-country skiing. When I'm traveling, I regularly fall out of bed and straight into my running shoes, which is the best way for me to get to know a place and combat jet lag. I often run some prototype of the future models we are working on with our teams.
PL: Running isn't just about running, it's about materials, biomechanics, the environment, transportation routes, individuality, consumption, sustainability, to name just a few keywords. Where do you see the major areas of development in running? Today in 5 years' time?
Caspar: The biggest developments are currently in materials: how light can the cushioning foams be and how much energy do they return? At On, we have a lot of know-how about how we not only put more or less foam under the foot, but also how we design our cushioning elements to make it possible to run like on clouds. We still have a lot of ideas in our quiver here. The biggest challenge for the industry is sustainability. At the moment, practically everyone processes crude oil into plastics that are not recycled. We are leading the way here with products such as Cyclon, in which we use plant-based and circular materials.
" I'm still looking for the perfect trail that gives me a similar feeling when I run as I do on a mountain bike on the flow trail."
Caspar Coppetti
PL: When was the last time you were totally wrong with a decision?
Caspar:Oh, it happens from time to time. I try not to take myself too seriously and allow myself to develop my opinion, i.e. to learn from situations or from other people.
PL: Would you share your "unfullfilled dream" about running with us?
Caspar:I'm still looking for the perfect trail that gives me a similar feeling to running with the Mountain biking on the flow trail. There's a trail near our house by the river that comes very close, but it's too short...
Caspar Coppetti in search of the perfect trail.
PL: What does the shoe that you run a regular sub 2 marathon in look like?
Caspar:Hopefully it has an On logo on it
!PL: Describe your best running experience?
Caspar:Early in the morning in the hills above Laguna Beach, when the air is still fresh from the cold Pacific Ocean, with a view of the ocean and the smell of eucalyptus in my nose
.PL: Where is your favorite running route? Why is this your favorite running route?
Caspar:On the Hudson River in New York
.PL: Who would be your favorite long run partner that you have never run with? Why?
Caspar:Someone with whom I can have interesting conversations and who is not always half a step ahead of me.Malcolm Gladwellis an enthusiastic on runner, it would certainly be exciting to run with him
.PL: Who else would you like to develop the perfect running shoe for?
Caspar:For my wife Kathrin
.PL. Thank you very much for this interview.
