Sunday 29 March 2026 is the date for the 'Middle of Lidl Sprint' – not an actual race but a rush to get your hands on a pair of £40 carbon-plated super shoes! British Summer Time begins on 29th March, and what better way to celebrate the lighter evenings than by securing one of the first available pairs of CRIVIT CarbonLite 1.0 Running Shoes going on sale in Lidl's 1,000-plus UK supermarkets, priced at £39.99.

CRIVIT is a respected and successful fitness sportswear and sports equipment brand that has been available at bargain prices in Lidl stores for many years. Technical specifications are limited, but the CarbonLite 1.0 weighs 280-306gms according to size, and has an 8mm drop, with a stack height of 38mm at the heel to 30mm at the forefoot, so it is World Athletics compliant for competition.

The shoes have been on sale in Europe and Ireland for €49.99 since Monday, 9th March, and some early reviews are positive – for the price. It remains to be seen whether this new venture will take off across the UK, but in Europe and Ireland, CarbonLite 1.0 Running Shoes have been flying off the shelves.

One tester noted the shoe offers considerably more room than most carbon race shoes, particularly in the toe box. The rolling motion of the shoe, the ventilated upper and the fit were praised.

Critical comments included the weight, overall stiffness of the shoes, ease of putting them on and the carbon plate not feeling aggressive enough, but that is in comparison with more advanced footwear costing at least five times as much as the CarbonLite 1.0.

Lidl claims the new shoes are made with recycled and durable materials, which would explain the extra weight. The outsole certainly looks more robust than the minimalist designs of much more expensive competitors.

Here's the full specification breakdown from Lidl's own product listing:
Upper: Technically stitched, lightweight, and breathable knitted construction
Insole: Moulded ergonomic insole with breathable mesh
Midsole: High-performance EVA foam, lightweight and shock-absorbing
Carbon plate: Full-length plate for power transfer and improved energy return
Outsole: Rubber sole

Will you be going for the 'Middle of Lidl Sprint'? Go on, you know you want to...!

Image of CRIVIT CarbonLite 1.0 Running Shoes courtesy of Lidl