Asics Responds to Unique Arch Fluctuation
It’s visibly evident that women’s feet are shaped differently than men’s. And, due to the shape of their hips, women’s running stride is also different than men’s. But Asics has responded with a recently developed running shoe system to another characteristic of the female foot that sets it apart from its male counterpart. Asics International Research Coordinator Simon Bartold says in Runners’ World Magazine,
“Estrogen relaxes soft tissue, which causes changes in arch height over the course of the menstrual cycle.”
In response to the unique fluctuation in the female foot, Asics developed the Gender Space Trusstic System that adjusts to fit a women’s arch as it changes shape. This cushioning and support device is created with a thin layer of foam that lies across a rigid arch such that when a woman’s arch drops, the foam is compressed and flattened. When her arch is higher, the foam elevates and provides increased cushioning. This feature debuted in the Asics Gel Kayono and the Asics Women’s GT 2110. Check them out:
Asics Gel Kayano
GT 2110
After Years of Injuries, I Finally Found the Asics GT 2040
If you’re an over-pronator, the Asics GT 2040 might just be for you. For long-distance over-pronators, especially those of us with narrow feet, the Asics GT 2040 puts up a solid fight.
As one Asics GT 2040 user put it:
“My over-pronation was causing my tendenitis and stress fractures. What I needed was the best narrow, motion control shoes that I could find. After years of injuries, and years of trying different shoes, I finally got it right! I trained and ran with the Asics GT 2040. I had a wonderful training experience and ran a very respectable marathon.”
In fact, this runner gives the Asics GT 2040 5 out of 5 stars. Check out her review.
New Balance: Balancing Great Shoes and Commendable Labor Practices
Long has negative publicity surrounding shoe manufacture labor practices in developing countries plagued the athletic shoe industry. New Balance, however, has been paraded as the exemplary brand for runners concerned with fair labor practices. Unlike other athletic shoe producers, New Balance rarely outsources production. In fact, 100% of New Balance’s manufacturing plants are located in the United States. At the height of public awareness about labor practices in the athletic shoe industry, New Balance was the clear choice for socially aware runners. But, it turns out, New Balance also makes a fantastic running shoe. Regardless of manufacturing labor practices, runners love New Balance.
So, you’ve decided a New Balance shoe is for you. But which one?
Supportive Cushioning Models
- 2001 (Men’s Styles Only) The New Balance 2001 a Heritage style built with N-ergy V 2.0 system midsole technology and a full footbed of ABZORB SBS for the mild to moderate pronator.
- 992 The New Balance 992 is a Heritage shoe featuring Abzorb® cushioning and Encap® built for the mild to moderate overpronator who requires a combination of cushioning and stability.
- 991 The New Balance 991 is a Heritage shoe featuring Abzorb® cushioning and Encap® built for the mild to moderate overpronator who requires a combination of cushioning and stability.
- 1041 (Women’s Style’s Only) An innovative trainer with a unique foxing construction and N-ergy system midsole technology developed for the mild to moderate overpronator.
- 766 The New Balance 766 named “Editor’s Choice” by Runner’s World. The New Balance 766 is a supportive trainer featuring the “Transitional Support” system and ABZORB in the heel and forefoot which offers a combination of cushioning and stability. The 766 is available in a regular and water resistant version.
Stability/Motion Control Models
- 1221 The 1221 is a high mileage trainer designed with integrated medial ROLLBAR and TS2 midsole technology offering the ultimate in support and cushioning.
- 1122 (Men’s Models Only) The New Balance 1122 is a high mileage trainer for the runner who requires maximum motion control, stability and cushioning.
- 856 The New Balance 856 is a high mileage trainer with ABZORB SBS cushioning, ROLLBAR and dual density medial post to accomodate the moderate to severe overpronator.
- 855 A high mileage trainer with ABZORB SBS cushioning, ROLLBAR and dual density medial post to accommodate the moderate to severe overpronator.
- 587 The New Balance 587 ia a highly stable Heritage trainer for runners who require maximum motion control, support and cushioning.
Lightweight Models
- 901 The New Balance 901 is a lightweight training shoe developed with added support for the performance runner looking for a fast-paced trainer.
- 900 The New Balance 900 is a lightweight training shoe developed with a dual density post providing added support for the performance runner looking for a fast-pace trainer.
Avoid Injury with an AAPSM Selected Shoe
“Sports injuries impact the health and quality of life of millions of Americans,” or so says the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), who publishes an annual list of selected athletic shoes, including running shoes, cross trainers and trail runners. By providing information to advance the understanding, prevention and management of sports related injuries, the AAPSM strives to optimize fitness activity enjoyment.
Check out the list of selected running shoes and see if your current shoe or that snazzy one you’ve been eyeing makes the grade. AAPSM list of selected running shoes In selecting running shoes for the list, the AAPSM tests shoes for stability, durability, availability, price, quality control, orthotic compatibility, and specific, unique features. Selected running shoes are categorized by Mild Motion Control, Moderate Motion Control, Maximum Motion Control, Cushioning and Trail so you’re certain to find a great shoe to fit your specific foot structure and activity needs. For those of us with special size or width requirements, the AAPSM denotes shoes available in variable widths and larger sizes.
If you’re researching running shoes, cross trainers, aerobic shoes, hiking shoes or even walking shoes, start with safety and start here!
Asics Gel Foundation VI: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Want a motion-control running shoe, but don’t want to lose the cushioning of a stability running sneaker? Try the Asics Gel Foundation. The Foundation, currently Asics’s sixth edition, is one of the company’s many motion control shoes. Built for the mild to severe over-pronator, it features a stability technology (in the form of a DuoMax medial post in this case) to ensure a controlled gait from heel to toe. Unlike many other motion-control shoes, the Asics Gel Foundation has a cushioning mechanism that ensures comfort throughout your stride.
The Foundation’s cushioning system stands out from other motion-control shoes through a variety of features. Like many Asics running shoes, the Foundation features a GEL® Cushioning System and a SpEVA® midsole to ensure a comfortable fit. The shoe also has a Personalized Heel Fit (PHF) memory foam that conforms to the runner’s foot over the course of its use.
The Foundation is geared to both male and female runners, and weighs in at a relatively light 12.4 and 10.1 ounces, respectively. Suggested retail prices run at about $90, but vary depending on location. For more information, take a look at our Asics reviews.
The Mechanics Behind Motion Control Shoes
Know you need a motion control running shoe, but don’t quite understand the mechanics? Runningunlimited.com offers an easy-to-understand explanation:
“Motion Control shoes are designed for the severe over-pronator. A severe over-pronator has a foot whose arch is too flexible and collapses excessively. This causes the foot to roll inward at an extreme angle and puts strain on the shins, knees, and lower back. Motion Control shoes are straight lasted and have a very broad base for support. Motion Control shoes will also have either a dual density midsole or a rollbar, or both, for added pronation control.”
Here’s another test of a good motion control shoe: Twist it. It should be rigid through the arch, so that when you run on it, it doesn’t allow you to twist your foot, curbing over-pronation.
Prone to Over-Pronate? Try a Motion Control Shoe
If you overpronate, like many runners out there, you know what a (literal) pain it can be. Overpronation, for those of you not familiar with the term, is an inward rolling of the foot during a running stride. While all runners pronate to a certain extent, some of us (usually with flat feet) turn our foot TOO far inward when we push off. This can lead to a number of injuries, including shin splints, IT band syndrome, and heel spurs.
One way to counter over-pronation is by purchasing motion control running shoes. Motion control shoes, or durability shoes, do precisely what they say – they support the flat arches that most over-pronators possess, helping them to have a more controlled gait. One example is one of the best running shoes on the market, the Brooks Beast motion control shoe. For more info on motion control running sneakers, please see our motion control page.
Brooks Beast: Setting the Pace for Motion Control
If you’re a guy looking for motion control in a running shoe, try the Brooks Beast . These are regarded by many as the best running shoe in the market. Brooks, a brand well-known for its durability shoes, has released a new version of the Beast for the past several years.
The Beast is known by many as the best motion control running sneaker on the market. Geared specifically toward over-pronators, people with low arches, and runners who need orthotics the Beast is equipped with e-1™ and e-2™ compounds to increase durability and absorb impact shock. This allows the shoe to have superior cushioning while still offering a great deal of support. The top of the shoe also offers the classic Brooks breathable mesh, allowing airflow through the foot while on long runs.
The Beast, like many motion control shoes, is relatively weighty for a running shoe. It comes in at 14.5 oz in the men’s version. It can cost anywhere between $90-$110, depending on the store or website. Also check out our review of the Brooks Ariel running shoe.
Brooks Ariel: Keeping up with the Beast
Ladies, if you’re in awe/envy of the Brooks Beast, fear not: there is a running shoe out there for you. In addition to the Beast, Brooks features the Ariel for women. In addition to a color job, the shoes are cut a little lighter and weigh in at 12.3 oz vs. 14.5 for the Beast.
Like the Brooks Beast running shoe, Ariel is known by many as the best women’s motion control shoe on the market. Again, it’s geared to runners that over-pronate, have low or flat arches, and those who sometimes use orthotics. The Ariel uses most of the same technology as the beast, including Substance 257, a compound that claims to “offer unsurpassed cushioning and durability.” Both shoes also offer diagonal rollbars on the bottom of the shoe to reduce excess pronation, and heel stabilizers to increase motion control. It can cost anywhere between $90-$110, depending on the store or website. For more information, visit the Brooks Website.
Nike Air Cesium: A Lighter Running Shoe for Over-Pronators
While many motion-control shoes are relatively heavy, companies are now making innovations to these running shoes to make them lighter. One such shoe is the Nike Air Cesium.
Air Cesium, which was featured in November 2005’s Runner’s World Magazine as a hot new product, is classified as a stability shoe with motion control capabilities. The shoe features a crash pad on the lateral (outside) portion of the foot, helping soften the blow with each step and making it harder to over-pronate. Geared toward mid- to heavy-weight runners (runners that are more likely to over-pronate) the Air Cesium claims to “offer similar benefits of a custom orthotic,” according to Nike officials, while weighing in at a waif-like 10 ounces.
The Air Cesium is available on a number of European web sites and will be officially unveiled by Nike in January of 2006.
