Gear
Spring Shoe Review
Fresh Footwear for Spring
March 1, 2009By Gus Alexandropoulos
Many running shoe manufacturers are now packaging their goods with the use of recycled paper and environmentally friendly inks. This year, companies like Mizuno, Brooks and Merrell are also using greener products to build their shoes. Mizuno adds flax oil as part of its Wave technology, while Brooks’s BioMoGo midsoles will biodegrade in a fraction of the time it takes conventional midsoles. And this isn’t just a sales gimmick: Brooks has allowed the “open-source” BioMoGo formula to be used by other companies. Less radical but still effective is Merrell’s use of recycled material in various components of its shoes.
Also this year, companies like Mizuno and Adidas are introducing gender-specific designs, which address the differences between men’s and women’s hips, muscle composition and gait.
Increased out-of-the-box comfort is a big trend this season, with companies adding thicker Ortholite sockliners, softer midsoles, seamless uppers and cushioned collars. These instantly comfortable shoes will help many new runners stay with the sport
Despite, these advancements, the focus when buying new shoes should always be achieving the correct fit and level of support. It’s usually easy to find a shoe that fits the shape of your foot; finding the right level of support or stability is more complicated. When running or walking, the bare foot naturally rolls towards the medial (inside) edge of the foot, which is part of your body’s natural way of absorbing impact. The amount of medial roll determines whether the runner needs a neutral (or cushioning) shoe, a stability shoe or a motion control shoe.
Neutral
Runners with high arches and rigid feet need flexible, cushioned shoes that absorb impact and encourage the foot’s natural shock-absorbing movement.
Stability
Most runners have medium-height arches and pronate slightly during the gait cycle. These runners should look for the blend of cushioning and control found in stability shoes. This footwear uses a medial article and controls the inward collapse of the foot during the gait cycle.
Motion Control
Runners with low arches and overly flexible feet suffer from excessive pronation. These runners need serious motion control and stability found on highly structured shoes.
Neutral Shoes
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Biom A 1.1 - $240
Ecco
Unlike most running shoes, the Biom A 1.1 provides minimal stability and cushioning. This radical construction approach is a result of the research from biomechanics expert G.P. Bruggemann of the University of Cologne in Germany, which shows runners' injuries have not decreased even with all the improvements in cushioning and stability. Bruggemann feels that allowing the foot to move naturally strengthens the muscles and connective tissue and reduces the need for traditional motion control and cushioning. The Biom's ride height is very low, encouraging a fast mid-to-forefoot running style, while the shank and unique web-like PU midsole provide lateral stiffness and efficient energy transfer. The snug-fitting and breathable yak leather upper is water-repellent and conforms to the shape of the foot for an almost custom fit. The shoes' firm cushioning and forefoot-strike emphasis require significant muscle adaptation, which Ecco encourages with an included six-week training plan. Fast and efficient forefoot strikers will instantly love the unencumbered feel of the Biom A1.1, while runners who normally gravitate toward more conventional stability shoes and are willing to follow the training program may enjoy a new level of efficiency and speed.
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Energy - $130
Zoot
Zoot entered the running shoe market with innovative technologies like a smooth interior lining for a barefoot fit and its one-pull Quick-Lace system. The new Energy retains these features and adds great cushioning and a smooth heel-to-toe transition, creating an exceptional neutral training and racing shoe. Fast, biomechanically efficient runners will love this shoe's flexible forefoot and close-to-the-ground feel.
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ProGrid Triumph 6 - $150
Saucony
Building on an already successful shoe, Saucony's ProGrid Triumph 6 delivers more cushioning and a smoother ride. The snug heel and Arch-Lock midfoot establish a secure fit, while a softer sockliner offers great cushioning and comfort. Runners with high arches wanting a supremely cushioned ride will enjoy this new shoe.
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Supernova Glide - $130
Addidas
The Supernova Glide represents the new trend in gender engineering with the men's and women's shoes addressing differences in male and female foot structure, weight and gait. A seamless upper minimizes chafing and enhances comfort, while a soft dual-layer sockliner provides cushioning. Intended as a neutral shoe, the Supernova Glide delivers excellent cushioning, particularly in the heel, thanks to the ForMotion design, which separates the heel crash pod from the rest of the sole. The forefoot ride is responsive with slightly less cushioning than in the heel, creating the effect of a greater heel-to-forefoot height ratio that may not appeal to all runners.
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1063 - $170
New Balance
The 1063 delivers an incredibly plush ride by combining multiple layers of cushioning and moving the gel-like Abzorb pods closer to ground. New Balance uses its new PL-1 last for a sleek, foot-hugging fit, while the Cocona-lined upper controls moisture and minimizes odours. The NLock lacing system further enhances fit by cinching the uppers around the arch and the top of the foot. Deep forefoot flex grooves assure a smooth heel-to-toe transition and encourage a faster pace. New balance adds a blown rubber outsole in forefoot for extra cushioning and weight reduction, while harder rubber in the heel increases durability. Neutral runners seeking a exceptional cushioning and a great fit will love the 1063.
Stability Shoes
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Air Span +6 - $129
Nike
The new lightweight Flywire upper and synthetic fabric arch panel on the Air Span+6 deliver a snug fit and exceptional lock-down. The gender-specific, highly cushioned heel with a decoupled crash pod provides a plush ride, while the flexible forefoot, with its deep flex-groves, makes for a buttery-smooth heel-to-toe transition. A firm medial article controls pronation without impeding the shoes' smooth ride. This is a comfortable stability shoe with a very smooth ride.
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Complete Concinnity III - $159
Puma
The Complete Concinnity III blends a very plush ride with a small but effective medial article for early-stage stability during the gait cycle. The rounded heel provides a quick transition for heel strikers while the highly flexible forefoot is suited for runners with rigid feet. With its incredibly soft cushioning, the Complete Concinnity III is a good match for high-arched runners, but some may find the firm medial article out-of-sync the shoe's overall performance. A good option for runners who want maximum cushioning, but with some stability.
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CT Stamina - $150
Merrell
Designed as a mild stability shoe, the CT Stamina avoids gimmicky cushioning technology and delivers no-nonsense performance. The soft midsole's smooth ride is reinforced with a small medial article to decrease inward roll. Merrell includes a heat-regulating sockliner for extra comfort, and uses recycled materials to minimize environmental impact. This is a good shoe for runners who want cushioning with some stability, and a smaller carbon footprint.
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GT-2140 - $160
Asics
As one of its most popular models, Asics wisely choose not to mess with what worked in its update of the GT-2140. The excellent fit and performance remain the same with a slight improvement in cushioning response and a smidge more midfoot stability. The upper receives a minor update with a shortened collar and more comfortable forefoot fit, while the new memory foam sockliner dishes out excellent out-of-the-box comfort and won't break down over time. This great shoe should now appeal to even more runners looking for a stable, well-cushioned, high-mileage trainer.
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Premier Ultra KFS VI - $140
Reebok
The new Premier Ultra KFS VI uses Reebok's Kinetic Fit system for a snug, yet flexible, fit. The excellent cushioning and deep forefoot-flex grooves maximize the smoothness of the ride. Reebok adds an Ortholite sockliner for instant comfort while the Play Dry lining controls moisture during warmer conditions. This is a good shoe for runners seeking great heel cushioning with a flexible forefoot and minimal stability.
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Revenant - $140
Under Armour
The Revenant is Under Armour's new stability-oriented running specific shoe, and an exceptional entry into this competitive field. Packed with proprietary cushioning and fit technology, the Revenant has a very stable ride with plenty of cushioning - perfect for high-mileage training. Functional features include stretch panels in the midfoot for a snug, low-profile fit and a decoupled heel for smoother cushioning. Some runners may prefer a lower-fitting arch, but anyone needing a stable well-cushioned training shoe should check out the Revenant.
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Trance 8 - $210
Brooks
This Trance 8 is Brooks's first shoe with the innovative biodegradable BioMoGo midsole. Aimed at moderate pronators with low insteps, the Trance 8 meshes firm, durable cushioning with solid stability. The slightly curved profile delivers a fast and smooth toe-off, while a blown-rubber forefoot outsole reduces weight. Runners with high insteps may wish for roomier uppers, but otherwise this is an excellent, environmentally friendly, high-mileage training shoe.
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Wave Rider 12 - $155
Mizuno
This year, Mizuno is using Pebax Rnew for the construction of the Wave midsole plate in the new Wave Rider 12. The new material consists of 66 per cent castor oil and reduces environmental impact during production. Targeted at neutral runners, the Wave Rider 12's cushioned and responsive ride is instantly comfortable thanks partially to a soft Ortholite sockliner. Mizuno also addresses the specific needs of men and women with its new gender-specific models. The women's version has softer cushioning in the heel and a slightly more flexible forefoot appropriate for women's lower-average weight and different gait. The men's version offers firmer cushioning and flexibility. This is an excellent update, suitable for medium- and high-arched runners in search of a great-fitting, responsive and cushioned training shoe.
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Kendari SC - $159
Etonic
With its responsive ride and firm medial article the Kendari SC is ideal for fast training. Deep forefoot flex grooves provide a smooth ride, while Etonic's Dynamic Reaction Plate disperses impact and stabilizes the foot. Runners with medium-height arches looking for speedy, high mileage trainer will appreciate the ride of the new Kendari SC.
