Boulderspace

With the Bolder Boulder ‘08 just around the corner, I’d like to know what type of sneaker designs people are racing in this weekend, and why they chose the shoes they did? Shoe design for function, style, or steez? I decided to check in with the Boulder Running Company and see what people were buying for this years competition. I quickly learned that as each runner is different, so are their feet. It is amazing how much goes into a shoe design these days. It’s not your average Keds or Chuck Taylor anymore. Now there is a variety of shoes which the design caters to each individual runner’s foot contour. On the technical side of the matter, there is three types of shoes: Cushion, Stability, and Motion Control, each with a unique purpose to fit ones foot properly. It was best described to me by saying your foot is a tripod. With the balls of your feet, two in the front and then your heal in the back. You can make your foot more stable, like a table, if you support your arch effectively with the proper footwear.

While at the shop, I couldn’t help but notice the plethora of running shoes. “So, what are the most technical sneaker based designs you carry?” I asked Henry the store’s buyer. He answered, “The Gel-Kinsei by Asics and the Pro Grid Paramount by Saucony.” In comparison, I was also interested to hear about the simplest design they carried, the Streak XC by Nike. Investigating further, check out the sneaker design details below:

Asics Gel-Kinsei -

From Asics ‘house of innovation’, the Gel-Kinsei pushes the technical envelope. Asics premier runing shoe intoroduced a new component, the Propulsion TrussticTM, which was engineered to mimic the function of the foot’s connective tissue. This development creates tension from heel lift to toe-off by extending the TPU structure into the forefront of the mid sole. The end result is the first truly seamless integration of I.G.S.® (Impact Guidance System), allowing the shoe to respond to the stresses applied and to the requirements it meets along the entire gait cycle. The forefoot also features a GEL® Cushioning System, designed to work in concert with the Propulsion TrussticTM, encouraging the foot to maintain a more efficient toe-off position. Innovation continues with an asymmetrical lacing system that creates improved upper fit by placing the side panels of the shoe evenly on either side of the bony architecture of the foot. The high-tech mesh under-layer allows for temperature control. Check out the Asics site to learn more about this shoe design: Gel-Kinsei

Saucony Progrid Paramount -

The ProGrid™ is Saucony’s latest impact deflection technology, as it absorbs impact, it dissipates shock and provides a seamless transition from heel to forefoot. The midsole of this shoe is composed of an advanced EVA blend that maximizes rebound and durability while maintaining weight. Other components in this shoe design include, HRC strobel board that increases cushioning and comfort, Comfortemp® material throughout the upper that monitors temperature, Arch-Lock that provides a fitted mid foot fit, Flexation Plate that allows runners to rise on their toes, SRC Impact Zone that provides shock attentuation and sets up foot for a smooth transition, and lastly, an external TPU Heel Counter that seamlessly locks in the heel. In addition to function, this shoe comes in a three colors with detailed graphics on the back heel. To learn more about this design, check out the Saucony’s site: ProGrid™

Nike Streak XC -

On the simpler side of design, this Nike Streak XC racing flat is one of the most basic running shoes Boulder Running Company carries. With a small air unit in the heel and light weight character - a shoe design like this can help shave seconds in a race. This shoe is composed of a full-length Phylon midsole and heel that delivers fast, low-profile cushioning. With Nike Zoom Air technology this shoe delivers firm and super-responsive cushioning for top seeds.

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While your at the race this weekend, look down and check out what our racers are wearing. Technical or simple? Colorful and Gel filled, or basic and flat? What design works best for you and what about it do you recommend?

Tags: Asics Gel-Kinsei, Bolder Boulder 08, Nike Streak XC, Saucony Progrid Paramount, sneaker design