Outsole of running shoes typically do not flex in response to the feet landing on the ground. However, New Balance has designed conformal outsole that flexes in response to each stride landing on the ground. Specifically, New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v2’s outsole flexes in response to the feet landing on the ground, which delivers … More Conformal outsole of New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v2
Adidas Supernova Boost running shoes represent a new line of running shoes for moderate runners. Specifically, its thick layer of Boost foam marks a distinct change in design philosophy relative to older models such as Supernova Glide Boost series, which was primarily designed for high speed running. From personal usage experience with the Supernova … More Adidas new line of running shoes for moderate runners
There is a recent trend in running shoe design that features a one-piece integrated outsole compared to the common design of the past where the outsole is separated into two distinct segments. For example, both Adidas Vengeful Boost and New Balance Fresh Foam Zante comes with integrated one piece outsole, where the thread pattern runs … More Advantages of an integrated one piece outsole
A recent article in New York Times (Link) reports exercise research that highlights natural running gait and style is the most efficient for both experienced and novice runners. Specifically, in studies conducted with two cohorts of runners differentiated by their experience in running, the novice cohort revealed that their natural running gait is the … More Natural running style is the most efficient
Focus on running shoes have always been on the midsole foam technology as well as the upper mesh design and colors. But, what is less well known is the strong influence of the outsole on the performance of the midsole foam in absorbing shock and stress. Specifically, the thread pattern of the outsole affects the … More How does the outsole design affect the performance of the midsole in shock absorption?
Adidas recently launched Ultra Boost X that features a unique arch design in the central part of the running shoe where the natural arch of a human foot is (Figure 1). Flexible in nature and able to conform (at least partially) to the arch of a human foot, the arch design in Ultra Boost X … More Innovative arch design for conforming to the natural arch of foot in a trend of shape conformal design of running shoes
I have experience using Adidas Response Boost 2.0 and Adidas Supernova Glide 8 Boost. Both models have not worn out, but their foam experienced something akin to catastrophic failure, which raised serious concerns, inside me, on the durability of Adidas Boost foam, the only foam used in their high performance running shoes. Specifically, Response … More Concerns on the durability of Adidas Boost foam
Different outsoles and thread patterns confer differing levels of grip to a running shoe and creates different running sensations. From my experience and logical deduction, small amounts of sliding when the running shoe hits the ground helps reduce impact energy and transfer of shock waves from the ground to the knee, making the running gait … More Blown rubber may be ideally suited as outsole for performance running shoes
New Balance just came out with a significant innovation in mesh design and manufacturing capability in a form beautifully articulated by its Graphic Trainer 711v2 (Figure 1). Figure 1: New Balance Graphic Trainer 711v2 sports a new look upper mesh that seamlessly integrates the toebox with the rest of the upper mesh in a one … More Seamless mesh innovation from New Balance in Graphic Trainer 711v2
Movement in running shoe or even walking shoe must be restricted in order to reduce the impact on the knee and foot due to improper landing on hard surfaces, which can result from errors in strides. While the experiential knowledge of securing the foot in the running shoe is known from the sport physiology … More Unique flexible cage structure helps anchor foot in running shoe
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