Styler
5
6
Slip-resistant. Supportive.
Comfortable. The Addiction Walker
from Brooks will soon to be your
favorite.
8
7
Featuring an aggressive outsole for
increased grip, Inov8 offers up a
superb trail running shoe with the
new Parklaw 275.
9
An international favorite, the K-Swiss
brand serves up another winner with the
SI-2018. This lightweight mid top sneaker
features a paneled and layered mesh
upper for breathability and bridges tennis-
specific technology with street style looks
Line Manager, Jena Winger. “If the shoe
is built with sound biomechanics in mind,
there is less of a need to add unnecessary
parts and pieces.” So the trick these days
is to come up with a comfortably versatile
design one that is aesthetic appealing,
but also ensures performance. We asked
Graham Jordison, Lead Designer for Inov-
8 Footwear, how he achieves that. “We
continually evolve our technology from
our cushioning technologies that aim to be
lighter while still maintaining exceptional
cushioning properties as well as materials
that are lighter, softer but also very durable.
The new GEL-Quest FF training shoe from
ASICS has been designed to take on a
variety of activities as its features include
GEL cushioning in the heel for high-impact
protection plus a DynaTruss Trusstic
System for lightweight medial support.
There has been a lot of advancements
in textiles, rubbers and foams in the
past 10 years and you are seeing a lot
of this being reÀ ected in our product.”
In addition to attending tradeshows and
staying up-to-date on the latest fashion
trends across industries, while athletic
footwear manufacturers use designated
teams of marketing personnel that
leverage consumer feedback to determine
the seasonal color palette, and to ensure
their latest model has stylistic appeal,
the other challenge is literally that one
size does not ¿ t all. Again, that comes
GolfPlus
With its unique graphene-enhanced
rubber, new midsole technologies and
upper materials offering a superior grip,
the F-Lite 290 from Inov8 is a training-
shoe that provides comfort, adaptability
and durability.
back to an understanding of the science
of footwear. “The most important thing
to look for, and best way to reduce
the risk of injury is to select the most
comfortable pair of shoes for you as an
individual. For some people that may
mean softer cushioning, while for others
that may mean ¿ rmer, more responsive
cushioning. It may mean having plenty of
that cushioning underfoot, or being closer
to the ground, and it may mean a shoe
that incorporates support technologies or
an after-market orthotic. There are a lot
of options out there to ¿ nd your ideal ¿ t,
feel, ride and look, and working with an
expert at your local running store is the
best way to quickly narrow down the best
option for you,” advises Brooks’ Winger.
Adds Jordison: “The idea of “the shoe
needs to break in” is not a mind- set one
should have when buying an athletic
shoe. Especially a training or running
shoe.” Admiring a model purely for the
style as you gaze admiringly at them on
the showroom À oor’s foot mirror, it is
easy to get lost in fancy design patterns
and looks, but the fact remains one
should always rate a shoe based ¿ rst on
¿ t and feel. It sounds like an obvious
consideration, but often is not followed.
You may look “mahvelous”, but when
you’re out doing sprints, playing tennis
or at the gym lifting weights, support
and performance should be the chief
consideration in athletic footwear.
Everybody’s foot is different, but nobody
wants to wear something that is too snug
or even too soft when working hard to
stay in shape.
NOVEMBER
2018
31