Asics Gel Nimbus 10
	Full Name: Asics Gel Nimbus 10
	Category: Cushioning
	Weight:12.4 oz. (352 gr.)
	Suggested Price: 120$
	Reccomended For: Supinators and Heavier Runners

• General Info:

The Nimbus 10 is Asics’ top of the line cushioning shoe. At 120$ suggested retail price, it packs a lot of Asics’ best technology and expertise to provide a soft, cushioned run to Supinators or heavy Neutral Pronators.
A long time favourite by many runners, the 10th version includes a few updatesa from the previous models.

• Sole Unit:

Nimbus 10 sole unit is a concentrate of technology, putting together the results of decades of innovation.

The material used for the midsole is Asics Solyte, material with which we are now familiar in Asics shoes. It is lighter and softer than traditional EVA – according to Asics – what we definitely felt in our test rides is that this material is actually very springy, offering a cushy, very responsive ride.

Asics Twist Gel cushioning system both in the forefoot and rearfoot add to this soft, cushioned ride.

The Space Trusstic System is a plastic piece that runs across the midsole in the arch area providing support during the heel to toe transition of the gait, preventing the foot from flexing unnaturally. As usual, Asics uses different Trusstic systems for mens and womens – which is a big plus for women.

The Nimbus also presents several solutions on the outsole: in the forefoot by using 4 pieces of rubber combining different materials (the pattern improves flexibility and helps the toe lift-off, while the different materials help improve durability in the areas of maximum wear) and the use of Asics’ AHAR (High Abrasion Resistant) rubber on the heel, to increase the durability of the shoe in the heel.

• Upper:

The first thing you notice in the Nimbus 10 is the adoption of the new asimmetrical lacing system. The purpose is to offer a more natural enclosure of the foot, by having a lacing system that runs across the bony part of the upper of the foot. Reactions to this have been mixed: some runners love it and some are annoyed by it. We believe it really depends on the shape of your feet, but the ones who like it are enthusiastic about it.

The upper includes the Biomorphic Fit Technology, which is the addition of an elastic material in between some strategically placed overlays. These parts expands and contracts when your foot expands on the impact on the ground (did you know your foot grows a half size during the impact? Try and picture out a football bounced on the ground!).

Memory foam in the heel collar and an Ortholite sockliner complete the dotation of the upper of this shoe.

• Opinion:

The Nimbus comes back in its 10th version remaining faithful to its runners: it is the market’ standard for Supinators (under Pronators) and heavy runners providing one of the best cushioned run.

Running a few miles in it, we noticed the toe area feeling slightly narrower than previous versions of the Nimbus – pay attention to sizing when you buy, you might need a half size more than your previous Nimbus.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

Asics Gel Cumulus 10
	Full Name: Asics Gel Cumulus 10
	Category: Cushioning
	Weight:11.8 oz. (335 gr.)
	Suggested Price: 95 $
	Reccomended For: Supinator or Neutral Pronator

• General Info:

Asics Cumulus 10 is Asics’ mid-priced shoe for the supinator runner (or under pronator). Common feedback about this shoes by runners who have tested it, is that it offers a slightly different ride than the Cumulus 9 used to, being slightly more stable and less cushioning. Let’s see in detail what this shoe has to offer.

• Sole Unit:

For the first time, the Cumulus offers Asics’ I.G.S. (Impact Guidance System) trademark technology. IGS is actually a whole design philosophy of combining the various parts of the midsole in a way that encourages (guides) your foot to go from the heel impact to the toe lift-off in the most natural and therefore efficient way possible.
The Space Trusstic System is also helping in this sense, by adding a plastic wrapping around the arch area of the midsole so to protect your foot (and ankles!) from innatural torsion in the heel-to-toe transition.
On the cushioning side, Asics uses on the Cumulus 10 the Solyte material, which is softer and lighter than normal EVA or spEVA (foam, what you find in all shoes’ midsoles). Softer and lighter is good – but of course it can mean less durability for your shoes. Completes the cushioning the addition of Twist Gel in the Forefoot and Rearfoot of the midsole, providing that extra cushioning that Supinators need.

• Upper:

With all the technology concentrated on the Midsole, the upper is light and clean and – even though no major technologies are involved – it serves its purpose. Upper has been slightly redesigned so to offer a larger mesh area on the toecap to enhance comfort and breathability. Testers’ impression is that the shoe has gotten slightly wider than it used to be.

• Opinion:

At a 95$ price point, the Cumulus 10 is a benchmark for Cushioning running shoes. The addition of the I.G.S. system seems to have “stiffened” the ride offered by previous versions of the Cumulus.
Has the Cumulus become a Stability shoe? No, it is still a great cushioning trainer, aimed at a heavy Neutral Pronator who needs slightly more cushioning than a lightweight runner or at a non-extreme Supinator.
If this is the kind of runner you are, 95$ is great value for money on this shoe. But if you are a more severe Supinator or a definitely heavier runner, you should maybe look at the Cumulus’s big sister: the Asics Gel Nimbus 10 .

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

Asics GT 2140
	Full Name: Asics GT 2140
	Category: Stability
	Weight: 11 oz. (310 gr.)
	Suggested Price:100$
	Reccomended For: Neutral to Mild Over Pronators

• General Info:

The Asics GT 2100 series is most likely the world’s best selling Stability shoe. This means that when Asics refreshes it, they have to improve the shoes’ performance but have to stay true to the franchise fit, performance and durability – in other words, they need not to disappoint all the fans worldwide.

• Sole Unit:

The midsole tooling is new, but has the same basic characteristics as as the GT 2130.
Improved foam material will provide better ‘bounce back’, and to enhance midfoot support, the Space Trusstic System has been lengthened slightly on the medial side, which is meant to provide an even better support during the heel-to-toe transition of your running gait.
Unchanged the use of Asics’ DuoMax dual density technology: an injection of a harder foam in the medial side of the midsole in order to support collapsing arches, while letting the rest of the feet be cushioned by Asics’s Gel technology both in the forefoot and the heel.

• Upper:

Even though the upper has a complete redesign from last year’s shoe, the last used for the shape of the upper hasn’t been changed – if you fit 2008′s GT (2130), you will fit the same in the 2140.
A good update on the upper is the adoption of a new Ortholite sockliner. Made of Memory Foam, this sockliner adds extra cushioning to your run without compromising the stability of the shoe. The sockliner will adapt to the natural shape of your foot, and get back to its original form after each run.

• Opinion:

The Asics GT 2140 is a great value for money. If you already run in a GT2000 shoe and wonder if this years’ version will live up to your expectations you won’t be disappointed. If you are a neutral to mild overpronator runner, this shoe is a great option for you.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

Asics Gel Kayano 15
	Full Name: Asics Gel Kayano 15
	Category: Stability
	Weight:13 oz. (370 gr.)
	Suggested Price: 140$
	Reccomended For: Neutral to Mild Over Pronators

• General Info:

The Asics Gel Kayano is an industry icon, reaching the 15th edition in 2009.

The biggest changes are the asymmetrical lacing and a new and improved heel cushioning, and both upgrades actually work in providing a better fit and a more protected running experience.

• Sole Unit:

The Asics Gel Kayano 15 comes with a new and improved midsole.

One of the key features are Asics’ trademark Heel and Forefoot Gel Cushioning which has been improved over the Kayano 14 by adding more gel and adding a plastic capping to achieve a soft but controlled cushioning to heel and toe impact on the ground.

Heel and toe are linked together by Asics’ Space Trusstic System, a piece of PU (plastic) that wraps the midsole in the arch (midfoot) area. This technology provides an exceptional support during the heel-to-toe transition of the running gait and prevents your foot to unnaturally torque while hitting the ground. Womens and Mens versions of the Kayano 15 have different shapes of the Trusstic system to better fit theirtneeds and different biomechanics.

The Kayano 15 includes Asics’ DuoMax dual density midsole insert: a harder foam inserted in the midsole to give the foot a better support in the arch area, where it is needed most, while allowing other areas to be softer and therefore better cushioned.

• Upper:

The first thing you notice about the upper is the asimmetrical lacing system. The purpose of this innovation is to have the lacing follow the natural shape of the bony part of the foot, providing a better fit and lesser irritations. We were favourably impressed with this solution.

Other features on the upper are the memory foam heel collar lining, which lets the shoe adjust around the shape of your foot, achieving an incredible fit. More, the BioMorphic Fit inserts in the upper are stretcheable overlays that expand and contract with your foot’s natural expansion (heat, circulation and the foot strike itself all determine your foot actual size and it varies during the run!).

• Opinion:
  

Asics continue to deliver with the Kayano series. A long time favourite for many runners, the 2009 model won’t disappoint any previous Kayano runner or new ones.

We recommend this shoe to normally to low arched runners, who are neutral pronators to mild over pronators.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

Anatomy of a Running Shoe (courtesy of www.visualdictionaryonline.com)

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This image illustrates the main components of a running shoe, and can help us as a visual reference for the future.

A running shoe is primarly divided in two main components

• a shoe upper, which is the mesh/leather/synthetic part  you insert your foot in and lace up;
• a sole unit, which is itself split into a midsole and an outsole.

The two parts (upper and sole unit) are produced separately and hand glued together at the end of the production process.

Although the upper plays a big role in the soundness, fit, comfort and performance of a running shoe, the technologies that make a shoe a cushioned, stability or motion control shoe are mainly to be found in the sole unit of the shoe – in the midsole.

We read here the importance of absorbing the shock that comes from the impact on the ground. Your running shoe’s midsole absorbs a good part of the impact and therefore it is important to understand a few basic concepts about midsoles – so that you can choose the best running shoe for your unique style of running.

Please check HERE for a guide on running shoes midsoles.

As we saw here, when it comes to running biomechanics, there are three types of runners (click here to find out what runner type you are).

No matter what brand (be it Asics or Nike or NB), running shoes are divided into three main silos, each one addressing the specific needs of one of the three types of runners.

Runner Type	Shoe Type	Explanation
Over Pronator	Motion Control shoes	Motion control footwear emphasizes medial support by having dual density midsoles, roll bars or foot bridges. This medial (inside support) support slows the rate of over pronation. An example of a motion control shoe would be the Asics Kayano and the Brooks addiction walker.
Neutral Pronator	Stability shoes	Stability footwear combines cushioning features and support features into its design. An example would be the Asics 2110 running shoe.
Supinator	Cushioning shoes	Cushioned footwear emphasizes enhanced shock dispersion in its midsole and/or outsole design. Many shoe companies add materials to the heel and forefoot areas to enhance the cushioning properties of the shoe i.e. air, gel, hydro flow etc. An example of a cushioned running shoe would be the Asics Gel Nimbus

These kind of shoes differ from each other for a whole series of characteristics, the most important of which reside in the midsole of the shoe.

Check out our articles on the anatomy of a running shoe – we will explain you how different shoes help you run !

There are a few tests commonly used to determine which kind of runner you are and, therefore, which kind of running shoe you should use.

One of these tests is called the Wet Feet Test and it is very simple to do and to understand. The basis of this test is that the wet footstep you leave on the floor while walking is a good indicator on how your foot absorbs the shock of the impact with the floor.

Simply wet your feet and walk over a flat surface, either the floor or a sheet of paper. Now, compare the impression you leave with the three figures here below:

Neutral Pronator	Neutral Pronator: If your impression looks the most like this one, you are a neutral pronator (20-30% of runners are). You strike the floor with your heel, then while you roll towards the toes, your arch lightly collapse inward absorbing the impact.
Over Pronator	Over Pronator: This foot impression looks like the whole sole of the foot. If this is the footstep that most closely resembles yours, then you are an over pronator. This means that the arch of your foot stretches inward too much, not assorbing the shock correctly and exposing you to injuries.
Supinator	Under Pronator (Supinator) Last, this is the foot impression of an under pronator (or supinator as most commonly called). Supinators’ feet don’t flex enough to provide an effective shock absorption during the run, making impact with the floor very hard and surely dangerous.

Whatever your kind of foot is, sport companies over the years have developed footwear technologies that can help. Almost all of them offer different lines of footwear, each one targeting only one of these foot types.

Sports industry has come to a common way to classify this different kind of footwear.

Please check the article here to find out what shoes are made for which kind of foot!

Do you need a shoe that cushions your foot or one that supports it?

If  you want to chose the right running shoe, the first concept you need to be familiar with is pronation.

Every time you stomp your foot on the ground, either by running, jumping or walking,  you apply a force to the ground.  As we know from Newton’s third law of Motion, the ground will respond by applying an equal and opposite force upwards towards you. This force is what propels your foot up and forward. This force makes you run.

The problem is that when you run, you apply a force as high as 8 times your body-weight. This force then gets back to you through your foot, ankle, knee and hips. No different than a car, your body has natural suspensions to help you absorb the shock. The basis of this natural suspension system is a process called pronation.

Pronation is the natural rolling of your foot inwards during the running (or walking) gait. The arch of your foot collapses towards the floor in order to absorb the impact.

Pronation is part of the natural bio-mechanics of your gait, and is there to protect you from injuries. Problems (injuries) can occur when you either pronate or supinate too much. Going back to the car suspensions analogy, problems occur when your suspensions are either too stiff or too soft.

Given this premise, we can differentiate three different conditions:

• Neutral Pronation when the foot naturally rolls inwards during the heel-to-toe transition of the gait. 20-30% of runners are neutral pronators.
• Over Pronation when the foot rolls excessively inwards and the arch collapses in a way that is detrimental to right shock absorption.
• Under Pronation (or  Supination) when the foot does not roll inwards enough during the running gait, leading to insufficient shock absorption.

Knowing if you are a neutral, over or underpronator is the first step towards choosing the best running shoe for you.

Here is a quick test to determine if you are a neutral, over or under pronator.

Welcome to Running Shoes Review!

Why a Running Shoes Review Blog ? Whether you run to get back or to keep in shape, to race short or long distances, to raise money for a cause or just because you like it – chosing the right running shoe can make your running experience a joyful, rewarding one. On the other side, chosing the wrong shoe can introduce you to a whole new galaxy of pain, blisters and injuries.

Your unique physical characteristics, from gender to body weight, from the shape of your foot to the biomechanics of your running gait together with the distances and surfaces you run on – all require different help from your footwear to support you, protect you and make you run at your best.

Sports companies are constantly developing new shoes and new technologies to help you run at your best. Information though can be overwhelming and misleading.

The purpose of this blog is to help both the novice and the experienced runner find their way to the best running shoe for their needs, by reviewing the latest offering from sports companies and giving clear and simple explanations of the characteristics and technologies of the shoes, as well as tips and advice on how to pick the right shoe for you!

Follow Running Shoes Review regularly, and you’ll become a running shoe expert in no time!

Thank you for reading us,
The Running Shoes Review staff.