2010 best summer shoes_reviewed
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2010 Best Summer Shoes_ReviewedTRANSCRIPT
REVIEWS
Rolling into summer, there are a variety of new and updated running shoes. Our annual review of secondquarter shoes includes 3 new models and 5 updates. There’s a little something for everyone: light, almostracer-like shoes, to maximum motion-stabilizing models that curb overpronation, and everything in between.
adidas adiStar Salvation 2 $140The Salvation is the most protective motion stabi-
lizing shoe in the adidas line. This roundmaintains that effectiveness by making
few adjustments to its predecessor.The upper is now a more
open mesh. Moresignificantly, there’snow a supportive
saddle with elastic insertsto move with the foot for a
better fit, the laces are integrated moreeffectively with the logo stripes to lock in the midfoot more support-
ively, and the bunion window has been opened up to accommodatemore foot shapes. The midsole is effectively the same (minor tweaks
have been made, though few would notice the difference) and the out-ersole and ForMotion cassettes are indistinguishably altered, except
for the color. The ride is still resilient and supportive, aided by themulti-density Ortholite innersole and adiPrene Strobel board. Runners
looking for plush comfort will find it in the Salvation.
MOTION STABILIZING Sizes: men 6.5–13,14; women 5–12 Weight: 14.4 oz. (men’s 11); 10.8 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, adiPrene Strobel Board
For: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation
ASICS Gel-3020 $120The aim of the 3020 is comfort and stability,
which it achieves well, though with afirmer ride than is typical of
ASICS. The upper wrapsthe foot well and
Biomorphic Fitpanels stretch
with the foot toimprove the feel re-
gardless of the flexing or po-sition of the foot. The lacing has been separated
from a single eyestay to individual points thatallow the laces to flex and snug alternately as ten-
sion is applied by the moving foot. PHF memory foamhas been added to the new, lower ankle collar, which reduces ankle
irritation. The addition of a flexible bunion window rounds out theupper improvements.The midsole has a firm forefoot cradle and awider base that combine to make the ride both firmer than other
ASICS stability shoes and its most stable. Overall, the fit, stable per-formance, and attention to detail earned the Gel-3020 our Best
Shoe award in the Motion Stabilizing category.
RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: men 8–13,14,15; women 6–11,12 Weight: 13.6 oz. (men’s 11);10.3 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, S257 Strobel Board
For: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to very mild overpronation
Saucony ProGrid Hurricane 12$140
Over 11 outings, the Hurricane has pro-vided predictable stability, fit, and per-
formance. The Hurricane 12nudges the shoe more firmly
into the high-end,plush, motion stabi-lizing range. The
upper receives somealterations which,
though they seem minor, haveimproved the fit, principally the Arch Lock, which has a more open de-sign with the stretchy thermoplastic and elastic insert in the medial sad-dle. Welded overlays on the lateral side are new, as is the switch to a
more open and pliable airmesh. The midsole receives a cushioningboost with a larger crash pad and additional stability by extending the
second density back to the heel. The outersole features more rubberthrough the shank, covering the TPU support for better contact with theground and improved transition through the gait. The result is a plusher
and smoother ride without compromising support or stability.
MOTION STABILIZING Sizes: men 6.5–13,14; women 5–12 Weight: 14.7 oz. (men’s 11); 11.2 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, HRC Strobel Board
For: low- to medium-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation
Nike Vomero+ 5 $130Nike has successfully dialed in the Bower-
man line, which is epitomized by theVomero. Version 5 distills theessence of the shoe—great
cushioning, mid-foot support, andforefoot flexibil-ity—by making
as few adjustmentsas possible. The upper fea-
tures a slightly beefed-up saddle and, while actu-ally paring back some of the rubbery thermoplastic,maintains the effective TPU heel counter. The Vomero
uses an open mesh similar to that used in the previous versions. TheCushlon midsole is one of the best combinations of responsivenessand cushioning among the foam formulations industry-wide. This
round adds a small, stabilizing midfoot crashpad while maintainingthe Zoom Air ride and durable cushioning. The outersole continues
the combination of blown rubber and longwearing BRS 1000 in theheel. The ride, fit, and performance earned the Vomero+ 5 the
Best Neutral Shoe award for our summer review.
NEUTRAL Sizes: men 6.5–13,14; women 5–12 Weight: 12.0 oz. (men’s 11); 10.1 oz.(women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board
For: medium-to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics
Best Running Shoes Summer 2010 by Cregg Weinmann
SUMMER 2010
BEST SHOEMotion
Stabilizing
SUMMER 2010
BEST SHOE
Neutral
BestSummer Shoes2pp:Layout 1 6/9/10 9:09 AM Page 1
Newton Gravitas=Gravity $175Newton’s neutral trainer Gravitas=Gravity
(Gravitas is Latin for gravity) hasreached the sec-ond round, withsome improve-
ments. The uppercontinues with the
same stretchy airmesh asbefore, but has altered the overlays
to provide the saddle-like support with a bit more open forefoot.The midsole features a denser foam throughout, both for durabilityand improved responsiveness. The heel has been slightly reshapedto aid in transition—yes, you’re expected to land on your midfootor forefoot, but it takes some getting used to—as does the afore-
mentioned reshaped heel. The outersole has a tougher rubber com-pound on the actuator lugs, blown rubber beneath the toes, andcarbon rubber in the heel. Bottom line? The shoe has been up-
graded, adding value to a well-designed, high-end shoe.
NEUTRAL PERFORMANCE Sizes: men 6.5–13,14; women 5–12 Weight: 11.2 oz. (men’s 11); 8.9 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted,
EVA Strobel Board For: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics
Reebok Zig Pulse $100Reebok introduces a new technology with
the ZigTech line. The Zig Pulse featuresa zig-zag, ribbon-like configuration
of EVA as the mid-sole; it’s surprisingly
stable on smoothsurfaces and
provides excellentcushioning. The upper is a
lightweight, stretchy, closed mesh thatoffers quite a good midfoot fit, though the lace eyelets stop a bit too
short to allow optimal fit through the ankle. The single-density midsolehas a well-cushioned feel with a resilient ride. The heelstrike is dis-
persed by a plate between the heel and midsole, which extends themidsole life, but makes the shoe less nimble on rough surfaces. The
outersole is a toughened skin of the Zig EVA with a few strips of rubber in the high-wear areas which, though effective, create gaps
when downward forces occur (e.g., when running), allowing the soleto pick up rocks. That means the most effective use of the Zig Pulse
might be on the treadmill-—or at least on very smooth roads.
NEUTRAL Sizes: men 6.5–13,14; women 5–12 Weight: 14.4 oz. (men’s 11); 10.1 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, DMX Strobel
Board For: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics
Zoot Ultra Kapilani $125The Ultra Kapilani joins the Zoot line, adding
another daily trainer to the mix. The Zootshoes are so light that this 11.5-ouncer
is the brute of the brood, but islight by any other
standard. TheKapilani beginswith the same
midsole unit as theUltra Tempo+ with its respon-
sive dual-density setup, then makes changes above and below. Theupper is a fully lined airmesh, the stretchy lining adding comfort
without affecting breathability. The fit is aimed to higher-arched feetwith a neoprene insert snugging the upper to wrap over the instep.Inside, the cushioning has been augmented with a plush PU inner-sole and EVA Strobel board, which add a noticeable cushiness to
the ride. The outersole here is a tough carbon rubber which islargely responsible for the added weight, but is durable, tough,
and effective, so we think it’s worth its weight. The carbon shank, aZoot hallmark, is the same as the one in their triathlon models, so
expect the same performance feel.
STABILIZING PERFORMANCE Sizes: men 8–12,13,14; women 6–11 Weight: 11.5 oz.(men’s 11); 9.1 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA
Strobel board For: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to mild overpronation
Somnio Pacemaker $135The Pacemaker heads the second round of
Somnio’s expanding line. Designed asa Performance shoe, it is light, but
the customizability ofits 12 includedparts makes itmore versatile
than traditional run-ning shoes in all cate-
gories. The upper is open mesh witha stretch mesh in the forefoot to improve the wiggle room and betteraccommodate a variety of foot volumes and shapes. The midfoot fea-tures a supportive, synthetic leather saddle—standard, but effective.The midsole is single-density EVA with cavities in the medial forefoot
and lateral heel; inserts of three different densities allow accommoda-tion of an individual’s weight and/or preference. A flexible varus
wedge may be used (or not) in either or both shoes to address bio-mechanical differences and innersoles come in three thicknesses to
personalize fit and cushioning. This customization is the #1 benefit ofthis brand. Optimal setup is determined at the point of sale, but all
pieces are included for later adaptation. The carbon heel and blownrubber forefoot offer predictable performance and durability.
NEUTRAL PERFORMANCE Sizes: men 7–13,14; women 5–11,12 Weight: 11.8 oz. (men’s 11);9.5 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semi-curved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted For: medium- to high-
arched feet with neutral biomechanics to moderate overpronation
CREGG WEINMANN is footwear and running products reviewer for Running Network LLC. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected] © 2010 by Running Network LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be stored, copied, or reprinted
without prior written permission of Running Network LLC. Reprinted here with permission.
Best Running Shoes Summer 2010 continued
REVIEWS
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