Running Shoes Review

Reebok Trinity KFS review

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Costello) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 08:11:00 +0000

Product rating

Editor's Choice for Fall 2006!

The Reebok Trinity KFS has won the Editor's Choice award from Runner's World for Fall 2006. K.F.S is short for Kinetic Fit System energy in motion control is said to be a "performance enhancer". The medial post built into the midsole assists with mild to moderate pronation. Transition Bridge technology balances energy response through the gait. Play Dry lining ensures a dry and comfortable interior. DMX Shear cushioning absorbs impact shock before rebounding with powerful motivation in stride.

Reading the press release didn't give me much of an idea of how the shoe performs, the marketing terminology is enough to make me go cross eyed and start blithering.
The KFS continues the tradition of having the great DMX Shear in the heel for impact absorption

User reviews are somehow mixed:

Good reviews mentioned - "The Trinity has dynamic cushioning and stability that has allowed me to run even when my legs are a bit weary. The shoe is also very light weight for the amount of stability and cushioning..."
Mixed reviews - "..This is not stability shoes.." and "This shoes must be categorize cushion shoes... This is not stability shoes." suggests that some readers think that while the shoes may have great cushioning and lightweight, they don't necessarily give good lateral support and belong to the cushioned category.

For those with orthotics, the removable EVA sockliner is a welcome.

Review #1 from RunningTimes.com

The Trinity is one of two styles highlighting Reebok's new Kinetic Fit System. KFS models include uppers which are designed to properly accomodate the foot as it changes shape from heelstrike to toe-off. The heel design is standard, but the midfoot wrap is bordered by elastic "expansion joints" that allow it to move with the foot, and the forefoot is purposely wide so it doesn't pinch the toes as they spread during toe-off. The internal cushioning and stabilizing parts of the Trinity's midsole make the shoe a functional stability trainer, which is good as the visible parts are more for form than function: the midfoot shank is fairly flexible and the latest version of Reebok's shear-force absorption technology that is used in the heel is a step backward, providing little extra to the midsole function.

Runningshoes says:

Pros: Great lightweight shoes, with good cushioning - gives a good molded fit to the wearer.

Cons: Not really stability shoes, it should be in the cushioning category.

Description

Shoe type: Stability
Average weight: 11.4oz
Outsole: DMPRTEK, outsole for cushioning, traction and durability
Support: Dual density medial post, for heel: DMX Shear Heel Technology, footstrike management system
Midsole: Compression molded EVA
Lining: Nylon
Upper: Nylon

Available Colours (Both Models)
Men: Blue/White, Red/White (Wide)
Women: Light Yellow/Grey, Light Blue/White

Buy Reebok Trinity KFS

Saucony Grid FastWitch 2 review

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Costello) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:30:00 +0000

Product rating

Bewitched!

Do a quick search on the word "fastwitch" and you'll come across www.fastwitch.com - "The leading wicca site on net" .It's loaded with an arsenal of magic spells and potions enough to turn Harry Potter into a waffling frog.

There are 2 versions of the FastWitch: SPEED, with the black sole and ENDURANCE, with the red sole. The "SPEED" version is for faster, short paced runs and has a lower outsole rubber profile and is suitable for training, short tempo runs and 5K or even 10k runs. The "ENDURANCE" version gives more attention to stability and is thus designed for longer distances up to a marathon using a double density midsole and EVA outsole.

Now. as far as weight is concerned, the "SPEED" version is about 0.5 oz lighter than the "ENDURANCE".

Speed (Black) & Endurance (Red sole)

Now, if only you could clicked the heels together like Dorothy and magically switch between the two versions, I would run all the way to Kansas :)

Review #1 from RunningTimes.com (Endurance version)

If you’re looking for a flat that does more to protect you than keeping gravel from getting between your toes, the Fastwitch Endurance 2 deserves a look. Despite falling squarely in the racing shoe weight division (8.6 ounces in a size 9), the Endurance 2 includes some trainer-like componentry: a foam medial post, a supplemental cushioning system in the heel, a plastic midfoot shank and thick soft rubber under the forefoot. The latter three are improvements over the original, which was lighter (yet less protective) than the new design. Efficient racers looking for a more flexible design may consider its sister shoe, the Fastwitch Speed 2. Unlike the original Fastwitch designs, the second incarnations will not be built in women’s-specific sizes.

Pros: Good ride, responsive and very well cushioned for running flats. Great for Chi Running.

Cons: Not so durable for longer runs, bottom tread wears out.

Description

Shoe type: Running
Average weight: 8.1oz (ENDURANCE version) and 7.6oz (SPEED version)
Outsole: Rubber
Support: I-Grid Rearfoot Cushioning System
Midsole: Compression molded EVA
Lining: Nylon
Upper:Air Mesh (nylon mesh)

Available Colours (Both Models)
Men & Women - White/Silver/Red

Available Models

Saucony Grid FastWitch 2 Speed
Saucony Grid FastWitch 2 Endurance

www.saucony.com

Asics GT-2120 Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Costello) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 16:39:00 +0000

Hot Preview

GT-2000 fans rejoice!

Waiting for the release of the Asics GT-2120 is much akin to waiting in line for the release of the next “GT” (Gran Turismo) game for the Playstation.

Just as Nike has the Air Pegasus, Asics has the popular GT-2000 series, and to some, the GT-2000 series gives the best ever running shoes currently on the market and is a clear favourite for those with wide feet.

Being the winner of the Runner’s World “Editor’s Choice Award” in November 2005, the Asics GT-2110 will be hard to top, but judging from initial and unofficial reviews, the GT-2120 looks set to takeover the crown from this year’s 2006 “Editor’s Choice Award” winner, the Nike Air Pegasus 2006.

The most notable feature of the GT-2120 is a new super lightweight midsole material known as Solyte™ that is neither EVA nor PU which will make the GT-2120 weigh an ounce less than (20% lighter) the GT-2110.

Still maintained are the Space Trusstic System®, famous for its efficient foot function capabilities, the Dual-density DuoMax and IGS (Impact Guidance System) for great foot support and the legendary GEL® Cushioning Systems.

I’ve got my eyes glued on the gorgeous Black/Black/Gold version of the GT-2120.

Retail Price: $95

Description

Shoe type: Stability
Estimated weight: 11.3oz (size 9)
Outsole: DuraSponge material > High abrasion resistant rubber
Support: DuoMax® Support System > foot support during transition from midstance to toe-off and Space Trusstic System™ > Allows midsole deformation and efficient foot function
Midsole: Solyte™ Midsole Material
Lining: Nylon
Upper:PHF(Personal Heel Fit) material > Memory foam molds to the runner’s feet

Available Colours

Men - White/Navy/Gold (0150), Lightning/Black/Gold (9390), Black/Black/Silver (9090)
Women - White/Platinum/Navy (0192), Lightning/Quicksilver/Magenta (9193), White/Quicksilver/Chili (0193)

Available Models

Men

Sizes: 6-14,15,16
2E Width: 7-14,15,16 (Available in 0150 & 9090 only)
4E Width: 8-14,15,16 (Available in 0150 & 9090 only)
B Width (Narrow): 8-14,15,16 (Available in 0150 & 9090 only)

Women

Sizes: 5-13
AA Width (Narrow): 6-13 (Available in 0192 & 9090 only)
D Width: 6-13 (Available in 0192 & 9090 only)

www.asics.com

Note: The official reviews are not out yet, but I do welcome anyone’s comments/review for the Asics GT-2120.

Do provide your star rating (1-5) and before the next posting, I will update your average ratings on the top left hand corner of the post.

Pros: Get ready to fly! It’s 1oz lighter (20%) than its predecessor, the GT-2110.

Cons: Get ready to burn a hole in that pocket, you'll want it.

Nike Air Pegasus 2006 Review - Voted Best Shoe

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Costello) — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:54:00 +0000

Product rating

Famously Cushy!
The Nike Air Pegasus franchise is the one of the successful running shoes in history and is dubbed to be "the most comfortable shoe" by the panel of judges from Runners World magazine.It was recently awarded the second annual International Editor's Choice Award for the 2006 Shoe of the Year. The 2006 model had several improvements over the 2005 model - better fit, extra plush cushioning and improved ride management.

Average Price: USD80

Description

Shoe type: Neutral Cushioning
Average weight: 11.8oz (size 9)
Outsole: Rubber > Nike Bareflex cushioned rubber outsoles with flex grooves and BRS1000 carbon fibre
Support: TPU midfoot shank > Designed for neutral pronation and supination
Midsole: EVA/polyurethane/Air inserts > Nike Fitbed
Lining: Nylon
Upper:Synthetic leather/nylon mesh

Available Colours (Standard model)

Men - White/Blue, Grey/Yellow, Navy/Silver
Women - White/Blue, Orange/Silver, White/Red

Available Models

Air Pegasus (Standard)
Air Pegasus Wide (Wider fit)
Air Pegasus Wide 4E (Super wide)
Air Pegasus Narrow (Narrow fit)
Air Pegasus Clima-FIT (Waterproof)
Air Pegasus T/C (Train & Compete/Lightweight)
Air Pegasus WC (1y-7y) (Youth/Waterproof)
Air Pegasus (1y-7y) (Youth)

www.nike.com

Review #1 from RunnersWorld.com

The Nike Air Pegasus 2006 had previously been selected as an Editors Choice winner in five of Runner's World's nine international editions over the past 12 months, earning the honor in Germany, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States (Runner's World publishes its Shoe Guides for buyers four times a year in the U.S. and several times a year in each of its worldwide editions).

Editors in each of those countries cited the neutral-cushioned shoe for its smooth ride, improved fit (from the previous Air Pegasus 2005) and "plush" cushioning, with several editors calling it the "benchmark" model in the neutral cushioning category.

Additionally, wear-testers in both Spain and the U.S. called it "the most comfortable shoe' they had tested to date.

Review #2 from RunningTimes.com

The original Pegasus was released in 1984, the same year as the first Macintosh computer. Like the earliest (and many say best) versions of this style, the current Pegasus is a neutral shoe that consciously places protection and durability ahead of cushiness and flexibility. This philosophy is evidenced by the choice of insole. While many companies are adding soft, thick insoles to their shoes, the Pegasus uses a highly contoured, slightly rigid unit that helps the foot maintain its neutral positioning. Further evidence is the midsole, which consists of a full-length airbag sandwiched between a foam base layer and a rubber top layer. The result is neither light nor flexible, but it does give the Pegasus a reassuring ride. The new uppers (different for men and women) fit much better than those of their immediate predecessors, but wear-testers wished that some attention had been paid to weight, as there are far too many overlays.

Pronation Factor: Neutral Runners + Slight Overpronators

Review #3 from MySimon.com
Famously cushy, Air Pegasus shoes offer neutral runners superb cushioning and comfort over long distances. Flexible synthetic leather/mesh uppers are long-lasting and provide ample ventilation mile after mile. Saddle overlays at insteps add midfoot support without affecting breathability. Reflective material at heels and toes enhances visibility at night. Synthetic linings dry fast and help wick moisture away from feet. Combination full-length Air-Sole units and polyurethane crash pads deliver unsurpassed cushioning and stability. Exposed thermoplastic urethane arch shanks add torsional rigidity and support under arch for stability and roll-resistance. BRS 1000 rubber crash pads on outsole heels add durability and extra shock absorption on hard surfaces. Waffle Fill lugged rubber outsoles with women-specific flex grooves offer reliable traction and toe-off.

Pros: Superb cushioning and good ride management

Cons: Slightly heavier than its predecessors

Links
World's Best Shoe (by RunnersWorld)