Asics Cushioning Running Shoes

Asics is one of the leading running shoe manufacturers in the world with a vast range of shoes available for all types of runners. They also make shoes for specific running terrains with racing shoes and trail shoes also in the line.

One of the problems some runners have is in the way their foot strikes the ground. This may be a problem that cannot be controlled because of the way their feet are. A person with high arches tends to be an under-pronator. What this means is that the natural rolling of the foot that occurs as a method of shock absorption, known as pronation, does not occur to the extent that it should. The result is that the foot is forced to bear more of the shock as it hits the ground than it should and there is a resultant risk of injuries such as tendonitis or stress fractures.

As a way of combating this problem and in order to give runners with high arches a shoe that will protect their feet and provide a more comfortable ride, Asics has developed a large line of running shoes devoted to cushioning. The company’s cushioning system is the Gel system, a well documented silicone-based system that disperses the impact of foot strike. All shoes have a certain amount of cushioning in the soles but the shoes in the Asics cushioning running shoe range place that extra padding in specific spots in the sole, catering to a variety of foot strike issues.

Take a look at the Asics running shoes that are examined below. Highlighted are the features of each shoe and where the Gel units are placed as well as any other features that have been added to the shoe.

The Nimbus is the top of the line cushioning shoe in the Asics range. It is a shoe that is designed to assist someone who over-pronates slightly. The cushioning starts with a midsole material that is made from Solyte which is a very lightweight material. The forefoot and the rearfoot are fitted with the Gel cushioning system giving you are shoe that is quite light in weight at around 12.4 oz but very comfortable to wear.

The Landreth has been designed as a neutral cushioned shoe with a special design in the heel to give a greater heel fit. This is actually a memory foam material so that the heel molds to the shape of your foot providing greater comfort. The Gel cushioning system has been placed in the forefoot and the rear foot of the shoe and the midsole is made from Solyte. This is a shoe you can do high mileage training runs in or race in.

The Kushon has been designed to offer superior shock absorption with the gel cushioning system placed in the forefoot and the rear foot with both of these areas built to become more receptive of the high impact that will come. The midsole is compression molded EVA to offer even more shock attenuation as you run. This shoe is a little heavier than the previous two models but the cushioning is significant.

The Cumulus is up to the 12th model of this shoe and it continues to be a popular shoe. The gel cushioning in the rear and forefoot offer great cushioning during the landing and toe-off phases and there is a platform feel to the forefoot with the cushioning raising the front of the shoe slightly. The midsole has been made with Solyte and the sockliner provides added cushioned support while also wicking the moisture away from the foot.

The Fluent is a training shoe that has been designed for under-pronators to mild over-pronators. The shoe features the Gel cushioning system in the rear and forefoot and has also had the Asics trusstic technology built into the shoe to provide stability between the forefoot and the rear foot helping when transferring the weight from the rear of the foot to the front. The midsole is lightweight compression molded EVA.

The Tornado is a straightforward cushioning shoe that features the standard Gel cushioning in the fore and rear foot to provide shock absorption. The Trusstic Technology has been built into this shoe giving you a more flexible sole seeing as a piece has been removed which also makes this shoe even lighter. The Tornado is also available as the Tornado SL which provides added stability as well as the cushioning.

The Speedstar has recently been give a new look with an asymmetric upper, similar to the Kayano, that will optimize the fit of the shoe. The Gel cushioning has been palced in the rear and forefoot of the shoe and the midsole has been constructed with the lighter Solyte compound. This is a shoe built for the neutral runner and is a lightweight runner at only 9.2 oz.