The Bionic Shoe: Stronger, Faster, Better

2007 Shoe Review
The Bionic Shoe: Stronger, Faster, Better

By Dave Harkin

Luckily, the latest crop of walking and hiking shoes isn’t going to cost you six million dollars. However, some of the higher price points may be worth the splurge. With updates to virtually every award-winning shoe for the past three years, we have seen innovations that speak to everyone in search of the perfect athletic shoe.
In an attempt to create shoes that are lighter, softer, and more durable, shoe manufacturers are focusing on the basics.

Your Mechanics: Neutral (few to no previous injuries), Stability ( mild injuries, supportive needs), Motion Control (injury prone, orthotics, previous chronic injury issues.)

Your Walking Style: Recreation (slower pace, one to three days per week), Fitness (attention to heart rate, speed, overall fitness, two to four days per week), Speed (attention to form, pace, distance, three to five days per week), Race (attention to racewalking form, speed, interval workouts, distance and racing are priorities, four to seven days per week.)

Your Level: Beginner (new to walking, no specific goals), Intermediate (goal oriented, distance or a special event like a half marathon or marathon in mind), Advanced (racing goals, intense training, varied paces, distances, and terrain.)
The following are the stars of the class of 2007. They are separated by levels of support and performance styles. For more information, visit a specialty shoe store or study the shoes online.

Some of the models either transcend the categories or are a blend of several categories. Choosing the right shoe is a subjective process – what feels good to others may not feel good or work well for you.

New Balance 1061 Neutral/Recreation/Fitness Designed for a neutral foot with few or no previous injuries, the New Balance 1061 blends durability and cushion into a shoe. My Dad exclaimed was the “most comfortable shoe” that he had ever tried on. The 1061’s air mesh upper makes it breathable and fairly lightweight. The Abzorb FL provides full length cushion and protection from hard surfaces, and added Abzorb SBS provides an extra level of cushion on the heel strike and forefoot push-off. $110	Mizuno Wave Rider 10 Neutral/Fitness/Speed/Race Haven’t heard of this brand before? They are dishing up some of the most innovative and comfortable walking shoes around. The Wave Rider is designed for a neutral foot with few to no previous injuries. It has a responsive, VS-1 midsole offering durability without adding weight. Mizuno’s Intercool offers a full-length ventilation system to reduce heat and humidity buildup inside the shoe. The Rider has been a favorite of walkers looking to change their style to speed or racewalking. $90	Asics Gel Landreth Neutral/Speed Aside from its excellent technological elements, the Landreth wins the “Feel Appeal” Award. It has a virtually seamless upper that moves with the foot, as opposed to stabilizing, or locking in, the foot. SoLyte midsole has been developed with the spirit of being lighter, more durable, and softer than previous midsoles. The Landreth also has a Space Trusstic System to provide stability through the arch and midfoot. Asics is a great performance shoe. The Landreth is no different. Added for your comfort is Asics’ Gel Cushioning System in the heel and forefoot to offer superior cushion and responsiveness. $95
Nike Zoom Elite 3 Stability/Fitness Long known for providing the “go fast” choice for racers, Nike has revamped their tempo shoe into a great everyday trainer. The Zoom Elite features a smooth but supportive arch post to provide extra protection through the foot strike. With an outside crash pad, the Elite offers cushioning without bulk. Nike developed Natural Motion Engineering to provide a more scientific approach to walkers’ movement. With enhanced Bareflex Zones to offer flexibility and with dual density midsole and midfoot rigidity for support. $100	Mizuno Wave Elixir 2 Stability/Speed/Race Mesmerizing for sure, this responsive, lightweight shoe features X10 Carbon Rubber in the outsole for the most durability money can buy. The trick with this model is that it feels firm off the shelf. But in motion, the firmness translates to energy return and efficiency. With a dual composite wave plate on the medial side adding stability and AP Midsole to lighten the load, the Wave Elixir 2 is a must-see. $85	Asics DS-Trainer 12 Stability/Speed The DS-Trainer 12 is an exceptional shoe in that it provides one of the lightest, yet most supportive, low profile shoes on the market. Asics has developed its own list of priorities for your foot and called it the Impact Guidance System (IGS). The DS-Trainer incorporates SoLyte midsole for reduced weight and added cushion, and a Space Trusstic to add support for the arch. Most importantly, the Biomorphic Fit in the upper provides a comfortable, supportive feel without stiff seams. The DS-Trainer also serves as an alternative to an everyday walking shoe. When you want to speed up or add some spring to your step for a shorter walk, try the DS-Trainer. $110
Brooks Adrenaline 7 Stability/Recreation/Fitness We have given this model the “Stranded on a Desert Island” Award in the past and version 7 is no different. With full-length MoGo, the Adrenaline 7 is stronger, faster, and better than its predecessors. It is slightly lighter than previous models and has a great-fitting upper. The support on the medial side is considerable, with a progressive post – think of a big ski jump. It starts soft and gets firmer and more supportive as you move through the foot strike. The HydroFlow and MoGo offer great cushion and stability, and they make the Adrenaline a great buy for almost any level of activity or foot type. $95	Brooks Adrenaline ASR Stability/Recreation/Fitness Everything you wanted in a walking shoe, plus a water-resistant upper and an aggressive outsole for traction on the trails. The Adrenaline ASR possesses all of the great features of the Adrenaline 7 but adds a little more durability and protection for the foot when traveling on rough ground. If you venture off-road, the Adrenaline ASR will give you a versatile, supportive ride without the bulk of a hiking boot. $95	Mizuno Wave Inspire 3 Stability/Fitness/Speed Take the Wave and make it better. Mizuno has a thermo plastic wave plate that cushions and stabilizes. Now imagine a composite Double Fan Wave on the arch side for even more stability. You have entered the realm of the Wave Inspire 3. In our world of moving feet, the battles for stability and durability often run into cushion and lightweight lobbyists. The Inspire is as close to satisfying both parties as any candidate. It has a comfortable air mesh upper, a lightweight, responsive ride, and VS-1, a cushioning polymer. Not to be outdone, durability is also enhanced with X10 outsole rubber for added life. $90
Nike Structure Triax 10 Stability/Fitness Always stable, the newest Structure Triax incorporates a smooth SoftRide sole liner for added cushion. Next to the foot, Nike has developed a Fitsole sock liner for the ultimate fit package. Nike+ under the sock liner provides a secure place for an Apple iPod sensor to tell you your speed and distance (sold separately). The Structure takes Nike’s main asset — innovation — and puts it in a package that is great for recreation, fitness, or speed. It has slightly more support than the Zoom Elite, so the Structure Triax is the answer for those of you prone to injuries. $90	Saucony ProGrid Omni 6 Motion Control/ Recreation/Fitness Cushion technologies don’t make or break a shoe. However, the Saucony ProGrid may be an exception. Like a mini tennis racket, ProGrid slows down your bad motion (side-to-side), and speeds up your good motion (rear-to-forefoot). Pretty smart. The Omni 6 also has an extended medial bridge for added support. It works great with most orthotics and has a nice broad base for full foot coverage. With HRC (High Rebound Compound) and forefoot cushioning, the ride and support of the Omni make it a stand-out. $100	Saucony Grid Omni Trail Motion Control/ Recreation/Fitness Take the Omni features, put on a durable, water resistant upper, add some lugs to the outsole, and voilà: A traction trail shoe with protection, support, and cushion. The Omni Trail offers the best of both worlds. With cushioning elements that keep it a viable road shoe and with off-road elements that make it great on trails, this Omni is versatile and good looking. Bonus: Darker meshes and midsoles give the trail series shoes a buffer to the Portland Grey that most shoes become after a few uses. They start off grey or black and stay clean with a light rinse. The Omni is also a great day hiker or approach shoe for more severe trails. $95

Asics Foundation 7
Motion Control/ Recreation/Fitness
Do you have chronic injuries? Do you find that even a mild walk is jarring? The Asics Foundation 7 could be your answer. With a stabilizing arch post and an extremely broad base containing GEL cushioning in the forefoot and heel, the Foundation takes stability to a new level. For those of you with heel-slip issues, the PHF (Personalized Heel Fit) technology offers a personalized fit throughout the rear part of the shoe.

Asics has also developed the 2E/4E widths without just making the whole shoe wider (how many of you have wide heels?). The Foundation 7 is intended to provide maximum support for over-pronators. This is the shoe to consider if you have experienced mild to severe or chronic pain when you walk. Many new walkers find the added support provides peace of mind as they increase intensity and mileage. $90

Tips on Picking Your Shoe

When purchasing your next shoe, consider a few elements of your own routine.

Activity History: Are you an experienced racewalker, or are you taking your first steps out the door? Savvy shoe choices come with time and experience; many beginners are likely to choose badly. This can lead to blisters, pain, and sometimes injury. Be realistic about your goals, try on many shoe styles, and work with experienced salespeople.

Future Plans: If you plan on walking a marathon, changing from recreational walking to speed or racewalking, or plan on entering your first fun walk, you have to consider stability,
fit, and structure. Too often, walkers declare that they aren’t “serious” and that they just need a good walking shoe. In any case, find someone who is serious about you. Trained professionals will watch how you walk, check your feet, analyze your biomechanics, ask about your goals, and then fit you in the proper shoe.

Whatever your walking habits have been, are now, or aspire to be, having a professional fit is the most important element to finding the right shoe. There is not one perfect shoe. Do some research, try on at least three pairs (different vendors offer different fits and feels), and listen to you body.