Asics GEL technology has been with us since the mid-1980′s, and millions of runners rely on it for cushioning and shock absorption. But what the heck is this stuff? Turns out, this squishy silicone-based compound is more complex than you might think.

We recently took apart an Asics GT 2000 to see what we could find out about Asics’ best-known cushioning technology. Here’s the skinny:

Diagram of Forefoot and Heel Gel Units

Heel Unit

The GEL in the heel of the GT-2000 closely matches what you would think simply by looking at the outside of the shoe. The visible GEL on the outside of the shoe is part of a cohesive piece that moves toward the center of the shoe, where a circular unit of the gel sits right under the heel.

Compared to the visible window in the midsole, the amount of gel actually decreases as you move closer to the center of the shoe. This makes sense, since the GEL here is meant to cushion heel impact forces, and during a typical heel strike, the lateral edge of the heel lands first.

The composition of the GEL in the heel is unique to the heel and is designed to disperse high impact forces and give a cushioned feeling. According to Asics, there are actually a variety of different GEL compositions and densities, depending on the shoe’s intended use. The GEL we uncovered in the GT-2000 is a bit different than that used in the Kayano or Lyte33, for instance. Read more…

Matt Running Shoes asics gel explained, asics gel technology, asics gel uncovered

We’ve come a long way since the 1950′s and 60′s when women were barred from competing in many top races, but we may still have a ways to go. If people still question women’s ability to perform athletically the way men can, we may not be there yet.

As women, we might not have the same propensity for muscle development that our male counterparts have, but so what? Some of us grew up roughhousing and playing in the dirt. Some of us grew up as competitive, aggressive athletes who didn’t really like Barbie, thankyouverymuch. We’re not even sure how we feel about the phrase tomboy, because as women we can be tough athletes and there doesn’t have to be anything ‘boy’ about it.

Lauren Fleshman, pro runner for Oiselle and mom-to-be, touches on this subject in her first article for her new Runner’s World column, “The Fast Life”. Fleshman discusses her journey as a female athlete with wit and honesty, and her article had us rolling. Here’s her opening line:

I have a confession to make: I wish I had a penis. Just kidding. Kind of. Not really. Oh, boy. Let me explain.

Yeah. She went there. We dare you not to read the rest.

Alice Running Sport, Women's Running Lauren Fleshman, Runner's World, women's running

This is a question we get a lot at the ‘house. We certainly don’t blame you for wanting to look out for your wallet when you’re shopping for new shoes, especially if you’re racking up 70+ mile weeks and needing a new pair every couple of months. Fortunately, there are many solid running shoe options under $100, and the best one for you will depend on what you’re looking for.

Light, Flexible Running Shoes under $100

Asics Gel Lyte33 2 ($90 MSRP)

The Asics Gel Lyte33 2 was the surprise of the year for us so far. It feels completely different than it’s predecessor (in a good way), and offers a soft yet bouncy feel with a quality ride. We credit the combination SpEVA/Solyte midsole, which gives a particularly nice feel for mid/forefoot strikers where the shoe provides full-thickness SpEVA foam.

New Balance 730 v2 ($75 MSRP)

Flexible might be the first word that comes to mind when you think of the New Balance 730 v2. This shoe has many of the points we loved about the original, including a low offset, responsive ride, and upper that runs on the generous side. We also think it’s one of the best looking New Balance shoes for 2013.

Nike Free 4.0 ($95 MSRP)

If you want to get the Nike Free experience on your feet for under a hundo’, then reach for the Nike Free 4.0. This Free model doesn’t get as much attention as the Free 5.0 (nee Free Run) or the minimal Free 3.0 v5, but it still offers all the classic features of a Free running shoe: extreme flexibility, good cushioning, and a breathable, sock-like upper.

Zero-Drop Running Shoes under $100

Saucony Virrata ($90 MSRP)

In spite of its modest price tag, the Saucony Virrata has the power to amaze. It has a performance fit and a sweet spot just behind the ball of the foot – but it seems to feel good no matter how your foot lands. Unlike most zero-drop designs, this shoe has quite a bit of padding underfoot.

Altra Samson/Delilah ($95 MSRP)

Wide-footed “barefoot” runners of the world, rejoice! The Altra Samson (and the Women’s model, the Altra Delilah) has a rectangular toe box that comfortably accommodates wider feet without rubbing or causing blisters. It also has a removable sockliner so you can get extremely close to the ground.

Merrell Vapor Glove ($80 MSRP)

The Merrell Vapor Glove is a great shoe for barefoot runners who want a stowable shoe to take with them in case they hit a rough patch of ground and want a little extra protection. Read more…

Matt Running Shoes Altra Samson, Altra Superior, asics gel lyte33 2, flexible running shoes, light, merrell vapor glove, montrail fluidflex, New Balance 730 v2, new balance mr1400, new balance mt110, Nike Free 4.0, racing flats, running shoes under $100, Saucony Fastwitch, saucony virrata, Trail Running Shoes, zero-drop running shoes

Oiselle Go Long Tank, Stellar Stripe Tank, and Winona Tank

Oiselle seems to just keep getting better. They write some hilarious blog content, they recently signed Lauren Fleshman, and now they give us a drool-worthy spring line. We’re talking get-in-my-closet-now run apparel. You’ll find the wings to fly through your training sessions or your next race in the supremely comfortable fabrics and stylish performance-forward silhouettes of Oiselle’s tops and bottoms. Take a look at a few of our faves below.

Go Long Tank

The Oiselle Go Long Tank takes you playfully from your workout to the rest of your life. A soft poly/cotton blend fabric gives you plenty of moisture-wicking power on the run, and feels great against the skin. This tank has a racerback design and a longer, streamlined close-to-body fit which makes it great for layering. The contrast color Oiselle bird graphic on the back and the front left hip add a little extra springtime to this piece.

“The Go Long Tank is my favorite by far. It’s cute, it’s functional, and the fit is so nice!” – Allie

Stellar Stripe Tank

Meet us at the intersection of fashion and function in the Oiselle Stellar Stripe Tank. Racerback design gives you full freedom of movement, and a small envelope pocket on the front left hip lets you stash your key or other small essentials. Polyester/cotton blend fabric is smooth and soft, and wicks moisture to keep you dry and chafe-free. Contrast color stripes and an asymmetrical design make this piece cute enough to pair with your favorite jeans for a jaunt to the farmers’ market.

“Amazingly soft fabric with fun and feminine styling. This tank feels so good on a run.” - Tami Read more…

Alice Running Apparel Oiselle, Oiselle Bum Wrap, Oiselle Go Long Tank, Oiselle Roga Diamond Short, Oiselle Stellar Stripe Tank, Oiselle Winona Tank, running shorts, running tank

adidas adios Boost Men's Shoe

By now you’ve seen adidas’ new Boost midsole compound, designed to give runners a significant increase in energy return over a traditional EVA midsole while remaining soft and cushioned underfoot. Following through with the expansion of footwear options offering this new technology, adidas is introducing a racing shoe utilizing the Boost midsole, combining elements from the Energy Boost and the highly pedigreed adizero adios. It’s called the adios Boost. Coincidence? We think not.

With a soft yet responsive ride, and with cushioning that is designed to stay consistent as the miles rack up, the adios Boost sets itself up to be a strong choice for runners seeking a racing shoe for their next marathon. The adios Boost got its official launch at the Boston Marathon expo and over the weekend Emmanuel Mutai wore the shoe at the London marathon.

What to Watch For

• Seamless Toebox: Heat transfered overlays over the toe-box limit seams for reduced friction on the foot.
• Responsive Toe-Off: The adios Boost utilizes a full-length torsion system, delivering a snappy rebound for a propulsive toe-off.
• High Traction Outsole: Featuring Continental rubber in key areas, this shoe will provide unrelenting grip on the road in both dry and wet conditions.
• Midweight Specs: adidas claims weights of 8.0 oz for a Men’s size 9 and 6.6 oz for a Women’s 8, as well as a 10mm heel to toe offset.

Read more…

Taro Running Shoes, Sneak Peeks adidas adios boost, adidas adios boost pictures, adidas adizero Adios, adidas boost

With the days getting longer, you need a great pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from distracting glare and damaging UV rays. We have a wide selection of running sunglasses here at RW, and we’re stoked to add Oakley to the list of top brands we carry. Oakley is of course a major player in the sports sunglasses market, and we’ve hand-picked a few models that offer light weight, excellent breathability, and other key features runners want. Take a look at these sleek models that bring a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘eye candy.’

Flak Jacket

The Oakley Flak Jacket Sunglasses are lightweight and ready for intense competition. Grip coating on the nose pads and ear stems helps keep these glasses in place while a hydrophobic lens repels sweat and oil to provide a clear field of vision. 100% UVA, UVB, UVC and blue light protection. These frames are available in both a standard and large size. A black version is available in addition to the white model shown.

Flak Jacket Polarized

The HD Polarized lenses in the Oakley Flak Jacket Polarized Sunglasses block 99% of glare and offer 100% UVA, UVB, UVC and blue light protection. The semi-rimless design provides an uninterrupted field of vision, and grip coating on the nose pads and ear stems keeps these glasses securely in place. The Flak Jacket Polarized is available in both standard and large frame sizes.

Women’s Commit SQ Sunglasses

The Oakley Women’s Commit SQ Sunglasses are made especially for the ladies. With a frame that flatters a variety of face shapes and hydrophobic lenses that repel sweat and oil, these sweet shades are sure to please. The semi-rimless design provides an exceptional field of vision, and the lenses offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, UVB, UVC and blue light. A white color is also available.

Alice Running Accessories Oakley Flak Jacket, Oakley Flak Jacket Polarized, oakley running sunglasses, Oakley Women's Commit SQ Sunglasses, running sunglasses

Saucony Xodus 4.0 Men's Trail Running Shoe

According to Saucony, the Xodus is all about running “around, over and through the toughest of terrain.” Sounds like they should have called it the Bulldozer. But really, this is a serious, beefy trail running shoe that’s gonna get you through pretty much any hazards that stand in your way. The Saucony Xodus 3.0 was a popular choice for runners who wanted a lot of protection but didn’t want the 10-12mm heel-to-toe offsets that typically come with such rugged designs. Expect more of the same from the update, arriving later this summer.

What to Watch For

• New Upper: A fresh upper design better integrates the Pro-Lock support band for improved connection and confidence when the terrain gets tricky.
• Low Drop: Saucony sticks with the 4mm offset from the Xodus 3.0. In fact, the tooling is unchanged from the prior model.
• Unchanged Weight: We expect almost identical weights for the Men’s and Women’s Xodus 4.0 compared to the current model.
• GTX Version: Like previous models of the Xodus, version 4.0 will be available with a breathable waterproof GORE-TEX upper.

MSRP
$110.00 ($130.00 for GTX version)

Release Date
August 2013

Men’s Colors
Blue/Black/Orange Saucony Xodus 4.0
Black/Green/Citron Saucony Xodus 4.0 GTX

Women’s Colors
Purple/Citron/Red Saucony Xodus 4.0
Black/Purple/Yellow Saucony Xodus 4.0 GTX

Saucony Xodus 4.0 Women's Trail Running Shoe

Taro Running Shoes, Sneak Peeks saucony xodus 4.0, saucony xodus 4.0 pictures, saucony xodus 4.0 sneak peek

The search for the perfect pre-race fuel never ends for a competitive runner. The starting point is easy, sure. You know you want carbs, and plenty of ‘em. But in what form, and with what accompaniments?

Many of the runners here at the RW offices have enjoyed their share of pre-race pasta feeds, but sometimes the plain old pasta thing gets a little stale. That’s why we were tempted to try the tasty Spaghetti Bolognese recipe that we found over on the Oiselle blog. Carrots in pasta? Count us in. The dish looks… scrumptious.

Take this recipe for a spin and tell us how it turns out for you!

Alice Run Training, Running Sport nutrition, Oiselle blog, pre-race dinner, recipe

Karhu is a niche running brand with a long history. Founded in 1916, the Finnish company got its start producing various athletic equipment, including running spikes. Their spikes seemed to catch on, seeing vast use by numerous Olympic athletes through the ‘60s.

Newly released from Karhu is their Flow line, a collection of lightweight shoes geared toward the performance runner. Receiving positive marks in a recent Running Times shoe review, Karhu’s latest offerings have turned some heads in the running community. They’ve also found a place in the shoe rotations of several staff members here at the ‘house.

Fulcrum Technology

At the heart of their Flow collection is Karhu’s unique Fulcrum technology. Consisting of a high density EVA wedge in the midsole forward of the heel, the Fulcrum promotes a quick and efficient transition from footstrike to mid-stance. Karhu claims this quicker transition reduces the runner’s vertical movement, in turn focusing more energy toward forward motion.

The Shoes

The Karhu Flow Light is the lightest shoe within the Flow range, intended for racing and fast training. Sporting a lightweight, bare bones upper and a moderate offset platform with a responsive feel, the Flow Light is tuned for performance.

The Karhu Flow3 Trainer is a beefed-up version of Flow Light, ideal for fast running and daily training. It features increased rubber on the outsole and more protective details around the upper. At 8.3 oz for a Men’s 9, the Flow3 Trainer still has plenty of performance chops.

The Karhu Flow Trail takes the Flow3 Trainer and readies it for off road use. The outsole is lined with multidirectional lugs for traction on varied terrain, and a water-resistant panel around the upper provides added protection from the elements.

Taro Running Shoes karhu flow, karhu flow light, karhu flow trail, karhu flow trainer

As runners, we are all familiar with injury, pain, and heartbreak. And today, our pain runs deeper than ever before. Still, we know that runners are some of the toughest people out there, and we know that the people of Boston, the marathon, and runners worldwide will come back even stronger.

Two of our own staff members ran Boston yesterday. We are grateful that they are safe. Others were not so fortunate, and we grieve deeply for them.

We encourage all of our readers to give support and assistance where they can. The immediate focus is of course on the Boston community and those directly affected by the violence. Runner’s World has compiled a list of help and support you can offer for Boston.

We also encourage every runner to find ways in local communities to make a difference. This tragedy reminds us how precious life is. Plan a run with your kids, your spouse, or a good friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Connect with a run club in your area. Schedule time at a school near you to talk about the lifelong joy that running can provide. It is up to each of us to make a positive difference.

As always, Running Warehouse remains wholeheartedly devoted to the running community. We are actively seeking ways that we can best contribute to the aid, healing and care of those affected. UPDATE: We’ve partnered with Hoka Running and the Plus 3 charity network to contribute up to $9,000 to One Fund Boston, the official charity set up to help people affected by the tragedy. Sign up here to turn your miles into dollars for this worthy cause.

Runners will of course race again, and we will all again share in the joy of competition. Our friends and loved ones will support us and cheer us on. We will come together and fight that much harder to be our best selves and to be the inspiration in others. We will run.

Matt Running Sport boston bombing, boston explosions, boston marathon aid, boston marathon bombing, boston marathon donations, boston marathon explosions, boston marathon support