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Asics launches the newly-designed Gel Kayano 28 for runners

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To ensure and deliver a ‘safer and smoother ride’ for runners, Asics have launched the Gel-Kayano 28 in a newly-designed performance running shoe. The Gel-Kayano aims to provide greater stability through significant upgrades especially for those who are either serious about the sport or are strong enthusiasts.

The Gel-Kayano 28 features a low-profile External Heel Counter and ‘Dynamic Duomax’ technology which work in tandem to prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot. For comfort, the Gel-Kayano is equipped with the ‘FF Blast’ foam which is combined with the gender-specific ‘3D Space Construction’ technology which provides softer and lightweight cushioning and a responsive rebound.

Users will also get access to ASICS Runkeeper app, which helps them engage with other users and record their personal stats as well.

ASICS’ mission to move one million minds

Through a newly-developed ‘Mind Uplifter’ tool, Asics is determined to enable athletes and runners to view the impact of movement on their own mind. Data from users utilising this tool would be contributing to the world’s first live study into the relationship between the sport of running and the mind. The tool, essentially, charts the positive impact of running across 10 emotional and cognitive metrics, showing its various effects on the users. A dynamic ‘World Uplift Map’ would also be created to quantify the data gathered from around the world. For more information, please visit this page.

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 is priced between Rs. 13,999 and Rs. 14,999. For more information please visit ASICS’ website.

Adidas launches three new shoes for long-distance runners under Adizero

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Adidas have announced the launch of three new shoes designed especially for distance runners. These new variants of its fastest running shoe – Adizero – consists of the flagship Adizero Prime X, with the Adizero Adios Pro 2 and Adizero Boston 10 being the other two launched. The Adios Pro 2 is adidas’ record-breaking elite performance shoe and is set to be worn by some of the world’s fastest athletes this summer, some of whom are Stephan Kiprop, Philemon Kiplimo, Amos Kipruto, and others.

This Adizero collection was also designed using valuable insights and data from these athletes, like from training camps in Kenya – where physiological data was captured from these athletes in order to help Adidas form a strategy and interventions. Our editor, Girish Mallya, had the chance to chat with Nico Roche about the details of the launch, and features of these new shoes. Check out the short interview:

The Adizero Adios Pro 2 features two layers of re=sculpted ‘Lightstrike Pro’ midsole – which is revamped to support with energy return. In the Adios Pro 2, the signature carbon-infused ‘Energyrods’ are also visible ‘within the newly sculpted midsole’ and they ‘deliver lightweight stiffness and are designed for a more anatomical driven transition, limiting energy loss’. The reconstructed midsole combines with ‘Celermesh 2.0 upper’ which is an ultra-lightweight and partially-recycled polyester. The toe tip is integrated with a ‘continental rubber outsole’ to create a traction zone to support faster acceleration and to prevent slip and keep the foot tightly locked, a new lightweight heel construction and the softening of the heel structure are added measures.

The Adizero Adios Pro 2 costs Rs.21,999.

The Adizero Prime X is primarily created as a ‘boundary-breaking’ long distance running shoe. It is essentially an upgradation of key features of the Adizero Adios Pro 2, with the prevalence of elements like the Lightstrike Pro midsole and the ‘Energyrod’ technology. More so, stiffening blades that spring back have been added within the 50mm heel as well.

The Adizero Prime X is available for Rs. 24,999.

The Adizero Boston 10, on the other hand, is designed mainly for training sessions. It is equipped with the same Lightsrike Pro midsole, in combination with a durable Lightstrike Eva midsole foam. It also consists of the same Energyrod technology and a ‘Continental Rubber Outsole’.

The Adizero Boston 10 is available for Rs. 13,999.

These new variants of the Adizero range are available here.

Asics Unveils New Metaspeed Range at Innovation Summit

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Asics has announced two high-performance running shoes that take the power of human-centric design to the next level.

The Metaspeed Sky and Metaspeed Edge have each been scientifically designed with a distinct type of running style in mind. The new racing shoes help elite athletes to reach the top of their game without adjusting their running style to fit the shoe.

The shoes were unveiled at Asics’ Innovation Summit 2021, the brand’s annual showcase of the very pinnacle of new performance sportswear. This year Asics hosted its first ever, fully personalized experience, taking guests on an interactive virtual reality journey through the past, present and future of the Asics story and its longstanding commitment to human-centric design.

The unique design story behind the two new shoes centres on a crucial insight by scientists at the Asics Institute of Sport Science (ISS). They recognised that the type of shoes powering the world’s fastest were only favouring one type of runner — stride runners — those with a long-loping gait with large periods spent airborne who increase their speed by extending their stride length.

Asics research however showed that these shoes do not fully support elite athletes who prefer the second major running style — cadence, which features smaller steps made while hovering over the ground with minimal up and down motion.

The sports scientists at the ISS were able to measure that athletes perform better when running in shoes that are optimised for their running style. Addressing the challenge, Asics has created the Metaspeed Sky for stride runners and Metaspeed Edge for those with a cadence style — both specially optimised and proven to improve runner performance for each of the two major running styles.

Kenichi Harano, Executive Officer and Senior General Manager at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science said: “The Metaspeed journey began with the simple insight that athletes run faster in shoes are that specially tailored for them. From here, we got to work. Following a lengthy, meticulous research and development process, Metaspeed Sky and Metaspeed Edge were born. Our initial tests are already showing them to have an impact on the times of the elite runners’ we’ve been working with. That’s why we’re so excited to be unveiling them to the world today.” The Metaspeed Sky has already been made available globally via the Asics website and selected specialty retail stores. The Metaspeed Edge will be available from June 4, 2021. Both shoes will retail for ₹21,999.