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Pulled this from a 1998 Runners World... no Shox, but a good primer for anyone looking for running shoes (or anyone interested in cushioning tech.)
Inside cushioning technologies. (running shoes)(Evaluation) Relevancy: 100; ( Runner's World ) Carrozza, Paul; 09-01-1998 Size: 39K Reading Level: 11.
Every major running shoe company heralds its cushioning system as the reason why you should buy its shoes, but is it? When buying running shoes, you must remember you are buying the entire shoe and not just the cushioning technology. There are at least two other things you should consider ahead of these systems: the shoe's fit and the shoe' s midsole foam.
Fit is the most important determinant of how well a shoe will perform for you. If a shoe doesn't fit properly, none of its vaunted properties will matter. That's why we always emphasize that finding the best- fitting shoe is your job number one when buying new shoes.
The highly advertised cushioning systems make up just one part of a shoe's cushioning and "ride" properties. The larger part comes from the shoe's midsole foam. There are two basic midsole foams, EVA and polyurethane, which have quite different characteristics. When evaluating a shoe's cushioning, you should always consider the foam that surrounds the particular cushioning system.
EVA: EVA foams are softer, lighter and more flexible than polyurethane foams. Because EVA compresses more readily than polyurethane, EVA midsoles usually provide less stability than polyurethane and don' t last as long. EVA midsoles are often preferred by lighter runners (including many women) who want a smooth, soft, flexible ride from their running shoes.
Polyurethane: Polyurethane foams are denser, heavier and stiffer than EVA foams and provide more stability and durability than EVA. Polyurethane midsoles are often preferred by heavier runners who want a firmer, more stable ride and shoes that offer maximum durability.
When evaluating cushioning systems, there are three other things to take into account. First, since cushioning systems aren't foam- based, a cushioning system can make a midsole more durable by replacing some of the midsole foam. And the larger the cushioning system, the more foam it replaces.
Second, cushioning systems generally weigh more than foam, so they add to the shoe's overall weight. And third, the cushioning systems and foams must be "married" perfectly in the midsole. If they're not, the cushioning system can actually become a pressure point that makes the midsole feel as if it has a bump in it.
Below, we report on all the major cushioning systems. Each does what it's supposed to do: improve the midsole's shock-absorbing capacity. But there is no perfect system. Each has certain strengths and weaknesses. You'll want to consider these when you're trying on new shoes. At the same time, remember the first rule of shoe selection: let fit be your guide.
Adidas adiPRENE
What it is: High-density rubber pads placed under the rearfoot and forefoot.
What it does: Lessens impact.
Strengths: Creates smooth ride Absorbs shock
Weeakness: Pads are small
Asics Gel
What it is: Different types of pads made of silicone (or silicone- based) gel and placed in the midsole under the rearfoot and forefoot.
What it does: Disperses shock.
Strengths: Can't deflate Allows for smooth ride
Weakness: Pads are small and thin
Avia Cantilever
What it is: A concave outsole in the rearfoot that flares upon impact, forming a wide base to disperse shock.
What it does: Absorbs shock and creates a stable rearfoot by allowing the runner's heel to sink.
Strengths: Enhances cushioning Adds stability
Weakness: External cantilever can crack
Brooks HydroFlow
What it is: Pads filled with a silicone oil that flows within them.
What it does: Cushions the foot upon impact. HydroFlow ST (for stability) units in some shoes create a soft spot in the center of the rearfoot, which also stabilizes the foot.
Strengths: Lessens impact Increases durability HydroFlow ST pads add rearfoot stability
Weaknesses: Heavy ST pads' stability properties reduced by orthotics
Etonic Eon Air (formerly StableAir)
What it is: A nonpressurized air system using ambient (outside) air.
What it does: Reduces shock.
Strengths: Creates a cushiony spot in the rearfoot
Weakness: Pads aren't pressurized
Fila 2A
What it is: A pod (or system of pods) using ambient (outside) air with plastic pillars.
What it does: Absorbs shock and provides stability.
Strength: Creates crash pad for shock absorption
Weakness: 2A is very thick and has a different feel than the foam around it
Mizuno Wave
What it is: A highly resistant plastic sheet (roughly shaped like a wave) sandwiched between two layers of foam in the midsole.
What it does: Adds durability to the midsole and disperses shock.
Strengths: Disperses shock Doesn't interfere with ride Creates rearfoot stability
Weakness: Stiff
New Balance Abzorb
What it is: A layer of rubber that sits on top of the midsole in the rearfoot.
What it does: The Abzorb pad adds shock absorbency and durability to the midsole.
Strengths: Enhances shock absorption Increases durability
Weaknesses: Incorporates no new materials Heavy
Nike Air
What it is: The "air" is actually an inert gas contained within a mattresslike unit encapsulated in the midsole. Zoom Air, now used in several shoes, is thinner and more flexible than Nike's conventional air units.
What it does: Cushions the foot and, by displacing a considerable amount of midsole foam, adds durability.
Strengths: Weighs little Absorbs shock well
Weakness: Can deflate
Puma Cell
What it is: An insert of interlocking, honeycomb-shaped cells made from a polyurethane elastomer.
What it does: Cushions the foot, but mainly reduces use of foam to increase the life of the midsole.
Strengths: Makes the shoe more Durable Large units
Weaknesses: Lacks flexibility Needs heavy impact to compress fully
Reebok DMX
What it is: An air-cushioning transfer system that allows air to flow from the rearfoot to the forefoot (or midfoot, depending on the shoe) and back.
What it does: Cushions the foot upon impact and through gait cycle.
Strengths: Provides good cushioning Adds durability
Weaknesses: Lacks flexibility Heavy
Saucony GRID
What it is: A rearfoot cassette made of Hytrel strings that are strung like a tennis racquet to form a cradle for the foot.
What it does: Flexes and conforms to the shape of the heel as the rearfoot strikes, to cushion and support the foot.
Strengths: Creates a "sweet spot" in the rearfoot Adds cushioning without sacrificing stability
Weakness: GRID's strengths compromised by orthotics
Inside cushioning technologies. (running shoes)(Evaluation) Relevancy: 100; ( Runner's World ) Carrozza, Paul; 09-01-1998 Size: 39K Reading Level: 11.
Every major running shoe company heralds its cushioning system as the reason why you should buy its shoes, but is it? When buying running shoes, you must remember you are buying the entire shoe and not just the cushioning technology. There are at least two other things you should consider ahead of these systems: the shoe's fit and the shoe' s midsole foam.
Fit is the most important determinant of how well a shoe will perform for you. If a shoe doesn't fit properly, none of its vaunted properties will matter. That's why we always emphasize that finding the best- fitting shoe is your job number one when buying new shoes.
The highly advertised cushioning systems make up just one part of a shoe's cushioning and "ride" properties. The larger part comes from the shoe's midsole foam. There are two basic midsole foams, EVA and polyurethane, which have quite different characteristics. When evaluating a shoe's cushioning, you should always consider the foam that surrounds the particular cushioning system.
EVA: EVA foams are softer, lighter and more flexible than polyurethane foams. Because EVA compresses more readily than polyurethane, EVA midsoles usually provide less stability than polyurethane and don' t last as long. EVA midsoles are often preferred by lighter runners (including many women) who want a smooth, soft, flexible ride from their running shoes.
Polyurethane: Polyurethane foams are denser, heavier and stiffer than EVA foams and provide more stability and durability than EVA. Polyurethane midsoles are often preferred by heavier runners who want a firmer, more stable ride and shoes that offer maximum durability.
When evaluating cushioning systems, there are three other things to take into account. First, since cushioning systems aren't foam- based, a cushioning system can make a midsole more durable by replacing some of the midsole foam. And the larger the cushioning system, the more foam it replaces.
Second, cushioning systems generally weigh more than foam, so they add to the shoe's overall weight. And third, the cushioning systems and foams must be "married" perfectly in the midsole. If they're not, the cushioning system can actually become a pressure point that makes the midsole feel as if it has a bump in it.
Below, we report on all the major cushioning systems. Each does what it's supposed to do: improve the midsole's shock-absorbing capacity. But there is no perfect system. Each has certain strengths and weaknesses. You'll want to consider these when you're trying on new shoes. At the same time, remember the first rule of shoe selection: let fit be your guide.
Adidas adiPRENE
What it is: High-density rubber pads placed under the rearfoot and forefoot.
What it does: Lessens impact.
Strengths: Creates smooth ride Absorbs shock
Weeakness: Pads are small
Asics Gel
What it is: Different types of pads made of silicone (or silicone- based) gel and placed in the midsole under the rearfoot and forefoot.
What it does: Disperses shock.
Strengths: Can't deflate Allows for smooth ride
Weakness: Pads are small and thin
Avia Cantilever
What it is: A concave outsole in the rearfoot that flares upon impact, forming a wide base to disperse shock.
What it does: Absorbs shock and creates a stable rearfoot by allowing the runner's heel to sink.
Strengths: Enhances cushioning Adds stability
Weakness: External cantilever can crack
Brooks HydroFlow
What it is: Pads filled with a silicone oil that flows within them.
What it does: Cushions the foot upon impact. HydroFlow ST (for stability) units in some shoes create a soft spot in the center of the rearfoot, which also stabilizes the foot.
Strengths: Lessens impact Increases durability HydroFlow ST pads add rearfoot stability
Weaknesses: Heavy ST pads' stability properties reduced by orthotics
Etonic Eon Air (formerly StableAir)
What it is: A nonpressurized air system using ambient (outside) air.
What it does: Reduces shock.
Strengths: Creates a cushiony spot in the rearfoot
Weakness: Pads aren't pressurized
Fila 2A
What it is: A pod (or system of pods) using ambient (outside) air with plastic pillars.
What it does: Absorbs shock and provides stability.
Strength: Creates crash pad for shock absorption
Weakness: 2A is very thick and has a different feel than the foam around it
Mizuno Wave
What it is: A highly resistant plastic sheet (roughly shaped like a wave) sandwiched between two layers of foam in the midsole.
What it does: Adds durability to the midsole and disperses shock.
Strengths: Disperses shock Doesn't interfere with ride Creates rearfoot stability
Weakness: Stiff
New Balance Abzorb
What it is: A layer of rubber that sits on top of the midsole in the rearfoot.
What it does: The Abzorb pad adds shock absorbency and durability to the midsole.
Strengths: Enhances shock absorption Increases durability
Weaknesses: Incorporates no new materials Heavy
Nike Air
What it is: The "air" is actually an inert gas contained within a mattresslike unit encapsulated in the midsole. Zoom Air, now used in several shoes, is thinner and more flexible than Nike's conventional air units.
What it does: Cushions the foot and, by displacing a considerable amount of midsole foam, adds durability.
Strengths: Weighs little Absorbs shock well
Weakness: Can deflate
Puma Cell
What it is: An insert of interlocking, honeycomb-shaped cells made from a polyurethane elastomer.
What it does: Cushions the foot, but mainly reduces use of foam to increase the life of the midsole.
Strengths: Makes the shoe more Durable Large units
Weaknesses: Lacks flexibility Needs heavy impact to compress fully
Reebok DMX
What it is: An air-cushioning transfer system that allows air to flow from the rearfoot to the forefoot (or midfoot, depending on the shoe) and back.
What it does: Cushions the foot upon impact and through gait cycle.
Strengths: Provides good cushioning Adds durability
Weaknesses: Lacks flexibility Heavy
Saucony GRID
What it is: A rearfoot cassette made of Hytrel strings that are strung like a tennis racquet to form a cradle for the foot.
What it does: Flexes and conforms to the shape of the heel as the rearfoot strikes, to cushion and support the foot.
Strengths: Creates a "sweet spot" in the rearfoot Adds cushioning without sacrificing stability
Weakness: GRID's strengths compromised by orthotics