New running shoes tackle old pain points

AS RUNNING and fitness in general have earned their rightful place in the routines and schedules of urbanites previously confined to a sedentary, unhealthy life, equipment and apparel makers are heeding more specific calls. The pain points of the runner, for instance, include most literal ones in the feet and the knees because of repeated impact — particularly for those more advanced in age.
More than a century old, Seattle-headquartered Brooks Running Company produces and sells performance footwear (in addition to apparel, sports bras, and accessories) in more than 50 countries, including the Philippines. It now banners five new shoe releases with the promise of better cushioning. When your knees are happy, you’re happy, the company declares in a release.
The Transcend 5 (P8,295) is touted to have “running’s most advanced support system, served super soft.” It features Guide Rail Technology which provides holistic support from the user’s feet to hips, and is suited for people with wider feet. Levitate 2 (P7,495) is said to return more energy with every stride “so runners feel like they can run further and faster.” Its outsole moves quickly from heel to toe, and a knit construction provides more comfort. Ghost 11 (P6,495) is about “smoothening” the ride, with promises of responsiveness and durability. Meanwhile, a 3D-fit-print mesh upper and internal stretch bootie surround the feet in the Glycerin 16 (P6,995). Finally, the Adrenaline GTS 18 (P6,295) strikes a balance of cushioning, flexibility, and support.
At the end of the day, experts say it’s all about how your feet feel when you wear a certain model. “You shouldn’t be cornered into making a decision by a salesperson, or even marketing,” said Noy Basa, a runner and a coach. Even sizing, added coach Al Gonzales, largely varies from one person to the next. He suggests to select a pair of shoes during the “latter part of the day, (when) your feet would be swelling a bit.” Do not completely trust a manufacturer’s measurements, he cautioned. “No matter what the numbers say, if you put the shoes on, and they’re tight, it’s not going to work.”
Brooks is available in all Runnr stores, Toby’s Mall of Asia, Toby’s SLP, Olympic Village Glorietta, SM Department stores in Mall of Asia, North Edsa, and Davao. — Kap Maceda Aguila