There are many reebok classic runners who would happily serve as guinea pigs for novel shoe designs, and I count myself as one of them. I test more shoes than I should, and probably am messing myself up in the process as I don't acclimate to any of them. But, if I can provide some at least subjective and maybe a bit of objective detail on what makes then different, then I hope that I have helped in some way. If Asics should decide to expand their selection of shoes that might be similar to the Piranha, send me a pair, I'll be happy to give some feedback.Pete where do I start? Lots odf questions so I will try.
There seems to be a lot of animosity toward ASICS, but not a lot of understanding of what the company does other than sell shoes let me start here biomechanics, either for the better or the worse (or maybe not at all), biomechanists should be at the forefront of all mens reebok trainers design decisions at ASICS they are to the extent, that we outsource our research to about 6 diffrent universities, as well as using our own facility in Kobe Japan. the reason we do this which is quite unique, is that we want t eliminate any bias i our research and make sure reebok pump we really do get an answer to our research question.
I don't know the situation at ASICS, so I can't speculate on your situation" I have been at ASICS for 30 years this year& the head biomechnist, Nishiwaki-san also head of research, not me has been there as long as I can remember. In my time as someone very involved 12years there has not been one single loss of a key design or research staff member. Remarkable I am sure will now scoff that maybe this is ASiCS "problem". I know the guys at Nike and adidas pretty well. Mario LaFortune, Gordon Valient and Jeff Piscotti reebok shoes have all been at Nike longer than I have been at ASICS all three are the key biomechnists can speak for design team sorry, do not know. Adi the same.
We did not expect a huge spike in sales!! Interestingly, we added 3mm to the heel gradient, because we were aware that the achilles tendon was susceptible! The rward we got from Chris MDougall for 4years of hard work and many many dollars wa for him to publically mock the shoe and call it thE ASICs Gel Menses. He never bothered to read the research or understand what it was about. Sometimes the crap flows the other way Pete! "it's not easy to offer alternatives, and I realize this.
But, because alternatives are hard does not mean we should be content with the status quo when studies content with the status quo do suggest that basing shoe type almost exclusively off of things like arch height and pronation does not seem to be of any benefit to the runner" As we speak I am working on exactly this. I can tell you I am personally very embarrassed that there is any mention of a wet foot print test on any ASICS website. I will have it removed or die trying.
Therefore I do not require any "correcting" or extra support devices in the shoe. All I really want is a little cushion and protection from reebok cross trainers abrasion and puncture. Also, I don't really want a "driving" or "casual" style shoe such as the Tiger. Since I've already adjusted to little to no heel lift I'd like a shoe with a 0-4mm heel lift, and that eliminates the Pirahna. It has been stated earlier (by Scott Abenoki Brown) that Asics may market more minimal style shoes in Japan. If true, do those include models beside the Tiger or Pirrhana? Are they geared toward recreational runners (I don't want racing flats either)? If so, is there any way to get
those other models in the States? Thank you for your help.