Will show makers custom make shoes for their top runners and triathletes?
Yes, in some cases they will.
Just got my hands on the brand new DS Trainer 12 (wear test model). Beautiful shoe. I’m going to take it out for a test run this morning. Asics still seems to lead the pack in the lightweight low-profile performance shoes. I saw a ton of them at IM- Florida.
Is it still as narrow as the previous two models?
I used to wear the DS trainer 9 as a speed work and racing shoe but the 10 and 11 were too narrow. Now I use the Speedstars but they feel a bit flimsy and lack the support I would like for the longest distances.
Sindre
I will give you some feedback in about an hour or so. I’m going to lace them-up and go for a run.
particularly in track spikes. Some people will make certain modifications to spikes (ventilus spike plate with a miler upper, etc…) to create the lightest spike possible. I know geb has worn adidas spikes that are custom…the list goes on, but I think i’ve seen it more/almost always in track spikes.
Eric
kate major has custom saucony shoes, so does lisa bentley
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Asics DS Trainer 12 / TN 711 Mens US: 10.5
First Impression: Simple look, yet very attractive styling. The shoe felt feather-light. Perhaps 10 oz. I instantly noticed the roomy all mesh toe box. No seams or restrictive overlays by the toe area. The shoe is predominantly white with a red tongue and black stripes. It also uses some red trim and accents. The color scheme has been used in previous DS models. It appears that they may have beefed up the amount of gel cushioning (based on the exposed gel in the heel).
Initial Fit: The shoe runs very small. I normally wear a size 10. The wear test 10.5 fit me just about perfect. I wore a thin Wigwam Ultimax sock. The mid-sole profile was fairly low and just about right. The toe box space felt generous but not excessive. I appreciate the soft mesh upper and no irritating overlays or seams. The shoe laced-up very smoothly thanks in part to the standard no frills eyelets. It appeared to have some built in side-straps that connected to the eyelets to provide a snug & secure fit.
Date:11/8/07
Distance: 5 Miles
Weather: 51 degrees /damp & grey
Surface: Cement sidewalks
Comments: This shoe felt wonderful right out of the box. Again, the shoe runs small…. so going up a half-size is a good call. The first mile or so…the arch felt a bit noticeable but towards the end of the run…. the arch fit seemed about right with a good blend of medial support. The heel impact was firm and responsive with a softer feel in the forefoot. It transitioned well heel-to-toe. The outsole traction seemed fine on wet pavement and leafs. I kept a 6:30 pace and the shoe felt nice. No irritation or blistering. The heel seemed to fit very nice…. and it didn’t require lacing thru to the back eyelet. Looking forward to running again in these this evening.
When I was at ASICS, the athletes loved this guy because he could make them shoes that fit perfectly and could/would eliminate chronic injuries. Pretty good read.
http://www.asics.com/shoeshistory/1990to2000e/interview_mimura.html
More often than not, I had shoes done for athletes with just special colors…Deena Kastor at NYCM and Athens, Lori Bowden in Kona, etc. On some occasions, Mr Mimura’s team would special make shoes, mostly competition shoes, for athletes. Most of the ASICS track athletes had custom spikes, especially the high jumpers and triple jumpers. With so much force being placed on the body, it helped to have the ‘perfect’ shoe.
It was crazy watching Mr. Mimura, he was old school. The athlete would place their feet on a giant piece of white paper, he would trace it, take some measurements of the foot, then take measurements at the ankle, knee and hip, ask what problems, if any, they were having and what colors they wanted. It’s not like ASICS didn’t have the technology to do a 3-D electronic image of the foot.
At the World Championships in Edmonton, he had combined the upper of one shoe with the spike plate of another shoe for one of the ASICS sprinters the day before her competition. The glue was barely dry and we were all quite nervous that the shoe might ‘blow up’. Mimura assured us we had nothing to worry about. She beat Marion Jones in the 100m and won WC’s gold.