Today I went to a running shoes store and they explained the difference between the Kayano and Nike Equalon.
Kayano is gel system cushioning and the Nike Equalon is foam.
Which is more cushy ??
Today I’m running with Brooks Trance (used to run with Adrenaline), but I’m not happy with them !
PLs help me on that.
tks
From what I’ve been told by people in industry, you can’t really tell that the gell is there–it’s more of a marketing thing than anything else. What matters is the foam and the way the shoe fits your specific foot. I’ve run in shoes with gel and without; I can’t tell that the gel is there. What I can tell, though, is if the shoe works for my foot’s shape.
I’ve run in both but prefer Nike. I think the foam is the best thing out there and I don’t like gimmicks like gel and springs and air. That said, I think the Kayano is a great shoe, I love it so much that I got the designers autograph once when I met him in the airport (can’t remember which model it was) and I ran in only Kayanos for about 5 years. Now, I find them heavy and a bit cumbersome. I also think Nike makes a better foam cushion than does Asics. I also like to use Nike+ so that is just another reason for me to get Nike.
Regardless of which pair you get, I think you should only plan to keep them for 6-8 months. I feel like both models will wear out by then.
I remember when they first came out with the Gel. Nike Air was the big thing at the time. The Air max with that window that let you see the air unit. Nike marketed it relentlessly and it sold like hotcakes. Frankly, Asics needed a gimmick. So they came out the the Gel unit.
The problem with the Gel is, it’s heavy. Yes it gives you cushioning but it’s actually at a higher weight cost than foam would be,
Personally I think simple foam is best. Better than air units and better than Gel. I think it gives you the best feel for the road and better cushioning with a lighter weight.
Comment on the Nike+ deal, I have about 100 miles in my Equalon 3’s and the left and right shoe are now asymetric in the forward arch area. I picked up some heat moldable Sole footbeds and while I was pulling out the original insoles I noticed the one on the “+” left side shoe there is a depression in the arch area. The Sole footbeds are thick and and seem to have taken up the slack in this area for now.
I really like the fit/feel of these shoes and enjoy the + feature. I will buy another pair but it’s a little comical that with all the talk about gel vs foam that a gimmicky thing like Nike + results in shoes that differ from left to right after a litle running time.
the gel will retain its cushion far longer than the foam. I run mostly on concrete trails: Brooks or Asics shoes with gel will still be comfortable after two years in the rotation, where the non-gel shoes won’t last a year. For the first two hundred miles or so, there isn’t a noticeable difference.
Comment on the Nike+ deal, I have about 100 miles in my Equalon 3’s and the left and right shoe are now asymetric in the forward arch area. I picked up some heat moldable Sole footbeds and while I was pulling out the original insoles I noticed the one on the “+” left side shoe there is a depression in the arch area. The Sole footbeds are thick and and seem to have taken up the slack in this area for now.
I really like the fit/feel of these shoes and enjoy the + feature. I will buy another pair but it’s a little comical that with all the talk about gel vs foam that a gimmicky thing like Nike + results in shoes that differ from left to right after a litle running time.
I haven’t experienced that in 5 pairs of Nike+ shoes. But all of these shoe manufacturers have runs of bad quality control so you have to be vigilant about your purchases. Some stores will take shoes back even after you’ve used them and if I’m worried about the shoes I’ll purchase from those shops.
as a shoe fit specialist id say the most important aspects you need to look at are 1) what are you really looking to do in the shoe race, high mile train etc, 2) price range are you the type to buy 3 or 4 pairs to rotate, or just a 1 pair every 6months, 3) THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, find what shoe las fits you the best, shoe companies are like car companies in the fact that they think they do it the best, but if you only have one car and six kids you sould not be drive a Audi TT, same with shoes, yes the acsic kayano 15 is an amazing shoe but for 140.00, does it fit you right? Does the heel silp, toe box fit to wide, does the arch hit you in the right spot? fine the right las at the right budget, then you can evailuate the shoe for its xtras, there are a ton of cushioning systems on the market, they are all designed to do the same thing( for the most part) so your fit will impact how the cushion feels to you on a personal basis, some are heavier, some work in conjunction with stability compounds(which my reduce the way the cushion feels as well) ect, If you are having bad luck finding something you like, figure out exactly what you need out of your shoe 1st(including price range) head to the largest running/ sporting goods store that offer alot of brands, talk to the shoe rep about what you are looking for and try on all the comp shoes in that cassification that are made by different companies then you can do a side by side comp on the the tech put into the shoes as well as fit/feel, this process will only take you about a half hr or so if you are sure what you are looking for, and i promise you it will be well worth the time, then you will know exactly what you like from there on,and can alway revert back to that shoe for your next pair and there are some shoe stores that keep your info on file so if you for get they have it for you, the only thing will have to do is ckeck for updates dates to the shoe you have decided on, b/c sometimes they change the shoe in a very drastisc manner which may cause it to fit or feel different! Trust me there are always updats b/c there has to be reason why it cost 20.00 to make and 160.00 to buy! One last hint really pay atten to the shoes you are putting on, try to shop earlier in the day, b/c if you shop ltr in the day and youve had the same shoes on all day, anything you try on will give you a false sence of feeling like a fluffy cloud on your foot!!! Happy shoe shopping
The Kayano is a combination of foam/gel. The Equalon is a combination of foam/air. The added cushioning from the gel/air helps prevent the foam from compacting too quickly. Pick which ever fits you best.