I would be interested in your opinion on the "Lighter Running Shoes " thread. I have had a continued problem with ITBS and am looking for the right shoe for my needs, but overall how do you feel about this subject?
Do you really think your going to get an un biased opinion from someone in the shoe industry in a public forum? I am sure Shawn in a nice guy but come on…
I think in some cases like very bad bio mechanics or being over weight a stability shoe like the Asic GT 2100 is warranted, but these motion control shoes are a joke. As for Shawn from Asic’s giving you an un biased opinion, I think he would for the most part…
or the bike industry???
Shawn is actually a really upfront and honest guy. I had this same discussion with him in El Paso, so assuming he doesn’t mind me paraphrasing his words, I’ll do my best to relay the gist of the discussion we had.
Shawn’s basic commentary was that biomechanics above everything else dictates what kind of shoe you wear. After that comes comfort/personal preference. In triathlon (especially long course), where the pacing isn’t as fast as in a pure running race, this is magnified. Neither the Kayano, nor the Magic, is the best selling Asics shoe. As you might imagine, their best selling shoe is one of the “middle-of-the-road” shoes. Basically, most people fall into the middle of the pack (as you might expect), and that the right shoe for most people is neither the lightest nor the heaviest/most-stable. Basically, run in a shoe that is comfortable and that allows you to train hard without getting injured. There is no right answer for everyone.
The weight of your shoe is not going to be the limiting factor in your running. It’s the same as buying a bike. Buy what fits.
Middle of the road? How about the rest of the market: the rest of the US runners who
- are wondering why good light flats are so hard to find,
- are doing shoe surgery,
- are shopping for Asics Japan shoes,
- …
Shawn asked me to keep this quiet, but I have to share it with everyone.
He sent me a top secret industry white paper that basically says “shoes are for suckers” and that if people ever realize they could have equal or better performances with big fluffy pillows on their feet, all shoe makers will be out of business.
I’m not Shawn but I’ve had 6 knee surgeries and run is Asics shoes with excellent results. I like cushiony shoes.
Do you really think your going to get an un biased opinion from someone in the shoe industry in a public forum? I am sure Shawn in a nice guy but come on…
I know you were not trying to talk bad about Shawn, but do you really know anyone who is unbiased no matter what industry they are in? I think we all have to some degree a bias even if it does not deal with stuff that we make. Shawn knows his stuff and is open on the forums in terms of what he does and who he is and I think that is what matters.
I personally am more concerned about folks that post like consumers and in reality represent a company.
Herbert
Litespeed/QR
Shawn is a rock star !!
According to Shawn, and I’d trust him since he works in the biz, the number of US runners seeking “good, light flats” (and do shoe surgery, goes abroad for random hard-to-find models, etc.) is VERY small. I am one of those runners myself. I train in the Brooks T4 racer and do all my racing in the Nike Zoom Streak (which I happen to think is a GREAT light flat. One of the best). Puma also makes very nice flats. The H-street is a pretty good shoe for short stuff, and you can find the Aello if you look around. But the shoes that pay the bills are the “average” running shoes. Hardcore runners may be the ones who make noise, but they are the vocal minority. The real consumers make noise with their purchases, and they are not buying minimalist flats, shoes from Japan, or taking a belt sander to the soles of their shoes…
Allright, I am a weirdo (at least I am not running barefoot anymore, and I do take my medication 
.
A couple of years ago I bought a pair of really light ASICS (by light, I mean that if I drop it, it actually goes up!). It actually has holes in the sole and it for sure wont last very long and does not give much support but I still race in them and have also completed marathon with them (even if it’s not their purpose).
Racing with those in my feet is just great! I’m a big over pronator but it doesn’t affect me for a race once in a while.
I agree with this perspective 100%.
Have you even met Shawn? The answer to your question is YES.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m wearing Asics underwear right now.
Hi Herbert,
have tried to email you re a litespeed issue but email bounced back. Have you changed your email address?
Wow, you spend the day working…yes, enjoying the sun with friends in Kona is work, at least this week…and everyone turns on you. I’m not going to filter through the ‘lighter running shoes’ thread, but I’ll try by best to give you the best corporate answer I can ; )
In all seriousness, like Rappstar said, shoes are different for everyone. He is able to train in racing flats without getting injury, that works for him. I can’t do that. I need to wear a mild orthotic with a pretty neutral shoe (Landreth or DS Trainer) in order to reduce the possibility of injury for myself. I would never tell anyone not to train in racing flats, but I certainly wouldn’t recommend it. A majority of the people, and for clarification ASICS spends millions and millions of dollars on research of this subject, need some sort of support/stability so they can run regularly without injury. This is due to muscle inbalances, genetic or learned, or skeletal structure. As for your ITBS problem, there could be a number of causes, nothing of which could be related to your running shoes. See a doctor.
As for the availability of certain types of racing flats, Rappstar was right again. The total number of racing flats we sell in a year is probably about the same as a week’s worth of GT-2100s. It doesn’t make good business sense to bring over the Japanese shoes. Would you spend $200+ for a pair of shoes? I know I wouldn’t. We currently offer three very good racing flat models and will update them soon. I have tried some of the Japanese stuff, and they were nice but didn’t fit very well. Japanese shoes are made with wider last from toe to heel. I always get some slippage in the heel.
I know I might not of answered your question entirely, so feel free to PM with more specifics and I’ll see what I can do. Aloha.