"While Nike and Hoka have been some of the buzziest running brands in recent years, a new shoe reigned supreme this year: the Asics Novablast. A recent Strava report, which tracked which optional "gear" users selected on their uploaded runs, found that Asics' $150 sneakers beat out Nike Pegasus and Hoka Clifton models, both of which can retail for slightly more (depending on the exact model)."
""After run number one, my feet were feeling happy," Keltie O'Connor, a runner and YouTuber, said in her 2024 TikTok review. She raved about how soft they were, without feeling like a memory foam mattress. Michael Mazzara, the CEO of Half Marathon Guide and Rogue Expeditions, a running tour company, said the data made sense; both complete beginners and more experienced runners gravitate toward the shoes' extreme cushioning."
""It's become a lot more common that people want really, really springy shoes to feel like they're going faster or to reduce the impact on their joints," Mazzara said. "They created a really accessible shoe to feel like you felt pretty invincible, even if you just got out there." While wearing bouncier shoes can feel great, even exhilarating, there are some long-term drawbacks."
Asics Novablast emerged as the most selected shoe on Strava, outselling Nike Pegasus and Hoka Clifton among users who tagged gear on uploads. The $150 trainers feature extreme cushioning and a bouncy feel that can reduce joint impact and make running feel faster. The design attracts both complete beginners and experienced runners by feeling forgiving due to high stack height. The springy sensation can boost perceived speed and enjoyment, prompting some formal races to ban similar designs for offering unfair advantage. However, the excessive cushioning can mask developing injuries during long-distance training, and some runners prefer less-springy alternatives.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]