Once Inspired

Archive for March 8th, 2010

Getting a new pair of running shoes is always fun, especially when they look like the New Balance RC 760.

Almost like a tennis ball - Just add fluff

For the lay man selecting a running shoe can be easy, if it looks good and falls into the right price category it’s a done deal. But now, more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of having the correct shoe.

Before the NB RC760, I was running in the Asics Gel DS Racer 7. They both fall into the supportive racer category however as little as supportive racers could vary, they are quite different. Allow me to start with the Asics.

The Asics have a large pronation block and no mid-foot support piece allowing the shoe more lateral flexibility whilst correcting pronation through the large pronation block. They are considerably soft for a racer allowing for a smoother ride and hence a smooth transition through the gait. This shoe is certainly better suited to a heel striking runner with a high toe off, offering more cushioning than most racers yet still have a low profile and are still extremely light at 195 grams.

The New Balance on the other hand has a significantly smaller pronation block, yet has an extensive amount of mid foot support which extends up along the inside of the heel. This makes the New Balance extremely supportive and considerably more rigid than most other racers. The NB is better suited to a mid- foot striker with a flatter gait as there is little lateral flexibility thanks to the extensive amount of mid-foot support. Also if you do happen to run on gravel or similar off-road terrain the New Balance is a great shoe for this purpose.

Overall the Asics offer more cushioning and flexibility whereas the New Balance offer more support.

At this stage I still cannot choose and rightly so. I had a pair of very nice elastic laces in my Asics and am yet to put a pair in my New Balance. It just wouldn’t be fair to choose right now.