Asics

Asics are more than just your general athletic shoes. They offer specialized footwear for running, walking, cheerleading, tennis and even for kids. Wrestler? Volleyball player? Asics are still a good idea.

Asics, or "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" translates from Latin into, "A sound mind in a sound body." The shoes were created in 1949 by Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka, a man living in Kobe, Japan. He made the shoes--basketball shoes, to be exact--right in his living room. They weren't named Asics until 1977, however, which was the same year they were introduced to the United States. Since then, they've been a favorite. The research for the shoes still goes on in Kobe, Japan today.

Asics technology is a result of careful observation and scientific analysis of the way the body moves, and even how each gender performs different movements in sports. The creators work to understand things like the stance phase, the swing phase and the windlass mechanism, for example. For more on each phase, visit the Asics website.

The fact that Asics look into gender issues when making their shoes puts them a step up, especially for women. Women runners outnumber men, yet the Asics website reports that overall, more athletic shoes are designed with men in mind. But women runners experience more strains and other injuries. This shoe company has become determined to close the gap.

Women run differently than men. Their knees position themselves differently; their feet rotate differently. What Asics have done is utilize an array of technologies to benefit the female athlete. I.G.S., or Impact Guidance System, works to allow the foot to perform like it was meant to instead of holding it in place and asking it to instead adapt to the shoe.

Asics technology works to fix these issues with women's gaits, as demonstrated on the Female Tech Solutions portion of the Asics website:

• A "knock-kneed" position

• Increased external rotation of the female foot

• Stabilization at midstance

• Need for power when pushing off against the ground

• Heel fit, slippage and stability

• Fungus fighting and keeping the shoe drier and as odor-free as possible

• Blistering

The GEL (R) Cushioning System consists of a gel substance in the midsole that works to protect your foot from shock when you're running, jumping or just walking.

If you're ready to buy, we don't blame you. Especially considering their GEL (R) Cushioning System's ability to make you more comfortable while you run, walk or do whatever sport it is that you love to do. After all, it's hard to love a sport when your feet hurt.

Here are a few locations to check for your Asics of choice:

You can visit the Asics website to find a retailer near you.

You may also want to check Eastbay, OnlineShoes.com, Paragon Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods or the Sports Chalet.

Another good place to start looking is Zappos.

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