ASICS: At the Forefront of Shoe Technology

ASICS is a Japanese company established in the 1950’s that specializes in running and athletic shoes.  The name ASICS is an acronym for “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” – which is Latin for “Sound Mind in a Sound Body”.  And just as the company’s name suggests, ASICS shoes put the health of your feet first; the company has been at the forefront of the development of new footwear technologies designed to protect and cushion the bones, joints and tendons of your feet.  

Just what sort of technology has ASICS developed?  Features such as Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.), biomorphic fit technology and Twist GEL, to name a few.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the most revolutionary features ASICS running shoes can offer you.

Impact Guidance System (I.G.S).  In brief, IGS is a system made up of several components that work together in order to give you a smooth ride.  The most important features of the Impact Guidance System are solyte and V-Trusses.  Solyte is a copolymer that is used to fabricate the midsole.  What is unique about solyte is that it weighs up to 50% less than other polymers commonly used to make the midsole.  Not only is this good for speed, it also means that the midsole is extremely flexible and won’t get in the way of the natural stride of your foot.  Solyte is known for its shock absorption and tear strength.  V-trusses, on the other hand, are used to give structure to the shoe, and they affect the shoe’s rigidity.  Different people (or should I say different feet) need different amounts of rigidity or support.  Shoes with only a few V-Trusses provide light cushioning while shoes with the maximum V-Trusses provide maximum cushioning and can act as a brace.  

All ASICS are built with a gel cushioning system.  The goal is to create a shoe that provides a soft impact without collapsing too quickly.  Twist GEL is a type of gel-cushion that is designed to respond in multiple directions just like the fatty tissue on the ball of your feet.  Which brings us to biomorphic fit technology – the idea that your shoes should fit in such a way that they promote the natural, healthy rhythm of your feet in motion.