adiZero: A combination of Japanese Style and Sleek Design
Posted November 12th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Carolyn Hershler
Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes
From trendy sushi restaurants to Nokia cell phones or even Pokemon cartoons, Japanese culture and design has, and continues to, infiltrate many aspects of American society. Adidas is continuing this trend in its creation of adiZero, their newest line of running shoes. The adizero lines spiced up the average running shoe by combining Adidas’s comfort and durability with a unique Japanese flavor.
AdiZero is largely targeting competitive distance runners with a neutral or minimal over-pronation and currently features three models. Although each model is geared towards a different running regimen and goal, the line promotes an overall theme of comfort and speed. AdiZero LT2 is a minimalist trainer sneaker, adizero CS2 is a racing sneaker and adizero RC2 racing flat is specifically geared towards very competitive runners.
What sets the adiZero line apart? Rooted in Japanese design techniques, they have a lightweight and roomy feeling. The relative weightlessness of the shoe is achieved through the air mesh material that surrounds the top of the sneaker and the Quick Strike blown rubber outer sole. This unique combination of increased space for the runner’s foot and a lightweight feeling creates a running experience that is the closest one can get to not wearing a sneaker at all, but does so without sacrificing too much of the necessary support.
The Japanese styling of the adizero sneaker relies on sharp lines and striking colors that help convey a more youthful and fun look than what Adidias is known for. Some of the most vibrant designs in the collection include the Men’s adiZero LT2, which has a color scheme of dark grays and blacks and is accented by neon yellow stripes. The Women’s adiZero CS2 makes a fashionable running statement with its colorful rainbow of pink, blue, and white.
Reviews of the adiZero sneaker line have mostly concurred with Adidas’s promotion statements; reporting that they are both lightweight and roomy. Craig Wienmenn, of The Running Network, stated the following evaluation:
adiZero RC offers a bit more volume than one typically finds in adidas’ racing shoes, making this a great choice for runners who have found past adidas offerings uncomfortably snug. The flip side of this, of course, is that some of those who preferred the snugger fit may find this a bit too spacious.
However, the adizero’s growing popularity seems that indicate that only a small portion of consumers are turned off by the new, roomy feel. Moreover, they have been worn and embraced by some of the world’s most elite runners. Isaak Stokes of the Boulder Weekly wrote:
Haile Gebrselassie wore adiZero’s racing flats when he shattered the world record, and the shoes finished first in the Boston and Berlin marathons
The price of adiZero sneakers is relatively moderate, ranging from $75.00 for the RC2 to $80.00 for the LT2 and CS2.
Sources: [Adidas], [Running Network], [Boulder Weekly], [Running Warehouse]
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Tags: adidas, Adizeo CS2, Adizero, Adizero LT2, Adizero RC2, distance running, Japanese culture, racing flat, running shoes, shoes
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