Posted: August 19, 2005

Athletics: Consumer Magazine Recommends Against High Tech Shoe

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Consumer Reports, the magazine of the not-for-profit Consumers Union, gave a thumbs down to the adidas 1, a $250 running shoe which uses a microprocesser to control midsole firmness.

The 1 is markted as the "world's first intelligent shoe" and uses a 3 volt battery, computer chip, electric motor and a cable to adust the level of cushioning of the shoe. The publication had three staff members run in the 1 and the conventional IQ Supernova ($85) which is built on the same last. Runners ran eight, four to five-mile runs over various terrain then scored each shoe. The shoes were also lab-tested on a treadmill to measure cushioning.

"The adidas 1 has above-average cushioning, flexibility and stability, but so does its regular cousin," the editors wrote in the September, 2005 issue." They said that the shoe was heavy at 15.3 oz. (about 430 grams) vs. 9.3 oz. for the Supernova, it lacked relfective trim, only comes in one width and only in a men's version (a women's version is due out).

"Be smart," the editors concluded, "Buy a dumber shoe. You'll save more than $150."