6 award winning shoes among 15 distinguished pairs featured in the December issue on newsstands Tuesday, November 4
NEW YORK - (October 27, 2008) - Runner's World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, highlights and reviews 15 of the best new running shoes on the market in its annual Winter Shoe Guide special, on sale on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
Six of the 15 shoes showcased - all of which were put through rigorous testing by Runner's World editors, 300 "wear-testers" and the one-of-a-kind Runner's World Shoe Lab - were cited best in class in the following three categories: Editor's Choice, Best Update and Best Buy. Criteria guidelines for awards in each category and winners in those categories for 2008 Winter Shoe Guide are as follows:
EDITOR'S CHOICE: ASICS GT-2140 and Mizuno Wave Rider 12. Editor's Choice represents an outstanding shoe that successfully combines the highest-quality design and technology. Winners received the highest marks from the RW Shoe Lab, the wear-testers and the editors.
* ASICS GT-2140: The best-selling stability shoe ever with a noticeably softer sockliner. Testers raved about the shoe's support, snug fit and declared, "This is a great go-to training shoe." Recommended for runners with normal arches looking for a terrific fit and feel.
* Mizuno Wave Rider 12, Men and Women's versions#: This lightweight cushioning shoe is noticeably softer than its predecessor. One male wear-tester was proud to say, "I ran an 11 mile tempo run, sockless, right out of the box with no marks on my feet." The women's specific Rider is slightly softer in the heel compared with previous versions. Recommended for efficient runners with normal to high arches looking for a shoe with an outstanding fit and feel.
BEST UPDATE: Nike Zoom Equalon+ 3, Men and Women's versions#. Best Update recognizes a significant improvement made to an existing model.
* Nike Zoom Equalon+ 3, Men and Women's versions: Nike's new midsole foam makes the men's version feel more stable and secure. The women's version has kicked in some extra room in the forefront, leaving Nike's narrow-fitting reputation behind. New to both the men and women's version is a support post that's split into two sections to prevent the forefoot from slapping down as you run. Recommended for runners with low to normal arches that need a training shoe with added stability.
# Please note, Runner's World reviews men and women's version together unless the shoes have a different name and / or the versions are dramatically different
BEST BUY: ASICS Gel-1140. Best Buy acknowledges a shoe that offers the best fit and function for its price.
* ASICS Gel-1140: The 1140 features impressive arch support, thanks to a reinforced footbridge that helps reduce overpronation. Recommended for normal-arched runners looking for a soft basic trainer at a budget-friendly price.
Every shoe reviewed by Runner's World is first bench-tested at the Runner's World Shoe Lab. All shoes are flexed, pounded and prodded to see how well they perform. Shoes are then matched to one of 300 wear-testers in one of our three wear-test centers across the country based on their individual biomechanical needs and the shoe's performance characteristics.
Testers, who must log a minimum of 25 miles per week, run in the shoes for about a month before submitting their evaluations, noting their total mileage run in each shoe and rating it for qualities including weight, traction, cushioning, support, lacing system and upper material comfort, among other categories.
Runner's World is the only magazine in the world to independently test running shoes in this way, in order to give its editors the most objective means necessary to determine which shoes are most deserving of award status. Because Runner's World only tests and reviews the best products available, shoes that have been tested may use the "Tested by the Runner's World Shoe Lab" label.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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