!8: Asic Gel Shoes Get It Now!: November 2011

!±8± ASICS Gel-Kayano 17 Women's Structures Running Shoe

ASICS is a company that has long been known for the exceptional quality and fit of its running shoes, without the over inflated prices of some other brands. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 17 Women's Structures Running Shoe is designed for female athletes who are ready to create the ideal running experience. The Kayano 17 is created with premium quality upper materials that hold and support the foot keeping in mind the specific needs of a woman's foot. The shoe is designed to create an exceptional fit and quality ride that is prepared for the rigors of daily training and high mileage runs.

The inside of the shoe features rearfoot gel cushioning, which is essentially a large pocket of silicone that absorbs shock as your run. The Kayano 17 is built with the discreet heel unit, which is the highest degree of shock absorption that ASICS has to offer. Because ASICS built the shoe specifically for the female foot, the Kayano 17 has what ASICS calls "gender specific forefoot cushioning", meaning that the shoe has additional injected Solyte in the forefoot of the shoe that makes it more comfortable on the ball of the foot. The forefoot gel cushioning system is also created with the female runner in mind, with a shock attenuating silicone gel for absorbing shock during toe-off.

The midsole of the shoe features a layer of Solyte, which is ASICS top of the line midsole. It is called Solyte thanks to the low weight with a surprising level of cushioning and durability. The guidance line in the Kayono 17 is an integrated vertical flex groove that is articulated in the forefront of the shoe to improve gait efficiency, ideal for mild pronators. There is a plus 3, or 3mm increase between heel and toe height designed to relieve tension in the Achilles tendon. The medial midfoot has soft top DuoMax for comfort and the reduction of pronation.

The midfoot is also designed with a gender specific space trusstic system made with thermal plastic that allows natural foot movement while providing the stabilization that runners prefer.

The upper portion of the Kayano 17 is made of open mesh which is designed to be breathable and cool. The ASICS logo on the sides of the upper adds stability to the shoe and helps keep a snug foot. ASICS offers an asymmetrical lacing design to better conform to the shape of the foot and improve the foot of the shoe. There is a comfordry sockliner made of anti-bacterial materials that helps wick moisture and odor away from the foot while providing extra cushioning. Thanks to High Abrasion Rubber in the heel and forefoot, runners find that the Kayano 17 wears exceptionally well.

While runners will be impressed with the technical specs of this shoe, the true fit of the Kayano 17 can't be explained adequately. For a female runner, it feels like ASICS created a shoe that is the exact shape of your foot and then made it cool and durable. Running in this shoe takes away many of the discomforts that can develop as a result of wearing the wrong shoe. The Kayano 17 improves on earlier versions of the Kayano, so runners familiar with earlier versions are sure to love this shoe. If you are looking for a shoe that will improve your training experience, the Kayano 17 is an ideal choice.