ASICS GEL-Nimbus 11 Gets Runner's World Editor's Choice Award

ASICS has done it again! Perhaps the most well-respected and best-loved running shoe manufacturer, ASICS is no stranger to winning awards for their outstanding line of running shoes. It seems like not a single season goes by without ASICS taking at least one of the top honors in the Runner's World magazine shoe buying guide. Fall 2009 is no exception. ASICS' latest version of their premier cushioning shoe, the GEL-Nimbus 11, has taken the prestigious Editor's Choice Award.

ASICS continues to improve on their tradition with the Nimbus 11. The famous feel of this neutral running shoe has been augmented by the addition of a new comfort-centric upper. The result is even greater comfort, extending to the entire foot. Looks like the rearfoot GEL units have been refined as well, and they also look more streamlined, making for a cleaner look. Some runners are saying this is the best version of the Nimbus since the Nimbus 7. Arguably the smoothest ride available in the world of running shoes.

Rapid Advance of Running Shoe Technology

How far running shoe technology has come in such little time! Back in the early Seventies, when athletic gear companies first recognized the vast potential of the running shoe market, runners had few choices. The technology for running shoes was in its infancy. To put it into perspective, running shoes that were heralded as state-of-the-art in the Eighties are now sold as throwbacks (such as the wildly popular Onitsuka Tiger line), casual kicks worn strictly for show; even a novice runner would not wear them for athletic pursuits.

As the technology advanced, running became a lot sweeter. Cushioning and support of running shoes has been greatly improved, and companies such as ASICS, Brooks, Saucony, New Balance and Mizuno seemingly have a running shoe offering for every conceivable type of runner.

Now, the technology is so advanced that the lines are beginning to blur between the different categories of running shoes. For example, cushioning shoes such as ASICS' GEL-Nimbus advertise a touch of pronation control. Likewise, Structured Cushioning powerhouses such as Brooks' Adrenaline GTS and ASICS' GEL-Kayano boast enhanced cushioning.

It adds up to a wealth of running shoe choices, regardless of the individual's specific needs.

More Stability for Moderate Pronators

If your gait reveals moderate pronation that is not severe enough to warrant wearing motion control shoes, you will want to take a serious look at the running shoes in the "more stability" category.

One of the most popular running shoes in this category is the legendary ASICS GEL-Kayano, long cherished by runners the world over.

New Balance is famous for comfort, fit and durability. You can expect all of the above from the New Balance 992 running shoe. It is also notable as a "heritage shoe", meaning that it is entirely made in the USA. The 992 also features a classic look constructed with leather and suede materials.

Many serious runners go for the Saucony ProGrid Hurricane running shoe, which is designed to offer the extra support needed by moderate pronators without sacrificing comfort. Saucony claims to lead the industry in pronation control with their patented ProGrid and impact interface midsole.

Those who like to get a little muddy from time to time will find a lot to like about the ASICS GEL-Trail Sensor. It features enhanced support, yet with added attributes making it suitable for off-road trail running as well as regular paved surfaces.

Unique running shoe technology is found in the Mizuno Wave Inspire. Mizuno's proprietary Composite Double Fan Wave provides an optimal blend of support and cushioning.

The Brooks Trance running shoe is notable for more than just extra support and a soft, cushy feel. It also takes advantage of advanced green technologies, including BioMoGo. Brooks added a non-toxic, natural additive to their exclusive MoGo compound that encourages anaerobic microbes to munch away once it hits the landfill, thus reducing it's lifespan in the landfill and overall waste by 50%

A few lucky sizes can save $35 bucks and pick up the attractive Puma Complete Magnetist running shoe at RunWorldwide.com.

Lastly, cycling gear leaders and running gear upstarts Pearl Izumi offer the Syncro Infinity running shoe. Like all Pearl Izumi running shoes, the Syncro Infinity is notable for it's clean, non-gimmicky, streamlined look and promise of performance for serious runners.

Structured Cushioning Shoes at Your Price Point

ASICS' GEL-Kayano running shoes have been a favorite pick among runners for many years. No wonder that a beginnning runner would seek them out as a sound choice. However, if their $130 price tag gives them pause, there are plenty of other good choices of running shoes in the Structured Cushioning category, which much of the running population is safe wearing. ASICS also offers the best-selling 2100 series, the current incarnation being the GT-2140 running shoe at $90. Another dependable selection from ASICS would be the GEL-1140, the latest in their 1100 series, priced at $75. A previous version, the GEL-1130 is still a fine running shoe, and can be found at RunWorldwide.com at the bargain price of $54.99.

Saucony answers with the Progrid Guide ($95) and Progrid Omni ($79) running shoes.

Brooks' rival to ASICS' 2100 series is the popular Brooks Adrenaline GTS ($88.99) running shoe.

Mizuno offers the Wave Inspire running shoe, which features Mizuno's unique Wave technology, which is much different than the mechanics of other running shoes.

New Balance is famous for fit and durability. Smart-shopping runners can snag a pair of New Balance 1224 running shoes now for $99.99 at RunWorldwide.com, which is a savings of forty bucks.

Running with Flat Feet

Selecting the right running shoe first and foremost requires that you know what type of gait you have. A convenient utility to help you do that can be found online at runworldwide.com under the heading "Shoe Finder".

Runners with flat-feet tend to over-pronate, which has an adverse effect on natural shock absorption. Such runners have special needs, and should select running shoes from the Maximum Support category or Motion Control category.

If you find that you have flat-feet, this narrows the amount of running shoe choices severely. However, there are several excellent running shoes for over-pronators. And getting running shoes for special needs does not mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics. Some of them, such as the GEL-Evolution, look so good that they might make neutral runners wish for flat feet!

ASICS, leader in the running shoe industry and maker of the top-selling GT-2140 and GEL-Nimbus cushioning shoe, offer the aforementioned GEL-Evolution and GEL-Foundation. Both offer ASICS' famous proprietary GEL cushioning system.

Brooks, the company behind the popular Adrenaline GTS, offers the Beast for men and the Ariel for women. Both feature exclusive MoGo technology for long-lasting midsole durability and comfort.

Saucony offers the Progrid Stabil running shoe for over-pronating runners.

Mizuno's Wave Alchemy running shoe makes the most of their unique Double Fan Wave technology, resulting in proper support without added bulk.

With attention to the special needs of over-pronating runners, athletic shoe companies have engineered running shoes to meet the challenges of those with flat-feet.

More Cushion. Sweeter Pushin'!

Running shoe technology has come a long way over the last 30 years or so. With the market for running shoes flourishing, athletic shoe companies such as ASICS, Mizuno, Saucony and Pearl Izumi constantly invest resources into research and development to increase performance and increase comfort.

Runners who have no major pronation issues have no shortage of choices in running shoes. Their sub-category is known as "neutral shoes" or "cushioning shoes". Anyone who doubts the incredible advances in cushioning technology should try running a mile in a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers, and then another mile in a pair of ASICS GEL-Nimbus or GEL-Cumulus cushioning shoes. Any doubts will be erased, and quickly.

ASICS' wildly popular GEL-Nimbus is renowned for its luxurious feel. Those unwilling to pay $125 for the privilege can still benefit from ASICS' proprietary GEL cushioning system by turning to the GEL-Cumulus ($95) or GEL-Stratus ($72).

Brooks offers exculsive HydroFlow and MoGo technology in their cushioning shoes. At the $125 price point, they offer the Glycerin, and at $100, the Deyfyance, which is a neutral verison of their best-selling structured cushioning shoe, the Adrenaline.

For neutral runners, Saucony presents ProGrid technology in the ProGrid Triumph ($120) and ProGrid Ride ($90).

Mizuno running shoes are set apart from the rest in that the emphasis is on their bizarre-looking "Wave" technology, as opposed to the materials and polymers. Fans of their Wave Rider ($100) swear by their cushioning attributes.

New Balance is famous for fit and durability. The New Balance 755 is a fine choice for neutral runners. Lucky sizes can pick up a pair for as little as $59.99.

Shoes for Off-Road Trail Running

When I started taking pictures of running shoes, it was a bit daunting that there were so many varieties and technologies. (I can relate to how overwhelmed a new runner might feel when attempting to buy their first pair of serious running shoes.) With just a little bit of homework and guidance from the right sources, it quickly became much easier to discern the unique attributes and degrees of quality and materials of various running shoes. I was also intrigued at the number of sub-categories there are of running shoes. This post focuses on the running shoe category of trail shoes.

Unlike the most popular offerings of running shoes, such as ASICS’ GEL-2140, GEL-Nimbus cushioning shoe, and venerable GEL-Kayano, trail shoes are meant to hold up to greater punishment from the elements. Outdoor trails can put obstacles such as mud, stones, twigs and foliage in the path of a runner. Trail shoes are built to rise to the challenge.

There are even sub-categories within the realm of trail shoes! For fans of ASICS best-selling 2100 series, the 2140 Trail takes the same performance attributes of that beloved line and integrates tougher polymers and water-resistant materials to stand up to the trails.

Similar offerings are available for those who may split their miles between the road and the trail, yet are not willing to shell out the dough for both a trail shoe and a road shoe. The aforementioned 2140 Trail is a good choice for this, as well as the GEL-Trail Sensor, and Pearl Izumi’s elegant Syncro Seek. ASICS’ GEL-Trabuco is offered in two versions; the standard GEL-Trabuco WR, and the GEL-Trabuco WP, which features a GORE-TEX waterproof breathable upper. Brooks’ Cascadia is engineered with many off-road attributes, yet offers such a smooth ride that some runners wear it on the pavement regardless.

For those who are hard-core trail runners, and aspire to fast speeds on tough terrain, there are the highly responsive ASICS GEL-Trail Attack and New Balance 873, which offer lighter weight and optimized traction.

So, even runners who are in the market for trail shoes are best served by doing a little homework rather than buying on impulse.

The Need for Speed

Since its inception in 1949, ASICS (originally called Onitsuka Tiger and renamed after a merger in 1978) has been well-known for offering pinnacle sport-specific footwear. Currently, the focus of the company is squarely on running shoes. ASICS offers oustanding running shoes for the masses of runners around the world, such as the best-selling 2100 series (the most recent version being the GEL-2140), the GEL-Nimbus and legendary GEL-Kayano. However, they also offer many selections for virtually any sub-category of runner imaginable.

Perhaps the most enthusiastic and hard-core sub-genre of runner would be the racer. Such athletes train year-round, demand much of their bodies, and tend to demand much of their running gear as well. With so much time, sweat and pride invested, a serious racer is not likely to choose their speed shoes without close examination. ASICS offers several excellent running shoes for the dedicated racer.

The GEL-Speedstar and GEL-DS Trainer are lightweight training shoes that are also well suited for 5K races. Other shoe manufacturers are not prepared to cede this market to ASICS. Brooks' new racing shoe, the Ghost, features their proprietary MoGo technology. Saucony's racing shoe is the Grid Sinister, featuring a flexion plate designed to naturally propel runners onto their forefoot. A long-trusted brand in the realm of cycling, yet an upstart in the running shoe market, Pearl Izumi offers the uniquely streamlined Streak racing shoe.

ASICS' GEL-Hyperspeed is wider than most racing shoes, resulting in greater stability. It is the favorite of world-class Middle/Long Distance & Marathon racer Ryan Hall.

For the specific needs of Cross-Country runners, ASICS offers the Hyper XCS Running Flat for men and the Hyper Rocketgirl XCS, engineered specifically for a woman's foot. A similar racing shoe from competitor Saucony is the Kilkenny XC2.

So, with the ever-changing technology of running shoes, what becomes of these styles once they are no longer on the cutting edge? Some of them enjoy a second life as throwback shoes. As a matter of routine, ASICS successfully reissues many of its past athletic shoes under its original brand name, Onitsuka Tiger.

The Birth of Onitsuka Cool - Part 4

ASICS is well-known as the premier manufacturer of running shoes in the world. This is the result of a long tradition of engineering athletic shoes for sport-specific purposes. ASICS makes running shoes for every kind of runner. The famous GEL-Kayano, the best-selling 2100 series, and the 1100 series are in the structured cushioning category, for runners who pronate slightly yet demand excellent cushioning. The GEL-Nimbus is recognized as the industry's top cushioning shoe. The GEL-Evolution and GEL-Foundation are motion control shoes that are excellent choices for overpronators. It is this very dedication to meeting the most specific needs of athletes that is the foundation of ASICS. (The company began in 1949 as Onitsuka Tiger, and was re-named ASICS when Onitsuka merged with two other firms in 1978.) Many of the Onitsuka Tiger offerings from years past have been reissued for the casual sneaker market with tremendous success. This success is a direct result of this, as high-profile world-class athletes wore Onitsuka Tiger shoes in competition. It was only a matter of time before Onitsuka Tiger made its mark in the world of streetwear and popular culture.

In Quentin Tarantino's 2003 epic "Kill Bill Vol. 1", the story's heroine (played by Uma Thurman) was outfitted in a costume similar to Bruce Lee's "Game of Death" outfit as an homage during a key set piece... complete with the Onitsuka Tiger shoes. (In the film's sequel, Thurman can be seen wearing a white variation of the same shoe with blue and red stripes.) Since then, the visibility and enduring cache of cool has compounded for Onitsuka Tiger. The original mission of Kihachiro Onitsuka remains with the output of ASICS' sport-specific footwear, notably revered for their world-class running shoes.

The Birth of Onitsuka Cool - Part 3

ASICS is well-established as the leader in high-performance running shoes. Their development of technology to accommodate all sorts of runners has brought them massive success. The best-selling 2100 series addresses the most common type of runner, who needs structured cushioning, as they may pronate just a bit. It is also the most imitated running shoe, with many competitors gunning for a slice of the running shoe market. The GEL-Nimbus and GEL-Cumulus are top choices for non-pronating runners who desire maximum cushioning.

ASICS' dominance in the running shoe market did not come by accident, or overnight. The company started in 1949 as Onitsuka Tiger, founded to boost morale of Japanese youth through athletic excellence. (The company was re-christened ASICS when Onitsuka Tiger merged with two other firms in 1978.) From its inception, Onitsuka Tiger was dedicated to offering athletes products that were engineered to offering sport-specific maximum performance. As the world's top athletes gravitated toward Onitsuka Tiger athletic shoes, their appeal extended to the street.

In the Seventies, an iconic athlete/movie star who would become a legend cemented Onitsuka cool for eternity. Martial arts superstar Bruce Lee famously wore a sleek yellow jumpsuit with black racing stripes in his final film, "Game of Death", before his untimely demise. He also wore a matching pair of Onitsuka Tiger shoes. The impact of this striking ensemble was magnified with the tragic, mysterious death of Lee. Now, the mystique of those final images of Lee are linked to those yellow and black Onitsuka Tiger shoes. To this day, Lee is idolized by millions, and an entire cottage industry has been built around his image and likeness. Onitsuka Tiger shoes are part of this legacy, and their enduring cool is recognized by athletic, martial arts, urban and hip-hop subcultures all over the world. Onitsuka Tiger shoes are also highly coveted by sneaker aficianados.

The Birth of Onitsuka Cool - Part 2

In my last post, I examined the origin of Onitsuka Tiger athletic shoes, and how the company's founder was driven to uplift the morale of Japan's youth after the devastation of World War II. (In 1978, Onitsuka Tiger merged with two other firms and is known the world over as ASICS. The company has maintained the Onitsuka tradition of excellence, and is most famous for its top-of-the-line running shoes.)

By the Sixties, Onitsuka Tiger shoes had become the athletic footwear of choice among many world-class athletes. (The first running shoe explosion would follow shortly that decade.) In 1972, one of these athletes achieved a pinnacle in his already-dominant career. The renown of Onitsuka Tiger grew even more as a result.

Wrestler Dan Gable was already famous for having only lost one match in his entire Iowa State University collegiate career. At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, Gable won the Gold Medal without surrendering a single point to his opponent. This, in spite of a bleeding ear injury that could have caused him to be disqualified... except the resourceful Gable wrapped a bandage around his head, which allowed him to continue the match. Gable went on to further dominance as a wrestler and equally impressive success as a wrestling coach, etching his name in history as a true legend in the realm of sports.

ASICS, now widely recognized as a global leader in running shoes, has reissued the wrestling shoes Gable wore in that historical match as "The Gable". Many top-level wrestlers still choose them for competition, as evidenced in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The Gable wrestling shoes also hold tremendous appeal for hipsters looking for authentically cool sneakers. ASICS' reputation for excellence continues with its consistently high-performing, best-selling running shoes, such as the 2100 series (the current offering being the 2140), the supremely cushioned GEL-Nimbus, and the renowned GEL-Kayano.

In part 3 of this story, we'll examine another legendary figure who boosted the status of Onitsuka Tiger.

The Birth of Onitsuka Cool

Onitsuka Tiger is clearly one of the hippest sportstyle shoe brands in the world. What's fascinating is that the company did not set out to achieve that status.

Originally, Onitsuka Tiger was one of the pioneers of engineering shoes specifically for optimal athletic performance. Japanese entrepreneur Kihachiro Onitsuka founded the company in 1949 with an altruistic mission in mind. After the atomic destruction of two major Japanese cities in World War II, that nation's youth was severely traumatised. Onitsuka was compelled to use sport as a vehicle to infuse Japan's surviving youth with a sense of vitality and inherent pride. Onitsuka chose the tiger as a emblem, as it was widely recongized as a powerful symbol in Asia.

Onitsuka began crafting and refining shoes for specific sports, such as track, running, martial arts and fencing. With such close attention to the very particular needs of individual sports, it didn't take long for Onitsuka Tiger shoes to catch on with world-class athletes. They became the shoe of choice for many compeititors in Olympic Games by the Sixties. 46 medal winners wore Onitsuka shoes in the 1964 Olympic Games. As highly-visible dominant athletes were noticed to be wearing Onitsuka Tiger shoes, their demand grew among sports enthusiasts and aspiring competitiors. By then, the momentum carried Onitsuka Tiger to the streets.

Yet that was just the beginning. The next post will focus on how one legendary athlete further raised the profile of the Onitsuka Tiger brand.

Sneakers for an athletic-chic look

Since wearing your running shoes when not training or racing in a marathon will prematurely wear them out (and consequently increase injuries), it is smart to acquire some sneakers specifically for everyday wear. This also makes sense from a fashion standpoint. Even if you spend top dollar on a high-performance pair of ASICS running shoes, you risk looking like a pathetic geek if you wear them anywhere other than a gym or running trail. Most contemporary running shoes look so technical that they simply don't coordinate well with much casual wear. Better to cultivate an athletic-chic look with throwback shoes, which are simpler and infinitely more elegant. A top brand for street shoes is Onitsuka Tiger. The company started out in 1949 to serve the then-new athletic footwear market. Many of their current offerings are reissues of sneakers that once were state-of-the-art; though their technical utility has been greatly surpassed, they do offer a very stylish retro-athletic look that is very hip. What's more, the variety of models and colors out there is so vast that you could conceivably complement just about any outfit. Whether you are a serious athlete, an urban DJ or an intellectual hipster, throwback shoes are an advisable component to your wardrobe. Sometimes you may even be lucky enough to find some at closeout prices, making it easier to find the right sneakers for any occasion.

Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81 Throwback Running Shoes

These days, a lot of folks are dropping serious coin on their running shoes... top-of-the-line models such as the ASICS GEL-Kinsei 2 retail for $180, and are only available at runnning specialty shops. Even those who go for a moderately-priced running shoe, like the best-selling ASICS 2140 (available at online running shoe stores) are looking at a $90-$100 price tag.

With that much dough tied up in your running shoe investment, it might seem silly to wear them when not running, as the average running shoe's cushioning and performance materials break down after 350-550 miles. With this in mind, it would actually be cost-effective to buy a pair of casual sneakers for the streets and everyday wear. One increasingly popular option is to wear stylish throwback shoes - reissues of running shoes that were once state-of-the-art, yet now serve as a stylish everyday sneaker or fashion statement. One of the hippest of these is the Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81. As the name suggests, its genesis was as a techincal running shoe, introduced in 1981. As with all things Eighties, it has seen a monstrous revival, with an array of new fashion colors introduced every Spring and Fall, ranging from subdued to outrageous. Some are released as limited editions, and can induce a frenzy among collectors and enthusiasts, resulting in skyrocketing prices in aftermarkets and online auctions.

Brooks Going Greener for Tree-Hugging Runners

I'd never paid much attention to Brooks footwear until I started shooting running shoes as part of my job. Once I got my hands on some of the running shoes to photograph them, I was immediately impressed by the elevated value of the materials and craftsmanship. Along with ASICS, Brooks running shoes seemed to be of the highest quality. (One thing really turns me off about Brooks, though. It's really trivial, and has nothing to do with the quality or performance of their excellent running shoes. It's their logo... an obvious, thinly-veiled rip of the infamous Nike "swoosh". That said, Brooks is not alone; the swoosh is so widely-plagiarized that it is now a cliche among corporate logos to include a variation of it.) Yet I digress. The really important thing is the product itself. Brooks has a well-earned reputation for high quality running shoes and running apparel... including their massively popular nightlife line, which offers unmatched visibility to keep runners safe on the road.

Back to the running shoes, though. Brooks' newest innovation is likely to thrill environmentalists. They have developed BioMoGo, the world's first biodegradable midsole. (Viewers with ADHD lacking patience to read can watch an animated video Brooks produced on BioMoGo here. Though the production values make South Park look like Pixar, it provides a competent general overview.) Those seeking an in-depth look at the innovation will find Brooks' white paper impressive. Here's an excerpt:

"Brooks designed BioMoGo to biodegrade 50 times faster than conventional athletic shoe midsoles. BioMoGo midsoles include a non-toxic, natural additive that exponentially increases the rate of biodegradation by encouraging anaerobic microbes to break down nutrients into reusable byproducts. While traditional Ethylene Vinyl Acetate™ (EVA) midsoles can last up to 1,000 years in an enclosed landfill, extensive tests have proven that BioMoGo can biodegrade in roughly 20 years when placed in the same environment. By using BioMoGo in its shoes, Brooks will save nearly 30 million pounds of landfill waste over a 20-year period. Although the application of BioMoGo technology to footwear involves valuable intellectual property, Brooks decided at the outset that it would treat its new midsole discovery as an “open source” innovation and share it with other footwear manufacturers and interested industries.

In addition to landfill reduction, BioMoGo’s production process is derived from the same Compression Molded Preform (CMP) midsole manufacturing process used to produce Brooks’ industry-leading MoGo midsole. CMP is an efficient, more environmentally friendly production method that reduces material waste by 50 percent and increases material consistency by 200 percent. "

Coming from an esteemed running shoe brand such as Brooks, this technology has greater credibility than if it had been introduced by an upstart. Brooks' BioMoGo made its debut with the Trance 7 in Summer 2007, and has since proven its mettle with runners who are unwilling to sacrifice performance. Brooks has now integrated BioMoGo to it's flagship shoe, the Adrenaline 9, as well as the new generation of the Trance and the Glycerin.

Brooks' dedication to environmental stewardship has not stopped with BioMoGo and their new production process. They are continuing to build on their momentum, optimizing every production detail, down to integrating recycled shoelaces and 100%-recycled paperboard for their packaging. A comprehensive, up-to-the-minute statement on their efforts is publicly posted in the "Green Room" on their website. Now, if only they'd ditch the swoosh in their logo!

Sleek & Simple Running Shoes

One running shoe brand I had never heard of before I started shooting running shoes is Pearl Izumi. They are nowhere near as well-known as adidas, ASICS, Brooks, New Balance, or even Saucony or Mizuno. I reckon that might be because they made their name as a high-end cycling gear brand. Coincidentally, they entered the performance running shoe market right around the time I started shooting running shoes.

In a market full of overdesigned shoes with too many elements, Pearl Izumi's designs are refreshingly streamlined. The branding is so subtle that the shoes nearly appear brandless -- which to myself and a growing number of consumers, is a good thing. More and more folks are beginning to see the Matrix, and no longer wish to pay for the privilege of being walking advertisements for corporate forces. Serious runners who are of this mindset, yet are unwilling to sacrifice performance, will find a lot to like about Pearl Izumi running shoes. I've also noticed that their line of performance running gear is very unique. Some of their men's running gear line looks eerily similar to outfits worn by the crew of the Enterprise on Star Trek: The Next Generation. I'm thinking that it must be by design, and that their market research showed signifigant overlap between serious runners and sci-fi geeks. If you're lucky, you might even find some of this running gear at closeout prices!

When it comes to photographing running shoes, I've often told people, "It helps to fall in love with the shoe." Sometimes it is more than a little difficult to fall in love with a particular running shoe. (Some of the Mizuno and Saucony models spring to mind.) Then, sometimes it is much easier, as with the ASICS GEL-Nimbus VIII. It is ASICS' top-of-the-line cushioning shoe. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting almost every colorway of that one. I even nearly made one shot of the purple Nimbus my desktop wallpaper!

Strangely, the GEL-Nimbus 9 (supposedly an upgrade) was nowhere near as aesthetically-pleasing, and -- according to many user reviews -- a downgrade in performance as well. (Full disclosure: I don't run often, and have not worn any of ASICS' Nimbus series, so I am not qualified to evaluate performance. I welcome comments from anyone regarding performance of any running shoe.) ASICS' newest version of the shoe is the GEL-Nimbus 10. It looks fairly groovy... much cooler than the previous version. However, even though the Nimbus 10 boasts reptilian embossing on some of the leather, it's not quite as rad as the Nimbus VIII.