- ASICS hosts virtual reality reveal of two new high-performance running shoes, specially designed to support a runner’s individual style – already proven to reduce step count over the course of a marathon
- METASPEED™ Sky and METASPEED™ Edge were among the new innovations unveiled at ASICS’ annual innovation showcase, with guests taken on a virtual journey through the past, present and future of its commitment to human-centric design
[30th March 2021 – Sydney, Australia] – ASICS is today announcing not one but two high-performance running shoes that take the power of human-centric design to the next level.
In an industry first, METASPEED™ Sky and METASPEED™ Edge have each been scientifically designed with a distinct type of running style in mind. The new racing shoes help elite athletes to reach the top of their game, because they don’t have to adjust their running style to fit the shoe anymore; instead, ASICS is giving them high-performance shoes that support their running style.
The shoes were unveiled at ASICS’ Innovation Summit 2021 – the brand’s annual showcase of the very pinnacle of new performance sportswear. This year ASICS hosted its first ever, fully personalised experience, taking guests on an interactive virtual reality journey through the past, present and future of the ASICS story and its longstanding commitment to human-centric design. The experience culminated in the grand reveal of its ground-breaking METASPEED™ innovation – the latest era-defining moment in this journey.
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METASPEED™: Taking human-centric design to the next level
METASPEED™ Sky and METASPEED™ Edge see ASICS set the standard for human-centric design in 2021.
The unique design story behind the two new shoes centres on a crucial insight by scientists at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS). They recognised that the type of shoes powering the world’s fastest were only favouring one type of runner – STRIDE runners – those with a long-loping gait with large periods spent airborne who increase their speed by extending their stride length.
ASICS research however showed that these shoes do not fully support elite athletes who prefer the second major running style – CADENCE, which features smaller steps made while hovering over the ground with minimal up and down motion. Crucially, these runners increase their speed by both extending their stride length and increasing the number of steps they take per minute.
The sports scientists at the ISS were able to measure that athletes perform better when running in shoes that are optimised for their running style. Addressing the challenge, ASICS has created the METASPEED™ Sky for STRIDE runners and METASPEED™ Edge for those with a CADENCE style – both specially optimised and proven to improve runner performance for each of the two major running styles[1].
The launch of METASPEED™ Sky and METASPEED™ Edge means that runners will no longer having to adjust their running style to suit the shoe they’re wearing. With initial tests from ASICS already showing the METASPEED™ innovation could help reduce the number of steps for a runner to finish a marathon by over 1.2%[2], it will give all elite runners the opportunity to reach peak performance.
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Kenichi Harano, Executive Officer and Senior General Manager at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science said: “The METASPEED™ journey began with the simple insight that athletes run faster in shoes are that specially tailored for them. From here – we got to work. Following a lengthy, meticulous research and development process, METASPEED™ Sky and METASPEED™ Edge were born. Optimised for the two most prevalent running styles in elite runners, they are both at the very pinnacle of running innovation. Our initial tests are already showing them to have an impact on the times of the elite runners’ we’ve been working with. That’s why we’re so excited to be unveiling them to the world today.”
Australian athletes including long distance runner, Lisa Weightman and triathlete, Jake Birtwhistle had the opportunity to trial the METASPEED™ before it’s launch.
Since trialing the new ASICS shoes, Lisa has achieved the fastest 10km time by an Australian woman on Australian soil.
“I love this shoe! The balance of cushioning and responsiveness is perfect, and the extra kick from the carbon plate really helps beat those P.B’s” said Lisa Weightman, Australian long distance runner and ASICS ambassador.
On testing the new METASPEED™, Australian Olympic hopeful, Jake Birtwhistle said: “This is the best long distance race shoe I’ve worn, it has the perfect blend of comfort and speed to keep me running faster for longer!”
President & Chief Operating Officer of ASICS, Yasuhito Hirota said: “At ASICS we are driven by our founding principle: we want to help everyone achieve a sound mind in a sound body through sport. At the heart of this philosophy is an unwavering belief in the power of human-centric design to create products that deliver the perfect balance of peak performance and protection for every kind of athlete. With the pandemic placing huge restrictions on competitive sport across the globe, this longstanding obsession of ours has become supercharged for 2021. This year’s Innovation Summit and launch of METASPEED™ stands as a symbol of our continued commitment to help elite athletes achieve their potential, while cementing ASICS’ status as a pioneer of innovation in the running sector.”
The METASPEED™ Sky will be available globally via the ASICS website and selected specialty retail stores from March 31, 2021. The METASPEED™ Edge will be available from June 4, 2021. Both shoes will retail for $330.00 AUD.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTS
METASPEED™ Sky
The METASPEED™ Sky racing shoe is designed to help runners go faster by extending their stride length considerably. Stride-type runners take a longer stride once they start increasing their speed. Thanks to an energetic midsole foam and a propulsive carbon plate, runners wearing these shoes will be able to conserve more energy while maintaining their pace at the later stages of the race.
METASPEED™ Edge
The METASPEED™ Edge racing shoe is designed to help cadence-type runners go faster by extending their stride length while allowing them to control cadence more easily. Cadence-type runners increase both cadence and stride as they run faster. Runners wearing these shoes will experience a fast underfoot feel, thanks to the energetic midsole foam and a propulsive carbon plate. These components allow them to elongate their stride and conserve more energy while controlling their pace.
To find out more about the products, please visit asics.com.
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