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Nike running shoes feature some of the most innovative technologies running has ever seen. It seems there's no end to the pipeline of Nike's unique products. Runners can literally run on air with Air Max and Zoom Air technologies, or can stride with leaps and bounds with the resilient Nike Shox system. Want to increase strength and balance? The Nike Free shoe line mimics barefoot running to help you get more in tuned with your body. Nike's most recent development, Nike Plus, allows you to get continuous audio feedback about your running performance while you listen to music on your Ipod Nano. The bold and forward thinking spirit of Nike has allowed it to come out with some of the best running shoes ever to hit the market. The fit and feel of Nike has drastically improved over the past few years. In the past, the majority of people could not wear them because they fitted narrow and short. For a while Nike only catered to elite athletes, so their shoes lacked the cushion and support that average runners need. This is why Nike has never held a large portion of the running market. These days, however, I'd have to say Nike shoes offer some of the best fit and feel in the running industry and is in fact increasing its market share. They have a narrow heel and a wide toe box to mimic the typical shape of feet. Nike now likes to put a lot of cushion to their shoes, making their midsole foam platforms nice and thick, which is not too soft or hard, just right. In some of their shoes they've even added a thin layer of air on top for more comfort. Nike has a unique heel construction that they have dubbed "Natural Motion." It sets the foot up in a neutral plane at the point of heel strike, then it guides the foot down an efficient line of transition, so it basically corrects pronation before it even begins. This dramatically reduces running injuries and makes a runner's stride efficient since it eliminates the problem of pronation rather than correcting it after it has happened. In 2006, Nike came out with a new foam called Cushlon, which they used in the Nike Air Zoom Vomero. This shoe is hands down the softest, springiest shoe on the market. It actually feels like you're bouncing on a trampoline with every step. What was just a "test run" has become one of Nike's most successful products. Nike just introduced Cushlon into another one of their shoes, The classic Air Max Moto. So far the Cushlon model has received a lot of praise from long time Moto wearers. The Vomero and Moto are both neutral shoes, which are made for people that don't need support. Stability wearers such as myself have been longing for a cushioning system like Cushlon. Well, we may not have to wait much longer. I spoke to a Nike rep, and he told me that Nike plans to introduce Cushlon in more of their shoes, including some in the stability line. This is a very exciting time. Nike is making great strides and is quickly climbing the ranks of runners' lists of favorites, including mine. Nike has more models than you or I can imagine, so use my list of top picks to make sure you're getting a good one. Whenever possible, I add the following notations where appropriate to help you get your ideal fit.
Stability Air Equalon +2 - Advanced Air Structure Triax series - Standard Air Zoom Elite series - Performance Air Trail Pegasus series - Standard / Trail
Neutral
Motion Control
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