Tech Shoes Thoughts
For the past few years I have only purchased and worn the Nike Free RN Flyknit running shoe. While I typically avoid running and usually opt for brisk walking as my cardio, these are my go-to shoes for the gym. I also wear them to work on days that I choose to wear scrubs. On days that I am working as needed in the pharmacy I am typically on my feet 8 to 9 hours out of a 10-hour shift. At the end of a workout or work day I am not left with sore or tired feet and legs, unlike when I wore Nike’s Flex RN. The Free RN Flyknit offers adequate support without being bulky.
When shopping for new shoes at the time I ultimately chose this pair because they were light-weight, made from extremely breathable material, and had a flexible sole. I find that wearing workout shoes made with more breathable material helps cut down on sweat and odor tremendously. Another feature I really liked was the fact that the heel and tongue are thinner than most shoes. This makes the shoe fit like a glove and helps keep the tongue from slipping to the side, one of the most annoying parts of wearing shoes with tongues. The only issue I had with this shoe was its price tag of roughly $120, other than that I don’t have any complaints.
I spoke with a few people who like to run to get their cardio in and asked them what they looked for in a running shoe. The consensus for people in their twenties was that they looked for a light-weight shoe with good traction and flexible soles. The people in their thirties said they look for sturdier shoes with thicker soles. Knowing this makes me think that people who are older or in poorer health will require more support as well. Custom shoes providing the exact support needed for ultimate comfort is one way to accomplish this.
While the idea of custom shoes seems like a good one, it can be costly ranging from $225 to $500 (Competitor Running). Under Armour’s HOVR line of shoes offer advanced technology, both in the design of the shoe itself and in the technology the shoe comes equipped with. Under Armour boasts Compression mesh Energy Web and UA HOVR foam that gives back the energy the runner puts in and eliminates impact. The shoe is equipped with Under Armour’s Record Sensor that connects with the MapMyRun app to provide metrics on runs, track calories and heart rate, and offer challenges from other users. These shoes range from $110 to $140, which is still pricey, but to me offers more with the enhancements through connectivity (Under Armour). This is a great way to help keep runners on track with their workouts. Next time I go shopping for new sports shoes, I will be trying a pair of these on.
Under Armour. UA HOVR. n.d. <https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/ua-hovr>.
When shopping for new shoes at the time I ultimately chose this pair because they were light-weight, made from extremely breathable material, and had a flexible sole. I find that wearing workout shoes made with more breathable material helps cut down on sweat and odor tremendously. Another feature I really liked was the fact that the heel and tongue are thinner than most shoes. This makes the shoe fit like a glove and helps keep the tongue from slipping to the side, one of the most annoying parts of wearing shoes with tongues. The only issue I had with this shoe was its price tag of roughly $120, other than that I don’t have any complaints.
I spoke with a few people who like to run to get their cardio in and asked them what they looked for in a running shoe. The consensus for people in their twenties was that they looked for a light-weight shoe with good traction and flexible soles. The people in their thirties said they look for sturdier shoes with thicker soles. Knowing this makes me think that people who are older or in poorer health will require more support as well. Custom shoes providing the exact support needed for ultimate comfort is one way to accomplish this.
While the idea of custom shoes seems like a good one, it can be costly ranging from $225 to $500 (Competitor Running). Under Armour’s HOVR line of shoes offer advanced technology, both in the design of the shoe itself and in the technology the shoe comes equipped with. Under Armour boasts Compression mesh Energy Web and UA HOVR foam that gives back the energy the runner puts in and eliminates impact. The shoe is equipped with Under Armour’s Record Sensor that connects with the MapMyRun app to provide metrics on runs, track calories and heart rate, and offer challenges from other users. These shoes range from $110 to $140, which is still pricey, but to me offers more with the enhancements through connectivity (Under Armour). This is a great way to help keep runners on track with their workouts. Next time I go shopping for new sports shoes, I will be trying a pair of these on.
Reflections
Technology can be a great way to enhance our lifestyles in ways that promote better health. I personally love being able to play with new technologies and find it a way to make something I'm not all that excited about something I look forward to doing.References
Competitor Running. Are Orthotics Worth the Cost? n.d. <http://running.competitor.com/2018/03/shoes-and-gear/169982_169982>.Under Armour. UA HOVR. n.d. <https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/ua-hovr>.
Comments
Post a Comment