Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 103, February 2018 | Page 38

B
rooks is originally an American company based in Seattle, Washington, that was founded in 1914 by John Brooks Goldenberg, and today
the company’s products are available in 60 countries. The company has often been at the forefront of running shoe technology, notably
in 1975 when it produced the first running shoe to use Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) in the midsole, and followed that up with the first
shoe to feature a wedge to address overpronation. In 2010 Brooks DNA was unveiled, followed later by Super DNA, which provides customised
cushioning that adapts to each runner’s gait, weight and pace.
Besides technical innovation, Brooks has also been recognised for its environmentally-friendly initiatives. In 2006, the company introduced MoGo,
its new midsole technology, a revolutionary compound delivering a “longer first feel” without sacrificing stability. Later this was developed into
BioMoGo, the world’s first biodegradable midsole and one of the most significant sustainable technologies to hit running footwear.
Who Stocks them: You’ll find Brooks products in many of the leading sports retailers in South Africa, including Sportsmans Warehouse,
Totalsports, The Sweat Shop, and various independent running retailer specialists.
Web: http://brooksrunningsa.co.za
Sockliner
The Tech
The key technology you’ll find in Brooks shoes.
The inner sole BioMoGo sockliner is
engineered to adapt to the pressure of
your foot, thus shaping itself to fit your
foot snugly and comfortably every run.
Rounded Heel
Brooks likes to include
a slightly reduced,
curved heel on its
shoes, because this
helps to align the
body, by shifting the
foot-strike contact
point forward. As you
hit the ground there
is a greater clearance
distance under the
heel, which encourages
a more efficient stride
and reduces the stress
on your body.
Upper
Using 3D Fit Print, a revolutionary process that uses screen-
print technology to apply engineered structure to the upper,
Brooks can construct an upper using four-way stretch Air
Mesh, which feels soft and optimises breathability, and has
a noticeable ability to stretch, but still maintains the shoe
structure while ensuring a comfortable fit. It’s a seamless
upper that is built for maximum comfort.
Flex Grooves
Brooks gives its shoes a super-
flexing forefoot by placing a series
of parallel flex grooves in the
front half
of the road
models. (The
trail models
are just as
flexible, but
the flex lines
are not always
parallel lines.)
Heel crash pad
The Segmented Crash Pad is made up of fully-integrated
shock absorbers to provide extra cushioning and the
smoothest possible heel-to-toe transition, maximising the
efficiency of every stride. As your foot strikes the ground,
the segments work together to customise your individual
foot transition.
Outsole
With its Ideal Pressure Zones technology, Brooks has reshaped the outsole to
evenly distribute and disperse pressure under your whole foot, from heel to
mid-foot to forefoot. This eliminates potential ‘hot spots’ and provides a more
comfortable and energy-efficient ride.
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ISSUE 103 FEBRUARY 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Midsole
Super DNA is an adaptable midsole material that
combines plushness with adaptability and provides 25%
more cushioning than BioMoGo DNA, and significantly
more than standard midsole materials, while still
maintaining the same energy return. Super DNA was
developed to continuously tailor the level of cushioning
to your specific needs – even as they change during the
run – by adapting at molecular level to the specific force
applied to it, like millions of tiny, resilient ‘nanosprings.’
You get tailored cushioning that reacts to your specific
weight, pace, gait, movement and running environment.