$250 computerized adjustable running shoe

[Rick++]

Today's NY Times mentions an Adidas running shoe with a
microprocessor that changes its cushioning in response to
the foot strikes. The microprocesser measures pressure, then
pulls a little cable inside that changes cushioning.

I wonder if this is legal in official track races?

[Jtiche]

Surely you're joking.

[Wayne Conway]

Hah, Hah!!! How bout some shoes with hydraulics for that "low-
rider" look and feel. And while we're at it, remember that
magic stuff called "flubber"?

rick++ wrote:
> Today's NY Times mentions an Adidas running shoe with a
> microprocessor that changes its cushioning in response to
> the foot strikes. The microprocesser measures pressure,
> then pulls a little cable inside that changes cushioning.
>
>
> I wonder if this is legal in official track races?

--
Random number generation is too vital a task to be left
to chance.

[Swstudio]

"rick++" <rick303@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> Today's NY Times mentions an Adidas running shoe with a
> microprocessor
that
> changes its cushioning in response to the foot strikes.
> The microprocesser measures pressure, then pulls a little
> cable inside
that
> changes cushioning.

lol... just when I thought running shoes couldn't get any
worse. Give me a pair of simple, floppy flats with no
'features' at all.... no medial post, no 'air', no 'shox' or
computers... nothing. Just something that protects my feet
from the road but still lets me feel it.

cheers,
--
David (in Hamilton, ON) www.allfalldown.org "The most
insecure people are the ones you see, putting other people
down constantly."

[Jbones]

Even if these Adidas sneakers did adjust to your running
style, they're not helping your mechanics. If you're running
with bad form to start with, you need to correct your form.
The bandaid aproach isn't the right way to do it, especially
if that bandaid costs $250.

"rick++" <rick303@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:f7422d8e.0405061001.6a3e14e8@posting.google.com...
> Today's NY Times mentions an Adidas running shoe with a
> microprocessor
that
> changes its cushioning in response to the foot strikes.
> The microprocesser measures pressure, then pulls a little
> cable inside
that
> changes cushioning.
>
>
> I wonder if this is legal in official track races?

[Ian Rutson]

"Jtiche" <jtiche@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040506152234.25615.00000671@mb-m19.aol.com...
> Surely you're joking.

Seems not:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/technology/circuits/0-
6shoe.html

"Adidas, the 83-year-old German sporting-goods maker, is
about to turn that fantasy into biomechanical reality in the
form of a running shoe for men and women. Sleek and
lightweight despite its battery-powered sensor,
microprocessor and electric motor, the shoe, named 1, is
expected to be in stores by December and will cost $250."

[Bigsky]

It would be highly improbable that anyone who is an elite
enough runner to be concerned if a shoe is legal would be
using these during competiton. They aren't made of flubber
and adjusting cushioning would provide no competitive
advantage. They gotta weigh a ton, my guess is 16-20 oz.
Racing flats typically weigh in from 6-9 ounces and track
shoes are even less.

> I wonder if this is legal in official track races?

[Gtanner]

SwStudio wrote:

> "rick++" <rick303@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
>>Today's NY Times mentions an Adidas running shoe with a
>>microprocessor
>>
> that
>
>>changes its cushioning in response to the foot strikes.
>>The microprocesser measures pressure, then pulls a little
>>cable inside
>>
> that
>
>>changes cushioning.
>>
>
> lol... just when I thought running shoes couldn't get
> any worse.

There's no way I'm buying a pair of these for many reasons,
but I can see the appeal. I regularly do 10-15 mile runs
where part of it is on soft trail and part is on concrete.
This idea seems ideal for those runs.

> Give me a pair of simple, floppy flats with no 'features'
> at all.... no medial post, no 'air', no 'shox' or
> computers... nothing. Just something that protects my feet
> from the road but still lets me feel it.

Luddite.

[Swstudio]

"GTanner" <tanner@sanctimoniousassgoblin.org> wrote in
message
> SwStudio wrote:
> > Give me a pair of simple, floppy flats with no
> > 'features' at all.... no medial post, no 'air', no
> > 'shox' or computers... nothing. Just something that
> > protects my feet from the road but still lets me
> > feel it.
>
>
> Luddite.

LOL.... if only you knew how much I embrace new advances in
technology. I run on a treadmill daily. I wear a HRM. I
spent a year with a Nike Triax distance sensor attached to
my shoe. I map out routes with software.

Luddite? hahaha.

What I'm *not* is someone who blindly embraces something
simply because it's new. ;-)

cheers,
--
David (in Hamilton, ON) www.allfalldown.org "The most
insecure people are the ones you see putting other people
down constantly."

[David]

You know... it does sound ridiculous... but mainly because
shoes are disposable. If they could make the shoe the same
price as regular shoes... or if they could make it last
twice as long... or if they could make the 'computer'
transferable to a new pair of the same shoe... whatever...
why would you not consider trying it? I fully that if they
last no longer than a regular shoe and cost more than
twice as much... no one... myself included... is gonna buy
them. No way!

--
Nova Scotia, Canada