E.V.A, THE BEGINNING OF THE END? THE PRECURSORS

2008 and 2012 are two important years in our sporting-good industry, Because these are first of all Olympic years. 

Secondly, every Olympic year unveils methods and innovations dedicated to the higher sport venue. 

In our Microscope, these two years are marking the rise of the precursors of the EVA replacement.

Brooks sports and NIKE are the ball opener in 2008, Scott and Adidas are the ride experience provider of the year 2012. See below, their story and promises. 

2008 Brooks Sports, Inc. announced that BioMoGo, the world’s first biodegradable midsole, is now available to consumers in the new Trance™ 8 premium support shoe. 

Brooks designed BioMoGo to biodegrade 50 times faster than conventional athletic shoe midsoles, making it one of the most significant sustainable technologies.   

 

later in 2012, Brooks created DNA, an innovative and uniquely adaptive cushioning system. By adapting to specific weight, pace, gait and running surface, DNA is promised to offer customized cushioning and adds a spring to runners steps.

Traditional cushioning takes a one-size-fits-all approach, but people at Brooks claim to know that each runner is different. Brooks DNA was developed to continuously tailor the level of cushioning to runners specific needs – even as they change during the run.

Brooks DNA is made up of a highly viscous non-Newtonian material or more simply put, a material that adapts to the specific force runners apply to it. 

Part of the brilliance is that this compound was engineered to perform at the molecular level (picture millions of resilient 'nanosprings').

2008 NIKE Lunarlon cushioning features a soft, yet resilient, foam core that is encased within a supportive foam carrier for lightweight, ultra-plush cushioning, springy response and support.

The innovative Lunarlon foam, invented by Nike, is 30 percent lighter than traditional Phylon and allows the force of impact to be more evenly distributed, which helps reduce painful pressure points on feet.

With Brooks and Nike technologies, I confess, it is hard for specialists, maybe real hard to consumer to distinguish a difference in between traditional compress molded EVA (Brooks case) or injected EVA (Nike case). 

There is certainly a felt experience with the softer encapsulated but invisible Lunar foam, while Brooks teases us with our ecologic awareness more than direct experience with a dramatic change of technical/physical product behavior.

I don't know if Adidas spotted the early weaknesses of his competitors?

But this simple close up of the Boost foam, visible, palpable, makes a courageous difference.

December 2012, Adidas claims the Boost TPU midsole has many benefits over the traditional EVA technology. 

EVA is a responsive material that compresses with each step and rebounds to return energy to the foot. 

Over time, EVA can wear down, requiring the runner to invest in a new pair of shoes

Boost technology eliminates this problem with thousands of energy capsules that store and release energy only when it’s needed— without losing integrity.

Boost technology eliminates another problem. your winter and summer runs have an incredible effect on traditional EVA, the colder the tougher, the hotter, the softer. 

With its formula, boost guarantee a similar ride.

I spent over 16 years of duty, a certain amount of time middle cutting shoe midsoles, wondering about constructions and additive cushioning systems. 

I always wondered how a runner can really benefit from the promises of performance given by the brands? 

before being in contact with the star compound,  I realized the numbers of fine layers you need to endure before being in contact to THE Promise. 

Bonding surfaces included, an average 100 $ shoe has 7 material layers over the midsole. This Picture tells how Adidas engineers paid another attention to increase as much as possible the closer contact to the foot. 

December 2012, Working with athletes, Scott always hear that they would like to run in lighter shoes, but are not willing to sacrifice any cushioning performance. 

So, they, (Together with I-Generator: engineering and design firm in Portland OR) found an alternative to the EVA foam used in most running shoes. 

SCOTT Aero Foam combines lightweight materials with a wear resistant compound, resulting in shoes that are lighter, have more cushioning and last longer than traditional running shoes. 

Again, I point out the difference in visible and tactile sensation compare to traditional EVA including outer surfaces of the Nike Lunar or Brooks latest DNA/BioMoGo foams. 

Scott Precursive Stance is valuable, the 2013 Kinabalu has been a very surprising ride experience at the Austin Running Event fair.