16How does Guidance Line aim to make the foot more efficient during gait?ASICS' Guidance Line aims to encourage the foot to track along a more ideal path during running. This is achieved via the placement of a vertical groove used to physically separate the medial and lateral potions of midsole/outsole. This separation allows the shoe to flex along the ideal line of progression and encourages the foot to settle into a more correct position during locomotion. The ultimate goal here is to promote improved efficiency and slow the rate at which a runner will fatigue. This in turn will decrease the risk of sustaining an injury through improved and more consistent biomechanical technique. GUIDANCE LINEAn ideal line of progression should track in the following way: Heel strike occurs relatively laterally on the heel.Upon heel strike forces should track medially as the foot uses pronation to absorb the impact associated with contacting the ground. This continues until the forefoot is in full contact with the ground.Once the forefoot has begun to load forces track laterally and the foot begins to supinate. This helps the foot to adapt from a mobile adapter to a rigid lever. This increase in rigidity helps the foot to generate the power required for propulsion at toe off (via the Windlass Mechanism). Guidance Line can be found in the following shoes:This exciting new addition to ASICS' IGS philosophy redefines footwear's contribution to gait efficiency. Gait efficiency, fatigue and injury are all inextricably linked and now the new ASICS Guidance Line is designed to allow the foot to interact with the shoe along its ideal line of progression from heel strike right through to propulsion.What is the line of progression?At its most basic level, the line of progression is the progress of load experienced by the foot from heel strike to toe off. It is measured by analysing the pressure that the shoe and ground exert on the foot whilst it is in contact with the ground. To remain healthy the foot needs to both pronate and supinate at the correct times. Correct foot motion will result in an ideal line of progression and less stress on the foot and lower limb.INNOVATIONSGEL-Kayano 18GT-2170GEL-Landreth 7GEL-3030GEL-Nimbus 13GEL-Cumulus 13GEL-Foundation 10GEL-Neo33GEL-DS Trainer 17GEL-DS Sky Speed 2GEL-Evolution 6GEL-Noosa Tri 7GEL-Blur33

17INNOVATIONSCLUTCH COLLAR/COUNTERThe ASICS International Research and Development Team strive to invent ways of making cutting edge improvements to conventional shoe construction.Such innovative thinking and ongoing research has brought us to our latest advancement: ASICS CLUTCH COLLAR SYSTEM and the ASICS CLUTCH COUNTER SYSTEM: the best fitting and most comfortable heel environment we've ever produced.Traditionally, heel counters have been internally placed pieces of thermoplastic integrated with the midsole of a shoe and then encased in foam. This is an effective way to provide good shape and stability. However, given the great degree of variation within any given population, the heel counter has always had one significant limitation; it has not been able to independently adapt itself to the individual heel shape of each different consumer.To create a new customised heel fitting environment, something that would reduce the potential for foot irritation by minimising heel slip during toe off and therefore increased performance, ASICS designers completely removed the internal heel counter and replaced it with either a Clutch Collar or Clutch Counter system.The Clutch Collar is an inner fit sleeve made entirely of memory foam. This free floating sleeve literally wraps itself around the heel on both sides for a super snug fit. To ensure that the inner fit sleeve remains locked around the heel, the forward portion of the sleeve is attached to the first eyelet, forming a direct fit relationship with the lacing system. That is, if the laces are tightened - so too is the Clutch Collar. To finish it off an externally placed heel counter was added which makes the shoe supportive without restricting the natural foot motion.The Clutch Counter feature removes the traditional internal componentry and replaces it with an exoskeletal heel counter. The Clutch Counter System provides a more comfortable, heel fitting environment while decreasing potential for friction or irritation.