Consumer Reports Rates Athletic Shoes: Men's And Women's Asics Gel-150TR Rated Top...

Consumer Reports Rates Athletic Shoes: Men's And Women's Asics Gel-150TR Rated
Top Overall

Fit is key when choosing the right shoe for working out

YONKERS, N.Y., June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In its latest tests of
athletic shoes, the August issue of Consumer Reports rated the Asics GEL-150TR
as the top performing shoe for both men and women. Both models topped the
charts for excellence in cushioning and fit and rated "Very Good" for
stability.

Athletic shoes are designed for a range of activities such as aerobics, weight
training, light running, and court games. Consumer Reports enlisted a group of
12 panelists to test a total of 20 pairs, 10 men's and 10 women's, for
cushioning, stability, fit, flexibility, breathability, and weight. Testing
took place over three months, and panelists tested the shoes in a variety of
activities from jogging and aerobics to weightlifting and kickboxing.

Consumer Reports identified the men's Champion Amp 2 from Payless ($45) as a
Consumer Reports Best Buy. Although technically a running shoe, it's
appropriate for many uses. For women, Consumer Reports recommends the Ryka
Core Strength XT ($70), which earned a "Very Good" Rating across all
categories, and the Avia A104W ($45), which scored well in every category
except breathability, so it's a good choice if ventilation isn't a priority.

There were two models of shoes that caused problems for the Consumer Reports
testers despite their catchy designs. The SmoothFit Mobile II Trainer, by
Reebok ($70), has a tongue design that caused bunching for some panelists,
which, combined with the lacing design, made it difficult to get a tight fit.
And the women's Champion C9 Rocksie (Target, $28) had elastic banding secured
with Velcro instead of lacing, making it hard to secure it snugly on the foot.
It also lacked effective cushioning.

"Don't fall for flashy redesigns, even though they may look enticing on the
rack," said Gayle Williams, deputy health editor, Consumer Reports. Williams
emphasized the importance of fit when purchasing an athletic shoe. "Buying
the right shoe is really an individual decision," Williams said. "You have to
pay attention to how the shoe fits your foot, no matter what you're going to
be doing."

Tips For Choosing The Best Fitting Athletic Shoe

-- Get expert advice. Consumers will probably pay more at an athletic
footwear store than they would at a discount store, but they're
more likely to find a seasoned salesperson who can help them get the
best shoe for their needs.
-- Shop with the right socks. Consumers should bring along the type of
socks they expect to wear with the shoes; socks vary in thickness,
which
can affect the fit of the shoes they're trying on.
-- Always try on both shoes. No two feet are exactly the same size. So
just
because one shoe feels good, that doesn't mean the other will.
-- Test the shoe. Buying shoes without trying them out is like buying a
car without test-driving it. People should ask if they can buy the
shoes and return them if they don't feel right.

-- Do a test...lunge. Aerobics enthusiasts should practice a lunge or
squat
in the store while wearing the athletic shoes they're considering.
If a consumer plans to use the shoe for jumping rope, they should
practice a few bounces.

AUGUST 2009
Consumers Union 2009. The material above is intended for legitimate news
entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes.
Consumer Reports(R) is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent
nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe
marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.
To achieve this mission, we test, inform, and protect. To maintain our
independence and impartiality, Consumers Union accepts no outside advertising,
no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers.
Consumers Union supports itself through the sale of our information products
and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants.

SOURCE Consumers Union

Tildy La Farge of Consumer Reports, +1-914-378-2436, mlafarge@consumer.org; or
Nick Seaver, Burness Communications, +1-301-280-5727,
NSeaver@burnesscommunications.com, for Consumer Reports