ASICS launches new FUJI trail running collection

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ASICS launches new FUJI trail running collection

By: Jeff James

Listed Under: Product News

Published: Monday, February 13, 2012

Dedicated to bringing the best possible trail footwear to the market, ASICS conducted extensive research amongst both consumers and the world’s best professional trail runners to gain insight into what they expect and desire from their running shoes.

The result is the formidable Fuji trail collection, which incorporates the most important attributes of light weight, water release, midfoot stability and grip.

Launching this spring-summer, the new line incorporates three lightweight trail running shoes that cater to the needs of all trail runners.

The GEL-FUJIRACER has been designed specifically for hardcore racers, while the GEL-FUJIATTACK and GEL-FUJITRAINER are better suited to the broader trail runner market.

On an aesthetic level, the collection draws inspiration from Mount Fuji for its logo, which is created in 3M reflective material to deliver increased visibility.

The colour palette is inspired by the vibrant outfits worn at Japan’s annual Fuji Rock Festival.

Designed with extreme runners in mind, the GEL-FUJIRACER is this collection’s top shoe. It encompasses technologies that ensure it meets every demand made by professional trail runners.

The shoe’s most important feature is its weight. Weighing in at 245g, the GEL- FUJIRACER is ASICS’ lightest trail shoe ever.

This lightness can be attributed to several factors, one of which is the low profile of the Solyte midsole. Lower than ASICS’ other trail shoes, the GEL-FUJIRACER’s midsole has a 15mm rearfoot and 7mm forefoot, creating a 7.5mm gradient (as opposed to the usual 10mm found on other models).

This lower gradient brings the foot closer to the ground, which for hardcore runners is more preferential as it delivers a smaller transition from touch down to toe-off during downhill running. It also means they can maintain their running speed without being slowed down by a higher gradient.

All the materials used for the upper are selected specifically for their ability to release water quickly. This meticulous selection process incorporated several tests in which samples made from various materials were weighed when dry and when wet. The materials and designs that weighed the least at the end of the experiment were chosen for the final shoe.

The breathable properties of ASICS’ Magic Sole keep the feet feeling fresh, but it’s the Magic Sole’s water release properties that are more important for this model in particular. It works with the shoe’s perforated sockliner and upper materials to keep the feet as dry as possible from start to finish.

Midfoot stability is provided in the form of a hard rubber Trusstic System that replaces the TPU midfoot material usually used in ASICS’ running shoes. Whereas the nature of the standard TPU material can cause slippage on rocks, the new harder rubber compound delivers a more fitting midfoot stability. It is therefore better adapted for trail running as it maintains good ground contact.

This stability is complemented with the supreme grip provided by ASICS’ aggressive Trail Specific Outsole. In addition to providing excellent uphill and downhill traction, the design of the outsole also ensures that the runner’s performance will not be hindered by substances such as mud getting stuck in the grooves.

Other features that protect the runner from external obstacles include a lace pocket, which safeguards against possible accidents caused by snagging on branches, and a toe guard that protects the toes against sharp objects.

Additional features include a removable sockliner, 3M reflectivity, California slip last, Rearfoot GEL Cushioning System and AHAR+ .