Adidas_1: Pounding the Processor

Adidas 1-Profile

This morning I got to go running in a pair of new Adidas_1s with Mark Oleson, one of the sneaker's inventors. It was a beautiful day for a run in Central Park and a fantastic opportunity to learn a little more about the world's most intelligent running shoe.

Mark, a member of the adidas Innovation Team, has been working on this technology for over 4 years. Their goal was simple: make a shoe that adjusts to a runner's dynamic needs. The result is a technology that senses, understands and adapts.

Adidas 1-Heart

The sensing is a achieved by measuring the compression distance in the heel opening at a rate of 1,000 times per second. Those readings are received by an 8 mHz processor that determines what adjustments are necessary to achieve the optimal foot cushioning. When a change in compression resistance is needed, the 6,000 RPM motor is signaled and the tension in the steel wire that connects the front and back of the heel plate is adjusted. These adaptations happen on average every 4 steps, as needed. And the shoe remembers your patterns to constantly give you the best support. Of course, if you prefer a softer or stiffer ride, you can make those adjustments manually.

Adidas 1-Exploded

So how did it feel running in these things? Great! The bottom line is that it's a really comfortable, solid shoe. We played with the settings so I could feel the range available, but once I just let the shoe adapt to me, it just felt good. And that's the point. You shouldn't constantly feel the shoe adjusting, you should just be able to run comfortably over any terrain.

They's been on sale (and sold out) for almost a month now, but more are expected to drop this weekend. Check out the Adidas_1 web site for a retail finder or to sign up for notification when they're available online. For now, they're just available in men's sizes and one colorway, but stay tuned for a women's and a range of colorways in the not too distant future.

TAGS: Running (2), Sneakers (228), Technology (51), adidas (45),

Sponsored Links

 

Email This
Related Items
Adiwin3

adicolor Online Winner - New York-based painter Ari Lankin, 26, designed this winning pair of adidas adicolors that features a fresh purple-and-turquoise colorway and a Hokusai design—which is not only itself a perennial CH fave, but also a striking contrast to a logo pattern paying homage to the year adicolors debuted. Judged by Cey Adams, Fafi, and Crooked Tongues, Lankin's design was voted by the public out of...

 

Refinery29: MiharaYasuhiro Sneakers - Since 1994, when designer Yasuhiro Mihara began inventing new sneaker designs as a student at Tama Art University, the industry has continued to push the envelope where trainer innovation is concerned. Even after opening his store, Suso, filled with his own futuristic clothing, the mission of progressive footwear remains Mihara's passion. After a successful partnership with Puma, Mihara has dissected the classic Converse All-Star—literally....

 

Hunter Gatherer, One Time Only - Once again Nike tapped boutique design firm Hunter Gatherer to create visual love for a fringe project. The animation below is an homage to the One Time Only project, a hybrid of several classic running shoe models and the new AirMax 360 soles (details at Freshness). First seen over at Sneakerplay...

 

Sneakerplay-Ss-1

Sneakerplay is Live to the Public (sort of) - If you're at all in to sneakers you've probably already heard about Sneakerplay, the footwear themed social software site. In addition to the standard profile, friend, gallery and messaging features the site includes a battle feature. To gain cred in the community and to facilitate discussion about different pairs you can challenge another member's pair to battle with a pair of your own. The...

 

Kingofny

King of New York Skate Contest - DC Shoes is holding the inaugural “King of New York” skate contest tomorrow, Saturday, 16 September, 2006. One contest will be held in all five NYC boroughs on different dates over a three-week period, leading up to the final competition on 30 September 2006 where the King of NYC’s skating scene will be crowned. Held at the legendary Brooklyn Banks in Manhattan, the top...

 

Nbfdup

New Balance Stingray III F**ked Up - This is a special version of the third in Microzine's New Balance Stingray trilogy, concisely called "F**ked Up." Based on a 576, the Stingray III is made of navy leather with special stingray fabric accenting the logo and heel tip. As the name suggests, they are then literally f**cked up by New Balance so they arrive with that pre-scuffed—yet new—look. The box has been...

 

255-Air-Deux-2

255 Reopens with More Air - Nike's iD Design Studio here in New York reopens today with the full AirMax collection. All seven models in the series will be available for customization using a combination of the standard colors and materials available at NIKEiD.com and some options unique to the studio. As always, Studio visits are by appointment only so enter the lottery here or start calling around to find...