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Nikes newest shoe delivers maximum stability, a comfortable ride and miles of durability. Air-Sole heel and Zoom Air forefoot feel incredibly plush without weighing you down; while the mesh upper and reinforced sockliner wrap your foot in comfort and stability.
Features & Benefits:
New shoe
Super lightweight mesh upper w/synthetic overlays: Unsurpassed breathability and midfoot support
Reinforced sockliner: Derived from orthotics, helps control overpronation
Flex grooves in forefoot: Allows for natural foot motion
Dual density midsole with TPU grid: Offers excellent cushioning and stability
Zoom Air unit in forefoot: Provides excellent shock absorption
Crash pad/Air-Sole heel: Absorbs shock and slows rate of pronation
We say: The new Equalon uses a rounded heel to help guide heel-strike to the outside--and keep the rest of the foot there--in order to limit overpronation. To complement this beveled heel, the shoe also includes a firm piece of foam on the inside of the midsole for added stability (see below). The sockliner uses "memory foam" to provide a better fit, while the forefoot of the women's version features an extra flex groove for--you guessed it--improved flexibility. Recommended for larger runners with low arches.
Wear-testers say: "Excellent initial feel. Good for big runners who do high mileage." --Richard Hayhoe, 54, East Lansing "Great cushioning and stability, but could be a little more breathable." --Andrea Pompa, 29, San Diego
It’s hard to believe, but for the past few years Nike has not offered a traditional motion control shoe. At least they made it worth the wait. The Equalon immediately puts Nike back among the top players in this category. Pronation control is provided by a generous use of heel materials that graduate smoothly from absorbing to restricting, a rigid midfoot shank, and even a slightly supportive sockliner. Attention is paid to cushioning, as well. The Equalon puts more material between the foot and the road than any other shoe we’ve tested, including front and rear airbags. The result is an extremely insulated ride.
CONSTRUCTION
The Air Equalon is our most technically advanced running shoe – and it shows. It uses our latest
NATURAL MOTION Engineering to signifcantly reduce the velocity and degree of pronation,
and offers a great ride. To do this we’ve created a lateral crash pad that
ensures a smooth, natural transition from heel to mid-sole. Lateral column gives extra support to the
cuboid bone for more effcient natural motion. New medial Arch-Lasted support
system integrates with the upper and lacing structure to enhance arch ft and stability, providing a
smoother ride with no sacrifce in stability. A 10mm NIKE Zoom Air unit in the heel protects during heel
strike and a 6mm unit in the forefoot protects the foot during propulsion phase.
And fnally, during the propulsion phase of the gait cycle, we’ve placed fex grooves across
the forefoot to help resupinate the rearfoot for the next strike.
FIT-SOLE SOCK LINER:
The technology isn’t just on the outside either. We redesigned the ultra spongy duel-density
ortholite sock liner for added comfort, support and durability. Anti-bacterial fbres keep
everything nice and healthy.
NATURAL MOTION:
Our learnings taken from NIKE FREE technology have strongly infuenced the Air Equalon. Most notably the range of
motion allowed by larger, deeper grooves in the forefoot - 25 degrees more in fact. For a
runner this means foot function mechanics closer to that of barefoot running, hence
better propulsion at toe off. And as the mid-sole is now closer to the ground, it offers
more stability. All these things are designed with one thing in mind: support. Support the body’s needs
from the twisted mind telling it to keep running to the next lamppost, the next block and beyond…
WOMEN:
A woman feels each step on the ground differently to a man. How? A women’s Q angle is
greater than a man’s and can increase the rate of pronation, which is why we’ve created a more
radiused crash pad to compensate. On the outer sole, the fex grooves are deeper
and have more coverage for the extra mobility found in female feet. Dynamic Fit Technology
allows the shoe to expand, taking pressure off bunion points without compromising support.
Now women can feel the ground without having to feel it travel up their ankles and knees.
Trialer: I am female who runs approximately 15-20 miles per week, mainly on the road.
What three features are most important for you in a running shoe?
Stability, cushioning and comfort during and after running (ie. did I get a blister?).
What were your initial thoughts after trying it on? Too tight? Too loose? Just right?
The forefoot seemed a bit wider than I’ve normally experienced which I think actually made it even more comfortable. I felt the length was a perfect fit; my toe did not hit the front of the shoe, yet was not too loose that my heel slipped. The heel fit was great as well. Overall the shoe fit perfectly, was super comfortable and already felt like it was broken in before my first run.
What did you think of the fit and feel after your first run? After several runs?
After my first run, the shoe felt phenomenal. It was super cushioned, yet still provided great stability. I’m a big overpronator and did not have to add any orthotics to this shoe.
After several runs, the shoe still felt the same, as if it was already broken in on the first wear. Overall, I was super happy with the shoe and didn’t have any major complaints. The only issue I had with the shoe was the length of the laces and tongue; they both seemed short.
Is the cushioning adequate?
Cushioning was great all-around.
What about stability? Did the shoe provide enough?
Perfect amount of stability; I did not need to add orthotics.
What is your favorite feature of the shoe?
Both the cushioning and the looks. Generally the most comfortable shoes are not attractive; this shoe had it all.
Is there something you would change about it?
The length of the laces and the size of the tongue on the shoe.
How does it compare to the shoe you normally run in?
I liked it better and am excited to continue running in it!
Would you recommend this shoe to a fellow runner or friend?
Absolutely!
....our latest improvements to the Zoom Equalon+ 3 for both men and women are an indication of how dedicated we are to making your running experience a more enjoyable one. The Equalon+ 3 is perfect for those runners who need support and stability in a shoe, but aren’t willing to sacrifice cushioning and comfort. They are now much lighter, more cushioned and are the perfect solution for the runner who tends to overpronate in their stride.
What else have we done to make this shoe even better? Check out the diagrams below to learn about all the improvements made to both the men’s and women’s shoes. The areas highlighted in red indicate the feature being discussed.
I believe Nike place the Equalon on the level of an Asics Kayano. I would say that it probably has a bit more motion control than the Kayano but has a surprisingly smooth ride for such a stable shoe. Perhaps it is the softer midsole materials. One of the better motion control shoes for lighter weight runners or average weight runners that are light on their feet but require more control.
Had my first run in them today. They were very soft as a first impression. That may not always be good if the softness leads to less stability. However I felt they were controlling enough for me with my orthotics. They felt very comfortable right from the start with no beak in time required. Only a 5km run so I will have to do some longer runs before knowing how they suit me.
Well I have had quite a few more runs in them now. I think I can make a more comprehensive comment on them as a running shoe.
Brand: Nike Model: Air Equalon
Shoe Category:
High Mileage Moderate Stability. A bit too soft to be in the motion control category in my opinion. May not suit heavy pounders.
Special features:
Dual density midsole with medial support straps from the upper to the outsole. Fitframe external heel counter. Nike + and Zoom Air.
Subjective:
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: ****
From the first run this shoe was very comfortable with no break in period required. It has a very soft ride that also cushioned footstrike very well. The only concern is that the softness may allow greater compression of the midsole with increased strain on the Achilles.
SHOCK ATTENUATION: ***
This shoe offers good shock absorption for my weight and running style.
STABILITY: ****
The combination of the dual density midsole, Plastic arch cradle, Upper to outsole support straps and my orthotics gave me optimum stability without the blockish feel of many motion control shoes. Still a smooth transition from the heel to toe.
TRACTION:*****
The most surprising thing about these shoes is the exceptional traction while running in the wet. While the chunky waffle outsole should give good traction off road it also gives excellent traction on a smooth wet surface. This shoe is equal to the best traction of any shoe I have ever used in the wet.
COMFORT and FIT:****
Well padded upper and strategically placed support straps felt firm around the foot without anything digging into the foot. Suited to a slim to narrow midfoot and wider forefoot. Large mesh upper seemed to breathe well in the heat and humidity. The Equalon fit my orthotics very well with adequate depth and width in the heel counter.
Weight: Medium weight shoe. Durability: Not used it long enough yet but no premature wear. Recommendation: This shoe should suit a large variety of runners with a good feel for the road and excellent functioning - especially while running in the wet.
Nike Air Equalon
Hybrid Mode
