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THE GEL NETBURNER I.G.S. STORY
asics are the leaders in technical footwear development. Testament to this is the asics I.G.S. range of shoes that extends beyond the running shoe range into areas such as walking, tennis, indoor, and now football and netball. As with football, asics looked at the game of netball and agreed there should be a better footwear option for players, and so they took up the challenge.
As they have with other great Australian sports, asics Australia and the Kyoto-based asics Research Institute of Sport Science, made it their business to develop a better sport-specific range of shoes for Netball that would address the sudden stop motion characteristic of the game. This motion places enormous stresses on the feet, ankles, knees and lower torso not only threatening player safety, but also straining the integral structure of the shoe.
The issues of grip and the differing wear factors amongst the players provided an initial challenge to the asics shoe development team. The outer sole of the shoe required exceptional grip under the constant stop/start motion and rapid turns from a pivot. So with the help of Australia’s top netball players and Netball Australia, asics developed a unique sole pattern that has exceptional grip and, made from non-marking AHAR (asics High Abrasion Rubber), offers excellent wear factors under all conditions. The outer sole is also rounded on the edges reducing the chance of rolling on the ankle when the foot lands awkwardly. The rounded edges work by promoting better proprioception, which is the transmission of nerve signals from the muscles and sole of the foot to the brain.
The new asics GEL Netburner I.G.S. is the first netball shoe with the I.G.S. badge and leads a comprehensive range of asics netball shoes. As with previous Netburners, the core structure of the shoe is asics SpEVA, asics ‘Special EVA’ material that improves bounce back characteristics and reduces midsole breakdown. The Netburner I.G.S. also features GEL cushioning in the rearfoot to attenuate shock upon heel strike, and a reinforced EVA stability cradle, moulded between layers of SpEVA for medial and lateral stability, to help eliminate torsional twist and enable an instant response to changes in direction. Furthermore, asics Personal Heel Fit System (P.H.F.) adds to stability of the rearfoot and overall fit of the shoe. P.H.F. is the newly developed memory foam used in the lining of the heel collar and moulds itself to the individual heel shape of the wearer. This assists with steadiness, as netballers are subjected to severe cross lateral movements by rapid turning and stop/start movements.
An exciting new innovation in the GEL Netburner I.G.S. is the dual ‘Twist GELS’ positioned in the forefoot under the 1st and 2nd metatarsals. Unique to the GEL Netburner I.G.S., the use of dual ‘Twist GELS’ aids in protecting the metatarsals upon impact and during the rapid turning movements that often lead to injury in this area of the forefoot.
Also new in the Netburner I.G.S. is the introduction of SpEVA 45 Lasting. SpEVA Lasting further enhances comfort by improving cushioning and stability in a shoe specific manner. SpEVA Lasting is rated in different degrees of density depending on the specific purpose of the shoe. SpEVA 45 degrees density is used to enhance cushioning, stability, comfort and performance while remaining flexible.
On top of this, the GEL Netburner I.G.S. features the new customised ComforDry Sockliner, a unique dual layer cushioning system combining the support of base foam with the slow recovery characteristics of lazy foam, adding to the overall comfort and fit of the shoe.
To complete the shoe, asics designed an upper where the asics stripes are an integral part of the construction and work with the lacing and P.H.F. to maintain structural stability and keep the foot from rotating under heavy lateral stresses.
The GEL Netburner I.G.S. is the ‘Ultimate’ of netball shoes and like its football equivalent, the GEL Netburner I.G.S. marks the beginning of a new era in safety, comfort and fit for netball players at all levels. |
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