Nike vs Asics

The foot (an anatomical structure) is found in most vertebrates. Most human beings are blessed with feet. Everybody who can, walks! we learned ourselves at a very young age, we were made to walk. Research and logic has shown that the healthiest way to walk is barefoot, it took almost 4 million years for the human foot to evolve and then man created shoes. Recent studies at a University have proved that all shoes are bad for you because they change the structure of your feet and the way you walk. But this doesn’t mean you have to walk barefoot everywhere. Having a good pair of shoes is certainly better than having a bad pair of shoes. Nike and Asics are two of the best brands in the business.

My bad experience with Nike shoes

Two essentials I believe in having are a good pair of shoes and a good bed because I spend so much time using them. When I first fell in love with shoes I decided to go for the #1 brand “Nike”, I was proud to wear them and didn’t think there was a worthy substitute until this happened…

But it’s OK because after two weeks my skin got tougher thanks to Nike and I ended up wearing the shoes in. After this experience I decided to try another flavor next time and broke free like a child whose only tasted vanilla ice cream and didn’t think there was anything better. I can tell you now the first pair of Asics (Nimbus 10′s) I bought was more comfortable than the 5 pairs of Nike shoes I unfortunately spent wearing for 5 years and believed were superior shoes; and it made me think of Barney from the Simpson’s when he first tasted beer and said “Where have you been all my life?“. It’s not a phase, I know I’ll never buy a different brand of shoes again.

My sisters bad experience with her first and only pair of Nike Tn’s

I bought my sister a pair of Nike’s for her birthday a few years ago but she’s only wore them maybe 80 times because she has so many pairs of shoes it’s not funny and makes me mad. I recently told  her about this website I built and she said “funny you mentioned it because the base of my (pink girlie hahaha) pair of Nike’s has cracked at the base and lets water in”. Since I herd that I have been hounding my sister to buy a pair of Asics but she just keeps winging that they look too generic and I asked her “Well have you ever tried a pair on?” and she said “no” so she has no argument. When I get around to it I’ll post a photo of the crack in her shoe/s (whichever) if it’s visible.

My fathers bad experience with his pair of Nike Vomero+ 4′s

4 months after my dad bought his pair of Vomero 4′s he had to get a shoe repairer to patch on a chunk of the sole because it wore out so quick.

I’ve got my footwear down pat now…

I currently own a brand new pair of Asics Nimbus 12′s which I scrub the white part of the soul off whenever they get dirt on them because I love them so much; a year and a half old pair of Nimbus 11′s which I use to mow my lawn in hahahaha and a pair of Nike sandals for indoors. I’ll always buy Nike sandals but I’ll always buy Asics Shoes… I’ll post a photo of my footwear in the morning (I’m in Australia).

About Asics

Asics founded in 1949 is a Japanese athletic equipment company producing professional footwear and sports equipment. The name of the company “ASICS” is an acronym of the Latin phrase “anima sana in corpore sano” which translates to “A sound mind in a sound body.”.

About Nike

Nike founded in 1964 is a publicly traded sportswear company and equipment supplier based in the United States.  The Nike trademark is “Just do it” and the popular Swoosh logo. The Swoosh logo was inspired by the Greek goddess Nike, the winged goddess of victory. The Swoosh logo symbolizes her flight.

Running Shoes

Running causes tremendous impact on the feet since they absorb more force than any other part of the body. Wearing superior running shoes is important for all levels of runners, from casual to professional. Not wearing the right shoes can cause injury and put you out of action. A proper running shoe should be light weight and flexible. It should offer maximum support and excellent cushioning. An accurate fit is also essential. Nike and Asics offer vast variety top of the range running shoes, but which is best? Whilst Nike running shoes may have a nicer outer appearance, Asics running shoes (although a little more bland) are more comfortable to wear during running. Since comfort is an essential feature of selecting a top-quality running shoe, Asics is the better option.

Walking Shoes

Many people prefer walking to extreme sporting activities since it’s a much gentler form of exercise. Even with lower impact, comfortable footwear is still important. Walking shoe designs largely focus on aesthetics than performance. In this regard, Nike walking shoes come in a nice variety of stylish designs and even funky styles to choose from. Conversely, Asics walking shoes could often be mistaken for generic sneakers, despite the price tag. However, practicality is always essential in protecting the more valuable assets – your feet. When choosing a suitable pair of shoes for walking, some consumers look to the qualities offered by performance running shoes, since they are specially designed to withstand high impact and offer maximum support. If functionality and utmost comfort is your focus, Asics is the way to go.

Tennis Shoes

Tennis is another sport where the feet take a lot of impact. It’s all about balance. Continual side-to-side movement, jumping and running on a hard surface take a huge toll on the feet. A shoe with optimum support and cushioning is crucial. Since tennis courts can vary in surfaces, Asics tennis shoes have been made for different tennis surfaces including synthetic, grass and clay.

Nike tennis shoes also offer their own support and cushioning technologies, like Max Air, but once again the Asics brand is more comfortable. In Asics, the toe areas have been specifically formed with increased durability in mind. The shoes are longer lasting since they are made to endure toe-drag, which is beneficial if you drag your toe forward on the serve or during groundstrokes, a common habit in tennis players.

Basketball Shoes

Two things are vital with basketball shoes – maximum cushioning to offset jump landings and traction control to enable free maneuverability on the court. You also want breathability to reduce heat and moisture build-up. Asics basketball shoes offer all these main features. However, Nike has a much wider variety to choose from. Nike basketball shoes include their signature athlete collection (Kobe, LeBron, Durant) as well as Hyperfuse construction and Flywire technology footwear. Nike basketball classics are very stylish and offer a practical basketball shoe which can also be worn casually in everyday life. Nike also makes training and kid’s basketball shoes. The Asics shoes will do the same job and are priced better than most Nike basketball shoes, but if you’re looking for more styles to choose from, check out what Nike has to offer.

Training Shoes

Unlike running shoes (which are designed principally for forward motion), training shoes are highly versatile. They are made for a wide variety of activities whilst providing multidirectional traction and stability. Trainers need to withstand different types of movements such as the repeated motion of weight lifting or the lateral movements in aerobics. Training footwear should accommodate smooth transition between different types of moves. Both Nike training shoes and Asics training shoes offer added support on the sides and added cushioning in specialized areas for shock absorption whilst allowing enough flexibility in the forefront of the shoe for movements such as lunges. Even though some styles have treads (since they are not meant for running on the road) they are still suitable for taking brief walks or light jogging for warm ups. Both brands offer a nice variety of all-rounder training shoes. Asics makes clear distinctions between performance, active and studio training shoes.

My Personal Experience and Conclusion

I am living breathing proof that the Asics shoe is a better shoe. Sure Nike is more popular, especially among criminals and bogans. Notice how Nike slap their logo on the whole side of the shoe? maybe if Asics did that the bogans would start buying them, just a thought. Trust me us Asics lovers can tell an Asics from far away just by looking at them, we don’t need a great big logo. Some Asics may not look as good but are a better shoe. Asics have far more features and patents for almost every shoe. Many of Asics shoes are designated shoes that have the use of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance. Asics shoes breathe better (you can tell just by looking at them), are more durable (the Nike soles wear out like crazy (especially the shocks), I have a feeling they’re made to wear out quickly so you buy another pair), more comfortable and affordable. The only Nike footwear which I believe is better are the sandals, I’ve owned 3 pairs. I strongly encourage Nike fans to at least try a pair of Asics, especially the Nimbus (a cloud) line designed for cushioning, because they look like stealth fighters and it literally feels like your walking/running on a cloud . I was first hooked on Nikes, I have owned 5 pairs (2x TN’s, 360s and two pairs of Shocks) but when I bought my first pair of Asics Nimbus 10s I fell in love and was hooked for life and actually became a runner. I just didn’t feel like becoming a runner in the Shocks (just uncomfortable) or the TNs (felt like a brick). The Nikes I’ve owned and only walked in lasted me a year and they looked hideous when I was done with them, they just seem to wear out quicker, where’s the Nimbus lasted a year and a half and didn’t look too good in the end but felt like new, I was sorry to see them go. Sorry Nike, I love your logo but your shoes just don’t cut it. Now don’t you feel good every time you buy a nice pair of shoes?

Nike in the News (Not so good)

Nike sues guy who ordered a single pair of counterfeit sneakers over the Internet

Nike lawsuit (Kasky v Nike, re denial of labour abuses)

Nike sued for allegedly lying to public about sweatshops

Nike was sued for 1987 commercial that used the Beatles “Revolution” without Apple Records permission

Nike sued over diabetic’s foot infection

Asics in the News (Better)

Asics debuts 2012 ad campaign at ING New York City Marathon

Asics sues Steven Madden over copy claims

Asics corporation sues Dolce & Gabbana alleging infringement of its stripe design

Asics sues Harkham Industries for sales of hype shoes