Types of fisheye lenses
In a circular fisheye lens, the image circle is inscribed in the film or sensor area; in a full-frame fisheye lens the image circle is circumscribed around the film or sensor area.
Further, different fisheye lenses distort images differently, and the manner of distortion is referred to as their mapping function. A common type for consumer use is equisolid angle.
Circular
Image taken using a circular fisheye lens.
The first types of fisheye lenses to be developed were “circular fisheyes” lenses which took in a 180 hemisphere and projected this as a circle within the film frame. Some circular fisheyes were available in orthographic projection models for scientific applications. These have a 180 vertical angle of view, and the horizontal and diagonal angle of view are also 180. Most circular fisheye lenses cover a smaller image circle than rectilinear lenses, so the corners of the frame will be completely dark.
Full-frame
As fisheye lenses gained popularity in general photography, camera companies began manufacturing fisheye lenses that enlarged the image circle to cover the entire 35 mm film frame, and this is the type of fisheye most commonly used by photographers.
The picture angle produced by these lenses only measures 180 degrees when measured from corner to corner: these have a 180 diagonal angle of view, while the horizontal and vertical angles of view will be smaller; for an equisolid angle-type 15 mm full-frame fisheye, the horizontal FOV will be 147, and the vertical FOV will be 94.
The first full-frame fisheye lens to be mass-produced was a 16 mm lens made by Nikon in the late 1960s. Digital cameras with APS-C sized sensors require a 10.5 mm lens to get the same effect as a 16 mm lens on a camera with full-frame sensor.
Fisheye 15 mm (type: equisolid angle), 35 mm film, cropped by slide frame.
Fisheye 10.5 mm Nikkor (type: equisolid angle), APS-C sized sensor, cropped to rectangle.
A full frame fisheye lens for a 35mm camera.
A Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Lens.
Miniature Fisheye Lenses
Miniature fisheye lenses are designed for small format CCD/CMOS imagers commonly used in consumer and security cameras. Popular format sizes are 1/4″ (active area 3.6mmx2.7mm), 1/3″ (active area 4.8mmx3.6mm) and 1/2″ (active area 6.6mmx4.8mm). Depending on the imager active area, the same lens can form a circular image on one imager (e.g. 1/2″), and a full frame on the other (e.g. 1/4″). Sunex makes a series of miniature fisheye lenses for popular imager formats.
Focal length
Sigma currently makes a 4.5mm fisheye lens that captures a 180 degree field of view on a crop body. Sunex also makes a 5.6mm fisheye lens that captures a circular 185 degree field of view on a 1.5x Nikon and 1.6x Canon DSLR cameras.
Nikon produced a 6 mm circular fisheye lens that was initially designed for an expedition to Antarctica. It featured a 220-degree field of view, designed to capture the entire sky and surrounding ground when pointed straight up. This lens is still manufactured by Nikon upon special order, and is used nowadays to produce interactive virtual-reality images such as QuickTime VR and IPIX. Because of its very wide field of view, it is very large and cumbersome – weighing 5.2 kilograms (11 lb) and having a diameter of 236 millimetres (9.3 in). It dwarfs a regular 35 mm SLR camera and has its own tripod mounting point, a feature normally seen in large long-focus or telephoto lenses to reduce strain on the lens mount because the lens is heavier than the camera.
An 8 mm fisheye lens, also made by Nikon, has proven useful for scientific purposes because of its equidistant (equiangular) projection, in which distance along the radius of the circular image is proportional to zenith angle.
Other uses
An image shot with a 16mm full-frame fisheye lens, with a 35mm-format digital SLR, before and after remapping to rectilinear perspective with Panorama Tools
With appropriate software, the curvilinear images produced by a fisheye lens can be remapped to a conventional rectilinear projection. Although this entails some loss of detail at the edges of the frame, the technique can produce an image with a field of view greater than that of a conventional rectilinear lens. This is particularly useful for creating panoramic images.
Some planetariums use a form of fisheye lens to project a two-dimensional film image of the night sky onto the interior of a dome.
Similarly, the IMAX Dome (previously ‘OMNIMAX’) motion-picture format involves photography through a circular fisheye lens, and projection through the same onto a hemispherical screen.
Scientists and resource managers (e.g., biologists, foresters, and meteorologists) use fisheye lenses for hemispherical photography to calculate plant canopy indices and near-ground solar radiation. Applications include evaluation of forest health, characterization of monarch butterfly winter roosting sites, and management of vineyards.
Photographers and videographers use fisheye lenses so they can get the camera as close as possible for action shots whilst also capturing context, for example in skateboarding to focus on the board and still retain an image of the skater.
The peepholes used in doors generally contain fisheye lenses, so as to give a wide field of view. Security cameras often tend to have such lenses for similar reasons.
The first music video to be shot completely with fisheye lens was for the Beastie Boys song “Shake Your Rump” in 1989.
Fisheye lenses for 35 mm cameras
Circular fisheye
Peleng 8 mm f/3.5
Canon FD 7.5 mm f/5.6 (note: not EF mount) (not in production)
Nikkor 8mm f/2.8 lens (not in production)
Sigma 8 mm f/3.5 EX DG (replaces the Sigma 8 mm f/4 EX DG)
Sigma 4.5 mm f/2.8 EX DC Circular Fisheye HSM for APS-C sensors
Sunex 185 deg SuperFisheye 5.6mm f/5.6 for DSLRs
Vemar 12mm f/5.6 Fish-Eye / Ultra-Wideangleircular image on full-frame 135 cameras if the integral hood is in place, 160 degree view. Usually available as a T2 mount for various cameras, but no longer in production.
Full-frame fisheye
AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED (full frame on DX sensors, almost circular on FX sensors if integral hood is removed — the image circle is slightly bigger than the frame and there is some cropping at the top and bottom).
MC Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 (Models available: MC Zenitar-K – Pentax mount; MC Zenitar-M – M42 screwmount; MC Zenitar-H – Nikon mount)
Sigma 15 mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye
Sigma 10 mm f/2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM for APS-C sensors.
Zoom Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye lens for APS-C sensors
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8
Minolta/Sony AF 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye] for Four Thirds cameras
Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED(IF) — full-frame image for APS-C sensors on K-mount cameras
Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 Fisheye CS for APS-C sensors – also marketed as Bower, Polar, Falcon, Rokinon and the same as the Vivitar 7mm and Opteka 6.5mm lenses. This lens is manual focus and is reported to use stereographic projection
Mapping function
The mapping of a sideways object leads to a picture position displacement from the image center. The manner of this conversion is the mapping function. The distance of a point from the image center ‘r’ is dependent on the focal length of the optical system ‘f’, and the angle from the optical axis ”.
Illustration of the conceptual significance of the r, f, and variables used in the mapping function specification.
Original tunnel to be photographed, with camera looking from inside center to left wall.
Gnomonical
Gnomonical, 40 right pan
Linear scaled (equidistant)
Orthographic[dubious discuss]
Equal area (equisolid angle)
Stereographic (conform)
Normal (non-fisheye) lens:
Gnomonical or perspective: r = ftan(). Works like the pinhole camera. Straight lines remain straight (distortion free). “” has to be smaller than 90. The aperture angle is gaged symmetrically to the optical axis and has to be smaller than 180. Large aperture angles are difficult to design and lead to high prices.
Fisheye lenses can have many different mapping functions:
Linear scaled (equidistant): , where is in radians. Practical for angle measurement e.g., star maps. PanoTools uses this type.
Orthographic: r = fsin(). Looks like an orb with the surroundings lying on < max. 180 aperture angle.
Equal area (equisolid angle): r = 2fsin( / 2). Looks like a mirror image on a ball, best special effect (unsophisticated distances), suitable for area comparison (clouds grade determination). This type is popular but it compresses marginal objects. The prices of these lenses are high, but not extreme.
Stereographic (conform): r = 2ftan( / 2). This mapping would be ideal for photographers because it doesn’t compress marginal objects as much. Samyang is the only manufacturer ever to be making this kind of fisheye lens. This lens is available under different brandnames. This mapping is easily implemented by software.
Other mapping functions (for example Tailored Distortion lenses) are also possible for enhancing the off-axis resolution of fisheye lenses.
All types of fisheye lens bend straight lines. Aperture angles of 180 or more are possible only with large amounts of barrel distortion.
See also
Map projection
References
^ Hill, R. 1924. A lens for whole sky photographs. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 50:227-235.
^ The formula is , which comes from inverting the mapping function; Dyxum, Gustavo Orensztajn
^ AF DX Fisheye-NIKKOR 10.5 mm f/2.8G ED specification
^ Miniature fisheye lenses
^ Sunex
^ 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC Circular Fisheye HSM
^ “Additional Information on Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 lens”. Malaysian Internet Resources. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
^ “Additional Information on Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 lens: Late 70s”. Malaysian Internet Resources. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
^ Sunex
^ SuperFisheye
^
^ AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED
^ MC Zenitar
^ Sigma 15 mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye
^ Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye
^ “Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye”. lenstip.com. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
^ Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 Fisheye CS
^ Tailored Distortion lenses
External links
Fisheye projection theory
A list of fisheye lenses
Overview of fish-eye distortion effects
v d e
Alternative photography
Cross processing Redscale Lomography Solarisation Pinhole Polaroid art Bleach bypass Multiple exposure Fisheye HDR Infrared
v d e
Photography
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Categories: Photographic lensesHidden categories: All accuracy disputes | Articles with disputed statements from March 2008 | Articles needing cleanup from October 2009 | All pages needing cleanup
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Air Jordan Line
The Air Jordan Line
The Air Jordan line of clothing and apparel has been, and probably will continue to be, a significant product line for Nike.
Michael Jordan has always inspired interesting products. I'm writing about Michael J. Jordan, the (first) Chicago Bulls and (later) Washington Wizards basketball player. Not Michael H. Jordan, the chairman and CEO of (formerly) Westinghouse Electric Corporation and (now) EDS (the common nickname for Electronic Data Systems Corporation, best known as the company Ross Perot founded).
Whether the Jordan product includes "winged basketballs", chunks of fake snake, "The JUMPMAN", or quilted leather/fabric composite, they almost always surprise the customer. After examining the Jordan product line, certain trends and patterns show up. Otherwise, just showing all the Air Jordan models takes several minutes over a slow modem! Michael was quite a basketball player before he retired. Some of it may be because his Mama, Deloris Jordan, is quite a lady! (Both when raising Michael and to this day...)
Jump to the Jumpman's shoes: Go straight to information about each of the models! Before Air Jordan: Michael Jordan in College (what Michael Jordan wore before they invented the Air Jordan!) Air Jordan models: Air Jordan 1 Air Jordan AJKO Air Jordan 2 Air Jordan 3 Air Jordan 4 Air Jordan 5 Air Jordan 6 Air Jordan 7 Air Jordan 8 Air Jordan 9 Air Jordan 10 Air Jordan 11 Air Jordan 12 Air Jordan 13 Air Jordan 14 Air Jordan 15 Air Jordan 16 Air Jordan 17 Air Jordan 18 Air Jordan 19 Air Jordan 20 Air Jordan 21 Some past JUMPMAN models included: JUMPMAN Pro JUMPMAN Pro Quick JUMPMAN Pro Strong Some past JORDAN Brand models included: Air Jordan Team Air Jordan Trainer Women's Jordan Before Air Jordan: Michael Jordan in College
Well.... would you believe he wore Converse Pro Leather high-tops (usually associated with "Dr. J", but Michael also wore them) with Carolina blue trim?
The Era of the Winged Basketball The first two Air Jordan basketball shoes featured a "winged basketball" logo. The Air Jordan 1 featured the "winged basketball" logo on the top outside, at approximately ankle level. The Air Jordan 2 featured the same logo, but moved it to the tongue of the shoe.
The Era of the Flaunted Air Air Jordan basketball shoes (true to their name) have always featured Nike AIR cushioning. Unlike the running and training shoe lines, the Air Jordan shoes have not shown off their Nike AIR as a usual feature. Only the Air Jordan 3 through Air Jordan 6 had visible Nike AIR.
The Era of the Rising JUMPMAN From the Air Jordan 3 onward, the Air Jordan product line has featured a logo known as the "JUMPMAN". Until Michael Jordan's early retirement, the "JUMPMAN" jumped around: Air Jordan 3 - tongue Air Jordan 4 - tongue Air Jordan 5 - outsole and tongue Air Jordan 6 - outsole and tongue Air Jordan 7 - ankle Air Jordan 8 - tongue The Era of Premature Retirement
The Air Jordan 9 came out when Michael Jordan was in his first retirement from basketball. Michael Jordan did demonstrate his baseball batting ability (such as it was) indoors while wearing this particular model of Air Jordan.
While Michael was out of commission late in the 2001-2002 season, some of his Wizards teammates have been seen wearing these.
The Era of the Returning JUMPMAN The Air Jordan 10 was in production when Michael Jordan returned to playing basketball.
Michael Jordan was back in full swing for the Air Jordan 11 model year.
The Era of the JORDAN Brand While Nike did not reveal the JORDAN Brand marketing plan until late 1997, there were earlier, tantalizing hints in the products on store shelves.
While the Air Jordan 12 was still on store shelves, Nike brought forth the JUMPMAN Pro. It was a shoe with many Air Jordan characteristics, including the "JUMPMAN" logo, but not the "Air Jordan" name. Similarly, while the Air Jordan 13 was on the store shelves, the JUMPMAN Pro Quick and JUMPMAN Pro Strong came to market.
Late 1997 brought forth a troika of shoes that started the JORDAN Brand. The Air Jordan 13, Air Jordan Team, and Air Jordan Trainer have come to market. (Note that the JORDAN Brand products do not have the NIKE name or the SWOOSH on them. Similarly, the packaging only carries the NIKE name and address in small type on the bottom.)
The JUMPMAN Pro Quick and JUMPMAN Pro Strong from Spring and Summer 1998 are also JORDAN Brand products.
Only the Nike athletic shoe wizards (and, undoubtedly, some industrial spies in the athletic shoe plants) know what surprises are coming next. A picture of what turned out to be the Air Jordan 14 arrived in my E-mail in June 1998.
Fall 1998 brought some real surprises, including the Women's Jordan. Since then, the Air Jordan line has continued through the Air Jordan 15 through the Air Jordan 21.
Back to the top of Charlie's Sneaker Pages!
Last Updated: 21 February 2011 14:56
Wouldn't you just love to have a new pair?
Click here to send E-mail to Charlie.
Charlie's Sneaker Pages copyright 1995-2011 by Charles L. Perrin.
READERS PLEASE NOTE: Names of athletic shoe manufacturers, shoe styles, and technologies may be trademarked by the manufacturers. Charlie's Sneaker Pages uses these names solely to describe the shoes with the same familiar nomenclature used by the manufacturer and recognized by the reader.
The Air Jordan line of clothing and apparel has been, and probably will continue to be, a significant product line for Nike.
Michael Jordan has always inspired interesting products. I'm writing about Michael J. Jordan, the (first) Chicago Bulls and (later) Washington Wizards basketball player. Not Michael H. Jordan, the chairman and CEO of (formerly) Westinghouse Electric Corporation and (now) EDS (the common nickname for Electronic Data Systems Corporation, best known as the company Ross Perot founded).
Whether the Jordan product includes "winged basketballs", chunks of fake snake, "The JUMPMAN", or quilted leather/fabric composite, they almost always surprise the customer. After examining the Jordan product line, certain trends and patterns show up. Otherwise, just showing all the Air Jordan models takes several minutes over a slow modem! Michael was quite a basketball player before he retired. Some of it may be because his Mama, Deloris Jordan, is quite a lady! (Both when raising Michael and to this day...)
Jump to the Jumpman's shoes: Go straight to information about each of the models! Before Air Jordan: Michael Jordan in College (what Michael Jordan wore before they invented the Air Jordan!) Air Jordan models: Air Jordan 1 Air Jordan AJKO Air Jordan 2 Air Jordan 3 Air Jordan 4 Air Jordan 5 Air Jordan 6 Air Jordan 7 Air Jordan 8 Air Jordan 9 Air Jordan 10 Air Jordan 11 Air Jordan 12 Air Jordan 13 Air Jordan 14 Air Jordan 15 Air Jordan 16 Air Jordan 17 Air Jordan 18 Air Jordan 19 Air Jordan 20 Air Jordan 21 Some past JUMPMAN models included: JUMPMAN Pro JUMPMAN Pro Quick JUMPMAN Pro Strong Some past JORDAN Brand models included: Air Jordan Team Air Jordan Trainer Women's Jordan Before Air Jordan: Michael Jordan in College
Well.... would you believe he wore Converse Pro Leather high-tops (usually associated with "Dr. J", but Michael also wore them) with Carolina blue trim?
The Era of the Winged Basketball The first two Air Jordan basketball shoes featured a "winged basketball" logo. The Air Jordan 1 featured the "winged basketball" logo on the top outside, at approximately ankle level. The Air Jordan 2 featured the same logo, but moved it to the tongue of the shoe.
The Era of the Flaunted Air Air Jordan basketball shoes (true to their name) have always featured Nike AIR cushioning. Unlike the running and training shoe lines, the Air Jordan shoes have not shown off their Nike AIR as a usual feature. Only the Air Jordan 3 through Air Jordan 6 had visible Nike AIR.
The Era of the Rising JUMPMAN From the Air Jordan 3 onward, the Air Jordan product line has featured a logo known as the "JUMPMAN". Until Michael Jordan's early retirement, the "JUMPMAN" jumped around: Air Jordan 3 - tongue Air Jordan 4 - tongue Air Jordan 5 - outsole and tongue Air Jordan 6 - outsole and tongue Air Jordan 7 - ankle Air Jordan 8 - tongue The Era of Premature Retirement
The Air Jordan 9 came out when Michael Jordan was in his first retirement from basketball. Michael Jordan did demonstrate his baseball batting ability (such as it was) indoors while wearing this particular model of Air Jordan.
While Michael was out of commission late in the 2001-2002 season, some of his Wizards teammates have been seen wearing these.
The Era of the Returning JUMPMAN The Air Jordan 10 was in production when Michael Jordan returned to playing basketball.
Michael Jordan was back in full swing for the Air Jordan 11 model year.
The Era of the JORDAN Brand While Nike did not reveal the JORDAN Brand marketing plan until late 1997, there were earlier, tantalizing hints in the products on store shelves.
While the Air Jordan 12 was still on store shelves, Nike brought forth the JUMPMAN Pro. It was a shoe with many Air Jordan characteristics, including the "JUMPMAN" logo, but not the "Air Jordan" name. Similarly, while the Air Jordan 13 was on the store shelves, the JUMPMAN Pro Quick and JUMPMAN Pro Strong came to market.
Late 1997 brought forth a troika of shoes that started the JORDAN Brand. The Air Jordan 13, Air Jordan Team, and Air Jordan Trainer have come to market. (Note that the JORDAN Brand products do not have the NIKE name or the SWOOSH on them. Similarly, the packaging only carries the NIKE name and address in small type on the bottom.)
The JUMPMAN Pro Quick and JUMPMAN Pro Strong from Spring and Summer 1998 are also JORDAN Brand products.
Only the Nike athletic shoe wizards (and, undoubtedly, some industrial spies in the athletic shoe plants) know what surprises are coming next. A picture of what turned out to be the Air Jordan 14 arrived in my E-mail in June 1998.
Fall 1998 brought some real surprises, including the Women's Jordan. Since then, the Air Jordan line has continued through the Air Jordan 15 through the Air Jordan 21.
Back to the top of Charlie's Sneaker Pages!
Last Updated: 21 February 2011 14:56
Wouldn't you just love to have a new pair?
Click here to send E-mail to Charlie.
Charlie's Sneaker Pages copyright 1995-2011 by Charles L. Perrin.
READERS PLEASE NOTE: Names of athletic shoe manufacturers, shoe styles, and technologies may be trademarked by the manufacturers. Charlie's Sneaker Pages uses these names solely to describe the shoes with the same familiar nomenclature used by the manufacturer and recognized by the reader.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Running Shoe Basics
Nike Apparel 2XU Apparel Adidas Apparel Asics Apparel BOA Apparel Brooks Apparel Craft Apparel CWX Apparel K-Swiss Apparel Mizuno Apparel New Balance North Face Apparel Pearl Izumi Puma Apparel Runner's World Running Times Salomon Apparel Saucony Apparel Skins Apparel Sugoi Apparel Under Armour Apparel ZENSAH Apparel Zoot Apparel Singlets & Sleeveless Short Sleeve Tops Long Sleeve Tops Shorts Pants & Tights Jackets and Vests Underwear Socks & Gaiters Compression &
Recovery Sale Apparel SELECTING THE RIGHT SHOE FOR YOU Although selecting the best shoe for you may seem a bit overwhelming, in reality it's not all that difficult if you have an understanding of how your feet move, and how the technologies in running shoes work.
How Feet Move Neutral movement: Feet turn inward slightly as they hit the ground, called pronation.
Overpronation: Feet roll too far inward, the arches collapse and provide no support. Overpronators usually have low to flat arches.
Supination: Feet roll outward rather than inward. Supinators usually have high, rigid arches that don't absorb shock well.
If you're one of the lucky runners who is neutral, you probably have few injuries. However, if you're among the majority of runners who overpronate, or you supinate, you may be injury-prone.
Types of injuries common to overpronators:
Achilles tendonitis Arch pain Knee pain Rigid big toe Hip and lower back pain
Types of injuries common to supinators:
Illiotibial band syndrome Plantar fasciitis Achilles tendonitis
What Shoes Go With What Feet? Shoe manufacturers make shoes for each type of foot: overpronators, supinators and neutral runners. Not surprisingly, shoes for neutral runners are described on our website as being neutral. Although people with a neutral footstrike can wear just about any type of shoe, it's best to stay away from those with a lot of devices designed to control movement, which is why neutral shoes have very few ñbells and whistles.î Neutral shoes are best for neutral runners and supinators.
Neutral Shoe Characteristics Single-density, soft to moderately soft midsoles Zero to moderate torsion rigidity (a fancy technical term that refers to how easily the shoe twists when it's held by the heel and the front is turned in the direction of the big-toe) Semi-curved to curved shape (when looking at the sole) Very flexible
Support shoes are designed for runners who overpronate. Since there are varying degrees of overpronation, shoes for overpronators offer varying degrees of support and stability. At Running Warehouse we classify support shoes as being mid, moderate or maximum.
Mid-Support Shoe Characteristics Small portions of midsoles that are higher density Soft to moderately firm midsoles Mid to moderate torsion rigidity Semi-curved to curved shape Very flexible
Moderate Support Shoe Characteristics Larger portions of midsoles that are higher density Soft to moderately firm midsoles Mid to moderate torsion rigidity Semi-curved to curved shape Moderately to very flexible
Maximum Support Shoe Characteristics Much larger portions of midsoles that are higher density Moderately firm to firm midsoles Moderate to maximum torsion rigidity Semi-curved to semi-straight shape Mildly flexible to moderately flexible
Runners who severely overpronate need motion control shoes. Shoes classified as moderate motion control are best for severe overpronators who run low to moderate mileage (10-20 miles-per-week), runners new to the sport who severely overpronate or larger runers with moderate overpronation. Maximum motion control shoes are best for large runners (men over 190 pounds, women over 150) who severely overpronate.
Moderate Motion Control Shoe Characteristics Much larger portion of midsoles that are higher density Firm midsoles Moderate to maximum torsion rigidity Semi-straight to straight shape Mildly flexible to moderately flexible
Maximum Motion Control Shoe Characteristics Largest portion of midsoles that are higher density Firm midsoles Maximum torsion rigidity Semi-straight to straight shape Mildly flexible
What about Cushioning? Cushioning doesn't refer to how soft a shoe feels but rather how long a shoe will provide shock absorption before it breaks down. Since cushioned shoes weigh more than shoes with less cushioning, the amount of cushioning in shoes and body frame size are closely related. Larger runners tend to break down shoes with less cushioning, and runers with smaller frames may feel that maximum-cushioned shoes are too heavy. As with pronation control categories, we break cushioning levels down based on the amount of cushioning in a particular shoe.
Maximum Cushioning Characteristics Largest cushioning devices Midsole materials resist compression Good for high-mileage, larger runners and runners who want a luxurious ride
Moderate Cushioning Characteristics Medium-sized cushioning devices Variety of midsole materials Good for any amount of training volume and body frame size
Minimum Cushioning Characteristics Small amount of cushioning devices Best for fast-paced training or racing and runners with smaller body frames
Should I Wear a Racing Flat or Trail Shoe? Racing flats are very lightweight, with a minimum amount of cushioning. Generally speaking, you should consider a racing shoe if you fit into these categories:
Your are a man who races at under 6:00 minute-per-mile pace You are a woman who races at under 7:00 minute-per-mile pace You have a smaller body frame. (Larger runners who race fast can wear racing flats, but like any shoe with a minimal amount of cushioning, a racing flat will quickly break down when worn by a larger runner)
Trail shoes are designed to offer better traction and stability than road shoes. If you run over 50% of the time on trails, you should consider a trail shoe. Characteristics of trail shoes are:
Minimal pronation control and cushioning Durable outsoles usually with lug patterns Low profiles Protective uppers Quick-drying materials Often water-resistant
Recovery Sale Apparel SELECTING THE RIGHT SHOE FOR YOU Although selecting the best shoe for you may seem a bit overwhelming, in reality it's not all that difficult if you have an understanding of how your feet move, and how the technologies in running shoes work.
How Feet Move Neutral movement: Feet turn inward slightly as they hit the ground, called pronation.
Overpronation: Feet roll too far inward, the arches collapse and provide no support. Overpronators usually have low to flat arches.
Supination: Feet roll outward rather than inward. Supinators usually have high, rigid arches that don't absorb shock well.
If you're one of the lucky runners who is neutral, you probably have few injuries. However, if you're among the majority of runners who overpronate, or you supinate, you may be injury-prone.
Types of injuries common to overpronators:
Achilles tendonitis Arch pain Knee pain Rigid big toe Hip and lower back pain
Types of injuries common to supinators:
Illiotibial band syndrome Plantar fasciitis Achilles tendonitis
What Shoes Go With What Feet? Shoe manufacturers make shoes for each type of foot: overpronators, supinators and neutral runners. Not surprisingly, shoes for neutral runners are described on our website as being neutral. Although people with a neutral footstrike can wear just about any type of shoe, it's best to stay away from those with a lot of devices designed to control movement, which is why neutral shoes have very few ñbells and whistles.î Neutral shoes are best for neutral runners and supinators.
Neutral Shoe Characteristics Single-density, soft to moderately soft midsoles Zero to moderate torsion rigidity (a fancy technical term that refers to how easily the shoe twists when it's held by the heel and the front is turned in the direction of the big-toe) Semi-curved to curved shape (when looking at the sole) Very flexible
Support shoes are designed for runners who overpronate. Since there are varying degrees of overpronation, shoes for overpronators offer varying degrees of support and stability. At Running Warehouse we classify support shoes as being mid, moderate or maximum.
Mid-Support Shoe Characteristics Small portions of midsoles that are higher density Soft to moderately firm midsoles Mid to moderate torsion rigidity Semi-curved to curved shape Very flexible
Moderate Support Shoe Characteristics Larger portions of midsoles that are higher density Soft to moderately firm midsoles Mid to moderate torsion rigidity Semi-curved to curved shape Moderately to very flexible
Maximum Support Shoe Characteristics Much larger portions of midsoles that are higher density Moderately firm to firm midsoles Moderate to maximum torsion rigidity Semi-curved to semi-straight shape Mildly flexible to moderately flexible
Runners who severely overpronate need motion control shoes. Shoes classified as moderate motion control are best for severe overpronators who run low to moderate mileage (10-20 miles-per-week), runners new to the sport who severely overpronate or larger runers with moderate overpronation. Maximum motion control shoes are best for large runners (men over 190 pounds, women over 150) who severely overpronate.
Moderate Motion Control Shoe Characteristics Much larger portion of midsoles that are higher density Firm midsoles Moderate to maximum torsion rigidity Semi-straight to straight shape Mildly flexible to moderately flexible
Maximum Motion Control Shoe Characteristics Largest portion of midsoles that are higher density Firm midsoles Maximum torsion rigidity Semi-straight to straight shape Mildly flexible
What about Cushioning? Cushioning doesn't refer to how soft a shoe feels but rather how long a shoe will provide shock absorption before it breaks down. Since cushioned shoes weigh more than shoes with less cushioning, the amount of cushioning in shoes and body frame size are closely related. Larger runners tend to break down shoes with less cushioning, and runers with smaller frames may feel that maximum-cushioned shoes are too heavy. As with pronation control categories, we break cushioning levels down based on the amount of cushioning in a particular shoe.
Maximum Cushioning Characteristics Largest cushioning devices Midsole materials resist compression Good for high-mileage, larger runners and runners who want a luxurious ride
Moderate Cushioning Characteristics Medium-sized cushioning devices Variety of midsole materials Good for any amount of training volume and body frame size
Minimum Cushioning Characteristics Small amount of cushioning devices Best for fast-paced training or racing and runners with smaller body frames
Should I Wear a Racing Flat or Trail Shoe? Racing flats are very lightweight, with a minimum amount of cushioning. Generally speaking, you should consider a racing shoe if you fit into these categories:
Your are a man who races at under 6:00 minute-per-mile pace You are a woman who races at under 7:00 minute-per-mile pace You have a smaller body frame. (Larger runners who race fast can wear racing flats, but like any shoe with a minimal amount of cushioning, a racing flat will quickly break down when worn by a larger runner)
Trail shoes are designed to offer better traction and stability than road shoes. If you run over 50% of the time on trails, you should consider a trail shoe. Characteristics of trail shoes are:
Minimal pronation control and cushioning Durable outsoles usually with lug patterns Low profiles Protective uppers Quick-drying materials Often water-resistant
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tags komodo - Toe Shoes, Barefoot Running Shoes, and Vibram FiveFingers News, Resources, and Fan Forums - Birthday Shoes
For Spring 2011, the Vibram Five Fingers Komodo Sport! Vibram continues to expand their Five Fingers line for 2011 with the introduction of the Vibram Five Fingers Komodo Sport. The Komodo Sport, or just "Komodo" for sake of simplicity, is a fitness-oriented "upgrade" to the KSO and will be offered for both men and women.
Here are the technical specifications on the Komodo Sport that I nabbed from the 2011 Vibram Five Fingers catalog:
"With today’s athlete in mind, Vibram FiveFingers has raised the intensity with the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport. This aggressive multisport design inherits what we love about the KSO with functional improvements that appeal to the most active fitness enthusiast. For the first time ever, Vibram introduces a stitch-free, seamless 2mm footbed to reduce friction. Heel and instep hook-and-loop closures help secure the stretch nylon upper to the contours of your foot-just like a second skin. The KomodoSport wouldn’t be complete without a 4mm Vibram TC1 performance rubber outsole which provides the grip and protection you need for a variety of cross training activities."
In a nutshell, the Komodo Sport is aimed squarely at the high-intensity fitness community.
Initial thoughts on the Komodo Sport Five Fingers I've gotten a sneak peak at some pre-production sales samples of the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport, so what follows are my initial impressions of the Komodo based on design, materials, feel, and more. As I have the chance to put them through the ropes, I will post more!
The "aggressive" part of the Komodo certainly relates to it's sole design, which is like an edgier version of the Bikila sole, having circular, jagged grooves on the sole at the heel and outside of the forefoot.
Many of the "action photos" accompanying the Komodo Sport have the models working out with kettlebells and doing workouts that are evocative of CrossFit — neither connection is surprising as Vibram Five Fingers are popular in both the kettlebell and CrossFit communities.
Perhaps what's most compelling about the Komodo Sport line is that it seems geared toward improved traction on lateral cuts. Given where the tread is most aggressive on the Komodo, it's right where you'd want to "dig in" on a hard cut. Interesting.
Additionally, the Komodo Sport features a 2mm footbed, which is surprisingly soft on my foot — softer even than the Bikila. The stitch-free aspect of the footbed is nice, too — it basically just means there are no corner stitches anywhere. I think even the Bikila has a few of those in the toes, so this makes for a nice improvement. Total thickness of the sole looks to ring in similar to the Bikila, as well.
The Komodo is a beefy VFF in the sense that it weighs a bit more than other models. As far as ground feel, my initial testing (more will be required) tells me that the Komodo provides a similar ground feel to the Bikila and the KSO Trek.
The Komodo upper features the standard "stretchy fabric" you'll get with your run-of-the-mill KSO, Classic, or Sprint, as well as a bit of mesh at the top outside front and along the sides of the toe shoes. Other KSO "upgrades" include a comfortably padded heel cup (the part around the ankle) and a beefier strapping mechanism, which is reminiscent of the Flow as it employs two Velcro straps: one over the top of the foot (the instep) and another that goes around the heel. This combo does the trick.
Speaking of the instep, there is this fantastic stretchy mesh material that is underneath the strap and wraps the ankle (I'm tugging on it in this pic). Given that these are fitness oriented, I could see this material doing a good job of absorbing some of the sweat I'd expect to be throwing off while wearing these puppies. It might make them fit a bit better for folks with higher insteps, too.
Style-wise, the Komodo Sport looks good. The yellow and black sample version I've got has an aggressive, edgy (literally) look to it. As men in the VFF community tend to like black, the Komodo Sport will come in a black version and a black/grey/gold version. The women's blue/yellow Komodo Sport looks particularly good (see photos below) — Mrs. Birthday Shoes (and my sister, the foot model below) both agree on this point: they like the Komodo Sport's looks in blue. And it, too, will come in the black/grey/gold color combo.
Is a more aggressive Vibram Five Fingers model necessary? It's a good question that I'm sure many of you are thinking about. I'm not sure what the answer is. On the one hand, I know that your standard VFFs just don't "cut it" when it comes to trying to break laterally. Just as an example, I've had some epic slides on wet ground in my Sprints chasing after a Frisbee: trying to stop on a base in kickball in KSOs is also just about impossible. Comparatively, the Trek sole performs much better in these applications. Perhaps the Komodo Sport can serve a useful function by being a fitness- and play-oriented Five Fingers model.
For now, I'm going to have to take mine out for a spin or two — run some hill sprints, dust off my kettlebells, and get in some high-intensity training. Stay tuned (and see the photos below)!
Photos of the Men's Komodo Sport Vibram Five Fingers in yellow and black Photos of the Women's Komodo Sport Vibram Five Fingers in blue and yellow The 2011 Vibram Five Fingers line-up (links will go live as the pages are up this week!)
Komodo Sport
Jaya
Jaya LR
Bikila LS
Kids KSO
Here are the technical specifications on the Komodo Sport that I nabbed from the 2011 Vibram Five Fingers catalog:
"With today’s athlete in mind, Vibram FiveFingers has raised the intensity with the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport. This aggressive multisport design inherits what we love about the KSO with functional improvements that appeal to the most active fitness enthusiast. For the first time ever, Vibram introduces a stitch-free, seamless 2mm footbed to reduce friction. Heel and instep hook-and-loop closures help secure the stretch nylon upper to the contours of your foot-just like a second skin. The KomodoSport wouldn’t be complete without a 4mm Vibram TC1 performance rubber outsole which provides the grip and protection you need for a variety of cross training activities."
In a nutshell, the Komodo Sport is aimed squarely at the high-intensity fitness community.
Initial thoughts on the Komodo Sport Five Fingers I've gotten a sneak peak at some pre-production sales samples of the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport, so what follows are my initial impressions of the Komodo based on design, materials, feel, and more. As I have the chance to put them through the ropes, I will post more!
The "aggressive" part of the Komodo certainly relates to it's sole design, which is like an edgier version of the Bikila sole, having circular, jagged grooves on the sole at the heel and outside of the forefoot.
Many of the "action photos" accompanying the Komodo Sport have the models working out with kettlebells and doing workouts that are evocative of CrossFit — neither connection is surprising as Vibram Five Fingers are popular in both the kettlebell and CrossFit communities.
Perhaps what's most compelling about the Komodo Sport line is that it seems geared toward improved traction on lateral cuts. Given where the tread is most aggressive on the Komodo, it's right where you'd want to "dig in" on a hard cut. Interesting.
Additionally, the Komodo Sport features a 2mm footbed, which is surprisingly soft on my foot — softer even than the Bikila. The stitch-free aspect of the footbed is nice, too — it basically just means there are no corner stitches anywhere. I think even the Bikila has a few of those in the toes, so this makes for a nice improvement. Total thickness of the sole looks to ring in similar to the Bikila, as well.
The Komodo is a beefy VFF in the sense that it weighs a bit more than other models. As far as ground feel, my initial testing (more will be required) tells me that the Komodo provides a similar ground feel to the Bikila and the KSO Trek.
The Komodo upper features the standard "stretchy fabric" you'll get with your run-of-the-mill KSO, Classic, or Sprint, as well as a bit of mesh at the top outside front and along the sides of the toe shoes. Other KSO "upgrades" include a comfortably padded heel cup (the part around the ankle) and a beefier strapping mechanism, which is reminiscent of the Flow as it employs two Velcro straps: one over the top of the foot (the instep) and another that goes around the heel. This combo does the trick.
Speaking of the instep, there is this fantastic stretchy mesh material that is underneath the strap and wraps the ankle (I'm tugging on it in this pic). Given that these are fitness oriented, I could see this material doing a good job of absorbing some of the sweat I'd expect to be throwing off while wearing these puppies. It might make them fit a bit better for folks with higher insteps, too.
Style-wise, the Komodo Sport looks good. The yellow and black sample version I've got has an aggressive, edgy (literally) look to it. As men in the VFF community tend to like black, the Komodo Sport will come in a black version and a black/grey/gold version. The women's blue/yellow Komodo Sport looks particularly good (see photos below) — Mrs. Birthday Shoes (and my sister, the foot model below) both agree on this point: they like the Komodo Sport's looks in blue. And it, too, will come in the black/grey/gold color combo.
Is a more aggressive Vibram Five Fingers model necessary? It's a good question that I'm sure many of you are thinking about. I'm not sure what the answer is. On the one hand, I know that your standard VFFs just don't "cut it" when it comes to trying to break laterally. Just as an example, I've had some epic slides on wet ground in my Sprints chasing after a Frisbee: trying to stop on a base in kickball in KSOs is also just about impossible. Comparatively, the Trek sole performs much better in these applications. Perhaps the Komodo Sport can serve a useful function by being a fitness- and play-oriented Five Fingers model.
For now, I'm going to have to take mine out for a spin or two — run some hill sprints, dust off my kettlebells, and get in some high-intensity training. Stay tuned (and see the photos below)!
Photos of the Men's Komodo Sport Vibram Five Fingers in yellow and black Photos of the Women's Komodo Sport Vibram Five Fingers in blue and yellow The 2011 Vibram Five Fingers line-up (links will go live as the pages are up this week!)
Komodo Sport
Jaya
Jaya LR
Bikila LS
Kids KSO
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