– Women’s Nike LunarGlide+ -

[Nike Lunar Glide+ Test Run - Take One]

Date: May 30, 2009
Weather: Rainy

 A number of runners were invited to test the new Nike Lunar Glide+ at Bonifacio High Street, myself included.  But, on that Saturday morning, the weather was terrible.  Runners were squeezed tight into tents, chatting away about everything running, while waiting for the sun to appear; it never did.

– Tony of Nike keeps his cool despite the rain… -

– Others (like Vince, Coach Rio, and Ben) simply go insane -

– Runners love to run under the rain…only if their shoes aren’t brand new -

Nike decided to hand out brand spankin’ new pairs of Nike Lunar Glide+ for everyone to test on our own.  With our orange boxes in tow, we headed over to Pancake House for a hearty, rainy-day breakfast.

[TBR Nike Lunar Glide+ Test Runs]

Date: May 30 to June 13
 
I wore my Nike Lunar Glide+ at every single run from the moment I received it to the present, including Mizuno Infinity 15k and Animo Triathlon.  The only day I didn’t use them was the day I road tested my Newton Stability Trainers.  

[Nike Lunar Glide Test Run - Take Two]

Date: June 13, 2009
Weather: Sunny

Finally, the weather allowed for us to reconvene!  We met up again yesterday at Bonifacio High Street for Part Two of the test run.  Unfortunately, this time, I stayed on the sidelines as I was still recovering from the illness.  The runners ran a few loops around BHS together to complete 3k.

– Who’s foot? -

– Finally, the actual test run -

– Take 2: under the sun this time -

[The Verdict]

One word for the Nike Lunar Glide: PERFECT…well, for me and my feet, at least.

I have the Nike Pegasus, Nike Vomero 2, Nike Zoom Elite 4, and Nike Lunar. I use these occasionally and never fell head over heels (no pun intended) in love with any of Nike’s shoes..until now.

Last year, I had a few issues with the Nike Lunar—the first Lunar shoe Nike ever released—and posted them here.  For this second Lunar—the Nike Lunar Glide—I feel as though Nike listened to my rants about the Lunar and addressed them with the new Lunar Glide.

PROS:

1. Comfort: Feels like I’m wearing socks.  
2. Dynamic Support System: a new technology which adapts to the runner’s gait so that with each step the runner gets cushioning and support to guard against overpronation. Best of both worlds.   
3. Handsome shoe: Love the color combination of both the men’s and women’s shoes.
4. Light: It’s not as feather-light as the Lunars, but it still doesn’t weigh as much as the other stability shoes out there.
5. Arch strap for Women: The shoe for women has a strap on the side for additional arch support for women.

CONS:

1. None.  Told you it’s perfect…for me.

Philippine Market release: July 2009
Retail price: P5,995.

For you shoe nerds out there (and I know there are many of you), here are the technical sheets about the shoes:

Men’s Nike LunarGlide+ 

Nike introduces the new LunarGlide+, the first running shoe to feature an innovative midsole design architecture called Dynamic Support — a patent-pending system that adapts to a runner’s gait with each step to provide superior cushioning and as-needed support.

Key Product Features

• The Nike LunarGlide+ is the first running shoe to deliver both top-tier cushioning and as-needed support with the new Dynamic Support system.
• The Dynamic Support system in the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole is comprised of a lightweight LunarLite foam core that sits within a firmer foam carriage. The LunarLite foam core is cut to fit into the carriage at an angle creating a deeper cushioned lateral side. The medial side of the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole features a rear-foot wedge that has been contoured into the firmer foam carriage which provides stability on an as-needed basis.
• The Dynamic Support system delivers great cushioning for neutral runners, as well as the necessary support for runners that overpronate. This makes the LunarGlide+ appropriate for a remarkably wide range of runners.
• Nike designed Flywire technology into the upper to provide the necessary support with a dramatic reduction in weight versus a conventional, overlay-based upper construction.
• The men’s LunarGlide+ provides the cushioning, support and durability necessary for daily distance training in a lightweight, 10.6 oz package.

Upper

• The breathable mesh upper provides comfort, protection and durability.
• Soft yet strong microfiber synthetic overlays are ultrasonically welded in place for targeted support and luxurious, seam-free comfort.

• The men’s Nike LunarGlide+ features a gender-specific external heel counter for exceptional comfort, fit and support. It is formed as a curved, external piece to more effectively retain its shape than a conventional internal heel counter, which is traditionally built into the shoe as a flat sheet of material.
• Nike Flywire technology boosts support and lockdown around the midfoot, while reducing weight.
• A high-resilience foam sockliner with men’s-specific geometry provides exceptional step-in feel and added support.
• Reflective elements add peace of mind in low-light conditions.

Midsole

• The Dynamic Support system in the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole is comprised of a lightweight LunarLite foam core that sits within a firmer foam carriage. The LunarLite foam core is cut to fit into the carriage at an angle creating a deeper cushioned lateral side. The medial side of the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole features a rear-foot wedge that has been contoured into the firmer foam carriage which provides stability on an as-needed basis.
• The Dynamic Support system delivers great cushioning for neutral runners, as well as the necessary support for runners that over-pronate. This makes the Nike LunarGlide+ appropriate for a remarkably wide range of runners.
• The Nike LunarGlide+ features an Archbridge specially designed for men that cups the midsole along the arch side of the rear-foot for added support without  withousacrificing a smooth transition.

Outsole

• The rear-foot crash pad is made of BRS 1000 carbon rubber for maximum abrasion resistance.
• The entire outsole features next generation Nike Natural Motion engineering – informed by the Nike Free line of shoes – to encourage a smooth, efficient stride.
• Deep flex grooves specially designed for a men’s foot are aligned along the length and width of the outsole mirror the grooves in the midsole to promote a smooth, efficient stride.

WOMEN’S NIKE LUNARGLIDE+

 The women’s Nike LunarGlide+ features a number of key design differences from the men’s shoe that address the specific needs of a female runner.

Key Product Features

• The Nike LunarGlide+ is the first running shoe to deliver both top-tier cushioning and as-needed support with the new Dynamic Support system.
• The Dynamic Support system in the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole is comprised of a lightweight LunarLite foam core that sits within a firmer foam carriage. The LunarLite foam core is cut to fit into the carriage at an angle creating a deeper cushioned lateral side. The medial side of the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole features a rear-foot wedge that has been contoured into the firmer foam carriage which provides stability on an as-needed basis.
• Women, on average, pronate more than men. The Dynamic Support system delivers great cushioning for neutral runners, as well as the necessary support for runners that overpronate, making the Nike LunarGlide+ appropriate for a remarkably wide range of runners.
• Nike designed Flywire technology into the upper to provide the necessary support with a dramatic reduction in weight versus a conventional, overlay-based upper construction.
• The women’s Nike LunarGlide+ provides the cushioning, support and durability necessary for daily distance training in a lightweight, 8.6 oz package.

Upper

• The breathable mesh upper provides comfort, protection and durability.
• Soft yet strong microfiber synthetic overlays are ultrasonically welded in place for targeted support and luxurious, seam-free comfort.
• Women tend to have broader forefeet which can lead to fit issues, abrasions to the skin, even bunions. Nike has applied its Dynamic Fit Technology, a stretchy material on the medial side adjacent to the fifth metatarsal, which expands and telescopes out to accommodate the varying width of the female forefoot.
• Women tend to prefer a more supportive fit than men. The women’s Nike LunarGlide+ upper incorporates a medial-side Arch Strap teamed with Flywire technology to provide better lock-down in the mid-sole.
• A two-part, gender-specific external heel counter is engineered to accommodate the higher variability in heel volume exhibited in women’s feet. By framing the heel instead of fully encompassing it, this unique heel counter balances a woman’s distinct needs for comfort, fit and support.
• Molded “high-resilience” foam sockliner features women’s-specific Heel Cradle geometry for enhanced step-in feel, cushioning and support.
• Reflective elements add peace of mind in low-light conditions.

Mid-sole

• The Dynamic Support system in the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole is comprised of a lightweight LunarLite foam core that sits within a firmer foam carriage. The LunarLite foam core is cut to fit into the carriage at an angle creating a deeper cushioned lateral side. The medial side of the Nike LunarGlide+ mid-sole features a rear-foot wedge that has been contoured into the firmer foam carriage which provides stability on an as-needed basis.
• Women, on average, pronate more than men. The Dynamic Support system delivers great cushioning for neutral runners, as well as the necessary support for runners that overpronate, making the Nike LunarGlide+ appropriate for a remarkably wide range of runners.
• Women, on average, weigh 10 to 15 percent less than men, and therefore will have less mass compressing a shoe’s midsole. To account for this, the women’s Nike LunarGlide+ includes more soft foam under the heel than the men’s model, providing the softer cushioning women need.

• The Nike LunarGlide+ features an Archbridge specially designed for women that cups the midsole along the arch side of the rear-foot for added support without  withousacrificing a smooth transition.

Outsole

• The rear-foot crash pad is made of BRS 1000 carbon rubber for maximum abrasion resistance.
• The entire outsole features next generation Nike Natural Motion engineering– informed by the Nike Free line of shoes – to encourage a smooth, efficient stride.
• Deep flex grooves specially designed for a woman’s foot are aligned along the length and width of the outsole mirror the grooves in the midsole to promote a smooth, efficient stride.