Asics to introduce Japanese Tarther shoe in the US

there are 4-5 versions of the Tarther. depends which one they promote.

You are still better off getting a Japanese made one, especially if you have a wide foot.

It's a basic running shoe - kind of old-school in that regard. For those of us w/ a wider forefoot and narrow heel, it's a god-send. The midsole is not minimal in the "minimal" sense, but it is much lower than our trainers and some racers - I think it's a 19mm to 10 drop. It is also rather firm w/out posting. First time I put it on, I knew immediately it was a perfect fit. It's been awhile for that to happen w/ my shoes. Nothing fancy - but rather costly.

What distances are you using it? How do you think it compares with the hyperspeed 2? Other racers? I would like to get into one of these for a 1/2 marathon rkouts and tempos.does seem like it would be more durable for workouts and tempos.

It looks OK, but nothing great. Bigger heel-to-forefoot drop than the Hyperspeed and one of those pesky plastic bridges under the arch.

I get so pissed when I hear shoe industry people claim that a heel to toe drop (such as the 10mm in the Tarther) somehow helps you avoid straining your Achiles. There is no evidence to support this!! If anything there is evidence that suggests that altering your normal gait and landing encourages such injury and weakens your achiles!!

ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Happy Runner 123: I get so pissed when I hear shoe industry people claim that a heel to toe drop (such as the 10mm in the Tarther) somehow helps you avoid straining your Achiles. There is no evidence to support this!! If anything there is evidence that suggests that altering your normal gait and landing encourages such injury and weakens your achiles!!

Right. I interpret this kind of thing as acute vs. chronic, short term vs. long, magic pill vs. holism.

Someone used to standard bulky high heeled 21st century trainers no doubt does put more strain on his Achilles running hard in low-heeled flats, in the short term. But continuing in those high heels run after run, year after year, never allows those calf muscles to stretch, strengthen, acclimate - it's like never taking off a cast.

Similarly if you were suddenly assigned to run a marathon tomorrow, your best move today is to take the day off... but for a marathon six months from now, it's the opposite: you want to get in about as much training as you can between now and then.

I totally agree. I've recently transitioned out of my heavy trainers into lighter shoes. I now do all my mileage in flats and intervals and racing in even lighter flats - flats that have almost 0 drop from heel to toe and that weigh almost nothing.

Every time I'd get injured people (coaches, therapists, running store ppl) would recommend heavier more supportive shoes and lately even orthotics!! Finally I came to realize, during a mileage run one day in the snow with my feet sliding inside the shoe trying to get a better grip, that the problem is the shoe.

I now believe that the function of a running shoe should be no more then to protect your feet from the elements and keep you from cutting your feet. The shoe aim to be invisible.

Also, incorporating barefoot running also helps you strengthen your lower leg and foot muscles. Its the heavy trainers that weaken them...I will never go back to the gaskets.

Tarthur is not a racing flat; it is a training shoe. The US Piranha is as Japanese ASICS shoe (Sortie) as can be.

Happy New Year, everybody.

PS: I meant to say "Tarther"...

This is great. Thanks for the site. Just watched it. New Piranha looks exactly like Tenka with Sortie Magic upper (this extended heel cup what-not) and Tarther looks like Tarther Avilio which I loved (have a few pairs). DS Racer and new Hyper Speed look good too. One thing I had noticed, with Piranha 2 and Japanese Sortie is that Piranha was slightly straighter. I'd be curious to see if these new Piranha and Tarther would be the same way... This is great. Thanks again.

Could someone please offer a bit more insight into the differences between this shoe and the Hyper Speed? Is one geared a bit more towards lomger distances?

Doug:

Hyper Speed is basically racing flats but with slightly thicker sole throughout (tip of toes to tip of heel) whereas Tarther is more structured like training shoes but much more simple way--meaning, none of those bulky stuff anywhere. It's made around very slim last so it's got very snug heel as well. Tarther, to me, seems a lot more like "regular" US racing shoes like some of Nike marathon shoes. Sortie, or Piranha, on the other hand is more like what Tiger marathon shoes used to be like but slightly thicker sole. Think of these like what Nike American Eagle were like but even thinner heel with a bit wider heel.

Does anyone have any information on the Onitsuka Tiger Super Marup? I realize it is a reissue of their vintage collection, but it is as close to the original Tigers of the 70s.

Over the years, I've had several Hyperspeeds. They are indeed different from the Tarther. The Hyperspeed, to me, was quite soft - a different durometer EVA. Also, the last was cut differently; although they are both slip lasted (sewn to the shoe), the shape is definitely different. The Hyperspeed seemed more curved w/ a narrow platform - the Tarther accommodates a wider forefoot, doesn't encourage pronation of my foot as much, and is much firmer. Like I said, you can tell right away about the fit. I use this for all runs - in fact, I'm getting over a serious bout of insertional achilles problem cause I've always worn my shoes extremely tight- it's catching up, and that's another thing: The Tarther fits like most of my shoes over the past deaceds - an 8.5. The Hyperspeed as w/ most flats these days I've had to size up to a 9. Again, a nice shoe reminiscent of the early 80s - except for the plastic thingy - which does nothing, in my opinion.

I can't read Japanese, but here are the Super Marup

http://wiki.excite.co.jp/page/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%A9%E3%83%83%E3%83%97.html

how much does it weigh?

The Super Marup was what used to be the Tiger Marathon or Pinto. Those were incredibly light. According to the 1973 RW Booklet of the Month Shoes for Runners, the Tiger Marathon weighed in at 7.25 ounces.

I am currently training in the Tarther Dual from Japan. I have trained in the Hyperspeed in the past. The Tarther is much firmer than the Hyperspeed. The Hyperspeed is actually too cushy for me and my feet imprint into the shoe, like with heavy cushioned trainers. In the Tarther, my foot doesn't sink in and imprint into the bottom of the shoe, it's too firm (or as some would call hard).

It's great for training because your foot hits the ground and then comes back up, not spending time sinking in like with the typical U.S. trainers/racers.

The Tarther Dual's I have are 7.5 ounces and probably around a 8 or 9mm drop. Japan will not send me shoes anymore so I hope the Tarthers Asics U.S. is selling are comparable.

I was wondering if those shoes would be an option for my gf. She has flat feet but does not overpronate at all, wide forefoot. The only shoe she could find in the US so far was the Asics Fortitude which is a heavy brick and considering that she is a forefoot striker (her heel hardly hits the ground at all) I don't think the Fortitude is a good shoe for her. Would the Tarther do her more justice? Or any alternatives?

Again, as she hardly hits with the heel I hate to see her in shoes with a huge heel to forefoot drop. Just dead weight.

Opinions?