ASICS FrontRunner JP Burger is a dedicated young triathlete currently working towards IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa in Buffalo City in January 2020.
He's been training in the ASICS DynaFlyte 4, these are some of his insights:
"The DynaFlyte 4 is perfect for runners that want to up their mileage but also want to add speed sessions to their training," says JP who has run in all the previous models (2,3 and 4). "Although it has always been a great shoe, to see and feel the evolution has been nothing short of phenomenal!"
FEATURES
"For me, the biggest change ASICS made from its previous models is the knitted mesh upper. This new feature reduces the weight of the shoe and keeps your feet cool and dry as you start to speed up your runs," JP says, explaining how the lightweight feature and breathable mesh made his long runs feel effortless and how his feet did not heat up as rapidly as in previous models. "This upper mesh also made my feet feel secure without restricting foot movement while I was running and walking."
Underneath the shoe you will find Asics’s Impact Guidance System which helps execute steps more effectively and naturally while running as well as walking. This feature is essential for runners because when you improve efficiency whilst running it increases running economy which in the long run will save energy. "I had this experience with the shoes after I got comfortable with them and have did a few long runs in the shoes. My runs started feeling more effortless and easy," JP says.
Apparently, with every step he took – be it during a long run or a speed session – the Flytefoam Lyte in combination with soft GEL cushioning under the heel made the shoe feel: "Medium soft but still firm and made my runs comfortable and light."
"Finally the insoles are anatomically designed to follow the natural shape of your foot. Comparing it to the DynaFlyte 3, Asics has upped the comfort level with this new design which made my runs feel more natural. These shoes are for natural runners providing support for natural pronation and improves running gait."
PAIN MANAGEMENT
JP has been dealing with achilles issues for the past few months and was looking for shoes that decrease the strain on his achilles tendon during speed sessions. "I basically tried every shoe in the ASICS range and it is safe to say that I have found the shoe that decreases my achilles pain while running. Seeing that I had always done speed sessions in racers with a very low heel drop, the DynaFlyte 4 with a 8mm heel drop (slightly lower than normal running shoes) put less strain on my achilles while giving me the fast feeling I need on the track. I also believe that it’s the responsiveness that the shoe offers as well as the right amount of cushioning that lowers the impact whilst running," he says."
DURABILITY
"I have not ran enough with the shoe to comment on the durability but because of ASICS's fantastic High Abrasion Resistant Rubber these shoes can be worn on runs on gravel trails, tar roads and even on the athletic track. Most of my runs are done on gravel roads and I have not experienced any problem in the grip of the DynaFlyte 4."
I have always loved shoes that have some ‘personality’ and the DynaFlyte 4 with its multi-colour design offers just that. The three-colour, multiway offers a unique and exciting look to the shoe that stands out.
CONCLUSION
Says JP: "All-in-all the new DynaFlyte 4 is a versatile shoe that will work perfectly for speed sessions as well as long runs. I found the most benefit from these shoes when I did longer interval running. The shoe is great for my training because it actually enables me to do speed sessions again despite my achilles problem. The design, effortlessness and natural feel of the shoe makes it a great asset to have for every-day runs or to set a new personal record on a run."
ASICS DynaFlyte 4 is available at the ASICS Canal Walk store and Sportsman's Warehouse outlets.
