ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 vs. New Balance 1012 review
Read about the differences between New Balance 1012 and ASICS GEL Foundation 9 in this review, and compare prices to find the best deal on these two motion control running shoes.
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In two previous articles I reviewed the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 and New Balance WR1012 motion control running shoes.
The New Balance 1012 is a New Balance running shoe that is comparable to the ASICS GEL-Evolution 6 and not the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 (the newest model of which is the ASICS GEL-Foundation 10), so theoretically speaking the New Balance 1012 and the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 should differ quite a bit. Let us compare them and take a look at where these two motion control running shoes are similar and how they differ.
Looking at the New Balance WR1012 and ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 side-by-side gives a good comparison of the two types of motion control running shoes.
The uppers of both running shoes consist of breathable mesh with synthetic overlays. The amount and placing of the synthetic overlays are remarkably similar with both running shoes providing a good amount of support in the heel area. And where the midfoot is concerned, the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 might fit more secure around your feet than the New Balance WR1012.
What is immediately visible from looking at the medial view of these two running shoes is that the midsole consists of a device to control pronation. In the New Balance 1012 it is called Stabilicore, while it is called DuoMax in the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9. Both materials are positioned to enhance support and stability.
If we turn our attention now to the outsoles, several differences between the New Balance WR1012 and ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 become evident.
For starters, while both running shoes have segmented crash pads on the heels, the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 would be more suitable if you are a runner who tends to land on the back of your heel. The rubber crash pad on the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 will absorb the shock and not have it transfer to your forefoot to affect your ride.
On the other hand, the New Balance 1012 will be more suitable if you are a runner who lands on the outside of your heel. The placing of the rubber crash pad on the New Balance WR1012 will then help absorb the shock in that area and not have it transfer to your forefoot thereby giving you a smoother ride.
From looking at the structure of the outsoles in the forefoot area, we can see that the New Balance WR1012 is expected to provide a bit more flexibility than the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9. All in all, the New Balance WR1012 would be a more suitable trainer for overpronators who tend to land on the outsides of their feet and roll inward, and is expected to provide good stability and support in addition to flexibility.
Both the contours of the outsoles on the New Balance WR1012 and the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 follow the natural shape of normal feet, so are suitable to run in, unlike other motion control running shoes, which might be better used as shoes to walk in or take along to the gym.
Durable rubber is located more on the outsides of outsoles of the New Balance WR1012, while it is more evenly distributed over the outsole of the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9. While it would be difficult to say which running shoe would last longer, if you are a runner with a wear pattern located more on the outsides of your shoes, the New Balance WR1012 might give you more mileage.
Where the women's running shoes are concerned, the New Balance WR1012 weighs approximately 323 grams (11.4 oz), while the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 weighs 303 grams (10.7 oz), which makes it a 20 grams (0.7 oz) lighter motion control running shoe than the New Balance WR1012.
If you're looking for a flexible motion control running shoe that provides a smooth ride as well as maximum support to over-pronators, the New Balance WR1012 might be the running shoe to go with.
If you're looking for a lightweight motion control running shoe that provides good stability and a secure fit all around, the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 might be the better option.
The New Balance WR1012 comes at a suggested motion control running shoe price tag of US $129.99, while the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 is almost $30 cheaper at US $100.
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