Whether you are a novice beginner, advanced triathlete, weekend jogger, or a recreational cross trainer...you need a shoe that is right for you. The biggest investment for keeping healthy as a jogger, or runner, or athlete--will be determined by the shoe you purchase. The right shoe will make the difference between having a great pleasurable run, or a miserable uncomfortable and sometimes painful run!

Buying a pair of running shoes in todays world is difficult. The difficulty lies in the fact that not all athletes are the same. Some people overpronate when they jog or run. Others suppinate because they have high arches. Still yet, some are neutral who do not pronate, nor suppinate while jogging or running. Therefore, the shoe companies produce specific shoes for specific athletes.

If you are a suppinator who buys a pair of shoes made for overpronators, then you may end up with a stress fracture.
On the other hand, if you are a pronator who buys a pair of shoes made for suppinators, then you may end up with knee pain, shin splints and even back pain!

I love the Asics Gel Kayano XII because it is made for runners like me. I tend to slightly pronate when running. This particular shoe was made for neutral to slight pronators. The cushioning system is so advanced, that it will literally make you run farther and you will notice your leg muscles not being overtaxed.

Look at the underside of your current shoes now, and if most of the shoe wear is:
1. On the medial (inside) side then you Overpronate
2. On the lateral (outside) side then you Underpronate
3. Uniform across the forefoot then you have a Neutral

Therefore, If you are the type of person that fits 1 or 3, then this shoe is made for you!

I have yet to try the new generation of Kayano 13s, but then I am so happy with the Kayano XIIs that I don't want to try the newer version of this wonderful shoe!

I usually average 8 miles of running per day (5 days a week)and the Kayano XII lasts for about 3 months. Thus far, this has been the best pair of running shoes I have used. I have tried every running shoe on the market. Nothing compares with the Kayano XII for running 10Ks. I whole-heartedly recommend these shoes!

Shoe buying tips:
1. Go to a shoe store and try them on before buying from online. Sizes can vary between different manufacturers (for example: I wear a size 8 in New Balance, but I take a size 7 1/2 for Asics brand).
2. Shoes are a science now. Make sure you buy the right type of shoe made for the right type of activity. For example:

>Do not buy walking shoes, if you intend to go jogging
>Do not buy regular running shoes, if you intend to go trail running over uneven terrain
>Do not buy racing shoes, if you log in more than 35 miles a week.

Be smart, be sensible and always remember that investing in a good pair of shoes is priceless. You always get what you pay for. It's cheaper to buy a good pair of $130 running shoes every 3 months, rather than having knee surgery because you only run with cheap $30 shoes that do not provide the proper biomechanics and cushion for your activities.

Running tips:
1. Hydrate before running
2. Stretch before running
3. Stretch after running
4. Warm up prior to running
5. Cool down after running
6. Do not run through pain. If you hurt, then stop! Pain during running may be a sign of strained, torn or possibly damaged ligaments and/or tendons.
5 stars

I am a larger runner myself - 6'3 200+ lbs, i ALWAYS had horrible shin splints and couldn't run more than a couple of miles before I had to quite due to pain. No joke - after wearing these I went from running 2-3 miles a day to 8 or 9 miles a day overnight! No pain, great shoe, very comfortable, still holding up 6 months later (at 50-75 miles per week on pavement!). they are quite ugly, and only stayed clean for a few minutes but I will probably never even bother buying any other shoes because these are so good. 5 stars

This is the third pair of these shoes that I have bought in a row and I absolutely love them. They are more comfortable than any other shoe I have worn yet still provide ample cushioning and support. They also come in widths which is a plus when comparing ASICS® to other brands. I highly recommend these shoes for runners of any skill level. 5 stars

I run about 4 miles a day for 3 or 4 days a week. I started using hte Kayano shoes a few years ago and I won't go back. For my style of sole wear, my hight and weight (6 feet, 190 lbs) and type and frequency of running (road), I have found these shoes to be the perfect fit for me. They give great support and are durable, and I have not had any knee or shin issues with the Kayanos (I had that with other shoes so I made the switch and have remained pain free). The XII's are just as good as past models of the Kayano, with a few nice improvements in style. I have been using the XII for about a month now and I am very satisfied and look forward to reaching the maximum miles with this pair and buying the next model sometime in 2008. 5 stars

This is my second pair of Kayanos and I think I'm staying there for good. 5 stars