thedrifter
05-29-04, 07:49 AM
Marines to Get On the Good Foot
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- To cut down on injuries and replace the 10-year-old technology of the current shoes to make way for new advances in footwear, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is in the process of testing new athletic shoes for the recruits here.
The new shoes are made by Millipede, a fledgling shoe company that started when the founder, Bill Guthrie, wanted to remedy his foot injuries.
Guthrie approached former Depot commanding general Lt. Gen. Jan C. Huly and said he wanted to make new training shoes for recruits, according to Jim Reading, Recruit Training Regiment physical fitness advisor. Guthrie explained the new technology involved with his shoes and how the shoes would help the recruits.
"We wanted to do whatever would cut down on injuries," said Reading. "Footwear is a big piece of the injury puzzle."
These shoes are designed to cut down on knee injuries and stress fractures. Although knee injuries are the most common and long-lasting injuries, stress fractures are almost completely isolated to military training and activities that involve long hikes and marching, according to Reading.
Unlike the old, camouflage Asics, the Millipedes control the foot from the inside, not the outside.
"Most shoes try to keep the foot in place from the outside," said Reading. "The new shoes support the foot from the inside."
Another feature of the Millipedes is removable insoles. Most shoes come with one sole and it may or may not fit a certain foot.
"Not every shoe will fit every foot properly," said Reading. "These shoes have three different insoles depending on a recruit's foot type."
Their foot types are determined when the shoes are issued. Representatives from the company come and test each recruit's foot with a computer. Each recruit steps on a computerized mat, which scans feet for normal arches, high arches or flat feet. Appropriate insoles are issued accordingly.
The new Millipedes are silver and gray with red trim, and they are the second Millipede prototype. The first was an all-black high top that received mixed feedback. The new shoes are low tops, but mid tops are available for recruits who are overweight or have ankle or shin problems, according to Reading.
One downfall of the Millipedes is that they are heavier than most running shoes, according to Reading. But that weight is sacrificed so the shoe can have the necessary durability to last through recruit training.
The Millipedes, which cost about the same as the Asics, are still in the testing phase. Col. Mark Callihan, commanding officer, RTR, will decide the shoe's fate within a couple months.
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- To cut down on injuries and replace the 10-year-old technology of the current shoes to make way for new advances in footwear, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is in the process of testing new athletic shoes for the recruits here.
The new shoes are made by Millipede, a fledgling shoe company that started when the founder, Bill Guthrie, wanted to remedy his foot injuries.
Guthrie approached former Depot commanding general Lt. Gen. Jan C. Huly and said he wanted to make new training shoes for recruits, according to Jim Reading, Recruit Training Regiment physical fitness advisor. Guthrie explained the new technology involved with his shoes and how the shoes would help the recruits.
"We wanted to do whatever would cut down on injuries," said Reading. "Footwear is a big piece of the injury puzzle."
These shoes are designed to cut down on knee injuries and stress fractures. Although knee injuries are the most common and long-lasting injuries, stress fractures are almost completely isolated to military training and activities that involve long hikes and marching, according to Reading.
Unlike the old, camouflage Asics, the Millipedes control the foot from the inside, not the outside.
"Most shoes try to keep the foot in place from the outside," said Reading. "The new shoes support the foot from the inside."
Another feature of the Millipedes is removable insoles. Most shoes come with one sole and it may or may not fit a certain foot.
"Not every shoe will fit every foot properly," said Reading. "These shoes have three different insoles depending on a recruit's foot type."
Their foot types are determined when the shoes are issued. Representatives from the company come and test each recruit's foot with a computer. Each recruit steps on a computerized mat, which scans feet for normal arches, high arches or flat feet. Appropriate insoles are issued accordingly.
The new Millipedes are silver and gray with red trim, and they are the second Millipede prototype. The first was an all-black high top that received mixed feedback. The new shoes are low tops, but mid tops are available for recruits who are overweight or have ankle or shin problems, according to Reading.
One downfall of the Millipedes is that they are heavier than most running shoes, according to Reading. But that weight is sacrificed so the shoe can have the necessary durability to last through recruit training.
The Millipedes, which cost about the same as the Asics, are still in the testing phase. Col. Mark Callihan, commanding officer, RTR, will decide the shoe's fate within a couple months.
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie