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TECH TALK

BIG BEND

Adidas rethought the way it builds its shoes to better mimic the movement of the foot and provide improved performance

THE HOTTEST trend in athletic footwear is lighter, more flexible, lower-to-the-ground shoes that reflect the natural movements of the foot. Nearly everyone has an entry in the category, and for Adidas it's the Tour360 ATV. To build the shoe, Adidas did away with the insole board—a long, thick, stiff layer that went inside the shoe for structure and stability, among other things. The Tour360 replaces the insole board with a hard exoskeleton in the outer sole, so the shoes are lighter and lower without sacrificing the stiffness. And since not everyone's foot bends at the same place, the more flexible outsole allows the foot to move more naturally in the shoe.