About the materials on the sole

Rubber. Rubber is widly used in the outsole of the athletic shoes. It has the advantages of durable, skipproof, flexible, elastic, extensive, stable and proper hardness. But the rubber is weighty and easy to be frosting, nonrecoverable.

PU. PU is a kind of macromolecule polyurethane materials which is offten used in the midsole of basktball shoes and tennis shoes. Sometimes, it is also used in the outsole of casual shoes. PU is durable, strong hardness, upstanding flexbility and more important, it is environmentally friendly. The disadvantage is also outstanding. Strong hydroscopic property, go yellow easily, easily break apart and the sole is putrescible.

EVA. Ethylene –Vinyl Acetate Copolymer，a kind of macromolecule polyurethane materials which is usually used in the midsole of the running shoes and casual shoes. EVA is quite lightweight, elastic, flexible and suitable to a variety of climates. Just as the rubber, it is also nonrecoverable and go dirty easily.

PHYLON. Phylon is the product of the EVA after the second processing. The midsole of running shoes, tennis shoes and basketball shoes in the world is made of the PHYLON. The upstanding hardness, density, traction and extension make it favorite by the manufacture. Besides, the lightweight and good flexibility could prolong the life of the shoes. Just as a coin has two sides, Phylon is nonrecoverable and easily shrink under high temperature.

TPR. The TPR is made of TPR kernel after fusion. This kind of materials is usually made to running shoes and casual shoes. It is easy to be mold and low price. The disvantages is heavy weight and lack of durability and flexibility and cushioning.

The Legend of Puma

In the 1940s Adolph and Rudolf Dassler had a falling out, Rudolf went on to create Puma. Even though Puma was a new company, Rudolf knew a lot about athletic sneakers. To be exactly, Puma was established in 1948, and the first shoe to release was the Atom a soccer shoe. Not long after that, athletes started wearing Puma’s in key events. In 1952 runner Josef Barthel wore Puma while he won a Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500 m. In 1956, the formstripe was introduced and since then, has been a Puma trademark.

It wasn’t till 1968 when Puma brought the now famous “Puma” aka Cat logo to the sneakers and that same year a controversial event took place. Tommie Smith, who won the Olympic Gold 200 m in Mexico was wearing a pair of Puma running shoes. He then took stand barefoot with the Puma’s by his side. At this time, team mate John Carlos and Tommie Smith made the Black Power salute, because of the mistreatment of African Americans at the moment. Mr. Smith then left his pair of Puma’s for the world to see. Later, both Olympians were banned from the Olympics.

Other professional athletes to wear Puma are Diego Maradona, a professional soccer player and tennis superstar Boris Becker, which he had his own signature sneaker the “Puma Becker” and “Puma Becker Ace”, releasing in the 1980s. In 1968 the Puma Clyde released, which is a basketball shoe designed by Walter “Clyde” Frazier, which today is one of the more popular Puma’s.

Over the years, Puma has taken their models to the next level. In 1991 Puma designed what is called a disc system. The Puma did not have any laces, but a adjustable fit. In 1996 Puma released the “Cell” which it is said to be the first foam free midsole. From then on, Puma has incorporated them into new models.

Some collaborations Puma has done with MTV, which released recently. Two color ways were made of the Puma Clyde’s, the Pink Yo MTV Raps were available to the public but limited. A green color way was also made, but were limited and hard to get your hands on. Also Puma and Evisu hooked up to design the Puma Basket. This shoe featured the famous Evisu red logo at the heel. New models continue to release from Puma, but sneakerheads all around enjoy the Originals, or shall I say classics.

The Classification of Nike Shoes

Nike sport shoes mainly consist of five models. The nike baseketball shoes of the series of Flight, Force and Uptemo. The nike soccer shoes of the series of Total90, Mercurial Vapor. The nike running shoes of the seires of Air Max 360, Air Max, Shox. The nike tennis shoes, including Air Zoom Vapor and the nike retro shoes including Dunk，Air Force 1, Terminator，Cortez. Besides, Dunk SB is aslo one member of the sport shoes family.

Nike Dunk SB: nike air force(nike air force1, count force, detal force, nike dunk, SB (nike dunk SB, tennis SB) BLAZER, ACE.

Nike Basketball Shoes: nike basketball shoes consist of three models. 1. The series of air force adopted max air technology, represented by nike air force more 180, air max 360; 2. The series of flight famous for the adoption of shox technologu and zoom air.The air flight 95/96 and the air flight franchise are the representation; The series of uptempo. Shoes of the series paied equal attention to the upstanding cushioning system and the good flexibility. Most of nike high end shoes are uptempo including: zoom Kobe1/2/3, Zoom Generation and the uptempo pro1.0/2.0/3.0.

Nike Running Shoes: The representation of nike running shoes is the series of nike 360 belongs to the the model of nike air max. The system of nike max air, a revolutionary technology is adopted on nike 360. It provide wearers extremly flexibilty. In adition, nike 360 is the lightest one in the seires of nike air max running shos with a weight less than 400g.

LiuXiang—I'm Back

In Shanghai Golden Grand Prix hold yesterday (September 20), the comeback hero, LiuXiang, did not disappoint his fans and supporters. The result of 13.15 is enough to prove LiuXiang’s absolute strength in 110m hurdles. He and the current world No 2 Terrence Trammell of the United States both finished in 13.15 seconds. And at last, the champion is awarded to Terrence Trammell.

It is widely known that Liu limped out of the first round at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games due to a severe injury to his Achilles' tendon, which turns into the biggist pity in his lifi time.

LiuXiang once said that the honor does not belong to me alone but to all the people caring about me, all the yellows and all the asian.

In front of some 30,000 hometown supporters, Liu seemed relaxed before the race yesterday and even made faces to the camera before posing at the starting line. At the beginning, Liu did not start well but came from behind in the last 10 m to cross the finishing line nearly neck-to-neck with Trammell. Immediately after the race, a standing ovation is given to Liu by audience, not only for his excellent performance, but also for his spirite.

"I don't think there will be problems for my foot," After race he said. "I will try to avoid injuries in future races, big or small. Now the past is past. Today I think the fans felt happy for me and also a little disappointment. I am sure that I will do better in the days to come."

Hope Liu will give us more and more excellent performance and good luck to LiuXiang.