New Shoes Revolutionize Running

The Revolutionary New Balance 479 Sods

The revolutionary New Balance 479 Sods.

It’s my opinion that grass is the best surface to run on. Naturally, I was excited when New Balance rolled out the new 479 Sods a couple months ago. I bought a pair the first day they were available.

Truly revolutionary, the soles are embedded with a thick root system of specially developed grasses designed to withstand the pounding of even the highest mileage runners. New Balance touts the soft, comforting foot strike as easy on the legs and feet. Indeed, within a few days of switching to the Sods, my nagging injuries cleared up.

The Sods can become bushy and overgrown without close attention

The Sods are great, but they can become bushy and overgrown without close attention.

New Balance has one maintenance recommendation – water them once every few days. I like to go the extra mile to keep them looking really nice. The grass can get long and bushy, so I trim around the edges. The soles have nutrients embedded to feed the grass for the life of the shoes, but I like to fertilize to make the grass a very dark, vibrant green. Though the grassy part of the sole, called the lawncap, stays short with normal running, I like to mow every couple weeks to keep the lawncap uniformly even and attractive.

Fertilizing and Carefully Trimming Sods Keeps Them Looking New

Fertilizing and carefully trimming your Sods keeps them looking new.

You Gotta Mow if You Want the Sod's Lawncap to Look as Nice as Your Yard

You gotta mow if you want the Sod’s lawncap to look as nice as your yard.

When I’m not wearing my Sods, I make stick people out of toothpicks and arrange them on the lawncap like friends enjoying a backyard barbecue.

4 thoughts on “New Shoes Revolutionize Running

  1. I’ve been waiting for this invention! As an arthritis sufferer, I have been alerted to the fact that soft surfaces are easier on the joints – however, most race routes follow the road – this is a much needed advancement in running footwear! If the route doesn’t follow the lawn, the lawn must follow the route…Where can I get a pair?

    • Any running store has them, but don’t opt for the $20-a-month lawncap maintenance contract. It only takes a few minutes every now and then to keep them in good shape.

  2. I think you are smoking fast with this grassy stuff!. I can tell you are on a real runners high! Good job Jim!

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