Fila Holding SpA, the sportswear manufacturer, and Ferrari have became partners through a three- year worldwide licensing agreement. Fila will develop and sell sportswear apparel and athletic shoes bearing the Ferrari brand name, and provide on- and off-track uniforms to the Ferrari/Marlboro F1 team and the Ferrari Challenge races in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

This is how Fila PR-speak puts the spin on a pair of gym shoes:

The mere mention of one of Ferrari's legendary racecars draws an immediate reaction from people.

After all, Ferrari truly understands how to blend functional technology with the elegance and get-noticed looks of Italian design.

Now, Fila is following in the legendary carmakers footsteps. The latest evolution of the F1 High Speed running shoe will revolutionize footwear in the same way Ferrari changed the auto world. Now the world will understand that technology and fashion can work together. Fila's attention to both the design and the technology of the F1 make it the perfect companion for both long morning runs and long nights out on the town.

Designed by the running design team at Fila's Montebelluna center, the F1 High Speed features colors that are classics of the world of racing cars, but are still new to athletic shoes: blue combined with silver; black and gold; red and bright yellow accents. The design is energy. The design is elegance.

Note the similarity with an F1 car

But the F1 isn't just about looks. Like the cars that inspired it, these performance machines of the running world feature advanced technologies that help athletes attain goals they didn't even think they should go after. With Speed Tech and 3Action on their side, runners can go that extra mile (or 10).

Speed Tech transforms the transition from foot-strike through to toe-off into a more responsive ride so that athletes don't waste excess energy. The technology guarantees a greater spread of impact forces and provides the quickest propulsion off the ground. It was developed because Fila researchers know that the lighter you land, the faster you take off. The 3Action cushioning system is designed to carefully protect the forefoot while guaranteeing maximum flexibility, and to protect the heel at the moment of impact. The lateral independent heel unit offers a soft landing, accepts individual gait patterns, and reduces the forces that cause overpronation.

And the F1 is built to take punishment: The outer sole is made of Evergrind®, a rubber and carbon mixture that is highly resistant to abrasion. It also guarantees an efficient stride and perfect traction.

As for fit, there's nothing better out there. The upper part of the shoe is constructed of a new type of woven mesh that features great elasticity. The snug fit of the mesh, along with the horizontal micromesh accents on the upper sides, will adapt the F1 to the runner's foot, he won't have to adapt to the shoe.

The F1 High Speed: Running's future starts now.

If anyone would like to submit a road-test of a pair of F1 High Speed shoes we would be very pleased to receive it.

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