2011 Shoe (P)review Part 3: Race Oriented

If you're looking at getting into running and have never gone and bought a pair of dedicated pair of running shoes, well maybe take a gander here. We covered shoes for neutral runners last time, and that one can be found here.  A couple weeks ago, I did a bit on stability shoes.  Now here we are at the end and it's race oriented shoes. 

These really aren't meant to be heavy trainers, and they're meant to go ..... and go fast, oh and they're super light too.

Adidas - Adizero Aegis 2

All adizero shoes are thin and light, I actually helped out with some testing when these shoes were lighter and ya I can attest to the fact that they're light as a feather.  It's not bad for people who pile on the mileage (but not too much) and do it quickly, and you've got some modest cushioning, and a low slung ride.  If you need supportive shoes you're not going to like this a whole lot.  The thin laces like they were when I tested them do present a little bit of trouble in staying that way, but reef knot them and you should be good.  This shoe is meant for those that have an efficient stride and need a slightly supportive racer or a fast training shoe.  Long runs will probably be a no go in these.

Cost: ~111

Weight (oz.): 9.3 (M) 7.9(W)

Adidas - Adizero Tempo 4

What do you know, another adidas shoe, another adizero model, and it's still in green.  It's got a pretty zippy feel and it's not all just it's weight, but how it does it.  Your heel is firm coupled with a soft flexible forefoot that cancels out any negative effects from the heavier heel.  You've got a distance racing shoe, or a daily training shoe for those that mildly overpronate.  Thin soles means you're always in a stable connection with the ground, and there's still ample support with the low weight.

Cost: ~100

Weight (oz.): 10.9 (M) 9.0(W)

Nike - Lunarlite+ 2

This is the sequel of the first one and actually nails it right.  It's lighter and softer than it's past iteration.  It's als more stable and flexible, and you've got grooves that gives a smoother ride.  The arch wrap in the middle is also broken up so you've still got each bend flexing to work independently.  It's an efficient shoe that's good for speedwork.  Again shoes that do the cushioning and stability well even though they're light tend to win rave reviews, and these are no different.  It's a little bit of a different take which isn't always bad.

Cost: ~100

Weight (oz.): 9.8 (M) 8.4(W)

Saucony - Progrid Mirage

It's got a really smooth feel for a lightweight shoe, which don't usually go hand in hand.  It's got the same platform as the Knvara and encourages midfoot striking.  There's a pastic post under the arch which gives you stability and the shoes upper gives you a better hold for the foot.  It's not quite as comfortable as the Kinvara but it'll be a good shoe for those that are easing into barefoot running (still quite not there yet with the idea). 

Cost: ~100

Weight (oz.): 9.6 (M) 8.3(W)

Under Armour - Assert

Now a lot of people didn't know they make shoes, but they actually started doing cleats. This is a low profile model, and it looks pretty sweet.  Your foot is positioned pretty close to the ground, which gives a firm stable ride, and the heel is well cushioned.  There's a cavity in the outsole which gives the foot something to sink into, but the forefoot is super thin and doesn't absorb impact well.  So while not a bad shoe, there are some niggles, the cushioning is overly hard, and the heel tends to slip.  The shoes light and flexbile, but it's probably better geared towards a lightweight runner using these for speedwork.

Cost: ~85

Weight (oz.): 9.8 (M) 8.5(W)


So there you have it guys, all the shoes that you could ever want.  If you ever have any questions and you're still reading at this point, feel free to comment below.

~Cheers