Could someone then enlighten me as to a decent racing flat?
I'll admit that it's a bit strange asking the question, as I've owned a few pairs previously and so know what to look for, but I'm an awkward type and my needs are not simply one or the other.
I'm ideally looking for a light light shoe in the racing flat category, but which will not wear down after around 100-200 miles, a la, the previous Nike Mayfly and Vapor Fly's that I had. Realistically I'd like a combination between a more harder wearing shoe, but with the same lightness as the Mayfly's.
I just tend to hate bulky trainers these days, and prefer the feel of racing shoes, that I sense an all out rejection of ordinary trainers coming.
If push comes to shove I'll just go back to what worked and purchase one of the above mentioned's, but realistically I'm looking to invest a bit more money and get more use out of a racing flat, for a longer period of time.
Any recommended models that people are using at the moment? When it comes to racing flats, I'm primarily a Nike man, but I'll sway to others.
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Without trying to sound like a shoe review, I personally found the ride of the Fila Racer K1 a bit too firm and the shoe lacked flexibility in the mid foot.
On PoseTech, people are suggesting a slightly bigger alternative, the Adidas adizero PR. I've not tried these but would like to.
Personally, I think any racing flat which meets the following criteria would suffice:
- lightweight
- flexible around the midfoot (perhaps a mesh upper would help)
- truly flat ie thickness at forefoot is not much different to the heel
Let me know if you find one ;-)
nrg-b - I like the adiZero range too, but unfortunately it seems limited to the US at the moment, and the hassle of ordering from outwith this country puts me off a bit. The Adizero PR, and other similar shoes in that range seem fantastic though, and definitely caught my interest. I've seen one of the shoes in that range in the UK but it doesn't look as good or light.
Was looking at the most recent Brooks T4 Racer (£39.99), but not being a Brooks user, I'm not sure what to expect.
Only joking.......I have enough shoes.
I have the Brooks T4 Racer and love them.
If you can find them in the UK, whay don't you try them?
I read very good reviews about these shoes.
JEJ - I'll go for the Streak Racers then, ta. Might stockpile them too. I'm just trying to phase out traditional running trainers in favour of lighter, more natural flats. Might cause more stiffness etc at first, but I'll get used to it.
Here, hilly favours the Vaporflys over the Mayflys and even the Ekidens.
I love my Streak Racers and will probably do FLM in them. I was going to try the Vaporflys over 20 miles this Sunday. Although they are lightweight I do find them a bit bulky and not conducive to a good running style.
The reasoning behind it all, is not simply because I want a racing shoe, and, as I've explained I actually like the feel of training in a racer. Yes, it's less supportive and cushioned, but also less restrictive. However...
In time, could this actually lead to stronger feet and a better running style? That's my aim. Using Nike Free trainers supposedly claim that, but a racing flat is not too different so should aim to achieve mostly the same gains.
I have done quite a few 10 milers in them BR in training, infact I even raced a half marathon last August (2006), where I ran 75:46 - so as for being useful over the longer distances, and possibly your 20 miler this weekend, they should be fine enough.
SImon
http://www.newbalance.co.uk/2005/Product/competition.shtml
http://www.newbalance.com/running/racingcomps/
The RC152 looks ideal for forefoot-strikers and is presumably a successor to the sorely-missed RC150.
Pug
Pug, I take exactly the same size in Vaporflys as I do in my everyday running shoes ) And have raced up to 20 miles in them without any problems and plan to use them for FLM.
Do you know where I can find any reviews about the NB 152? I googled it but could not find anything.
thank you.
nrg-b (hello!). They do look marginally thicker in the forefoot than the old RC150 which to my mind had it just right - enough to act as a load-spreader across the ball of the foot thus preventing small stones/unevenness digging in and bruising of the foot, but not enough for any sponginess & also a pretty firm bit of rubber in there that didn't absorb energy. My 150s are also well over the 1000 mile mark and still going...
Whether that thickness is just due to the outsole wrapping round the upper very slightly or not, would be handy to know. No plans to go to the States this year so I probably won't see any. Just done a round-the-world trip so a bit skint!
Tiny bit of cushioning, little support but paired down more than any other racer out there - you virutally get nothing. But that's how it should be for racing.
Currently I'm training in Ekidens, which I think are a great shoe. The're getting close (850 miles) to the nirvana of a £30 pair of trainers giving me 1000 miles running, and I've got another pair in the closet. Also I managed to pick up a pair of Onitsuka Tigers for £20! Saw them in the window of a sports fashion shop in Cardiff and nearly collaped with amazement. I've done a few parkland miles in them, but they are flimsier than I remember them.
Treadmill: Can't say for sure as I haven't tried them, But looking at the pictures the NB152 looks thicker and has more heel cushioning.
I have to confess I'm quite excited by the 152s. And there's a chance that I'll be moving to the States soon...
Good luck with the potential move to US - (which is the bit that does make me envious!) :-)))