This is ONLY MY opinion. If you want straight up facts, leave now. I'm thin skinned and can't take the flaming. I'm likely going to get in trouble with Zoot for posting this. But it's MY truth. Several asked for it, it's not a commercial, so here it is.
For clarity, I have been doing tri's since 2008 and running since 2005. I am barely a sub 1:30 13.1 runner (just ran NYC 13.1 in 1:29), barely sub 39 10k, barely sub 19 5k, and I have yet to run a good marathon (mostly IM runs, last open marathon was 2009). I'm 38 @ 5'9" at 150 lbs on race day, right now I'm pleasantly plump (158lbs). I'm average at all 3 sports. I'm a better swimmer and cyclist than runner, but I like running the most. Lately hitting a decent run of AG podiums and some 70.3 Clearwater/Vegas slots. I run 40+ mpw in tri training, 60+ mpw for marathon season (but keep getting stupid none running injuries right before the race). I like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain....
I just joined Zoot, but I have always worn their stuff. So I'm not just in it for the name or just to be part of a team, I actually believe in their gear (still waiting on new wetsuit from them so not entirely sold on ALL equipment). That being said, I like to try out a LOT of gear and shoes, I love testing stuff out (electronics as well as tri gear, still can't find a good purpose for the Pebble). Not because it might be the magical equipment to make me faster, but I'm looking for the best in class. Wetsuits - BlueSeventy Helix is the king. I'm looking for the Helix killer. I think it might be Roka. I'm waiting on the new Zoot Prophet 2 to test out side by side with the Roka, Helix, and Nineteen Rogue. Bikes - well, the fit is the fit is the fit. Best in class right now, likely the Trek SC, Shiv, or most likely, the P5. After owning a Felt DA, P4, BMC TM01, and a few others, I still go back to my Look 596 from 2010 (it works for me).
Now, shoes. Kinvara versus the world. When Kinvara came out, I had one of the first pair. My buddy Eugene turned me onto them. Loved them. So did the rest of the world. Kinvara 1, 2, and 4 (3 sucked!!!)
Low weight, 4mm drop, well cushioned, very flexible, stylish, extra eyelets at the ankle for secure fit, nice heel inner liner. My go to shoe for any distance running. Training everyday, you bet. Raining out, yep. Trail, you betcha. Love kinvara. Virratta was nice too, but broke down VERY fast. The outside forefront and midfoot sole crushed within 100 miles for me and I ended up running on the very outside of my foot with little stability. Kinvara has a similar issue, but only after 200 miles (about 1 month for me). The worst thing about the Kinvara 3 is the pinky toe area of the upper mesh rips through after 3 weeks. Not a game stopper, but annoying. The Saucony A4 and A5 were my go to shoe for most 10k and shorter speed races.
I have tried most shoes. On Running, K-Swiss, Nike, all Saucony, Brooks, Mizuono, Asics, Sketchers, Zoot, Pearl Izumi, VFF, New Balance, Merrell, Skora, Adidas, etc.
That is a small sample of the shoes I was about to donate to Japan in 2010 or 2011. I was not part of Zoot team at the time.
As much as I love Kinvara, I race all tri's except full IM's in Zoots. I ran my fastest 70.3 in the Zoot Ultra Kiawe at Pocanos 70.3.
Here is my breakdown:
Ultra Kiawe - 6mm drop, very little cushioning, great grip and feel for the road. Sockless with no rubbing and/or blisters. Easy on, very light, excellent drainage. My go to shoes for sprints to 70.3. I was afraid of the 4mm drop I was used to with Kinvara, but there is no noticeable difference with 6mm. The shoes are much lighter than the kinvara and feel awesome off the bike. I recommend a weeks worth of threshold low mileage in them before racing in them. They break in pretty easily. Good for about 150 - 175 miles before the very front of the forefront gets worn down.
Ultra Race - The boa system might be a gimmick, but its a GREAT gimmick. The boa system really works well for me, especially when my feet swell. This will likely be my 140.6 shoe this summer at Challenge AC. Yes, there is a 8mm drop, but it isn't noticeable until you are too tired to continue the forefront running and start heel striking due to fatigue. At that point, you'll be glad the cushioning is there. Otherwise the heel doesn't get in the way. Great drainage and great sockless, but I refuse to go sockless for 26.2 miles.
Ultra Ali'i - Good luck finding these. The Ali'i 13 changed a lot. The boa system is fantastic and the ride is great, EVEN with the 8mm drop. Interesting note, the toe box is curved up and puts you into a forefront position. The 8mm drop is not noticeable until you get tired. Like after you run a tempo or fartleck and you slow down to recovery pace, THEN you feel the heel, but it disappears again when you ramp up the speed again. Very stable platform too.
I'm not much into the TT or other trainer shoes from Zoot right now, but I am really looking forward to the new Zoot Solana. It might be the Kinvara killer for the tri world and the run world. The Solana is suppose to come out at the same time as the new Ali'i 14 and I believe they both have the same EVA sole which makes for a great ride. The Solana will have traditional laces while the Ali'i 14 will have the new Boa soft wire which is plastic instead of metal wire.
So to those that asked about trying out Zoots after loving the Kinvara, I suggest the Ultra Kiawe (the newest version is 2.0, but it is the same as the 1.0) for anything up to 13.1 miles. If you can't wait for the Solana or Ali'i 13, than I would give the Ultra Race a try. They are a bit expensive, so try to find a retailer that also has a treadmill so you can try them.
But I am REALLY looking forward to the Solana. I think it will be a game changer.
BTW, the BEST product Zoot makes - the recovery sandals!!! Nothing like black recovery compression socks hiked up to the knees and a pair of Zoot Recovery sandals!! Chicks dig it!!
(who am I kidding, I'm married with 4.5 kids, chicks don't dig me at all...)
For clarity, I have been doing tri's since 2008 and running since 2005. I am barely a sub 1:30 13.1 runner (just ran NYC 13.1 in 1:29), barely sub 39 10k, barely sub 19 5k, and I have yet to run a good marathon (mostly IM runs, last open marathon was 2009). I'm 38 @ 5'9" at 150 lbs on race day, right now I'm pleasantly plump (158lbs). I'm average at all 3 sports. I'm a better swimmer and cyclist than runner, but I like running the most. Lately hitting a decent run of AG podiums and some 70.3 Clearwater/Vegas slots. I run 40+ mpw in tri training, 60+ mpw for marathon season (but keep getting stupid none running injuries right before the race). I like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain....
I just joined Zoot, but I have always worn their stuff. So I'm not just in it for the name or just to be part of a team, I actually believe in their gear (still waiting on new wetsuit from them so not entirely sold on ALL equipment). That being said, I like to try out a LOT of gear and shoes, I love testing stuff out (electronics as well as tri gear, still can't find a good purpose for the Pebble). Not because it might be the magical equipment to make me faster, but I'm looking for the best in class. Wetsuits - BlueSeventy Helix is the king. I'm looking for the Helix killer. I think it might be Roka. I'm waiting on the new Zoot Prophet 2 to test out side by side with the Roka, Helix, and Nineteen Rogue. Bikes - well, the fit is the fit is the fit. Best in class right now, likely the Trek SC, Shiv, or most likely, the P5. After owning a Felt DA, P4, BMC TM01, and a few others, I still go back to my Look 596 from 2010 (it works for me).
Now, shoes. Kinvara versus the world. When Kinvara came out, I had one of the first pair. My buddy Eugene turned me onto them. Loved them. So did the rest of the world. Kinvara 1, 2, and 4 (3 sucked!!!)
Low weight, 4mm drop, well cushioned, very flexible, stylish, extra eyelets at the ankle for secure fit, nice heel inner liner. My go to shoe for any distance running. Training everyday, you bet. Raining out, yep. Trail, you betcha. Love kinvara. Virratta was nice too, but broke down VERY fast. The outside forefront and midfoot sole crushed within 100 miles for me and I ended up running on the very outside of my foot with little stability. Kinvara has a similar issue, but only after 200 miles (about 1 month for me). The worst thing about the Kinvara 3 is the pinky toe area of the upper mesh rips through after 3 weeks. Not a game stopper, but annoying. The Saucony A4 and A5 were my go to shoe for most 10k and shorter speed races.
I have tried most shoes. On Running, K-Swiss, Nike, all Saucony, Brooks, Mizuono, Asics, Sketchers, Zoot, Pearl Izumi, VFF, New Balance, Merrell, Skora, Adidas, etc.
That is a small sample of the shoes I was about to donate to Japan in 2010 or 2011. I was not part of Zoot team at the time.
As much as I love Kinvara, I race all tri's except full IM's in Zoots. I ran my fastest 70.3 in the Zoot Ultra Kiawe at Pocanos 70.3.
Here is my breakdown:
Ultra Kiawe - 6mm drop, very little cushioning, great grip and feel for the road. Sockless with no rubbing and/or blisters. Easy on, very light, excellent drainage. My go to shoes for sprints to 70.3. I was afraid of the 4mm drop I was used to with Kinvara, but there is no noticeable difference with 6mm. The shoes are much lighter than the kinvara and feel awesome off the bike. I recommend a weeks worth of threshold low mileage in them before racing in them. They break in pretty easily. Good for about 150 - 175 miles before the very front of the forefront gets worn down.
Ultra Race - The boa system might be a gimmick, but its a GREAT gimmick. The boa system really works well for me, especially when my feet swell. This will likely be my 140.6 shoe this summer at Challenge AC. Yes, there is a 8mm drop, but it isn't noticeable until you are too tired to continue the forefront running and start heel striking due to fatigue. At that point, you'll be glad the cushioning is there. Otherwise the heel doesn't get in the way. Great drainage and great sockless, but I refuse to go sockless for 26.2 miles.
Ultra Ali'i - Good luck finding these. The Ali'i 13 changed a lot. The boa system is fantastic and the ride is great, EVEN with the 8mm drop. Interesting note, the toe box is curved up and puts you into a forefront position. The 8mm drop is not noticeable until you get tired. Like after you run a tempo or fartleck and you slow down to recovery pace, THEN you feel the heel, but it disappears again when you ramp up the speed again. Very stable platform too.
I'm not much into the TT or other trainer shoes from Zoot right now, but I am really looking forward to the new Zoot Solana. It might be the Kinvara killer for the tri world and the run world. The Solana is suppose to come out at the same time as the new Ali'i 14 and I believe they both have the same EVA sole which makes for a great ride. The Solana will have traditional laces while the Ali'i 14 will have the new Boa soft wire which is plastic instead of metal wire.
So to those that asked about trying out Zoots after loving the Kinvara, I suggest the Ultra Kiawe (the newest version is 2.0, but it is the same as the 1.0) for anything up to 13.1 miles. If you can't wait for the Solana or Ali'i 13, than I would give the Ultra Race a try. They are a bit expensive, so try to find a retailer that also has a treadmill so you can try them.
But I am REALLY looking forward to the Solana. I think it will be a game changer.
BTW, the BEST product Zoot makes - the recovery sandals!!! Nothing like black recovery compression socks hiked up to the knees and a pair of Zoot Recovery sandals!! Chicks dig it!!
(who am I kidding, I'm married with 4.5 kids, chicks don't dig me at all...)