I wore the ZVF4% at Boston on Monday. The shoe performed well from two perspectives: cushioning and draining (the Athletes’ Village pre-race got drenched and the fields were like Woodstock, except not mellow or groovy, but the shoes really do drain quickly). In tough conditions I ran my second-fastest marathon, possibly because I am a brilliant tactician, but more likely because I had these fancy shoes. (My fastest marathon being about two minutes faster on a very cool day on what was essentially a drag strip of a course.)
Most marathons really beat me up, but I felt a lot better after this one, again possibly because of the shoes. I had the usual next-day soreness and fear of stairs, but less pronounced than previous bouts. I’m 48, and only wore them a few times before the race for structured workouts, no long runs-I stick to my Cliftons for those. The ZVF4% is ridiculously expensive, the colour is shockingly garish, and they likely signal unflattering things about the people who buy them.
But I just bought a second pair for my fall marathon, so I’m voting with my feet-and my wallet.