When I started this crazy sport 20 years ago I jumped nearly straight into IM racing and when it came time for race day shoes I went with DS Trainers or Zoom Elites as they were protective enough, but gave me just enough of a race day feel. I kept my racing flats for sprints and Oly’s. With all the shoe technology changes, it seems that I can now get away with a MUCH lighter shoe that offers similar protection of those DS and Elites of the past.
I know that this is not going to be exactly universal amongst the brands…but what is the cutoff weight nowadays for a shoe that I can race 1/2 IM and even IM and get the protection of those 10.5-11 oz. (size 10.5) shoes from back in the day?
You can now get daily trainers in the 10 oz range. I train in the NB 890, and that’s the case with those. Plenty of cushion/support to train for marathons (i’m 160).
I’m actually looking at some Lunar Racer 3’s right now. At 20mm and 25mm in the midsole, there is quite a bit underneath your foot (I know some don’t like the muted feel, but I value cushion over road feel). I’m sure that at size 10.5 they are in the 7oz. range and that just seems too wickedly light for my 170 lb, mid-foot striking body…just based on weight.
Some shoes have gotten lighter, many haven’t; so it really depends shoe-by-shoe.
Hoka Bondi Speeds are 9.5oz and ridiculously cushioned.
I’m actually looking at some Lunar Racer 3’s right now. At 20mm and 25mm in the midsole, there is quite a bit underneath your foot (I know some don’t like the muted feel, but I value cushion over road feel). I’m sure that at size 10.5 they are in the 7oz. range and that just seems too wickedly light for my 170 lb, mid-foot striking body…just based on weight.
Some shoes have gotten lighter, many haven’t; so it really depends shoe-by-shoe.
Hoka Bondi Speeds are 9.5oz and ridiculously cushioned.
Lots of solid shoes in the 8.5-9.5 range:
Nike LunarFly Breathe, Saucony Kinvaras, etc.
I race (and occasionally train) in the Lunar Racer 1s (and I’m 180). Great cushioning for a flat. Works great if you like soft cushioning and don’t need any stability.
Great feedback. I know the 130lb guys can swing it, nice to hear from a heavier (in the running racing flat world) runner.
I’m actually looking at some Lunar Racer 3’s right now. At 20mm and 25mm in the midsole, there is quite a bit underneath your foot (I know some don’t like the muted feel, but I value cushion over road feel). I’m sure that at size 10.5 they are in the 7oz. range and that just seems too wickedly light for my 170 lb, mid-foot striking body…just based on weight.
Some shoes have gotten lighter, many haven’t; so it really depends shoe-by-shoe.
Hoka Bondi Speeds are 9.5oz and ridiculously cushioned.
Lots of solid shoes in the 8.5-9.5 range:
Nike LunarFly Breathe, Saucony Kinvaras, etc.
I race (and occasionally train) in the Lunar Racer 1s (and I’m 180). Great cushioning for a flat. Works great if you like soft cushioning and don’t need any stability.
I train in Kinvaras but raced HIMs last year in A5s. Tested the A5 in an open 25K and they were fine, so I wore a new pair (For max cushion about 10ish miles) at Boston, and even with a good bit of downhill pounding they were fine for my 185 lb. frame.