Hi…Just looking for a couple suggestions on a pair of racing flats to buy. I have never a bought a pair, but i am finally in the market for some. I just did not know where to start. Thank you.
Brooks T6 or ST4 if you want a bit of material in there.
For what distance? I have Zoots for sprints and Oly’s and K-Swiss for HIM and IM racing, I also train in the K-swiss’s. I got with my local running store to find the best shoe for me and I’m very satisfied.
Little vague … what distance? How much do you weight? Ever have any running injuries? Why a flat and not a lightweight racing shoe (i.e. Saucony A2, Brooks T4, etc.)
So, OK - Saucony Kilkenny
I have given up on true racing flats and use a light trainer, currently Saucony Fastwitch. I am a bit, er, larger than I once was and after a bike ride my running form may be less than optimal.
Sorry…194lbs, i basically do everyting from sprints to Half’s
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I’m 204lbs and am experimenting with the Zoot Tempo 2.0 for Oly’s and maybe 1/2’s, but for longer distances I’ll use the DS-Trainer. I know, not as lightweight as you might like, but then again we aren’t either.
Bob
i owned a specialty running shoe store for 6 years so i have some experience in fitting running shoes. even if you’re kenyan-lean, at 194 lbs that’s more than a little mass hitting the pavement (or trail) with every footstrike.
what shoe are you wearing now? how is you foot shaped? what do you like about your current shoe? what do you dislike about your current shoe? what kind of racing are you doing? on what kind of surfaces will you be running? without knowing the answers to these questions, i’ll give you a tentative response. buy a shoe that works for the SHAPE of your foot and that matches your running FORM. by this i mean that if you’re a tremendous overpronater, it may behoove you to try a shoe with a touch of medial posting instead of one that’s just full blown EVA with no support. also, if you a narrow forefoot you don’t need a shoe with a huge toebox.
the customer is always right and if you HAD to have a nike mayfly (~5 oz) i’d sell you one but i’d prefer to see someone your size in more of a lightweight trainer than a true flat (say less than 8 oz) because it would hold up better and give you some cushion. that said, lightweight trainers these days are a very nice category and whatever brand you favor, they probably have a model that would work well for you. i personally always liked the asics DS series, mizuno precision/elixir series, and the brooks flats.
I tried on a pair of Lunar Racers tonight just for shits and giggles. Once I get through this cycle of races I may have to give them a try. Not sure what kind of mileage I’d get out of them, but for the amount of cushioning they have, they are rediculously light.
I’m 6’2", 187 and I have had a lot of success with the Asics DS trainers from everything to 5K to marathon distance racing. Light enough to feel “fast”, but enough cushioning and medial support that I don’t destroy my legs and feet. I’m a decent but not blazing fast runner…sub 18 5k, sub 120 open half marathon if that helps at all.
I’ve tried running in pure flats (like I did when I was younger) and they just didn’t provide enough of a cushion to work for anything other than a very short distance, like a track workout.
I tried on a pair of Lunar Racers tonight just for shits and giggles. Once I get through this cycle of races I may have to give them a try. Not sure what kind of mileage I’d get out of them, but for the amount of cushioning they have, they are rediculously light.
+1 on Lunar Racers (I raced in them the last 1/2 of '08). They are crazy light (<6oz.) but quite cushioned. The midsole is quite soft, so forget it if you need serious motion control; and the shoe is built on a fairly curved last (not unusual for a flat). For a neutral gait they are an awesome shoe, if a bit pricey.
I also have some Mayflys, but these have no upper support (they are more of a slipper) and I don’t use them for anything more than a 5k RR. The Lunar Racers are more substantial…even than most flats.
Nike Katana Rac3r
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Hey triatma, do these fit true to size?
I would say so - 90% shoes i use 10.5 and it’s was same with Katana
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Killer deal on the Zoots here:
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/...p20&from=nextjmp
For $50 I’m trying the Tempo, not a true flat (which are on sale too) but at 185 lbs I wanted some support.
Tried them last night on a 7.5 mile track workout and loved them. Might be the best $50 I’ve spent
I’m 6’2" and about 194 lbs, and I run in flats a lot though I recently started switching in some mid-weight neutral trainers again sometimes for variety. A few years ago I had a pair of Adidas Adi-star Comps that I really liked. I tried a pair of New Balance RC-152 and, while they seemed all right at first, the toe box began to feel just a bit narrow on longer runs. My feet are big enough that there are no half sizes bigger and the full size up seemed too much. I’m currently wearing my second pair of Mizuno Ronin. They seem slightly wider at the toe and are working well for me so far.
There was a three-part series on lightweight trainers here on ST a few months back;
There are links at the bottom of this article for the other two pieces. The three combined will give you a good idea of the mfgrs out there and a basic background of their products.
All the best,
-tim