I am looking at getting Zoot running shoes. My last several pairs of running shoes have been Mizuno Wave Inspire, and I need to go up 1 size in any running shoe I wear to account for swelling. I was wondering, since…
I don’t need to wear socks, and they advertise a more flexible upper to accommodate swelling…
if any Zoot wearers, who have sized up in other shoes, still do the same in Zoot’s?
Also, how does it feel sock less? Any issues?
I typically run 30-40miles a week.
For me, Zoot’s have been running true to size. Theuy used to run a bit big, I felt, but this year they have fit me at the same size as all my other shoe’s. In regards to sockless, that’s hit or miss depending on you foot and how well you tolerate their design. I can run sockless in them up to a half, but sometimes I get a pair that blister me right off the bat. In general, they are very comfortable sockless.
I always run sockless in mine, this past weekend was the first time I had any issues. I had a rub spot on my right rear upper heel, but that was more from getting dirt in my shoes than the design itself.
To me they fit true to size.
x3 - same size as other brands and I’ve had no issues going sockless though I did start with shorter runs.
x3 - same size as other brands and I’ve had no issues going sockless though I did start with shorter runs.
X4.
Thanks for the feedback. I apologize as my original post may have been a little unclear. Just to clarify with regards to fit, would you suggest I continue to go 1 size up in Zoot to account for swelling, as I do in other running shoes? Or do you think that it is less of an issue with Zoots.
I don’t size up for swelling with Zoots - their uppers are all pretty flexible & accommodating of that.
The 2011 Zoots look really nice from what I’ve seen - I’m looking forward to checking 'em out in person when they hit the stores.
Cheers, Chris
I just picked up a pair of 2009 Zoot TT 2.0’s and it’s like wearing slippers, I wish I’d gotten them sooner. They’re incredibly comfy without socks. In fact, I ran for 10 minutes on a treadmill the day I got 'em, then did an Oly race the next day with no rubbing or chafing.
I found them to be larger than normal, though. I wear a 12D in everything, but the 11.5’s fit perfectly. If you compare Zoot’s conversion sizing to other manufacturers, it appears they run a 1/2 size larger than most. For example, they show an 11.5 equal to a 46 euro, whereas most companies show a 12 equal to a 46.
i used asics 9,5 and would use the same in zoot
as for sockless, they are the best in that department 
they are the only ones that actually worried about that i think…
Thanks for the feedback. I apologize as my original post may have been a little unclear. Just to clarify with regards to fit, would you suggest I continue to go 1 size up in Zoot to account for swelling, as I do in other running shoes? Or do you think that it is less of an issue with Zoots.
Buy thwe same size as you would in any other running shoe.
I personally wear a half size smaller in the Zoots then I used to wear in New Balance/Nike, however I ran with socks in other brands and go sockless in the Zoots which could make the half size difference.
I don’t have the swelling issue, but I would say you should try the same size you normally wear. The sockless liners Zoot employs in their whole line is outstanding. I even run full IMs sockless (don’t judge the shoes by my run splits ;-)), and have very little blistering issues. I do put some body glide on the collar and some anti-blister powder in the shoes tho. Fastest T2 in IM Wisc thanks to Zoot
Cheers
I run in size 9.5 New Balance and needed a 10 in the Zoots.
I would not size up…going sockless should offset the swelling issue.
In a 9.5 zoot my toe was touching the front of the toe box.
I am a fan and, I must say- despite their early efforts leaving something to be desired.
I bought their first shoes and raced in them at, of all places, SuperFrog in Coronado where you do a bit of the run in loose sand. I went sockless, used some kind of silicone paste stuff in my shoes (SportSlick) and had a good run for me- no problems with sand or shoe fit going sockless. No blisters.
The new Zoots are a greatly improved version over previous generations. More secure upper, much refined fit and overall better ride. The Zoot tri shoes also have a sole to heel orientation that Zoot claims facilitates better transitions. I am racing in those shoes for the first time in two years this weekend at the Pinal Air Park Triathlon north of Tucson. Part of the run is in sand around the area of the Evergreen Air Facility and the AH-64E Apache base out there.
Big fun.
The shoes are great sockless and the new versions are a vast improvement over previous versions which were already fairly decent. I’m a fan.
i run on zoot.
I can run better sockless in them. I ran an IM marathon sockless in zoot shoes.
What really sucks is that the shoes have holes in the sole so water (and dirt if you run on trails!) can leak in so easy. I also think I have to buy another shoe just for the winter. I think running on snow is going to be awful due to these STUPID holes.
What also sucks is that elastic laces are not strong enough to hold the foot back during downhill running. I still want to see if I can make normal laces in these shoes.
What is really good is that they last long. I ran the past 7 months on these shoes and they are like new, besides a real bad smell from all the sockless running.
With respect to swelling of feet, it is the first shoe I owned that do not hurt my feet during runs after long bike rides in hot weather.
I would love, repeat, love to have a pair of Zoots…but the high heel support rubs on my achilles terribly. After a ONE mile run, I was bleeding. 2 other friends have the same problem. We all love the fit and comfort, but couldn’t get further than a mile.
Zoot: Please make a low-rise version of your top level tri shoes. I’d buy them in a heartbeat.
Recently, Zoot has been putting teaser pics of their '11 line up on Facebook - looks like some of their new shoes will have a low (normal-looking) heel, but not enough details posted on if those will be shoes in their “tri” vs “run” lineup. Whatever that label matters…
Cheers, Chris
I wear an 11 in Mizuno (Nirvana and Inspire) and Asics (Nimbus and 2100 series). I also wear an 11 in Zoot (Ultra Tempo I and II).