I have a pair of Zoot Ultra Tempo +. I am 155lbs and a mild overpronator. I have used these shoes in the past season and trained and raced sockless for distances 5k-10k. It was very successfull with no issues. I have no history of running injuries-probably means I don’t run enough, 40-50mi/week.
In your experience, are these safe to be used for a 1/2 marathon part of 1/2 ironman.
Is sockless 1/2 marathon asking for trouble, ie. blisters…
Zoot site does indicate them to be for all distances. I assume that I can attempt some long runs and test it. Just curious to hear other observations.
i used the same shoe, about the same size as you, all season. raced TTT, two HIM (one in the rain), and longest run up to 16 miles in them, sockless, no blisters.
i used them for training and racing.
odly, after switching back to trainers this winter for the next few months i now have shin pain for the first time all year:-(
I use these shoes strictly for racing and love them but I wear socks. My attempts to do without socks resulted in blisters. Ironically my blisters were on the top outside of the foot and not the toe or heel area. Best of luck.
I used them for racing only which included 2 HIM and did fine except I got a blister along the
lateral portion of my foot where the upper and insole meet. I think this was from not pulling
the lace tight because the next half no problem.
Mike
i think it is very personal as to whether the rest of your body can take the beating from “racing style” running shoes. I own a pair and use them for some speed work, or 5k’s. I would race them in a 10K but at the half ironman/half marathon distance I would not use them. I am a bit heavy for a “real runner” at 165 so some lighter runners (or simply better runners) might have better luck but they do not agree with me for distances longer than 10K.
i used the same shoe, about the same size as you, all season. raced TTT, two HIM (one in the rain), and longest run up to 16 miles in them, sockless, no blisters.
i used them for training and racing.
odly, after switching back to trainers this winter for the next few months i now have shin pain for the first time all year:-(
What does your sponsor yankz think about using Zoots?
Thank you all for great responses. I will gradually start them on easy short runs, extend into medium distance and stride work, than escalate to long run or two, all sockless and will see how it goes. The real test comes April 5 in New Orleans.
As I indicated two concerns have come up and you have addressed them both, one was injury possibility on longer runs and lighter shoes, second was blisters. Blisters is what attracts my attention as I have sensitive skin and get blisters easy. That being said, as I carefully have chosen running shoes in the past, I have not got any since I started running just over 2 years ago.
I don’t consider myself “efficient runner” nor do I consider myself a speed demon( open 5K PR 19:34, 1/2 PR 1:36), 155lbs is not a skinny runner either. As I have very gradually built to 40-50mi/week, I have mostly run in Mizuno Wave Inspire 4, raced olympic and sprints in Zoot shoes, I managed not to injure myself so far. I would like to keep it that way.
Thanks again guys.