Looking for a new shoe and thought I would throw Zoot into the picture. I heard they have updated all of their models. I was thinking of trying the advantage because most shoes I have have little stability in them. I have ran in Asics speedsters, ds trainers, and Saucony Tangents. I am looking for some nice cusion with some support.
Thanks
I’m still waiting for mine to arrive, but I found a ton of info on the '09 models in the forum search. You may have to go as far back as 10 pages…
I have a Zoot sponsorship, but I would not race in something that I thought sucked, even if it was something free. Anyway, having said that, I race short course in Zoot Ultra 2.0 (I think that’s what they’re called). They’re great but I have not raced distances of more than 6 or 10 miles on them yet. They go on soooo fast they make T2 speedy! And they’re light and comfy. I’ve never raced them w/o socks though, which I guess is where they are really supposed to excel (so far I’ve only had them out in duathlons and training runs). I’ll race IMRI 70.3 this weekend and give them a try.
I have two pairs and like them both but not as much as my Newtons. The sockless thing doesn’t work for me (still get blisters).
I tried 2 different models of Zoot running shoes on at the ironman Germany sport expo. They are the coolest looking shoes and I like the zoot brand. But these shoes need more support above the toe area. I have size 12 feet and would say my feet would slop around in them.
So as not to take away from the zoot brand I would say there clothing and trisuits are some of the very best; if they are smart they will design better run shoes and use the quality brand name as leverage to better effect.
I have been running on average 3 times/week for the past 23 years and have used ascics for 20 years. before that I used nike and they were just as good but I found there top model run shoe was a bit heavy/solid(but that was 1990 when i last wore them).
I use the Tempo 2.2 (The red and black ones) and love love love them. Throw a little Asics anti-blsiter powder in there for good measure and away you go. Have run 14 miles in them and will probably run IMLP in them as well.
Bob
BAD, for me. I’m 5’10", 180 lbs. Nursing an inflamed achilles since wearing them for a 15k in April.
I’ll never run in them again.
What you said is what I have heard from a lot of people. I tried them on when they first came out and felt there was to much room in the toe box but heard they made changes to the 09 lineup. I guess before I judge I need to find some one close who carries them so I can try them on again.
I’ve got to say their great! I have the ultra tt 2 (yellow and blue). I’ve been running in Saucony pro grid rides and while I like them they just haven’t had the effect of the Zoot shoe. Granted I have shifted all of my attention to triathlon so if your an actual triathlete (multisport forum) the zoots are great for racing. I must admit my longest run in these shoes has only been 15miles but the 15 didn’t hurt at all and infact my recovery was very fast. I would suggest a more cushioned version such as the advantage for a race length such as a marathon, but Zoot says you can use these in an Iron distance race. And I’m positive that they have tested, tested, and tested these some more. In fact there is a posting somewhere on ST that a Zoot rep tells how they test and what races they were tested in. for me its A++ for Zoot.
I LOVE mine! I am using the Advantage. They have a bit more cushioning and a little bit of support for mild overpronation - good for me because I’m 6’4" 195.
Super comfortable, very fast in T2 and enough cushioning and support for me. I also race short course, so keep most of my running to 10k or less.
I’ve run and raced in the same shoes you are talking about. Asics 2300 series to train, DS Trainer to race, saucony grid tangent to race, etc. The Zoot shoe isn’t the right shoe for your foot type if you are running in those makes/models. Aside from not fitting for everyone (take NEWTON for example), they are expensive and not necessarily worth the money if your biomechanics are not right for the shoe. The race distance should also be taken into effect. Try them on if you get a chance, I did and you may see that they are uncomfortable from the start (high back, possible pressure across the top of the foot,etc). Don’t believe the gimmics. The potential to get hurt is so much greater than the nanosecond to pull your elastic ties on your current shoe - or, and I dare say, tie the laces?!? The nanogram lighter than your current shoe, etc…
They’re good as long as you stay on the road. For even gentle off-road use, they aren’t real great. I have done two triathlons that had trail runs in them. The first was kind of rough and hilly, and I bled through the left shoe. The second was very gentle with grass and some packed dirt and very small gradual inclines–like a golf course kind of–and I bled through the right shoe. Now they match. My thoughts are that on an uneven surface these shoes allow your feet to move around a lot in there, until you lose all your skin.
On the road they do well though. You don’t even need very good biomechanics for them.
I bought a pair of the Ultra TT shoes last week because here in the Bay Area (Dublin, CA) I found that Marshall’s discount store had them for $29.00 a pair. They are super lightweight and feel like a sock but I have found my calves were killing me after one run of 6 miles. I usually run in Sauconry Pro-Grid Ride shoes with an orthotic so I can’t really complain. In a sprint I would use them, but any longer than 4 miles and I would want more support.
Dave
I’ve got a pair of Ultras which I’ve raced in. Not done a full Ironman in them but a couple of halfs. No problem with them even on one of the halfs with a good proportion of the course off-road. In fact I managed to run the whole of a half ironman run with my Endurolytes in the heel of the shoe and not notice!! Don’t ask. The details are too embarrassing.
I have the Ultra TT 2.0, and can’t tell you enough how awful they’ve been.
First thing out of the box, I ran around the block (about a mile) with my girlfriend. The upper has a seam located right by the ankle bone, so I was bleeding as if cut by a razor in under 10 minutes of running.
I used some alligator clips to mold the shoe away from my ankle and tried again… Olympic distance race left the back of both heels bleeding to the point that my shoes were filling with blood. Looked at the shoe, and brilliant enough, seams are all over the heel area of the shoe (around the hole used to pull on the shoe). Blisters would be great, but the seams cut right through your skin. You never even get to the blister stage.
Ankles healed up, then tried again last weekend in the San Diego International Tri. Needless to say, same result. I still have giant cuts all over the back of both heels.
My job requires lots of hiking in ICBs, leading to some great calluses. No matter, you’d literally have to be made of steel not to bleed profusely in these. From asking around, it seems as if this is a common problem with the new style (hole to pull the shoe on), but not so much with the older style (no hole). There are far too many seams in all the areas where your skin is in contact with the shoe.
I’d look for other options.
I tried a pair of zoots and didnt like so I sent them back. The tip of insole kept bunching up when running in them. I like the Asics Ds Trainers
I have a brand new pair of Zoot Ultra Race 2.0 - they are freakin’ amazing. They’re so comfortable, easy to slip on, very light, and it feels like I’m running on pillows. They also feel soft on all parts of my foot - making them easy to run in.
They worked for me until my workouts had me running more than ten miles at a shot. Once I started doing longer mileage, the shoes stopped performing as well–just not enough cushioning. So I’d say–good for short distance but not for long distance.
I have the Zoot Energy and I wear socks. I half sized up for my race shoes as my feet swell after the bike. I’m 5’9" and 156 lbs.
I have trained in Zoots since January. I ran Eagleman in them. This Sunday I ran 21.5 miles in them (for a total of 46 miles for the week). Monday I ran intervals at the track.
My legs are fine.
They key is that shoes are an intricate piece of EQUIPMENT, just like your bike and wetsuit. You can’t buy a brand new piece of equipment and just go out and do heavy training right away without trying to work out the kinks. Shoes, no matter what brand, have to be “broken” in, or better yet, YOU have to be broken in to the shoe. You have to gradually build up with the shoes.
I have run marathons in Asics Kayano’s and I bought a pair of Kinsei this year because I was skeptical of the Zoots for Ironman Lake Placid. With Asics, my quads always locked up on me around mile 18. This Sunday with the Zoots, nothing. From the moment I stopped running to now, no tired legs, no hurt feet, no strained quads, no calf problems.
I’m not sponsored by Zoot. I pay full price. My legs appreciate it.
I’m a big fan of Zoots for racing. Not so much for training…