BackThe runner’s road test
With the Hyderabad Marathon just four weeks away, we test four running shoes
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Ahead of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon on 30 August, runners are being bombarded with advertisements promoting new shoes, each boasting of a design breakthrough that promises to make you run faster.
Before you go out and spend a fortune on a pair of “make-me-go-faster" shoes, here is our assessment of shoes that we tested.
Among them are two racing flats (the adidas Takumi Sen 3 and Mizuno Wave Hitogami 2) which are usually not the most cushioned shoes since they have thinner soles, a streamlined design and few or no frills in the upper section. Racing flats may not be the best pair to train in every day, but it might be a good idea to wear them on race day because they are light.
There is the latest version of popular cushioned trainers (the Asics Gel Nimbus 17), best suited for new runners and for everyday running. The cushioning helps reduce the impact on the ankles and knees.
And there is a pair of trail running-cum-obstacle-race shoes (the Reebok All Terrain Extreme Spartan) designed to provide a good grip on both dry and wet tracks.
Asics Gel Nimbus 17
₹ 10,499
The bold colours and new seamless upper section are a plus. The shoe, however, felt a bit on the heavier side, at least when one held it. The gel in the heel works as a shock absorber for a heel striker (when the heel of the foot or shoe makes first contact with the walking surface) and the gel in the mid-sole aids toe-off (when the toes leave the ground).
The shoes felt nice at the start, and not as heavy as they did while we were holding them, but as one started picking up pace, the transition from heel strike to toe-off was slow.
This is a great shoe for stability but perhaps not for speed. It works well for training runs on roads for new runners or heavy foot-strikers with a neutral stride.
It is available online and at Asics stores across the country.
Similar shoes: Nike Air Zoom Elite, Air Zoom Pegasus, Adidas Ultra Boost, Reebok One Distance, Puma Ignite XT
Mizuno Wave Hitogami 2
$99.9 (around ₹ 6,400; shipping charges extra)
This was one of the lightest pairs among the four we tested and felt snug on the feet. The toe box in Mizunos is generally a bit narrow and can cause blisters. So it is best to opt for one size larger.
Like the adidas Takumi Sen 3, this too has a stitched upper. A stitched upper can lead to more friction with the toes, resulting in painful blisters. The stitching seems old-fashioned, given the shoe’s colourful, modern design.
The cushioning in the heel feels good and the transition from heel strike to toe-off is very smooth. For heavy runners, this shoe is good for shorter distances; neutral runners will have a rather enjoyable full marathon.
To order, visit www.mizunousa.com or www.amazon.com
Similar shoes: Reebok Sublite, Nike Lunar Racer 3 with Flywire, Adidas Cosmic Boost
adidas Takumi Sen 3
₹ 11,999
The shoes are narrow, so, again, it is best to order a size larger than you normally wear.
The netted upper offers excellent ventilation. The shoe’s cushioning is completed by a sole that is a combination of tyre-maker Continental’s rubber (around the heel and the front edge) and diamond-shaped soft rubber that makes the shoe flexible and improves grip. The heel-to-toe transition is quick and the toe-off feels springy.
This shoe sports a classic, old-fashioned look with a stitched upper. It can be a race-day shoe for seasoned runners with a neutral stride but will not work for heavy foot-strikers.
It is available online and at select adidas stores.
Similar shoes: Asics Gel Noosa Fast, Mizuno Wave Ekiden, Adidas Adios Boost 2.0, Nike Flyknit Racer 3
Reebok All Terrain Extreme Spartan
₹ 9,999
The shoes felt snug around the middle and the toe box was wide enough to allow enough room to avoid blistering. The grip on the wet mud felt good. Even while running on the road, the grip was firm.
The shoe claims to have a draining technology. If you are running and the shoe gets wet, water drains out of the shoe through the porous upper with each step.
Already launched overseas, the shoe is likely to launch in Reebok stores across the country by the end of this month.
Similar shoes: Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 2.0
The writer was invited for a pre-launch trial of the Reebok Pump and Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0.
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