Light, Fast, Free: 2011 Racing Shoe Review
- By Mario Fraioli
- Published Jul. 28, 2011
- Updated Mar. 15, 2012 at 5:10 PM UTC
Today’s racing flats cater to what the minimalist and barefoot movements preach: rapid turnover, forefoot emphasis and minimal weight. And because these lightweight speed shoes have been around for so long and are hardly a trend, they are relatively affordable. Remember that your racing flats or lightweight trainers are for shorter races; these shoes typically have a closer fit and are less plush than high-mileage, everyday training footwear.
To help you find the perfect shoe, we enlisted a panel of speedy racer types to offer their feedback on the FIT, FEEL and RIDE of the latest racing flats. Once you have narrowed your choices down, head to your local running store to dial it all in for the final selection. Check ‘em out below!
FILED UNDER: Shoes and Gear TAGS: adidas Adizero Mana 5 / adidas Adizero Rocket / Asics Gel Speedstar 5 / Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 6 / Avia Avi Bolt III / Brooks Racer St 5 / Brooks T7 Racer / Competitor Magazine / Inov-8 Road-X Lite 155 / Karhu Racer Fulcrum Ride / Mizuno Wave Musha 3 / Mizuno Wave Ronin 3 / New Balance RC 1400 / Puma Faas 250 / Puma Faas 300 / Racing Flats / Running Shoe Review / Saucony Kinvara 2
Mario Fraioli
Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.