What happened to the minimal, no-nonsense racing flat?

HRE wrote:

I have thought of Merrill at times. I've never actually seen a pair. At the moment, I've got a nice stash of Asics Sortie Magics (though I don't like the newer versions as much as the older ones,) Mizuno Wave Eikedens, Takumi Sens, and a Hanzo. I also have found the Saucony Killkenny cross country flat very useful and I believe that's still around. At my age I may have enough of a stash to last for the rest of my life, which is a simultaneously disturbing and comforting idea. But maybe I can outlast my stash and try some of your suggestions.

Thank you for reminding me of the Saucony Kilkenny - I had a pair of the first version and put over a thousand miles on them (which is the most I have ever put on a pair of shoes). The funny thing is that the back of the heel rubbed my foot to the point of causing blisters that tore my skin, but when I was about to give up on them I tried different socks and that solved the issue. The second and third edition of the shoe had the same heel issue (hard plastic back, I think), and I wasn't able to get nearly as much out of them.

However, I looked up what was currently available, and found a pair of the Kilkenny v8 for right around $40. They look different, but I figured it was worth a shot for that price. We'll see what I think when they arrive.

Alberto's Dog wrote:

Actually, I was surprised to learn it was 10mm - pleasantly surprised, given that I've been having some nagging (to the tune of 12 months) Achilles pain, but also just generally surprised in that it felt more like, if I could guess, 5 or 6mm.

It's an aggressive feeling shoe, but not in the same way that, say the Carbon X (the most aggressive "rocker" I can think of) is. It's a pretty even footstrike, and then firmness at the toe off which propels you. Easier to run slower in that most carbon plated shoes, because you sort of just don't activate that last step, and plenty fast across strides.

Of course, I'll caveat - that was my first run in them! - but I really was not expecting to like them as much as I did.

Cool, thanks for the initial thoughts! I think another review mentioned the same thing -- the heel compresses enough that you don't really feel the big drop. Still seems a bit heavy, though. I'll be interested to see where you guys come down on it.

Yessss the nostalgia is strong. The Kilkenny was such a wild shoe - I remember seeing it on Dyestat and EastBay back in the day!

361 Feisu 2

Check out active 88 Boulder. Sweet shoe. Great sockless. Light. Fast.

ITT: people with very unique preferences/foot geometry that are looking for essentially customized shoes.

Thanks for posting this! I'd never heard of these guys but this looks like it could be the best thing on the market now that the streak lt is gone.

It is solid.

Features:

* no heel counter so feels great at heel

* super light

* responsive (about like altra escalante racer but lighter)

* mid foot hold good

* width: medium. Mesh spreads nicely so not constrictive

* mesh: airy and drains very well

* 3 mm drop is nice sweet spot

I have 70 miles on them: they are nice. I’ve used in 8k race, with easy runs, longish run 10+, tempo run, short strides. Feels great, bought pair 2 already just to have.

I view the direct competitors/ similar shoes as:

escalante racer: Boulder is more snug, lighter

topo st 3: st 3 is heavier, squishier, and does not drain as well as is not as responsive

saucony A line: haven’t ran in these in years but to tight last time I tried

altra vanish xc (DC’d): mesh similar. Similar weight. Boulder more responsive and more protective

NB 1400– so the Boulder is lighter, more minimal, better forefoot room, lower drop.

In ways like the old Inov 8 road x line but more responsive

great shoe. Really excited about it. I prefer it to the escalante racer and love the escalante racer

It would be helpful if people posting here would post picture of shoe they are referring to, since most of us don't live & die over running shoes, and the mere name of a shoe doesn't give us any clue (or conjure) of what the shoe looks like.

Thanks in advance if you would do this.

And I’m not the only one who thinks so.

This maximalist era sucks. I just buy old flats on Ebay. I'm set for the next few years til the market shifts back to minimalism.

Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro. Basic racing flat that fits like a glove.

Also with cushioning like a much thicker shoe.

I see this thread got bumped. I have changed my mind since I have acquired some super shoes. I'll use super shoes for any road races 5k and up. I do the ocasional mile and half mile in flats, but that's about it.

bump

Much like spikes, flats feel like garbage and will make you regret all your life choices if you're past a certain age. Why do it to yourself?

LOL, this thread aged like shrimp at the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Go ahead, get some old-timey flats and watch legions of hobby joggers in Vaporflys embarrass you.

Still would not mind some flats for training.

Carbon shoes are for suckers who don't know how running works

Racing flats require no R and D whatsoever, just make them cheap and sell them a little less cheap. Simple.

The Nike waffle racer was as fancy as they ever needed to be. As un-fancy as they all should be.