Hey, all!
Haven't kept up well with the latest releases, but shopping for new flats and I've noticed a few lower stack height models popping up from other brands...
Anyone run in a shoe they think is superior to the Vaporfly at the 5k/10k distance on the roads? In particular, for someone targeting mid/low 14min range for 5k and around 30min for 10k.
Thank you for your input!
I think the vaporfly would be faster if it had a grippier outsole pattern anyone with me?
Needs more lockdown
Takumi Sen 8/9 is probably the other most popular choice these days for that distance. It is not necessarily better, but more a preference for people who like a slightly lower stack and/or the feel of Lightstrike Pro over Zoom X.
Worth noting that the vaporflys 3 doesn't have as aggressive of a tip-off as the vaporflys 2 and is bouncier, so may not be as preferred for shorter stuff as it was before (I haven't worn the vaporfly 3 so I can't personally vouch for this, this is just what I've heard)
Regarding he takumi sen 8/9, I would say it has the feel of a more traditional racing flat with a bit more of a stable feel tho still plenty of cushion, but doesn't have the aggressive tipoff of the vaporfly 2. I personally preferred the vaporfly 2 a bit for its tipoff but it mostly comes down preference and the takumi is still great for 5k/10k especially if you don't like the high stack for shorter races
I think the streakfly is slightly worse than the takumi sen 9 but it's also a lot cheaper (both my pairs I got for under $100) and feels better on corners - let alone when compared to the vaporfly. The lack of a plate makes it far more of a road mile / 3k (if such a thing exists) / certain 5k courses shoe though.
I ran a somewhat tactical road 5k in 15:2x in the streakfly at 10k effort, and that felt fine, but I don't think I'd have been able to break 31 in the streakfly because I've worn it for tempos and it sapped my legs almost every time at the 6k mark. For that, I'd want the vaporfly / alphafly / cloudboom / your favorite 13.1 supershoe.
Not sure what the majority opinion is, but check out some of the ASICS models. I love them.
I was also really impressed by Altra's Vanquish Carbon (and the non-carbon version), though admittedly no-drop isn't for everyone.
Streakfly is faster than the vaporfly which is intended as a single use marathon shoe
Did I lie?
Going to second the recommendation for the Takumi Sen 8 and 9. I do all my track sessions in them and it’s incredible how easy they make 5k pace feel.
Yesyesyes wrote:
Did I lie?
Either that or you're just wrong/misleading people
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the old endorphin pros had a much lower stack height, but that's changed on the new model.
100%. Bounce is all that matters. You might feel like you're not going as fast because you don't feel the ground but in the end your stride will be longer due to the foam/plate.
Personally feel that the Vaporfly is a bit faster than the Takumi Sen, even at 5k pace. Both very good shoes though.