Curious what the lightest racing flats out there for women (specifically for the marathon) are? I've spent some time looking online, but find it's hard to compare -- very time consuming. Hoping the users here will have some insights.
Curious what the lightest racing flats out there for women (specifically for the marathon) are? I've spent some time looking online, but find it's hard to compare -- very time consuming. Hoping the users here will have some insights.
There are several lightweight flats. We'd really need to see pictures of you to gauge which ones would be just right.
The Mizuno Wave Universe is probably the lightest, but it does not have the best feel.
The Nike Streak Xc original is a really nice and light shoe if you can find it anywhere.
And the sequel to the Nike Streak Xc is nice as well.
Look at the Nike Mayfly too, lighter than all but a couple shoes that have no cushioning. The Mayfly has tons of cushioning that will last over a marathon or two, even though the foam will be pretty crushed by 100k.
If you're not looking for cushioning the above shoes are pretty good.
I hear the Brooks T7 works good for the marathon.
http://www.letsrun.com/photos/2011/bostonmarathon/imagepages/image14.php
Saucony Fastwitch is a great racing shoe. Light but excellent cushioning. Have raced from 5k to Mara in them with no problems.
ps - how a racing shoe feels and works with your feet is more important than the number of grams it is. it's an individual choice. Anything 200g or less is well light enough. But if you find yourself fighting the shoe at the 30k mark, you can fatigue and suffer a loss in form. weight isn't everything.
I tried out a bunch of different flats for my marathon and the Saucony Grid Type A4 were my favorite. They are low to the ground, responsive, light and have a surprising amount of cushioning for their weight.
If you want an ounce higher, look at the Nike Free 3.0's. Not your cliche flat but they are a very good shoe.
Kevin52 wrote:
I hear the Brooks T7 works good for the marathon.
http://www.letsrun.com/photos/2011/bostonmarathon/imagepages/image14.php
I haven't looked at this series since the T4 or T5 but at least at that time these were not really a flat. A good lightweight racing shoe for some people but with substantial heal elevation.
^heel. Dammit.
My favorite is Asics Pirahna SP2. I think it has great feel. I'm hesitant to get the Pirahna SP3 though b/c the bottom looks exactly like Asics Tarther and I have them and it's kinda hard and feels like plastic. I also own Mizuno Wave Universe 3, and it's kind of feels like plastic on the bottom too. I don't know how much you run in flats though as Pirahna's may be too minimal for a marathon for some.
I have Asics Hyperspeed as well, but I'm just too used to always running in Pirahna, and Hyperspeed feels too much.
Mr. Obvious wrote:
Kevin52 wrote:I hear the Brooks T7 works good for the marathon.
http://www.letsrun.com/photos/2011/bostonmarathon/imagepages/image14.phpI haven't looked at this series since the T4 or T5 but at least at that time these were not really a flat. A good lightweight racing shoe for some people but with substantial heal elevation.
How does that make them not a racing flat? The shoes that Haile G races in (adiZero Adios) also has a very big drop, and its a great racing flat.
drivel wrote:
Mr. Obvious wrote:I haven't looked at this series since the T4 or T5 but at least at that time these were not really a flat. A good lightweight racing shoe for some people but with substantial heal elevation.
How does that make them not a racing flat? The shoes that Haile G races in (adiZero Adios) also has a very big drop, and its a great racing flat.
Maybe it is semantics but I would diffentiate between a lighweight racing shoe and a flat. Sometimes it seems all lightweight racing shoes are called flats but that implies, by definition, that they are flat.
For me I do all of my running in flats. The T4s or 5s that I tried on were no good for me. If somebody does most of their running in traditional trainers a shoe like the T7 (or the Adizero) might be a better choice. Depends what you are looking for, I was merely trying to give the original poster more information about a shoe that had been recommended.
[quote]RunningInCircle wrote:
My favorite is Asics Pirahna SP2. I think it has great feel. I'm hesitant to get the Pirahna SP3 though b/c the bottom looks exactly like Asics Tarther and I have them and it's kinda hard and feels like plastic. I also own Mizuno Wave Universe 3, and it's kind of feels like plastic on the bottom too. I don't know how much you run in flats though as Pirahna's may be too minimal for a marathon for some.
You're right. There is something different between the two models of the Pirahna. I have both and prefer the 2. However, like the Bandito, the 2 is now gone and hopefully the 4 when issued will be more like the 2.
And back to the original question. THese two shoes are only slightly over 4 oz. You won't find any too much lighter.