Staying light on your feet
Planning on doing the Brentwood 10K race or the Suzuki Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego next month? One proven way to lessen fatigue on race day is to run in lighter-weight shoes. You’ll lift several ounces less with every stride than with your regular footwear, adding up to hundreds of pounds less during the course of a race. Lightweight shoes aren’t designed for heavier runners or those with serious biomechanical issues. The four products shown here include two ultralight shoes, for racing only, and two slightly heavier models for both training and racing.
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The next best thing to weightless
Adidas AdiStar Competition M: Ultralight racing shoe designed for the expected heat of the Athens Olympic Marathon.
Likes: Superb ventilation from all-mesh upper, which feels as thin and comfortable as a sock. (You can literally see through it.) The bottoms of your feet are cooled by a huge open vent on sole. Even the laces are light. The lightweight champion at 8.2 ounces.
Dislikes: Dull design for a cutting-edge shoe. Too light for frequent training.
Price: $100. www.adidas.com.
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Keep it simple, speedy
Pearl Izumi Push Plus: Lightweight training/racing shoe with a simple, clean design.
Likes: Luxurious feel. Integrated tongue and lack of stitched-on support structures limit pressure points and opportunities for chafing. Ideal for triathletes and others who like to run without socks. Shock absorbers under the rear foot and forefoot provide good cushioning for daily training and long miles. At 11.5 ounces, the heaviest of those listed here, but still light for a training shoe and fine for racing.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $80. (800) 328-8488; www.pearlizumi.com
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Cushioned comfort
Nike Air Zoom Swift Vapor: Training/racing shoe with the most cushioning per ounce.
Likes: Very comfortable. Spongy shock absorption from air cushions under heel and forefoot. All parts of the exterior -- upper, heel and tongue -- are soft, cushioned and well ventilated. Design, including shiny silver strips and a thermoplastic skeleton, is flashy but not gaudy. Weight: 10.8 ounces.
Dislikes: Narrow forefoot may cramp wide feet (but not enough to ruin its spongy comfort).
Price: $100. www.nike.com.
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Try to land on your heels
Reebok Premier Competitor: Ultralight racing shoe.
Likes: Good heel cushioning. Mesh upper allows airflow and keeps foot cool. Weight: 9 ounces.
Dislikes: Tight in length and width; shoes seem to run a full size too small. No detectable cushion in forefoot; you slap the ground as if you’re wearing flip-flops. Not suitable for daily training.
Price: $84.99. www.reebok.com.
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-- Roy M. Wallack
