At Foot Tools, we sell many sorts of shoes to people with different abilities in many different sports. Naturally, we have shoes that are top sellers. Here’s a breakdown of what we vote the Top Five for Lightweight Trainers and Racing Flats. Stay tuned for our Top Five in Running Shoes as well as Spikes!
Top Five Light Weight Trainers
1) Mizuno Wave Elixir/Mizuno Wave Precision
The Mizuno Elixir is a great light weight trainer that provides unrivaled responsiveness for the moderate over pronator. For those who prefer a neutral shoe, the Mizuno Precision is an excellent alternative.
2) Saucony Mirage/Saucony Kinvara
The Saucony Mirage is an excellent choice for the mild pronator. With its midfoot support bridge providing motion control, this shoe is the perfect match for anyone wanting to give a lighter weight shoe a try for their training. Similarly, the Saucony Kinvara is a nice light cushioned neutral, perfect for use for training and moderate distances.
3) Asics DS Trainer/Asics Speed Star
Asics’ DS Trainer is a popular lightweight trainer that has long been the perfect product solution for those who want a go-fast ride with a bit of added stability. Asics’ Speed Star has a similar feel to the DS Trainer, but a few ounces lighter and a bit more responsive.
4) Adidas adizero Tempo/Adidas adizero Boston
A firm heel and a soft, super-flexible forefoot gives the Adidas Tempo a natural, zippy feel for moderate pronator. The Adidas Boston is a neutral running shoe for serious training, built for smoother landings and a more responsive take-off.
5) K-Swiss New Blade Technology
The ultra light and super cushioned K-Swiss Blade Light Race running shoe features the innovative, cutting edge Blade-Light technology. It is built to shave off minutes from your time while training or racing. It’s ultra flexible feel brings to mind bare foot running, while the cushioned sole provides comfort and support for those moderate distances.
Top Five Racing Flats
1) Mizuno Wave Ronin
Mizuno hit a home run with this shoe! The Ronin is an excellent neutral racing flat, with an ultra-light contruction providing a smooth ride. Runners will notice the responsive feeling from midfoot to toe-off. As per usual, Mizuno’s wave technology provides minimal weight while providing cushioning for race day.
2) Adidas adizero Adios
This ultra-light, cushioned and responsive shoe is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a shoe for the track or those shorter training runs. Quickstrike in the forefoot provides a resilient, flexible feel through out your whole run, guaranteed to make you smile.
3) Nike Streak
Perfect for your next triathlon! A versatile shoe designed to get you through any distance, regardless if it is a 5km or a marathon. With ample support and cushion, the mesh upper reduces weight and allows for water drainage.
4) Saucony Type A4
This lightweight, neutral racing flat feels more like a cushioned sock then a shoe. It provides a smooth transition as well as great traction. The flexible upper makes the shoe more responsive and is a great choice for someone looking to shave seconds off their time.
5) Mizuno Wave Universe/Asics Piranha
There are so many great racing flats out there, it was tough to settle on just 5. Tied for 5th place are Mizuno’s Universe and Asics’ Piranha. Similar in design, both shoes have little competition in the weight category. The Universe (size 9) weighs just 3.6 ounces and has a breath of wave technology, enabling the heel to absorb impact. The shoe’s mesh upper provides breathability to keep the foot cool. Asics’ Piranha is slightly heavier, coming in at 4.8 ounces. Similarly designed with a flexible mesh upper, the Piranha’s ‘Magic sole’ minimizes weight and maximizes breathability.
May 4, 2012 at 12:27 PM
The Wave Universe is Mizuno’s main contribution to the minimalist movement. The words “minimalist movement” refer to those shoes developed in response to the rising awareness of the benefits of running barefoot. Those benefits include ground feel (the body’s awareness of its position relative its surroundings due to the sense of feel.), light weight and a low heel (encouraging a forefoot landing.)
Mizuno Wave Musha – I’ve tried several of Mizuno’s shoes. The Wave Musha is lightweight, 7.8 oz, has a decidedly minimal heel to toe drop, and slight support against over pronation. I had bought them years ago, before I became aware of the adverse affects of heel strike running. When I started using a forefoot landing, I found that they worked quite well. Although it is not promoted as a minimalist shoe, it is more minimalistic than many shoes manufactured by other companies that are.
Mizuno Wave Ronin – Next I tried Mizuno’s Wave Ronin. Weighing in at 7 oz., the Wave Ronin is remarkably similar to the Wave Musha but without the anti-pronation control. The anti pronation control in the Musha is not pronounced so, I could hardly feel the difference between the two shoes.
Both of these shoes are extremely well made. When the soles in them finally wore out, the uppers still looked brand new. Since I like these shoes so well, when I decided to try minimalist running shoes, I thought I’d give Mizuno’s Wave Universe a try.
Mizuno Wave Universe – If the Wave Musha and the Wave Ronin are minimalistic, then the Wave Universe is another category altogether. They weigh only 3.8 oz. and their soles are thin and extremely flexible. Running in these shoes is like running in your bedroom slippers. They offer you the protection against from the terrain that you want while wearing minimalist running shoes and remarkably little else.
The soles of these shoes are thin, so you still have some ground feel. Unlike the Wave Musha and the Wave Ronin, the Wave Universe has no heel. The outsole simply extends over the heel, so it has no heel to toe drop. The newest version comes in any color you want, as long as the color you want is red.
If you want a truly minimalist alternative to running barefoot, I don’t think you will go wrong with Mizuno Wave Universe. I believe that running in these shoes are about as close to running barefoot as you can get while still wearing shoes.