PERFORMANCE -TRAINING
K-SWISS BLADE LIGHT RUNPrice: $100
Widths: Standard
Weight: 9.8 oz(M) 8.3 oz(W)
Contact: 888-579-7786
WE SAY: A light and fast new shoe with an impressive fit, especially over the arch, the Blade moves extremely well with the foot. Because of its low-to-theground design and underfoot softness, some testers didn't think it provided enough stability for daily training runs; rather they looked at it more as a race-day or tempo-run shoe. Also, some testers experienced some durability issues with the exposed foam on the outsole. Recommended as a speedwork shoe for lightweight or efficient runners.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "It kept my feet cool, but the tread wore down too fast."—Mike Matulis, 35, East Lansing
"The shoe conformed well to my foot and had great cushioning."—Suzanne Cornwell, 25, San Diego
MIZUNO WAVE PRECISION 11
Price: $97
Widths: Standard
Weight: 10.2 oz(M) 8.2 oz(W)
Contact: 800-966-1211
WE SAY: This zippy yet stable trainer is a perennial favorite with our testers. Most called out the lightweight construction as a big plus, while others raved about the breathable upper. The plastic Wave plate extends all the way across the heel, making it stable enough to be used as a daily trainer for runners looking to bring their feet closer to the ground without giving up much support. Recommended for runners with normal arches looking for a great minimal trainer.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "A fast-feeling trainer that was perfect for every run."—Lizzie Peterson, 25, East Lansing
"Lightweight and flexible with a reasonable amount of cushioning."—John Armour, 34, San Diego
ZOOT ULTRA KALANI
Price: $140
Widths: Standard
Weight: 10.3 oz(M) 9 oz(W)
Contact: 800-241-9327
WE SAY: A crossover from the triathlon world, the new Kalani features a great combination of soft cushioning and flexibility. It does this in a lightweight package that puts the foot higher off the ground than other performance trainers do. Holding it all together is an unstructured upper that wraps the foot like a wetsuit. Testers found the fit a bit tricky to get just right, however, and didn't feel the shoe was breathable enough. We recommend it for efficient runners looking to try something new.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "A comfortable shoe that stood in for my distance trainers on my easy workout days."—Teresa M. Howes, 33, San Diego
"The stretchy upper made my foot feel as if it wasn't completely contained."—Ginny Kao, 37, San Diego
ZOOT ULTRA KAPILANI
Price: $125
Widths: Standard
Weight: 10.8 oz(M) 9.8 oz(W)
Contact: 800-241-9327
WE SAY: The sparsely designed Kapilani features a lot of open mesh and an offset lacing pattern to match the natural topline of the foot. The shoe fit testers well, and most liked the fast, low-to-the-ground feel, but the no-tongue construction made it hard for some to easily pull it onto their feet. Our lab tests found the forefoot to be exceedingly flexible but firm. The heel is soft, however. Recommended for efficient runners looking for a stable, lightweight shoe with a snug fit.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "I liked how the shoe conformed to my foot, but it needed more cushioning."—Loida Morrison, 47, San Diego
"Given its weight, the Kapilani was a super-comfortable shoe."—Michelle Klingler, 42, East Lansing