Author: jaehooncheon

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Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit Performance Review

It was an ordinary day but it was destined to be a marvellous day. On that day, I just got up and went to work as usual, and it was not until the afternoon when I received the Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit, which has not been launched at that time, that the day became extraordinary.

As a matter of fact, running shoes are to runners what guitars are to some musicians who are always expecting to create beautiful melodies. From my perspective, new equipment is the incentive for me to stick by running. However, it also occurs at times that a pair of new running shoes rubs my feet severely that it might slow my pace of running. Therefore, it is of great importance to get the hang of the shoes first before running with the shoes. But still, I am looking forward to wearing new shoes and this Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit is the one that I want to try recently.

In terms of the shoebox, it is the most ordinary one of Nike. It seems that Nike is hoping to leave more surprises for people as soon as they open the boxes so that Nike adopts the orange shoebox in almost all of its running shoes.

Just like the charming smell of cheese when opening a pizza box, the smell of rubber is the most charming when I opened the shoebox. For the shoes’ appearance, the combination of blue, purple, white and black is very nice and eye-catching and make up a pair of visually perfect running shoes.

When it comes to the vamp, it is the flyknit tech that I take a liking to and I have to say that the Flyknit is the best vamp tech among all the vamp technologies. The main feature of this  technology is the double-sided textile structure, which is excellent in wrapping and protection. And the welt is designed like that of a sock, which is also a brilliance of the shoes. But what is even better of the design is that it can create a unique protection performance according to the different characteristics of each person’s ankles.

As we all know, many running shoes will advertise greatly of their outsoles and midsoles which are said to offer the optimal comfort and cushioning. And Nike is outstanding in this respect. Both the external and built-in air cushions and the soft materials are to increase cushioning performance of the shoes. Besides, the shoes are said to have adopted a brand-new tech without using any glue. With this tech, the soles are not only appealing in its appearance, but also in its softness.

To tell the truth, when I saw the descriptions of the outsole online, the first thing that came to my mind was the Puma Mobium. The design of the outsole can offer us the immediate feedback and flexibility. In other words, each time you land,  the outsole will respond to you, which is the most surprising thing about the new Free.

Looking at the picture above, you might be as shocked as I did. The softness of the sole is really amazing that it can be bent to such an extent. And thanks to the softness, it can be used to protect runners and to keep their way of running whether they are used to landing first on the front foot or the heel.

With respect to the insole, it is still the material widely used by Nike whose softness and comfort can be said to be on top of the field.

After getting the shoes, the first thing I wanted to do was to wear the shoes out and to run to my heart’s content. But unluckily, it had been raining the whole day so that I had to test the shoes indoors for the first time.

At first, during the process of running, it turned out that I felt like I was running barefoot and there was not in the least any discomfort. And when I had run 5 kilometers, the shoes were just still quite friendly to me.

However, I have to mention that although the shoes feel like a pair of socks, you’d better wear socks or you’ll feel very uncomfortable.

Overall:

The Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit is overall satisfying for me after some indoor and outdoor tests. In the actual tests, I could feel the brand-new techs and the protection performance, which is mostly criticized, has also been improved. But not to put too fine a point on it, there is still great room for improving its protection performance. But notwithstanding that, this Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit is the best running shoe I’ve bought in recent years.

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Salomon S-lab Wings Performance Review

I’ve been into running for nearly 8 years during which I participated in many matches and have also run for thousands of kilometers. Thanks to my perseverance, I can gain some experience in the process and also some knowledge about running shoes since I’ve done lots of researches. And unconsciously I’ve stocked a variety of off-road shoes in my home. Therefore, I think I have a say in this respect.

Some of the shoes I worn frequently in the races before are the Salomon S-lab Sense 3 Ultra, the North Face Ultra Trail I/II and the Altra Paradigm. In fact, the Salomon S-lab Sense 3 Ultra is my first pair of off-road shoes which accompanied me for years. And it is not until recently that I decided to buy a pair of news shoes. So here is the review of this Salomon S-lab Wings.

The Salomon Wings is famous for its appearance that is quite bright and is also known as “red shoes”. With its outstanding feature, it is therefore widely noticed by  running lovers. But different from the S-Lab Sense series with white colorway, this red colorway with the black and white streamline is eye-catching and  looks quite dynamic.

Compared with S-Lab Sense, what impresses me the most is that the heel thickness of the Salomon S-lab Wings is 28mm while that of the S-Lab Sense is 19mm. Although the heel has been added with cushion, the shoe’s weight does not increase too much. In addition, the height of the forefoot is 19mm, forming a height difference of 9mm, which makes me assured to be engrossed in my exercises.

Another setup that differs from the S-lab Sense series is the outsole. The outsole of this Salomon S-lab Wings adopts a kind of more wearable rubber and its pattern is designed more reliable and practical. Actually, there are a number of tech used in the outsole: the ContaGrip, which is both durable and strengthens the grip performance and dynamic cushion technology of the shoes, is one of the important technologies of Salomon and also the core technology of this Salomon S-lab Wings; the Pro-feel Film is a very thin film coating, which protects our feet from excessive pressure on the sharp hard roads.

In terms of the vamp, it maintains the usual thin and light design of the Salomon, offering a nice air ventilation. The tongue of the shoe is also relatively thin, which also improves the breathability performance. And as always, the Quicklace system is light and strong, avoiding the inefficiency and inconvenience of changing shoes and lacing during races. To tell the truth, I didn’t see this feature as important before, especially for races under 100 km, but when it is time to change my shoes or to clean them, I realized just how handy this technology could be.

 

The black rubber toe of the shoe not only increases the protection of our toes, but also increases its wear-resistant performance.

Then when I was out exercising with my friends one day, one of them asked me to test whether the shoes are waterproof or not. And since I was also curious about this, I just went into the brook. It turned out that it was waterproof in the vamp, and even though it was soaked, it was also drained in a short time and before long it was all dry. So I think this is because of the excellent air permeability and comfortable wrapping.

What surprised me most is that the shoes does live up to my expectation on such rugged roads. Albeit that the roads were all wet, the shoes did not fail me During the whole process, there was not in the least any sign of slipping, which, I think, should be credited to the sawtooth design of the sole.

 

 

Overall:

The shoes are overall very nice. It is not only light, but also durable and practical. And its outsole is just outstanding that it can even compete with the Vibram’s outsole. Besides, it has also a very comfortable vamp that is skin-friendly at the mean time. But the only fly in the ointment is its insole that is very thin and can not hug the shoes that tight.

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361° Spire Performance Review

I’ve received this pair of 361° Spire for nearly 2 months and after a large amount of tests, the review is finally here. The 361° Spire is overall very satisfying for me so that I feel I am more into running in the shoes. As an amateur runner, like many of you, I don’t run much at night. However, after I got the shoes, I found that I went out to exercise more and more. It seems like there is something magic in the shoes.

Besides the shoes’ appearance, it impressed me most by its wrapping performance which was really excellent. As soon as I put the shoe on, it wrapped my feet tightly, but there was still extra room in the front foot, thus offering my toes to stretch out freely. However, in terms of the size, the fact is that the actually size is a bit smaller than that indicated in the shoes. Therefore, if you are a wide-footer, I suggest you pick a larger size in case there would be any discomfort.

With respect to the shoes’ cushioning, it is not bad as well. As a matter of fact, after several tests, it turned out that the cushion was quite elastic and appropriate instead of being too soft. On top of that, despite the nice cushioning, the shoe still offers an outstanding stability. Therefore, when asked to evaluate the cushion and stability, I should say that both of them can be said to be on top of the field.

Since I am used to running at night and I exercise relatively more in summer days, I have a high requirement for breathability of my running shoes. Therefore, every time I am making purchases, the shoes’ breathability is the first element of my choice. And when it comes to this pair of 361° Spire, its breathability is, objectively speaking, above average. Even after a long distance running, the inside of the shoes still kept very dry even though my feet were very hot. This should be credited to the superior materials of the vamp, and thanks to that, I can have an enjoyable experience.

The reflective designs are now widely seen in almost every running shoes. As is shown in the picture, there are reflective marks in the front, the rear and even the side of the shoes which are essential elements of running shoes. With those designs, runners can be absorbed in their exercise without worrying about their safety. However, the reflective materials are a bit small. From my perspective, it would be much better were the design made larger.

For this pair of shoes whose size is 42.5, a single one  weighs a little more than 300 grams. Although it is not the kind of super lightweight shoes, such weight definitely does not cause any burden to runners. And even if most lightweight running shoes on the market currently weigh less than 200 grams, this one is only 100 grams more.

Overall:

Generally speaking, this pair of shoes is a perfect fit for daily training and matches. And in terms of this one, I think it  has done very well and there is a great possibility of launching new shoes in the future. With constant improvement and research and development, we are sure to come across a nicer model in the recent future.

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New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2 Performance Review

Several years ago, New Balance has specifically designed a brand new running shoe series for urban runners which is the Fresh Foam Zante. Initially, the Fresh Foam Zante V1 is more suitable for runners who have a preference for improving speed and need some more protection. But based on the  Zante V1, New Balance again released its Fresh Foam Zante V2.

Zante, which means the Greek island of Zakynthos named after an Arcadia leader, is wooded and beautiful. And just like the beautiful and heroic island, the Zante V2 comes in a variety of colorways with a summer vibe. Its different colorways are shown as below.

After a morning’s work, the shoes, as soon as I opened the shoebox, did make me refreshed. The combination of white, green and black, in my view, is quite cool and novel, which seems to offer me endless energy during the process of running.

The colorway of this pair of shoes goes very well with the green grass. And unlike spring which is a colorful season, summer entails such refreshing color as the shoes.

In terms of the shoes’ vamp, it is made of breathable mesh, and compared with the Fresh Foam 980 that also adopts the Fresh Foam tech, this Fresh Foam Zante V2  is much lighter. And I think this Fresh Foam Zante V2 distinguishes itself by its lightness: its midsole is not so thick as that of Fresh Foam 980; its outsole is also made to be lighter. So with the treatment, a single shoe whose size is US 8.0 weighs 451g, which can be said to be a nice design though it is not superior.

But as you can see in the picture, the air holes in the vamp are a bit large, I’d therefore suggest that you’d better avoid running on the sand and stone road so as to prevent those particles from entering the shoes and grinding your feet.

The high upturned toe here appears quite personalized and the Zante V2 at the heel is also prominent.

In the outsole, there is a large Blown Rubber that is rather wear-resistant. And made in hexagons, the Blown Rubber looks harmonious with the honeycomb pattern in the rear; they just bring out the best in each other. But they do more than just that. The staggered hexagons can also provide grip in all directions, which is enough to deal with the plastic asphalt roads and relatively flat masonry grounds.

By extracting data from runners of different running postures, paces, weights and so on, and then building a powerful ergonomic database, New Balance also designs the honeycomb midsole, which was then tested with massive amounts of computer data to achieve optimal cushioning and supporting. Actually, the hexagonal shape of the midsole is similar to that of a honeycomb and they are scientifically distributed.

If you look at the shoes carefully, you’ll find that the concave and convex honeycombs are arranged in an orderly way. The concave ones are responsible for absorbing the impact of shock while the convex ones play a significant role in offering support and stability.

With respect to the thickness of the midsole, it is also very meaningful. Although the overall midsole looks flat and slender, the thickness of the midsole of the front foot cushioning part is 20mm while the midsole of the rear part is 26mm. With the height difference of 6mm, runners can form proper running postures.

On top of that, the sawtooth on the outside of the insole provides greater bite force between the insole and the upper, thus preventing the insole from slipping during matches.

Since the reflective designs are necessary and widely seen in many running shoes, they won’t be absent in this New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2.  At the two sides of the toe and the heel, the logos are made of reflective materials so as to ensure safety in night running.

Since the shoes are all here, I made a brief comparison between the three. The Zante V2 is roughly the same weight as the Nike Free5.0, but both are slightly heavier than the  Li Ning Ultra-Light 13.

Overall:

Having talked so much about the shoes’ performances, I know you might have had a general idea about the shoes. In short, as a pair of lightweight shoes, the Zante V2 is not ideal for heavy runners, but it is ideal for long-distance running in the cities, making it a great choice for summer night runs.

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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33 Performance Review

Every time I saw the word “Nike” or the Nike logo, I always have lots of things to talk about. In fact, I’ve got along with Nike for years during which there have been unforgettable moments of joy and sadness. When I was still in college, I’d decided that Nike would be my faithful companion. And now, many years later, I still stand by that decision. Recently, I got to know a pair of Nike shoes and I am quite into it which has also accompanied me through my glorious moments. That is the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33.

After more than 30 years of development and continuous technological innovation, various technologies of P33 have been almost perfect, which can be seen from the fact that there is not much difference between P33 and P32.

Since I’m a bit heavier, I can feel the cushion instantly with every step I take. Unlike Lunar, the P33’s cushioning is not so fast and soft, but rather slow  and long-lasting. The heel Zoom continues the P32 technology that  meets most joggers’ needs who are used to landing on their heel first. However, now that more and more people have learned to run scientifically and gradually they are used to landing on their front feet in the running process, the front foot Zoom added in P33 provides us with a brand new experience. From my perspective, when  I am absorbed in exercising, the comfortable cushioning makes me feel like the calories inside my body are “evaporating” with the air.

However, when I was running with the shoes the first time,  I found that along with the increase of distance, my dependence on the cushioning performance has  turned to the supporting. The soft Cushlon midsole with the Zoom in both the front and the rear did bring me comfort, but the supporting performance still has some deficiency. The support of P33 is still not enough to reach the level of Structure, but for the average runners, the support is still sufficient and powerful. In addition, compared to the lateral texture of the P32’s midsole, the P33’s longitudinal texture also provides structural support that is less likely to disappear during long runs.

The new and deeper groove design of the P33 sole makes the startup more easier and with the nice grip offered by the outsole, we can have a very nice experience with the shoes.

I once wore the shoes to exercise on rugged roads and during that period I also found that the vamp support of P33 is still of some help. On the basis of the original vamp Flywire, a layer of Flywire breathable engineering mesh is added, which not only makes the vamp support better but also improves the durability of the shoes.

What was even nicer was that my feet remained dry after that exercise, which should be credited to the breathable vamp. But to tell the truth, there is no much difference between the P33 and the previous version. 

Overall:

In fact, I have a deep emotional attachment to Nike. As a loyal and senior fan of Nike, I’ve bought more than 10 pairs of Nike shoes. So when I got this pair of Air Zoom Pegasus 33, I knew that it would be my reliable comrade. To sum up, the shoes are excellent and with its superior performances, the shoes deserve your trying.

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Altra Paradigm 1.5 Performance Review

Altra may be an unfamiliar brand to many runners, but it should be familiar to experienced runners and shoppers who like overseas online shopping. After all, Altra is one of the world’s top 10 running shoe brands. It was founded by  Golden Harper in 2009, and thanks to the expertise and research and development of its founder, Altra has gained a strong market share and reputation in just a few years, quickly becoming one of the top 10 running shoe brands in the world. And I think it is lucky for me that I got the Altra Paradigm 1.5 and could be here to share its information with you.

With respect to the shoebox, there is nothing special in it. Regularly, there is the logo in the front and at the side of the box is some basic information about the shoes.

But different from many other brands, inside the shoebox is also printed with the brand’s technologies that are adopted in the shoes, presumably in order to make consumers well understand its product design concept.

In terms of the shoes, the first glance of the shoes has impressed me that the shoes were very mature and steady. As the saying goes that “Never judge a book by its cover.” Although it is big, it is not heavy as many people may be deceived by its appearance; and ugly as it looks, it is actually very comfortable.

I’ve seen a lot of comments and feedback from the shoes’ buyers and most of them observed that the shoes’ soles were very thick and they were also curious about the technology adopted here. So here is the answer. The technology, as indicated in the soles, is the Zero Drop that is Altra’s exclusive tech and applied to all Altra shoes. The Zero Drop refers to the fact that the front and rear soles of running shoes remain the same height from the ground whereas most traditional running shoes are designed with the heel of the sole higher than the front foot. This tech can reduce the impact of shock on our feet and help develop proper running posture and also reduce the risk of injury.

Apart from the sole, another feature of the shoes is the wide front foot. To tell the truth, the only word surging in my mind when I saw the front foot was “ugly”. However, notwithstanding that, the front foot isn’t of average design. Actually, it adopts the FootShape tech which is also developed by Altra besides the Zero Drop. With the technology, the front part becomes  much more friendly to our feet and we no longer have to bear the burden and squeeze brought to our toes by traditional running shoes. On top of that, our toes have more room to stretch out inside the shoes.

(The FootShape marking in the toe part)

Then it is about the outsole. And after seeing the outsole, what’s your impression of it? Personally, I found that the outermost layer of wear-resistant material was mainly distributed on the inside of the front foot and the heel of the shoe. Theoretically, this has something to do with the energy we produce when we are running and such a design guarantees the lightness and durability of the shoes.

Then take a look at the groove design of the sole which adopts the FootPod technology. Using this tech, the shoes offer us more flexibility and ensures that the shoes can hug our feet better.

Looking at the shoes from the perspective below, I also found that the shoe has also a nice air ventilation. With the thin vamp and the many air holes in the vamp, we can enjoy the shoes’ nice breathability especially in summer days. On top of that, the tongue and the shoelaces are also very thin.

As for the size, the actual sizes of the shoes are a bit smaller than that indicated in the shoes which may be due to the wide toe. Therefore,  I suggest you pick a smaller size if you are considering purchasing the shoes.

The insoles are also designed with multiple air holes in the areas where sweating is most likely to occur to keep the feet dry.

As can be seen in the picture, there is a circle of black foam to reinforce the shoes and provide support during the workout.

A single shoe weighs 310g, which is not so outstanding but can be said excellent as well.

Overall:

This is actually a pair of shoes that is very practical. But because of the technologies used in the shoes, it can only be made into such a style. But as is said before, “Never judge a book by its cover.” So it would be a pity of you miss this comfortable running shoe because of its appearance.

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Skechers Go meb Speed 3 Performance Review

As a healthy lifestyle, outdoor sports are now favored by many people. And as a kind of sport that requires relatively less equipment, running has also been one of the favorites for many sports enthusiasts. Therefore, to enjoy the fun of running, a pair of good running shoes is a must-have. So here I’ve got the Skechers Go meb Speed 3 and I am going share its information with you.

When I received the package, I could tell from the shoebox that the Skechers Go meb Speed 3 would be as eye-catching as the box. In terms of the shoebox, it is bright though, it is also a bit soft, resulting in the shoebox’s deformation. Maybe it is because the manufacturers consider the shoes to be high-quality, they don’t  invest too much in this aspect. However, compared to the product packaging, we consumers are more concerned about the quality of the product itself.

The vamp of the Skechers Go meb Speed 3 I got here is mainly charcoal gray and blue. And with the purplish red shoelaces, the shoes look all the more eye-pleasing. Besides, the vamp is made of mesh woven fabric and adopts the Gowknit seamless weaving technology, which makes the shoes hug our feet nicely and friendly to our feet as well.

Looking at the shoe from the perspective below, you’ll find that it is relatively wide in the front foot, the broad space inside which is conducive to air ventilation and dissipating heat. The shoe type is wide at the front and narrow at the back, which is designed to cater for the physiological characteristics of the human foot and helps to make the vamp fit our feet more closely. On top of that, the outsole in the front is upturned to the vamp, which can protect the wearer’s toes.

And looking at the shoe from the side, it is the streamlined shoe type, giving people an impulse to exercise. The letter “S” indicates the shoe’s identity while the three upside-down “√”s show us its nature. 

 From the picture below, we can tell that the Skechers Go Meb Speed 3’s outsole is designed to be low in the middle and high at the two ends. According to the official data, the height difference between the front and the middle is only 4mm, which has something to with the M-STRIKE tech of the shoes. 

There are entirely 7 sets of shoelace buckles that are reinforced by some kind of glue. And the shoelace buckle on the top is designed for us to get a different extent of wrapping and flexibility. What’s even better is that the buckles are combined with TPUs to provide better protection and support. 

The inside of the heel adopts the Agion lining which is mould-proof and antiseptic and can at the same time reduce odors after exercising.

The sole of the shoe is the Resalyte cushion sole which is developed with great care by Skechers and has the property of providing flexibility when we are walking or exercising. What’s more, it also features GO kinetic energy sensors that offers better feedback as well as providing greater support and stability. And made of EVA+ rubber, the sole is more durable than the ordinary ones.

However, notwithstanding all the above advantages, the shoe impresses me most by its lightness: the weight of a single shoe is only 200g. Although it is not the lightest in the various running shoes , it is actually the lightest one I have ever worn. And every time I wear the shoes, I always feel an urge to run.

Overall：

After several weeks’ tests, I found that I got along with the shoes very well and the experience was enjoyable. Its characteristics have left me a deep impression and its advantages can be summed up in the following words: lightweight, comfortable and skidproof. But one deficiency of the shoes is that the support is insufficient which is due to the soft vamp. Anyway, its merits have made it suitable for a wide range of people, from professional runners to beginners.

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New Balance Vazee 2090 Performance Review

For running lovers, those new running shoes are like childhood candies in the stores and they are eager to have a taste of them. Those “candies” are just so compelling and are constantly attracting every “child” who walks past them, and I am also one of them. So when I received the new New Balance Vazee 2090, I was just as excited as the little kid more than 20 years ago who got the candies in the showcases.

Honestly, as soon as I opened the shoebox I was attracted by its colorway which was the bright fluorescent powder mixed with gradient black. From my perspective, it is lovely as well as elegant. In terms of the colorways of running shoes, I like bright ones which seem to offer me endless energy for running is the  kind of sport that requires quite a lot of enthusiasm to keep on year by year regardless of the seasons.

It’s been a relatively long time since I received the New Balance Vazee 2090, and I’ve been running in it for the last two months. As a rule, we need some more time to adjust to a pair of new shoes, but when it comes to this one, I thought it felt like one of my old friends at the first meeting and before long I could get the hang of it.

And the size I chose here was half a size larger than my usual one and it just fits me snugly. Simply put, there is no extra room in the front part but the vamp just hugs my feet friendly. So I feel quite relaxed when I am running.

The middle and rear parts of the shoes are supported by the Dynamic vamp which is a leather-like material and can offer protection for our feet. However, maybe it is because of the vamp material, I also feel my instep a bit tight and I’d therefore recommend those with high insteps to buy a larger size.

The shoes’ midsole support, on the personal level, is perfect since I am used to landing on my heel first. But with years’ of running experience, I think the standard of measuring a pair of shoes is whether it fits me or not. If you don’t feel the existence of shoes in the process of running, but they are actually there to help you, then it can be said to be a pair of excellent shoes. However, if the case is to the contrast, it is likely that the shoes are not for you.

I love the fact that the New Balance Vazee2090’s cushioning performance is further improved  by adding a nitrogen buffer material to the midsole. Although this design seems a bit negligible, it does make a great difference. I’ve also got another pair of New Balance Vazee shoes, but without the nitrogen buffer material, the shoes are a bit overshadowed by New Balance Vazee2090.

The shoes’ anti-slipping performance is enough for use in our daily exercises. And the outsole offers such a nice grip that it can easily deal with many kinds of roads. However, on the strength of my bitter experience, I want to remind you that you’d better not choose to run on the wet roads with moss because you’ll otherwise get the same kind of miserable experience as I did.

Overall:

I usually wear the shoes for running on asphalt roads where I can get the hang of the shoes. With the shoes’ overall nice performances and such a reasonable price, I think it is hard for running lovers to resist it.

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Salomon SPEEDCROSS 3 Performance Review

When I was still in college, I had been a fan of the Salomon, a first-rate  French outdoor sports brand which was born in 1947 in the heart of the French Alps. The brand specializes in the design and manufacture of top-of-the-line footwear, apparel, backpacks and ski equipment. And its designs are full of innovation and it is aiming at exploring the greatest potential of its products. Since 2005, Salomon has been part of Amer Sports, one of the world’s leading SPORTS equipment brand management groups and is now sold in more than 160 countries and regions around the world. So here I am going to share with you one of the brand’s product, the Salomon SPEEDCROSS 3, which is also one of my favorite. 

The shoebox is printed with the image of the Alps which makes the box more elegant. And on the side of the box is the basic information of the shoes. But here I’d like to remind you that you’d better pick a bigger size if you are considering buying this Salomon SPEEDCROSS 3 for Salomon’s shoes are generally a little bit smaller than the sizes on the label. 

Upon opening the box, I felt my eyes wide open for the colorway of the shoes are quite cool and breathtaking which makes me feel like bathing in the cold water in hot summer days. And the details designed of the shoes are also delicate and intriguing.

Talking about the vamp, I want to say that I am into this design which is waterproof and can therefore keep the inside of the shoes dry on rainy days. The vamp is mostly made of PU and imitation leather materials and only a little part of the vamp is made of mesh cloth.

Then as can be seen in the picture, the side vamp is also made of imitation leather, which not only serves as a decoration but also offers sufficient support.

For the shoelace system, it is the standard quicklace  setup of Salomon which is rather convenient for tightening laces and won’t loosen easily in the process of running.

For a pair of off-road shoes to stand out, one of the basic conditions is to offer sufficient protection performance to its wearer for the grounds outdoors are generally complex. So when it comes to this Salomon SPEEDCROSS 3, I want to say that it belongs to the better-than-average group. 

Firstly, it is beyond question that a shoe’s anti-slipping performance matters greatly. The Salomon SPEEDCROSS 3’s outsole is distinguishing: it is evenly distributed with a number of V-shaped bulges which on the one hand increases friction, and on the other hand offers a certain extent of cushioning. Therefore, the shoes can be reliable in this respect. 

Then in the toe part, besides the bulges, there is also a relatively large area of outsole extension, the purpose of which is to prevent sharp objects from puncturing the toe and protect the wearer’s feet. 

The nearly 5cm EVA  at the heel of the shoe is to ensure the cushioning performance while the outsole that extends upward is to avoid puncturing and degumming.

There is also a small piece of reflective material which plays the role of protecting the wearer at night. But as it is so small a piece, I still have doubts about its function.

For the insole which is designed in a typical way, there are  two layers with the upper one avoiding slipping and the lower one offering cushioning.

Overall:

After some tests, I’ve had a general idea about the shoes and I am into it as well. After all, it not only distinguishes itself by its appearance, but its excellency is also compelling for me. For such an excellent pair of shoes, I think it would be hard to say no to it.

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A Close Look at Air Jordan 11 Adapt

The Air Jordan 11 is always being looked forward to at the end of each year, which seems to be becoming a common phenomenon. And at the end of 2020, as a loyal fan of the series, I was also waiting for its release. And it did live up to the expectations of its fans. On December 12th, the Air Jordan 11 Jubilee has come at the appointed time. Then on December 30th, the Air Jordan 11 Adapt, a modern sneaker that combines the past with the future, was also released. Since I’ve copped one pair of Air Jordan 11 Adapt, I’d like to share some of its information with you.

But different from the previous retro versions, the Air Jordan of 2020 is to bring us brand-new colorways rather than paying tribute to the classic. And looking from the outside of the Air Jordan 11 Adapt, I think it entails more meaning. Some buyers asked that if the Air Jordan 11 Jubilee represents the past, does the Air Jordan 11 Adapt represent the future? From my perspective, I’d say “No! The Air Jordan 11 Adapt just represents the current moment.”

I am sure most of you are familiar with Adapt which was adopted in many excellent Nike shoes in recent years. And it is also widely favored by many sports enthusiasts for it is furnished with an adjustable system that makes the shoes fit almost every wearer. But the fact is the Adapt series did get a lot of attention in its initial sales phase, but was quickly forgotten due to its high price and poor usability, and received little feedback.

The legendary sneaker designer Tinker came up with the idea of a laceless sneaker 26 years ago when the AJ11 was first designed, but the bold idea was scrapped because there was no better technology or material available to replace it.

But more than two decades later, with the Nike Adapt technology growing in maturity, Jordan has turned that idea into a reality, combining a classic look with futuristic technology.

As a matter of fact, I’m looking forward to such a pair of shoes with both nice appearance and outstanding technology, but at the same timeI have some doubts about the positioning and setups of the shoes.

The AJ11 has always impressed me as a retro basketball shoe that can be used for both combats and daily wearing. But with the new technology, the price of the shoes will not be inexpensive. And the upgraded AJ11 Adapt will definitely have some changes in its performances, which remain some more testing however.

Next is about the shoes’ setups. It is known that the Air Jordan 11 adopts the full-foot Air Sole  cushion and a large carbon plate in the arch. But according to the official news, the large carbon plate in the arch has been replaced by TPU that is of similar shape and size.

Although the iconic carbon plate in the midsole was gone,  Nike was smart enough to put carbon fiber in the insoles.

Overall:

In short, both the Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee” and the Air Jordan 11 Adapt are excellent models of Nike. With their superior appearances and remarkable meanings endowed, they are set to be compelling for lots of fans.