I want to run, jog, or at least brisk walk
until old age. I've always been keen about keeping injuries at bay. Experience taught me the importance of wearing a pair of shoes that is
most suited for my feet. My happy feet are classified as neutral with a mild tendency to overpronate.
I was skeptical about minimalist racing shoes since I started running. I thought of it as that type which could injure my feet, and that it was designed for elite athletes only. I'm referring to those (mostly) bright-colored, thin-soled shoes donned by elite runners in last year's London Olympics. Impression.
Oh, but I drooled over those shoes....they are so cool! I couldn't help but think about buying a pair every time I pass by any specialty shops. Tempting. I wonder what 'magic' they bring. Until the thought became frequent...I finally gave in and bought my first pair. It was love at first sight.
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| Amazing beauty! Performance doesn't mean boring. =) |
I got tired of reading so many shoe articles - theory overdose, but no action. Armed with basic knowledge of minimalist shoes, I let my senses guide me in the selection process. After two trips to the shoes section, my feet found its solemate - Saucony Type A5. It's super light weight, thin-soled. Surprisingly, it provides the right amount of cushioning to protect my feet from harsh elements. After 40KM of running in A5, I can now share without apprehension, that I finally found the perfect pair of racing flats to go with my restless but happy feet. =)
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| Saucony's FlexiFilm overlays, which effectively reduced weight in the upper portion (based on manufacturer's specifications). |
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| The soles allow my feet to breathe. The design is also suited for running in the rain; it offers good traction for wet roads - whether cement or asphalt. The soles act as drainage, my feet don't get soaked. I can run...rain or shine! =) |
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| Shoe width is neither wide nor narrow. I don't have to worry about discomfort attributed to a wide or narrow toe box. (I go for width 'B' - American shoe size chart). |
Manufacturer's Specifications
Weight: 5.2oz / 148grams; Color: White / Purple / Black / Blue
Description: Saucony's lightest racing flats; designed for running and triathlon. FlexiFilm overlays help reduce weight in the upper portion.
Other color options for women:
How would I rate this pair of shoes?
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5
Performance: 5.0 - I've been trying to re-introduce speed to my maintenance runs. A5 seems to help in a way that my feet don't need to deal with excess weight (other than my body weight, of course). A5 doesn't hurt my feet. It acts like a guide for my feet to achieve (almost, almost!) consistent landing - mid foot strike.
Style: 4.5 - It's the coolest pair in my shoe cabinet.
Durability: 4.0 - Right now, it's a 4.0 - still has some things to prove in terms of durability. The pair has to measure up with those shoes that I used in my first three full marathons.
Why I run
Running is an effective stress-buster. It's fun, healthy, and it feels even better when I'm able to stretch the time to cover a longer distance. I have a colorful history of competing in badminton, but not in running where I only have one competitor - myself. =)
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