This started out as a Zoot racing shoe review, but then I remembered that this blog is for the Regular Joe (not 6-pack) or Josie. I was gonna title this "Triathlon Gear," but some of my gear applies to full and half marathons as well. So, with no order or organization whatsoever, here goes:
These are my newest addition to my race gear arsenal. They're the 2009 Zoot Ultra 2.0s. They're interesting because they're light and the inside is largely made of neoprene. This is great because I don't feel any stitching at the top of my foot like I do with my Nike Air Pegasuses...that = less blisters. The Zoot is designed to be used without socks for quicker transitions in triathlons (transition time counts, so the goal is to switch out of cycling shoes and into running shoes as quickly as possible). I have walked in them, run 6 miles in them and raced 8 trail miles in them. Verdict: 8 out of 10.
As a running/racing shoe they're great due to their light weight and low profile heel that encourages a mid-strike (heel-to-toe = no bueno and slower time). As a sockless shoe, I found myself getting slight callouses on the balls of my foot. This may be because I walked in them a lot in a "break-in" period which may not have been necessary. But something about the material and the foot, and the shoe not wicking away ALL of the sweat as advertised may be a problem on longer runs. I'm gonna try them with thin socks, so the verdict is not set in stone. The only other problem is that the right shoe digs into the area above my foot on the right side (see where the red part touches the second "o" in "zoot" above?). I thought it was the laces, but it really is just the shoe. So I spent $145 to have a shoe dig into my anterior ankle area and rub the skin away. Fail. You get an 8, maybe even a 7. So, I'm going to try these out on the track during speed drills. I think they will kick butt! They really are only for racing though so I need to take it easy on usage. Oh, and the holes in the shoe design made the shoe PERFECT for my last triathlon where I had to put them on out of the water (not typical) and then again after the cycle.
As a running/racing shoe they're great due to their light weight and low profile heel that encourages a mid-strike (heel-to-toe = no bueno and slower time). As a sockless shoe, I found myself getting slight callouses on the balls of my foot. This may be because I walked in them a lot in a "break-in" period which may not have been necessary. But something about the material and the foot, and the shoe not wicking away ALL of the sweat as advertised may be a problem on longer runs. I'm gonna try them with thin socks, so the verdict is not set in stone. The only other problem is that the right shoe digs into the area above my foot on the right side (see where the red part touches the second "o" in "zoot" above?). I thought it was the laces, but it really is just the shoe. So I spent $145 to have a shoe dig into my anterior ankle area and rub the skin away. Fail. You get an 8, maybe even a 7. So, I'm going to try these out on the track during speed drills. I think they will kick butt! They really are only for racing though so I need to take it easy on usage. Oh, and the holes in the shoe design made the shoe PERFECT for my last triathlon where I had to put them on out of the water (not typical) and then again after the cycle.
This is my Garmin Edge 305. It is awesome and gets a 9.5 out of 10. Why? Because I saved $75 on E-bay (I spent about $265 with tax) and it came with BOTH the Heart Rate monitor AND the cadence monitor (for some reason they come with one or the other, usually). But that's not all! You can read the specs on Garmin's site here www.garmin.com. It basically provides everything I need for my cycling AND runs...which is nothing short of PURE AWESOMENESS. In addition to the standard speedometer, clock and timer, I can measure my pedaling cadence, monitor my HR zone (which matters), while also seeing the hill grade I'm riding. It measures mileage by using the 12 satellites orbiting the planet (this one) and is much more accurate than my Nike+ which I don't even use at this point.
What's also great about the 305 (I still have to give it a name. Grimey?) is that it snaps onto my handlebars and then I can remove it quickly to take with me on a run. I did that on my race last weekend and loved that I could gauge certain things (my watch band broke on my Timex Ironman watch) and I like carrying it and looking at it to check my mile times knowing the distance (I know they post Mile boards on races, but it's a personal control thing). Why a 9.5 and not a 10? Because I don't give many things a 10, plus the speedometer fit is so tight that I'm waiting for the magnet reader to thrash my spokes on my back wheel. It's just too close! So, 9.5. The only thing it doesn't have is downloadable maps (cost about $250 more), though it maps my course (without streets) and can take me back the way I came. It worked on a hike, so I'm happy.
What's also great about the 305 (I still have to give it a name. Grimey?) is that it snaps onto my handlebars and then I can remove it quickly to take with me on a run. I did that on my race last weekend and loved that I could gauge certain things (my watch band broke on my Timex Ironman watch) and I like carrying it and looking at it to check my mile times knowing the distance (I know they post Mile boards on races, but it's a personal control thing). Why a 9.5 and not a 10? Because I don't give many things a 10, plus the speedometer fit is so tight that I'm waiting for the magnet reader to thrash my spokes on my back wheel. It's just too close! So, 9.5. The only thing it doesn't have is downloadable maps (cost about $250 more), though it maps my course (without streets) and can take me back the way I came. It worked on a hike, so I'm happy.
That's it for gear tonight. It's amazing how much I write for two pieces of gear. Verdicts?
1. The Zoot may or may not be for you, but it's definitely a light shoe that delivers on race day.
2. The Garmin 305 is a must-have. So go get one!Happy Training!
Bill
