Zoot Kalani 2.0 (2012)

May 16, 2012

Zoot is a pioneer soft goods enterprise that leveraged the enthusiasm for the sport during its first run-up in the 1980s. Not many companies like that survived. Zoot did—or, at least, the Zoot name did. A lot of others, like Hawi, Scott Tinley Performance Wear, InSport, Edgewear, TriFit, didn’t, or migrated out of triathlon.

Zoot expanded on its apparel collection, introducing wetsuits, run & bike apparel and, more recently, running shoes.

The Kalani 2.0 is built with a heel-to-toe gradient of 25mm to 13mm. This 12mm ramp means Zoot does not—at least with this shoe—intend to compete in the popular Natural Running category. This shoe is more Asics-like in its contour, and is therefore more suitable for a heel striker.

The sock-like upper reminds me a lot of the Nike Huarache, and Nike Sock Trainer and Racer, of the late 80s and early 90s. But the Kalani 2.0 slips even on easier yet. There are almost no seems at all in this upper which is perfect for running sockless.

Some sockless runners find that their big toenail abrades the soft fabric of the upper in a shoe made like this. Just a little piece of fabric can eliminate this problem, still, we don't see enough models with this minor but helpful feature. There shoe has it.

The fit of the shoe is right in the middle—not wide, not narrow. It's comfy, and because of the elasticity of the soft and flexible upper it will appeal to a wide range of foot types. It’s not a shoe with elastic laces, and has a typical lacing system, except, this system uses only three loops—fewer than normal.

When you see a heel loop, and a tongue loop, for fast and easy entering, the shoe was designed with triathletes in mind. Because there are only three lace loops, the laces can be tightened in one pull. Put on a lace lock and you're good to go.

The midsole is very well made with a firmness that’s also midrange. It’s cushioned, but not too soft to race in. It’s stable without feeling heavy or bulky on your feet. This stability comes from a carbon fiber plate in the midsole that adds stiffness in the torsional direction but the forefoot maintains flexibility. Zoot calls this CarbonSpan+. To make it stable in the forefoot the midsole is built with a trapezium on the medial side, so when the race is taking its toll and your running form becomes less efficient, this design helps to support the forefoot against overpronation.

They are not extremely light at 10.7 oz. in a men’s size 9, but I see this more as a trainer than a racer unless you want a racer with more than adequate cushioning and stability for the long distances.

I have one complaint. Maybe it's just me. No matter how tight I lace them up, they slip in the heel. And not just a little. I tried them barefoot, I tried them with socks. Make sure you don’t have this problem, before you actually run in the outside.

Still, they felt good when I ran in them, and if you don’t experience any heel slippage problem you'll have a great trainer/racer with cushioning, stability, and that allows for a fast transition.

[Editor’s note: Our capable editor-at-large for footwear Jeroen van Geelen owns Total Running, one of the more important running and triathlon retail establishments in The Netherlands.]