Zoot Ultra Speed (2010)

April 6, 2010

Is this still a shoe? Or is it a running sock with a midsole glued on it? Whatever it is, smart money says it’s fast. And fast it is, but it’s just there for the most efficient lightweight runners.

If you only slightly pronate and/or have a history of pronation-related injuries, stay way from this shoe.

What Zoot offers here is an ultra-lightweight feeling, a fast transition due to the elastic upper and no laces, and a low-profile midsole. Its midsole thickness ranges from 17mm at the heel to 7mm at the forefoot. What this shoe is lacking is support, cushioning and durability. But, then, it’s a racing flat.

My impressions: I find the midsole just a bit too soft. Maybe it’s just me, but, I sense a lack of response when I run in the shoe—that it absorbs energy, but does not return it. As a midfoot striker I also would have made this shoe with even an even lower profile, since this is the target consumer this shoe is made for.

This shoe is close to the famous Nike Sock Racer from the 80s that so many runners fondly remember. The Ultra Speed even comes in the same colorways although the Nikes featured more yellow versus black.

I suggest that if you are a fast and lightweight runner, and you want one of the fastest bike-to-run transition shoes on the market you give this shoe a try. But just up to 10k. Zoot suggests that you can run in these babies up to the half-mary distance, but, for most of us mortals I wouldn’t take the risk unless you know your body can handle the lack of support and cushioning at this distance.

[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.]