With Nike Alphafly and Vaporfly out of stock, what’s the best alternative for a 5k road racing shoe for a low 14 minute forefoot runner with performance being the highest priority.
With Nike Alphafly and Vaporfly out of stock, what’s the best alternative for a 5k road racing shoe for a low 14 minute forefoot runner with performance being the highest priority.
whatever rhonex ran his 26:24 10k in last fall. adidas something.
Possibly the 5280s. I'll let you know how they run, I just ordered a pair. They're designed with the mile in mind but for a forefoot runner running at least 5:30 pace, they're said to be a 5k option. Brenda Martinez wears hers for 4-5 mile training runs.
That 5280 might be the ticket at your speed.
But if you are looking for a plated shoe, I like the ASICS metaracer for shorter distances. Though everyone has their personal preferences on all the plated shoes.
Takumi Sen. I'd wear that over Vaporflies in a 5k anyway.
Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro would be great as well 3.5 oz
I like the Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pros as the lightest traditional flat with pebax and the Skechers Speed Elite are aslo excellent short distance racers. They are under 6oz, and basically feel like a lighter, faster, but more forgiving Asics Metaracer. They have a carbon plate in the forefoot that turns over and toes off faster than anything else I have tried.
The New Balance RC Elite is a lot like the 4% with a less aggressive drop off up front, but a super nice outsole and less awkward feeling.
Like my FEISU 2's
Maybe Streak LT4, and save your leftover cash? You can use them for track workouts after the race.
zdf wrote:
Maybe Streak LT4, and save your leftover cash? You can use them for track workouts after the race.
Do you actually run in the Streak LT4? Do they break in? They have a hard plastic insert in the midsole that is not going to budge. They appear very durable, but their midsole rubber(?), in combination with their hard synthetic outsole, make them feel very hard to me. I dunno, maybe because they clamp my forefeet so tight exemplifies how hard they feel?
it is, what it is wrote:
zdf wrote:
Maybe Streak LT4, and save your leftover cash? You can use them for track workouts after the race.
Do you actually run in the Streak LT4? Do they break in? They have a hard plastic insert in the midsole that is not going to budge. They appear very durable, but their midsole rubber(?), in combination with their hard synthetic outsole, make them feel very hard to me. I dunno, maybe because they clamp my forefeet so tight exemplifies how hard they feel?
There is something peculiar about the the LT4s... they either work with you or against you. After an initial adjustment period, I find that they are one of the fastest shoes out there for 5k and under, especially for the price. Granted, they work better for runners with relatively good form.
I'm not talking about my good form. Even with my good form, the shoes feel vise-like. Was that same narrow last shape also used on the vaporfly and alphafly?
There are some important points that should be tabled here. The OP is looking for alternatives to the Alphafly and Vaporfly, and in his title he specifically is looking for a "5k Road Racing Flat", and it is hopefully understood, and I'll emphasize for clarity, that neither the Alphafly or the Vaporfly are "flats".
Flats historically have been lightweight, of minimal cushioning, and minimal stack height. Also, flats historically have been "economical" price-wise, in the sense that they never (typically) cost so outrageously (in the stratosphere) relative to other trainer shoes on the market.
So in the spirit of trying to stay in the previous category of "racing flat", here is a table of lightweight shoes that come in at a price point of around $100 (still much more inflated of a price than yesteryear) or less, in order of increasing weight (in men's sizes). I might add some personal subjective commentary to these. (Please chime in with other potential candidates that could be added to this table):
(1) Altra Vanish-R, Size 9............................4.0oz (114g), (with white, flat insole);
(2a) Skechers Horizon Vanish, Size 9.......4.7oz (132g) (without insole);
(2b) Skechers Horizon Vanish, Size 9.......5.2oz (148g) (with standard insole);
(3) Nike Air Zoom Streak LT4, Size 9........5.2oz (146g) (insole is glued-in);
(4) Saucony Fastwitch A9, Size 9.............6.1oz (172g) (with standard insole);
(5) Skechers Razor3, Size 9.......................6.3oz (178g) (with standard insole);
(6) New Balance 1500v6, Size 9-2E.........7.5oz (212g) (with standard insole);
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(7) Saucony Kinvara 11, Size 10-W...........8.5oz (240g) (with standard insole).
it is, what it is wrote:
So in the spirit of trying to stay in the previous category of "racing flat", here is a table of lightweight shoes that come in at a price point of around $100 (still much more inflated of a price than yesteryear) or less, in order of increasing weight (in men's sizes). I might add some personal subjective commentary to these. (Please chime in with other potential candidates that could be added to this table):
(1) Altra Vanish-R, Size 9............................4.0oz (114g), (with white, flat insole);
(2a) Skechers Horizon Vanish, Size 9.......4.7oz (132g) (without insole);
(2b) Skechers Horizon Vanish, Size 9.......5.2oz (148g) (with standard insole);
(3) Nike Air Zoom Streak LT4, Size 9........5.2oz (146g) (insole is glued-in);
(4) Saucony Fastwitch A9, Size 9.............6.1oz (172g) (with standard insole);
(5) Skechers Razor3, Size 9.......................6.3oz (178g) (with standard insole);
(6) New Balance 1500v6, Size 9-2E.........7.5oz (212g) (with standard insole);
*
*
(7) Saucony Kinvara 11, Size 10-W...........8.5oz (240g) (with standard insole).
It would be nice to have the table updated with stack heights and heel drops, yes?
asics metaracer
datrippeleffect wrote:
asics metaracer
Costs how much?? Which is why I did not include it in my table.
BREAKING: I'm just coming across some new and very interesting information apropos to this thread. Atreyu is releasing a carbon plated cushioned shoe...in the first(?) quarter...coming in at 6.2oz (177g) for a men's size 9....at a $100! (under their subscription program).
Info source:
it is, what it is wrote:
zdf wrote:
Maybe Streak LT4, and save your leftover cash? You can use them for track workouts after the race.
Do you actually run in the Streak LT4? Do they break in? They have a hard plastic insert in the midsole that is not going to budge. They appear very durable, but their midsole rubber(?), in combination with their hard synthetic outsole, make them feel very hard to me. I dunno, maybe because they clamp my forefeet so tight exemplifies how hard they feel?
I do. Yes, they are firm with minimal flex, but the upper is plenty comfortable if you do not have wide feet. He asked for a 5k racing flat, not a trainer. I would expect any good racer (super shoes aside) to be pretty firm for good ground feel and return. You only have to wear them for 15 minutes.
And no, the durability is not great, though probably not in the way you think. The sole is fine, but the upper will wear out and tear apart long before the mid or outsole expires. YMMV.
I run in the LT4 as well. Love them - I actually really like how they hug my feet. They’re an odd shoe in that the tighter I lace them, the less confining they feel on my forefoot.
However, if you feel like they are too unforgiving, the regular Streak is also a good alternative. They’ve become my go-to shoe for track work (I’m mostly a marathoner, so no spikes in my arsenal) and road stuff from 10k to half marathon.
If you are really, really sold on pebax/Carbon super shoes, I just raced a marathon in the Saucony Endorphin Pro. Liked them a lot - very cushy/bouncy, and when you get forward on your toes they give you a good push. Cheaper than the VF and they last twice as long; I’m a fan. I don’t know that I’d wear them for a 5K, but again, if you are looking for something close to the VF, they may fit the bill.
I would choose Reebok Run fast Pro if cost is no object. It feels like a traditional flat, but so light + better energy return from the Pebax foam. The Streak LT4 is a great shoe, too, especially for the price.
For shoes with a plate, Skechers GoMeb Speed 6 hyper is also very solid, but feels a bit slower than a real flat to me. Have also heard good things about the Speed Elite.