5K Track Time Trial: Choose a Shoe

hr measurement wrote:

AhWhatTheCheese wrote:

The Metracer has a decent amount of cushion for longer races, but just doesn't really feel that good when not forefoot striking at high speeds. It probably works best as a 5k shoe because of this. It could go longer but I don't think the ride would feel that dynamic as soon as your form breaks down. I would still compare it to the Skechers Speed Elite, but it is an ounce heavier and the transition isn't as decisive. The Skechers seems to roll forward better if your form does stray from forefoot striking and feels just as great forefoot striking at high speeds (if maybe a little less soft/bouncy up front but lightning quick turning over).

Regarding forefoot bounce, did you see a comment in another thread that Skechers is putting a plate in a Razor 3 upgrade, coming out maybe in October?

Yep, as AWTC said, I have the Skechers Razor Elite (or Razor: Elite... not sure). Unfortunately, Skechers doesn't want us to give anything more than specs at this point, but I've been testing them to the extent I'm able, and we should have our written review up in mid-October.

Appreciate this thread as I’m also preparing to run a 5k track time trial in a couple weeks. I own the 5280s, Vaporfly Next%, and Streak LT 4 (just purchased for workouts; haven’t run in them yet). I also have New Balance LD5k spikes, v6 I think. I’ve been doing my 5k-pace workouts mostly in lightweight trainers (NB FuelCell Rebel), except for the most recent 5 x 1k which I did in VFs.

Does anyone have opinion on the slowest 5k pace for which something like the 5280 would be a good choice for this TT? I’m a female and looking to run somewhere in the 18:30 range. I’m very much a forefoot runner in my natural stride.

slower 5k time trialer wrote:

Appreciate this thread as I’m also preparing to run a 5k track time trial in a couple weeks. I own the 5280s, Vaporfly Next%, and Streak LT 4 (just purchased for workouts; haven’t run in them yet). I also have New Balance LD5k spikes, v6 I think. I’ve been doing my 5k-pace workouts mostly in lightweight trainers (NB FuelCell Rebel), except for the most recent 5 x 1k which I did in VFs.

Does anyone have opinion on the slowest 5k pace for which something like the 5280 would be a good choice for this TT? I’m a female and looking to run somewhere in the 18:30 range. I’m very much a forefoot runner in my natural stride.

I think the New Balance people tended to say 5:30, but it depends on your form I think. If you are a forefoot runner, you will be okay at that pace.

It is basically an aggressive track spike for the road. I think the "minimum pace" thing comes into play more on the road. If your form starts to break down in them on the track, it won't be as punishing as on the road. I think they will be fine on the track if you would be okay with spikes on the track.

Thanks! That makes sense. I would probably go with spikes over the other two options if I don’t wear the 5280s. So far I’ve only gotten to wear them for one road mile, and who knows when I’ll get to do that again. They felt good at 5:15 pace; I guess I’ll try them out this week and see how 5k pace seems.

AWTC and Michael, sorry, don't mean to turn this into the "what should I wear thread" but you and Michael have great insights on these shoes! What might you guys suggest for an aging (masters) runner who will also be doing a track 5000 soon? I should be around 16:30 and I'm no bounding forefoot runner, more of a shuffling (low knees and heel kick), high-cadence mid-foot striker who probably gets slightly farther back on the foot strike as a tire though never a heavy heel striker by any means, very mid-foot-y overall. Not sure which part of that (foot strike or shuffling cadence) is most important in choosing a shoe and not expecting you guys to know, but would be curious if you have any thoughts. I've wondered whether a shoe could subtly help with stride length because I'm getting towards that old-man shuffle phase in which cadence is already around 200 steps per minute at 5k race pace and I feel like there's not much room to increase my speed that way!

I already have the Next%, Endorphin Pro and the Run Fast Pro, and lately have been tending towards using the Next% for pretty much everything. I'm happy to buy something new unless Next% sounds to you like the best choice of everything out there. (If that's the case, I'm also curious of the "track legal" shoes what you would think is best because at some point I'll be doing official events and will need to wear legal shoes). Thanks!

Hey, I should be around somewhat similar fitness to you and have tried most of the new racers.

Personally, the next% is still my favorite of the plated higher cushioned shoes, so I don't think there is any issue with using it at all on the road.

As for shoes that are race legal for the track, the 5280, RF Pro, and Speed Elite would be my picks if you don't want to wear spikes and don't have the Dragonflys. I haven't tried those yet. I also haven't tried the Adios Pro, Atreyu, or any of the plated Hokas, but have tried like everything else. Anyways, I digress.

If you don't want to wear spikes, but want a similar experience, the 5280 is great. You would probably be okay in them with that high cadence and the might be a bit more forgiving when your form breaks down a bit.

I think the RF Pro or Speed Elite would probably be the best options though. The RF Pro will be more forgiving when not completely on the forefoot and is obviously so light. It should definitely be track legal too.

The Speed Elite might be a good proposition though too. It just transitions so quickly and will pair really will with that high cadence. It has a bit more there for midfoot landings and rolls forward from there really well. I'm not 100% sure on the legality on the track, but it should be okay I think. I remember seeing that the Metarcaer was legal and that comes in with the insole at 21mm/30mm (according to RW). The Speed Elite comes in at 24mm/28mm with the insole, so it should be under 25mm without if the Metaracer is. I'm assuming that is how they measure based on the Metaracer being okay but higher than 25mm with the insole...

Anyways, I would say the RF Pro would be great, but maybe try the Speed Elite if you want something with a bit more of a decisive roll and stiff forefoot.

slower 5k time trialer wrote:

Thanks! That makes sense. I would probably go with spikes over the other two options if I don’t wear the 5280s. So far I’ve only gotten to wear them for one road mile, and who knows when I’ll get to do that again. They felt good at 5:15 pace; I guess I’ll try them out this week and see how 5k pace seems.

Good luck! You're hitting some really good paces!

Anything with a spring-plate is questionable on track. If you don't want to use spikes then gets a pair of Takumi Sen (still cheaper even if you have to get them oversea).

Seriously.... GET A GRIP

I’m similar to you. I personally like the Meta racer for that 5k ish distance.

But I’d say pick your favorite shoe regardless of distance.

KAV wrote:

Anything with a spring-plate is questionable on track. If you don't want to use spikes then gets a pair of Takumi Sen (still cheaper even if you have to get them oversea).

Seriously.... GET A GRIP

You... mean... like... a... spike plate???

Lmao for real though, the plate is just for stability, direction, and rigidity. It isn't a spring. The research suggests as much. Thus, it totally depends on the instability of the stack of foam in the shoe. Something like the 5280 is basically a spike and the Metaracer or Speed Elite are not at all unstable on the track.

Yawn.... What can i say... have fun with the bends. and the guy better pray it is dry.... Yawn

KAV wrote:

Anything with a spring-plate is questionable on track. If you don't want to use spikes then gets a pair of Takumi Sen (still cheaper even if you have to get them oversea).

Seriously.... GET A GRIP

What is with you guys and the Takumi Sen? It's not particularly light (twice as heavy as the RF Pro), and not even available in the US as far as I can see.

Ho Hum wrote:

KAV wrote:

Anything with a spring-plate is questionable on track. If you don't want to use spikes then gets a pair of Takumi Sen (still cheaper even if you have to get them oversea).

Seriously.... GET A GRIP

What is with you guys and the Takumi Sen? It's not particularly light (twice as heavy as the RF Pro), and not even available in the US as far as I can see.

Honestly. The RF Pro is way lighter, has rubber nubs as the outsole all over the shoe, and the midsole is all pebax instead of just boost in the forefoot...

Thanks, really appreciate your taking the time. Sounds like the VF Next% still makes sense then. I ran a mile TT in them in the low 4:50s which I was pretty happy with, so I'm definitely comfortable in them at "higher" speeds. But like every runner I would love to see if something else would help me get a few more seconds, especially since I'm old school at heart (well, literally since I'm in my 50s) and still like the idea of something lighter and more aggressive. That's relative, of course, since I could spike it up or wear the Run Fast Pro, but I've had recurring foot issues and it just seems like playing with fire. My feet definitely appreciate some cushion! I'm a Skechers fan and have considered the Speed Elite. I guess I should wait a few weeks on the Razor Elite to see how they compare, unless anyone has an idea. I know Michael has them but is sworn to secrecy. :-) Metaracer sounds promising too but seems like most people think the Speed Elite has the edge over it. Thanks again!

Albertos Dog wrote:

hr measurement wrote:

Regarding forefoot bounce, did you see a comment in another thread that Skechers is putting a plate in a Razor 3 upgrade, coming out maybe in October?

Yep, as AWTC said, I have the Skechers Razor Elite (or Razor: Elite... not sure). Unfortunately, Skechers doesn't want us to give anything more than specs at this point, but I've been testing them to the extent I'm able, and we should have our written review up in mid-October.

So somehow you 'rated' to get a Skechers' new-release early? Do you have a blog on shoe reviews, or other? If so , can you provide a link?

I don't think it's any secret that "Albertos Dog" is one of the reviewers for roadtrailrun.com. They do a really nice job with detailed shoe reviews and I like that they typically have a number of different reviewers weigh in on the same shoe so that you get different perspectives.

Thanks; will check it out.

I haven’t tried any of those but I’d go with the 5280 just cause it looks so badass

hr measurement wrote:

Albertos Dog wrote:

Yep, as AWTC said, I have the Skechers Razor Elite (or Razor: Elite... not sure). Unfortunately, Skechers doesn't want us to give anything more than specs at this point, but I've been testing them to the extent I'm able, and we should have our written review up in mid-October.

So somehow you 'rated' to get a Skechers' new-release early? Do you have a blog on shoe reviews, or other? If so , can you provide a link?

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