Best Marathon Racing Flats

Weight doesn't matter. The most important thing to look at is cushioning. You'll be running for miles and that pounds is rough on the feet, ankles, knees on up. If a shoe is light with good cushioning you can use it. Also a person weigh and gate should be taken into account.

I just bought the new Asics Gel Magic racer. It's not recommended for that long of a distance but I think it's cushioned enough for it.

In my experience, Asics make the best racing flats.

If I were you I would err on the side of heavy than light.

I wore Nike Air Streaks (about 7.9 ounces) in my last marathon (Boston 2002). Good cushioning but I took bit of a pounding in the last few miles. I decided I wanted something a little bit more substantial for my next one. I'll try Nike Air Triax TC(+) (about 9.2 oz) for the Cape Cod marathon Oct 27. To me they seem like a good compromise between a racing flat and a lightweight trainer. Good cushioning in both the forefoot and heel.

If it hadn't been for the Triax TCs, I'd probably have gone even heavier - like Mizuno Precision 3s.

I think Boston is a difficult measuring stick for marathon flats in general. My impresion after running Boston for the first time this year was my flats (Mizuno, but I forget the model)were too light. They have worked fine for two other marathon courses (Honolulu, Cal. International), but the downhills early in Boston created two things:

a) they beat the crap out of my legs. Running up-hill from 16 to 21 was easy (relatively), it was the run down past BC to Cleveland Circle and to the finish which hurt like never before.

b) it's so easy to be out fast at Boston that a slightly heavier shoe won't detract from anything.

My conclusion is that if I ever journey to Boston again, I'll wear light trainers.

Would you tend to wear racing flats for only one marathon? Do they tend to hold up for more?

I wear the NB 300 for marathons, road races, long tempo runs, etc. They weigh 9.5 ounces.For something more conservative try the NB 830. They are something like 10 to 10.5 ounces. They are lightweight trainers and have plenty of cushioning.Neither one of these has ever given me problems.

NPS wrote:

Any suggestions? How light is too light?

Depends if you do work-outs in them and/or shorter races in them. I do both, so after one marathon season, they are shot. I know guys who work out in different shoes and have a designated pair of racing shoes. I suppose these could last for several marathons.

"NPS," a lot depends on your stride length, weight, footstrike, etc etc. Make sure it's VERY comfortable at a marathon-pace stride, those road-5k favorites may not work as well at a slower pace.

It's far better to be conservative than daring unless you have experimented thoroughly and successfully -- for instance I usually try a long race (longer than halfmarathon, and up to 30k) -- to make sure a pair of flats you are considering work well enough. FWIW your feet and legs will probably hurt at the end of a marathon anyway even if you wear flubber-soled shoes.

All esle equal, a heavier-than--optimal racing flat probably won't cost you much in terms of time added due to "extra weight." A lighter-than-optimal flat quite probably will -- and if it's well off, could be disastrous.

Just my opinion (note that free advice is worth every penny, and not a penny more).

Mizuno Wave Phantoms are a good marathon flat; plenty of cushioning and not too heavy...8.0-8.5 0zs I'd guess.

While I was hands down beaten by Richter at Boston, I'd have to say that my decision to go with the more cushioned trainer (Mizuno Wave Rider) over a racing flat was the right decision. Boston, however, is a very unique beast when it comes to marathons and was actually the only race of that distance in which I've worn anything but a racing flat. Even despite some moderately hilly courses (e.g. San Diego Marathon), I've put down some of my best times using the Asics DS Racer (the Magic is way, way too little of a shoe for anything over a 10k, especially on the road). Of course, your own decision should take into account your stride, weight, and your previous exposure to racing flats. I, myself, being a lighter (<130) runner with a very short stride have gotten away with wearing flats (DS Racers and Mizuno Phantom) without any significant consequences (knock on wood).

if you want mizuno trainers, try the mavericks. they are lighter than the riders and offer more support as well. they are great as trainers, or light weight trainers.

Nike Air Ekiden's, the type that Nderba uses. I bought 3 pairs of them in my size in Japan last year. I should have bought about 15 pairs since now they are out of production apparently.

I have pretty much demolished 2 pairs, and now I am saving the last pair for races ONLY.

Any body know where I can get more of these? They weigh about 6.0 oz each shoe.

jason

Oh Jason (and others)

What size do you wear in the Ekidens? (the kind with the blue stripes I presume...these are basically the EXACT duplicate of the original Air Streak Vengeance that Tegla and John Kagwe ran in for many years. Same midsole and very similar upper)

But let me know. I have two pairs size 11.5 BRAND NEW!

First off, best marathon shoe I ever had - Saucony Team Taya. If you go to

www.saucony.co.uk

you can see them there. The UK, Canada, and a few Saucony outlet stores in the US are the only place you can find these. Less than 10oz, well cushioned with a little stability mixed in.

Hey Jason, I recently got an email from some guy starting a new website. It may be crap, it may be good. I've pasted the text of the message below:

COMING SOON RareRunningShoes.com

Is your favorite running shoe no longer manufactured, and want to find the last few pairs out there?

Are you having trouble finding a store that carries your favorite shoe?

Looking for a master directory of running specialty stores across the country?

Would you like to post a "WANTED" sign for your favorite shoe where over 400 specialty running stores can see?

Looking for a good deal on a great pair of running shoes?

OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN MID-SEPTEMBER

JasonDoesAsia wrote:

Nike Air Ekiden's, the type that Nderba uses. Any body know where I can get more of these? They weigh about 6.0 oz each shoe.

Jason, I think Eastbay still has some in most sizes. They've got just about every variety of Ekidens under the sun, it seems. If not, you might try calling one of the Nike Outlet stores in the US. I managed to score a whole bunch of pairs of Air Triax TCs (also discontinued) at a great price from one of the Outlet stores.

(sorry - this post is just to delete that CoolRunning link that keeps getting automatically filled in at the bottom of my posts. I keep forgetting to delete the damn thing)

Listen to McV he knows his stuff. Never seen him give bad advice since I have been on the board and he is one helluva marathoner. Adidas makes a very good marathon flat (forgot the name) people I run with call it the Geb (because he wears them)

The Adidas flat that works the best is the Taper RC. It's got a little support and a good cushioning. Also I wore the Fila Racer Plus at Chicago a couple years ago and I really liked it. Size down.

I'm looking for Nike Ghost racers; the stores in our area are out, and tell me Nike is done making them. Can anyone point me to someone that might still have these?