Racing flat suggestion, 5k to HM

With your history of calf issues and refusal to run in less than a 6mm drop yet be light enough to be considered a racing flat makes your selection extremely narrow. I get some calf pain in my flats they're a zero drop but my trainers are 4mm drops. Are you training in a 10mm drop and looking to race in 6mm drops?

Yes, I currently train in 10mm, race in 6mm. All 5 of the flats I listed are 6mm to 10mm.

It used to not be an issue and I raced/tempo in 0 drop a lot. But I have let my calf flexibility get pretty bad now that I work at a desk. I am at the point it will take months of consistent work to get it corrected.

I say Adios. You want durability and something that will cover a wide range of distances. They might seem like they'll be too substantial for a 5k but I think you can absolutely run quick enough in them.

If you have a history of calf tightness and don't want to go with a low heel drop, what is your reasoning for needing flats? If it's weight, there are plenty of very lightweight trainers out there that are in the same weight class (or close enough) as many flats.

That Adidas Boston you seem to like are listed at 8.5oz. Many of the flats you mention are an ounce or two lighter at the most.

And if you do go for a flat you mentioned, the Adidas Adios (which you said you liked) is listed at 8oz; almost no difference to what you're wearing now, so when you say "too heavy for 5k" I'm not sure I understand how going to a shoe a half ounce lighter that has issues known to cause you problems is a good plan.

Forcerunner wrote:

I say Adios. You want durability and something that will cover a wide range of distances. They might seem like they'll be too substantial for a 5k but I think you can absolutely run quick enough in them.

This. Adios is all you need.

sorry to take away from OP, but also looking for suggestions. Main criteria is a wider forefoot, with more wiggle room in the toe box (not a snug fit), and enough shoe to get through a marathon. Like the adios but feel like it's just a bit too narrow through the forefoot.

adios amigos wrote:

Forcerunner wrote:

I say Adios. You want durability and something that will cover a wide range of distances. They might seem like they'll be too substantial for a 5k but I think you can absolutely run quick enough in them.

This. Adios is all you need.

Do they really feel that much different than the Boston? Boston is my favorite trainer. I do mileage and tempos in them. But at speeds under 5:20 or so they start to feel kind of clunky. Adios is only 0.5-1oz lighter, depending on what site you look at.

I race in the Adios from the 5k to the marathon. They fit like a glove on my foot and have never felt clunky even at 5k race pace (which is at time just under 5:00 pace for my geriatric self). I recently picked up some Bostons and have trouble distinguishing between the two, although I do think the toe box in the Boston is slightly wider; which I think might be a great answer for the subsequent poster who was asking about what he might consider.

Have you looked at the Brooks Hyperion at all? Its drop is 10mm and for me it's been light enough for 5k but plenty substantial for HM distances, and I plan to use it for a fall marathon (but I'm a very lightweight runner, so for many, a marathon would be stretching it for the Hyperion).

Get some prolotherapy on your calves, then look at racing flats.

I have the winner... mizuno wave hitogami .. 8-9mm drop firm fast w a wave plate. And the hitogami 2 is dirt cheap on Amazon. Buy 3-4 pair

Can also be used as a trainer