Saucony is a brand I keep coming back to but don't stay with for that long. Occasionally they have a winning shoe like the Mirage 3 and then end up modifying it or discontinuing it or both. Generally they get it just right, but not for consecutive models.
Perambulating mid-packer opining about running products and practices.
Showing posts with label Mirage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mirage. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Saucony Zealot mini review (updated at 300 miles)
I ricochet between shoes and brands more than a superball bouncing down the street. One day, I'm in love, the next, we've broken up or at least I've started cheating on what was previously the best pair of footpods I claimed I ever slipped into.
The Zealots (designed to replace the Cortana in the Saucony lineup) are like a flame that you keep coming back to. Except it's better than real life -- when I rebound, they end up exceeding expectations.
Let's do a simple pro and con first...
Pros:
- crazy light
- "moccasin" or slipper feel
- ample forefoot room
- no midfoot constriction
- ample forefoot room
- no midfoot constriction
- breathable
- drain well
- dry quickly
- durable (160 miles and no sign of wear)
- 4mm low heel to toe drop
- versatile - roads, gravel, dirt trails all good
- ISOFIT upper/sockliner is comfortable and holds foot down nicely - no blistering or black toes
- laces stay tied - good grippy material
- made for sockless wearing
Cons:
- not the most attractive shoes
- laceing is off - not comfy pulling much lace tight, so there's not much lace for tying shoes
- could be a tad softer
- with ISOFIT, I need to wear thin Drymax socks or else its not comfortable
- grip has been a little iffy on slick damp pavement (but good on wet)
Other thoughts:
- a little more structured and wider than the Kinvara
- lighter and less built up than the Triumph ISOFIT
They seem like they fall between those more popular models in terms of acclaim/popularity. But then I always need to stake out a fringe position.
I just put in an order for a 2nd pair as the new color lines will be out at the end of July, according to Running Warehouse's Saucony page. I sure hope they don't mess with these too much in the next version.
Photos at 210+ miles. Look pretty good still, eh?
Edit (7/20/15): They still looked swell at 300 miles, but it seemed the cushioning was pretty shot by then. They probably had another 100+ miles of treadmill walking/elliptical usage in addition to the 300 miles of running, so seems to me I got my money's worth.
Replaced with a new pair that seems a little roomier, with longer laces. I don't know if some of that's because the old ones shrunk down after repeated sun drying after running or because of alterations in the later production runs.
They also seem a little cushier than the first pair was when I first got them. I wouldn't describe them as firm -- more like about a 7 in the softness scale (10 most - think Skechers Gorun Rides, 0 least - think a pair of Five Fingers) whereas the first pair was closer to a 5.5.
Either way, I like the new ones quite a bit.
Edit (7/20/15): They still looked swell at 300 miles, but it seemed the cushioning was pretty shot by then. They probably had another 100+ miles of treadmill walking/elliptical usage in addition to the 300 miles of running, so seems to me I got my money's worth.
Replaced with a new pair that seems a little roomier, with longer laces. I don't know if some of that's because the old ones shrunk down after repeated sun drying after running or because of alterations in the later production runs.
They also seem a little cushier than the first pair was when I first got them. I wouldn't describe them as firm -- more like about a 7 in the softness scale (10 most - think Skechers Gorun Rides, 0 least - think a pair of Five Fingers) whereas the first pair was closer to a 5.5.
Either way, I like the new ones quite a bit.
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