Yes, you read the title correctly, this is the world’s lightest racing flat at a mere 3.6-3.8 ounces depending on who weighs it. You have to believe this next statement when I say that when you remove the pair of shoes from the shoe box, and hold the shoes in one hand and the box in the other, it is difficult to tell which weighs more the shoes or the box. I’m not kidding; come to the Ajax location at 24 Church street south (at Kingston Rd) to see for yourself. We are the only RF location to carry these bad boys (or girls, if you please).
Most of you are looking at these and saying, “3.8 ounces? Are you kidding? Who could run in these?” Well, let me tell you that you would be surprised. If you’re like me and use racing flats for half and full marathons (at 7-8 ounces a pair), then how difficult is it to fathom wearing this shoe for a 5k or 10k or maybe even 15k race. Think about it but more importantly search the internet for reviews on this particular flat. You will be surprised by how many runners have really taken to this shoe.
It was originally made for the Japan market only, and brought to the US as a novelty. A sort of ‘look at how light we can make a flat’, but when the racers got their hands on them they were amazed, as was I, at how nice they actually were for the shorter distance races.
Now, I don’t recommend doing speedwork training in these as the heel is quite low. But then I don’t wear any of my flats for training runs. Take a moment and think about it; why would you want to do all of your gruelling prepwork wearing a light shoe instead of doing it with a regular trainer. Then on race day you shed anywhere from 4-7 ounces per foot. If you don’t think that gives you a great race day advantage then I guess my PB streak must just be dumb luck. Remember that a full marathon is approximately 50,000 steps which translates to a great deal of weight savings and reduced leg fatigue.
So come on in to the Ajax location (I’m always there on Saturday) and give these a try. You will be amazed as was I. Print off my coupon or write down my coupon number to save $5 off any purchase of $50 or more. Click here.
Cheers and happy racing.
Mike Bosch, Team RF
Mike, I am digesting the logic of your PB streak, and now I have it. If you race in a flat you will be faster by the margin it gives you, for that race. Certainly the Universe 3 would give you the best possible of margins.
But, since you have always raced in a flat, your PB streak is not connected. From the second race onward you ran in a flat, the time improvement was attributed to a well disciplined training programme and ever better racing tactics. Take that as a compliment!
All said and done, the mental advantage of KNOWING you are in the fastest equipment possible makes you faster anyway. The ski race industry is built on this premise, and so it seams the business of running.
And I do agree there is no point training in a flat, the advantage is forever lost. In the early 1900’s the great Alfie Shrubb put lead weights in his training shoes for same effect, long before the technology to produce 3 oz shoes existed.