Zoot Kalani

Last night.

I went running.

I got myself a pair of Zoot Kalani - the run shoe designed for pure runners and also as a go-to run shoe for triathletes. As a high mileage trainer, the shoe withstands the weight and stress of someone with a bigger frame like myself. What makes this shoe unique is that it lacks a tongue, unlike traditional running shoes, and it also has a composite carbon sole that spans from the mid foot up to the big toe. You'll notice the asymmetrical lacing that provides for easy in and out. As a result, there's never a need to tie and untie the laces, as if you had Yankz.

Like other triathlon specific shoes, you have the option to go sock less, as the material is designed to dissipate odor and provide the comfort you need during your runs.

How does it stack up to other shoes? Pretty well. Weighing at only 10.5 onces, it's light enough to almost put itself out of a typical high mileage trainer. All my runs with it for the past week, if I were to describe it in one word, comfortable. A lot of it is how the shoe hugs my feet, but it's also attributed to the fact that there's no tongue.

I have a bit of a unique perspective as I've been a Newton Shoe mid-foot/forefoot runner for the past year or so. I was certainly skeptical as to how I would make the transition back into a "regular" shoe. One of the immediate things I noticed in comparison to my Sir Issacs was the fact that it had more bounce in the sole, from the heel up to the fore foot area. It also felt a lot more sturdy, and leads me to believe it'll end up being more durable in the long run. Although Newtons are designed to wear down from the outside in, I couldn't help but think I was getting less for what I was paying to see it wear down a few weeks in.

The bottom line is that I like it, and it's my new favorite product.

Who is this shoe for?
Serious runners who are looking for something different in the feel and design of the shoe;
Triathletes who are fans of Zoot, but looking also to supplement their race day shoe.