Last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be one of those invited to test the new Nike Lunar Trainer at Bonifacio High Street. It was a reunion of sorts as friends from the running world (I won’t name names since I’m bound to forget someone!) showed up eager as I was to try out Nike’s newest shoe. Of course, the celebrities were there too, such as triathletes Drew Arellano and Paolo Cabrera and Tessa Prieto who I’ve read is currently training for NY Marathon.
After our costume change (Runaholic singlets, dri-fit socks, and the Nike Lunar Trainers were distributed like candies on Halloween), the test run’s organizer, Coach Rio, beckoned for us to run loops around BHS together. At an easy pace, we ran chatting, laughing, and exchanging stories that only runaholics like us could truly appreciate. After a couple of loops, there was a brief presentation about the features of Nike Lunar Trainers, which got its name from the lunar system encased inside the shoe (lunar foam with piston waffles).
– Norman, My hubby, Annie, Ben, Coach Jo-Ar, Doc Oknoy and Patrick C. –
– Hanging out after the run: Annie, Ben, Patrick C., Mon, Doc Oknoy, and Norman –
Since Saturday, I’ve used the shoe twice which is enough for me to give an honest evaluation of this shoe:
PROS
- Ultra light: This was the lightest shoe I have ever worn. After running in them, you might look at your feet once in a while to wonder if you actually forgot to wear the shoes; it feels as if you’re just wearing socks.
- Super fast: Oh, I felt invincible when I wore them last night. My regular pace for short runs is 6:00 to 6:15 min/km. Last night, I was surprised to find myself running at 5:30 without extra effort.
- Very stable: It’s wide so I felt like it protected me from my usual overpronation problem.
- Great fit: This shoe is all about comfort. It was soft and snug; I cannot imagine anyone getting blisters from this one.
CONS
- Lunar look: I’m all for new and unique designs, but the bright green color and the wide outer sole of this shoe just made me wish I could run with my eyes closed.
- Too soft: I could feel the cushioning underneath; one can almost feel a spring-like action once your feet hit the ground. But, after 2km, my left foot (my left is the forever injured, annoying leg) was feeling the brunt of the way too soft sole.
- Not for my shins: The marketing guy in Nike mentioned that the shoe could be used by flat-footed runners and I felt as if he was talking directly to me at that time. I should’ve raised my hand to ask if it was fine for flat-footed, overpronating runners with shin splints because, after using the shoe twice, I felt slight pain on my shins both times. Fortunately, the minor pain immediately subsided the day after.
As mentioned in Runner’s World Sept 2008 issue, it is “recommended for the few biomechanically efficient runners who can train in such a minimal, lightweight shoe.” Biomechanically efficient? That, my dear friends, much to my dismay and misfortune, I am definitely not.
