Zoot ULTRA Race shoe - design meets demand.
Fellow triathlete gear junkies, rejoice!
It’s that time of the year again; when stores that stock triathlon-specific gear are burgeoning from last year’s inventory and are selling off old stock to make room for shiny, new 2009 gear. As the 2009 season begins to gear up and the global economy continues to slow down, now is the perfect time to stock up on last year's great gear at budget savvy prices.
And that is why I am reviewing last year’s (2008) Zoot Sports ULTRA Race shoe.
Let me start by stating the obvious – wow – this is one good looking shoe. Zoot continues to forge ahead with leading design as well as leading triathlon specific technology to help shave precious time off your transition and run. This shoe says, “Look faster,” while actually helping you be faster.
That’s a pretty blockbuster combo in my opinion.
From top to bottom, Zoot kept triathletes in mind during the design process. The ULTRA offers a tongue-less upper, built in elastic laces that are easily adjusted at their lateral ties, and entrance construction that is sensitive to triathletes’ desire to run sockless while still avoiding would-be friction spots.
But that’s not all; the ULTRA race shoe is also the lightest model in Zoot’s 2008 line-up, coming in at a puny 8.4 ounces. That’s a big difference from those anvils you’ve probably been tying to your feet for the last decade!
My first impression of the shoe as I slipped on my brand new pair was that they felt like incredibly comfortable socks. After 100+ miles, I still haven’t been able to get them to chafe my foot in any way.
But there is a catch; these shoes are not for everybody. If you’re a big pronator, need a lot of support/cushioning, or are simply a solid heel-striker, this shoe is not for you.
After all, this is a tiny little racing flat.
The going rate for these beauties is between $80.00 - $135.00 USD amongst online retailers, putting this elite comp-level shoe into a price range that the rest of us mortals can more easily enjoy.
Altogether, if your feet can handle them, the Zoot ULTRA Race shoe is a top-notch racer that caters to the specific needs of triathletes, and consistently earns top ratings from footwear critics across the globe. If you’re ready to take your T2 and beyond to the next level, don’t forget to give these puppies a serious gander.
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