Avia AVI-Bolt
M: 8-14, W: 6-11
The AVI-Bolt is a minimalist, ultra-light racing flat propped up with energetic medium-density foam in the heel and forefoot. Although it has a minimal midfoot support piece, it’s geared toward short-distance racing and speed workouts and functions best with aggressive, on-the-toes running form. Wear-testers described the toebox as particularly long and “pointy,” a feature some liked because their toes didn’t hit the end of the shoe even during hard toe-offs or downhill racing. One tester complained of tongue bite, while another suggested the concave heel acted as an energy sieve during fast heel-strike running.
Vans Sk8-Hi Zip sneaker
$85
Unisex: 5-14
Like most traditional tech-level stability trainers, the Racer ST 3 has a thick foam midsole, a rearfoot supplemental cushioning pad, a midfoot shank and a supportive medial post. Unlike those stability trainers, the components in the Racer ST 3 are smaller and less Nero — but also considerably lighter. The combination creates a versatile racer effective for everything from mile repeats to marathons. The only sorely missed component is a supplemental forefoot cushioning pad, which has been sacrificed to shave ounces and ensure a fast toe-off.
Puma Slipstream White Black Men Casual Lifestyle Shoe
$90
M: 7-14, W: 5-12
Saucony calls the moderately lightweight Sinister a “speed trainer,” but our wear-testers thought it would be better described as a “protective racer” ideal for races from 10K to the marathon. The protection comes from the thick rearfoot cushioning, a plush interior and an energetic, semi-rigid plastic plate that runs from midfoot through the toe box. The plate provides a small degree of stability in the heel and midfoot and torsional rigidity throughout the shoe. It is intended to increase propulsive efficiency in the forefoot, but a few testers weren’t sure if it added to the speed factor or merely tempered the shoe’s flexibility.
