Written at the beginning
Running for two and a half years, full marathon in 3:36, less than a year into trail running, two 100-kilometer trail races, a casual runner.
Many thanks to Codoon for the opportunity to review the Zhuangzhu shoes.
Product Information
Salomon is renowned worldwide for its ski series products. Founded in the heart of the French Alps, it is a top global outdoor sports brand, designing and manufacturing various professional top-tier clothing, footwear, backpacks, and ski equipment. They have extensive experience in manufacturing outdoor trail and mountaineering shoes. The S_Lab Sense Ultra long-distance trail shoes, co-designed and tested by Zhuangzhu and the first generation, are thus called Zhuangzhu Shoes 2. The official positioning is long-distance comfortable cushioning competition trail shoes.Heel height is 8mm, weight is approximately 300g per shoe.
First Impressions
The color transitions from bright red to deep purple, simple yet elegant without being monotonous.
Received a women's size 39 product, actual weight is 531g, making it an ultra-lightweight racing trail shoe.
The Sensifit design of the upper comfortably wraps the foot, effectively reducing movement resistance. The extensive rubber material coverage improves the support of the upper, but breathability might be slightly compromised.
The Side Wing design provides precise protection and stability (but the small wings easily trap dust and leaves). The internal one-piece shoe lining fits the tongue, offering seamless comfort and overall wrapping comfort.
Quick lace design for easy on and off, equipped with lace storage to effectively secure the laces and prevent accidents while running.
The midsole made of Energy Cell and Energysave materials, with an 8mm drop, provides better cushioning for long distances.The Contipagr wet traction outsole is soft yet resilient, with strong grip. The optimized heel lugs offer better control on uphill and downhill terrains.
Trial Run Experience
Rushed to the mountains with companions during the Qingming holiday for a real test.
Second ascent of Pengcheng's highest peak.
Distance: 22K
Elevation gain: 2158M
Ascended via Taishan Stream, descended via Luolong Boundary, ascended via the ancient path, and descended via the mountain road.
The route included steps, dirt roads, firebreaks, cement roads, rocky roads, and paved roads.
The weather was clear, the road was dry, and there was heavy fog at the top, but no slipperiness.
First impression: light, comfortable, a long-distance trail shoe for heavier runners.
The new high-tech material in the forefoot midsole and the 8mm drop between the forefoot and heel provide excellent cushioning.
Descending Luolong Boundary, with an expert leading the way, I sped downhill. The shoes provided great cushioning, with no discomfort underfoot, and no significant impact even with large strides.
Descending the mountain road, the expert increased the pace to around 4 minutes per kilometer, and I could keep up. Despite the different surfaces of the two descents, the shoes felt exceptionally stable. The toe and upper protection, midsole cushioning, and overall downhill performance were excellent, adapting flexibly to changes in the terrain. The wrapping was good, the grip was excellent, and there was no feeling of toes sliding forward on steep descents. The outsole lugs provided strong grip and stability, making foot placement more controlled.
Surprisingly, the Zhuangzhu shoes matched so well with Mobike!
Besides Mobike, a non-fancy girl can also wear a Beijing Marathon finisher T-shirt, black pants, and Zhuangzhu shoes to attract attention.
Spent the whole day running, walking, and cycling (over 50,000 steps recorded on WeChat that day). Tested on various surfaces except water. Noticed some scuffing on the heel, which was slightly distressing, but the rest of the shoe was fine. Durability will need further testing.
Taking the Zhuangzhu shoes to the Jiangnan 100, hoping for good luck.
Written at the end
Absolutely high in appearance, the more you look at them, the more you like them. Strong wrapping, slightly stiff at first compared to other trail shoes, but the longer you wear them, the more they show their suitability for long-distance racing, becoming more comfortable over time.
Unfortunately, I didn't break them in before this mid-distance test, resulting in a big blister on the side of my big toe (new shoes always give me blisters, no matter the type).
To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools. Comfortable gear is crucial for trail running, not just for show but for self-responsibility, ensuring no injuries due to unsuitable equipment. Everyone has their own preferences for running shoes, and the experience varies. Only you and your feet know if the shoes are good. Priced at over 1800 yuan, they are quite expensive for most runners. Trail running wears out shoes quickly; two 100-kilometer races can almost destroy a pair (I don't change shoes mid-race). The best choice is a perfect balance of performance and price. Trail running is not just about running; it's about enjoying the scenery and challenging oneself.
With a restless heart, let's go wild and have fun!