Smart Running Revolution: Personalized Plans for Everyone [b80b]

Marathon events are being held all over the country with great enthusiasm. The recently concluded 2020 Xiamen Marathon saw a record number of participants. As essential gear for sports enthusiasts, runners are increasingly paying attention to the choice of running shoes.

In recent years, minimalism has become popular in the running community. Runners are starting to seek high-quality lightweight running shoes. A qualified lightweight running shoe should not only be light but also have enough cushioning to disperse impact. Many brands have managed to cleverly combine these seemingly irreconcilable features through relentless research and design, standing out in their respective running shoe lineups.

R2 REALRUN, as an emerging domestic running shoe brand, has developed several classic running shoes in just a few years by collaborating with excellent partners and repeatedly tackling material and process challenges. Next, we introduce a new 2020 model, the R2 REALRUN Infinity running shoe, which boasts extreme lightweight cushioning performance.

Unboxing

The packaging is different from conventional shoe boxes, using a drawer-style box without excessive fancy design. The silver R2 brand logo is hot-stamped, and the basic information of the running shoes is on the side.

In terms of appearance, only the reflective logo on the side and heel of the shoe is visible. The R2 REALRUN Infinity is entirely in a subdued night black color, following a stable and understated route. The ultra-thin one-piece knit upper and sock-like heel design contrast with the thick midsole, which might give a clumsy impression.

The FITSHAPE foot shape restoration technology of the R2 REALRUN Infinity uses a wide last design, suitable for the front-wide and rear-narrow foot shape of Asians. The front compartment has enough space to free the toes, reducing the chances of black toenails and blisters, and providing more stability during running and landing.

Toe protection is a necessary feature for almost all running shoes, ensuring support without pressing on the toes.

The R2 REALRUN Infinity uses a TPU-coated hot-melt yarn upper, which is stronger, more breathable, and more supportive than ordinary fly-knit uppers. The one-piece knit zoned upper effectively enhances wrapping, and the breathable holes ensure comfort and breathability without trapping heat.

The tongue and laces are often overlooked but crucial details for wearing comfort. The adaptive elastic mesh tongue of the R2 REALRUN Infinity fully meets the needs for lightness and comfort. The super elastic material does not press on the instep, is lightweight and breathable, and seamlessly integrates with the upper, eliminating concerns about tongue shifting.

The heel has a reflective pull tab with Chinese characters for 'Infinity,' and the sock-like collar design with padded 3D foam better fits the heel, providing stable support and wrapping. The padding around the collar also protects the ankle well.

The midsole of the R2 REALRUN Infinity uses a special BOUNDFOAM foaming formula. Compared to traditional EVA midsoles, this running shoe offers better cushioning and rebound, ensuring efficiency and comfort during running.

There are four cushioning grooves on each side of the midsole, inspired by tire treads, effectively alleviating the impact on the foot during landing and providing comfortable rebound. The U-PROTECT footbed sidewall structure offers excellent stability, providing all-around protection for the feet.

The heel and forefoot have different thicknesses with a boat-shaped rolling geometric structure. The R2 REALRUN Infinity's ROLLFORWARD rolling propulsion system provides forward rolling power.

The new honeycomb tread outsole design features rubber only in the forefoot and heel areas, ensuring durability and slip resistance while meeting the overall lightweight design requirements. The wide groove design of the outsole enhances the continuity of the running experience.

The weight of the shoe is an important factor when choosing a racing running shoe. The R2 REALRUN Infinity uses a new one-piece knit upper to remove various patches, and the BOUNDFOAM special foaming lightweight midsole keeps the overall weight of a single shoe in size 43.5 around 240g, achieving both lightness and excellent cushioning.

Running Test

Despite its seemingly 'heavyweight' appearance, the R2 REALRUN Infinity feels light, comfortable, and breathable on the foot. This is the first impression after wearing these shoes.

From the appearance alone, especially the thick midsole, you might think these shoes are bulky. As for their cushioning effect, the R2 REALRUN Infinity's cushioning comes from the BOUNDFOAM special foamed midsole. The main feature of the BOUNDFOAM midsole is lightweight cushioning. During several speed and slow running training sessions, you can clearly feel the support feedback from these shoes. In summary, they combine lightness and cushioning. The boat-shaped rolling geometric structure of the midsole also allows the foot to transition smoothly from heel to forefoot.

The wrapping of the shoe mainly comes from the new TPU-coated hot-melt yarn upper and the sock-like heel design, while the breathability is due to the numerous small holes in the upper.

The TPU-coated hot-melt yarn upper, adaptive elastic mesh tongue, and sock-like heel design also provide some support. The U-shaped footbed keeps the feet securely locked in the shoes during running. The FITSHAPE foot shape restoration technology of the R2 REALRUN Infinity maximizes support while ensuring foot comfort, avoiding squeezing. During running, you can clearly feel the support from the midsole.

To balance lightweight considerations, the area covered by the durable rubber outsole is relatively reduced, which might affect the durability of the outsole. During an actual test of about 100 kilometers, there was noticeable wear on the outer side of the heel, but it was within an acceptable range. Longer mileage is needed for further testing.

In terms of price, domestic running shoes are gradually moving away from relying on low prices for volume and are starting to focus on technical content and design. However, at over 600 yuan, their competitiveness among domestic and international brands in the same price range is not very high.

Summary

Cons - The appearance of the R2 REALRUN Infinity might not make you stand out in a crowd. Hopefully, future iterations will feature more stunning color schemes.

Pros - When running, you can clearly feel the solid foot feel when landing, and each push-off impact is converted into tangible propulsion for your feet. The R2 REALRUN Infinity's combination of lightness and excellent cushioning makes it a good choice for mid-to-high-level runners for both races and daily training.