bimai mile21k running shoes jogging every kilometer
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to review this product, thanks to Codoon and Bmai for their favor. Codoon nickname: Time Speaks
Preface
Bmai is a young internet sports brand, established for just over two years. Their initial running shoe was the Bmai 001. Currently, they are focusing on the Mile series, including the 10K and 21K. These two products were iterated at the end of 2016. This time, I received the newly launched 21K 2nd generation. From the slogan 'Upgrade Every Millimeter,' it seems that there have been many detailed improvements compared to the 21K 1st generation. Since I haven't worn the 1st generation, this review will mainly focus on 'Enjoy Every Kilometer' to see how the 2nd generation performs.
I am 175cm tall, weigh 73kg, have normal feet, and usually run at a pace between 4:30 to 6 minutes per kilometer.
1. Appearance
▲ I rarely pay attention to the shoe box, but Bmai's shoe box is noticeably different from the conventional kraft paper shoe box. The front's bilingual logo is very visually striking.
▲ Afraid I couldn't handle the flashy pink, I received the Deep Sea Blue/Orange. The overall shape basically follows the design style of the 21K, with the main colors being complementary 'blue and orange,' with a few black lines and a fresh green sole. This combination is very visually harmonious, brighter than the previous generation. It looks heavy but hides a restless heart. The shoe last appears wider, and the toe, side, and heel are all equipped with 3M reflective material, considering the needs of night runners.
2. Details
▲ The upper support uses the popular seamless film technology, which is lightweight and fits well. The upper is made of integrated double-layer mesh, which is breathable, soft, and easy to bend. The toe still uses a reflective PU support film to prevent damage to the upper and toe compression. It forms the entire upper support system with the seamless film. The laces are relatively wide and flat, moderately soft and hard. The heel has a built-in TPU support piece to stabilize the heel. The clever design on the tongue is worth mentioning; the tongue's fixing hole is placed on the edge, helping to reduce the tongue's deviation during movement.
▲ The outsole hasn't changed much from the 1st generation, using horizontal stripes, with deeper stripes at the forefoot and shallower ones at the heel. The forefoot and heel are made of thicker Lite and Dura RB rubber zones, which feel slightly soft. The midsole consists of FUSE dual-density EVA and Bmai's signature Boom material (foamed TPU). The Boom material is under the insole, close to the foot. The TPU support plate is about 1/3 the length of the sole, providing strong support to reduce twisting. The entire sole has a 9mm drop, indicating it is suitable for runners who land on the whole foot or heel.
▲ The insole is worth mentioning. It's the first time I've seen a dual-density insole. The overall material is still Ortholite, with a layer of denser material on the forefoot for support. The surface is upgraded to quick-drying and odor-resistant hemp material. Finally, I weighed them separately. The US8.5 (size 42, 265mm) single shoe weighs about 344 grams, which is relatively heavy for a jogging shoe. The weight difference between the left and right shoes is 1 gram, indicating good quality control for the 21K 2nd generation.
3. Testing
My foot length is 260mm, and I chose US8.5 (size 42, 265mm). After putting them on, I could fit a finger behind my heel, indicating the size is appropriate. Bmai collected feedback from many runners based on the 21K 1st generation and adjusted the shoe last to better suit the wider foot shape of Asians. After putting them on, the wrapping and comfort are good, especially around the ankle, fitting well without being tight.
The initial walking feel is slightly hard, and only when landing forcefully or jumping can you feel the midsole's feedback. The thick sole gives a natural height boost.
For running, I tested a total of 100 kilometers on the road, all distances above 10K, including one half marathon. Most runs were at a pace of around 5 minutes per kilometer, with one 10K speed run at a 4:30 pace.
Since I am used to lightweight running shoes and forefoot landing, the first run felt a bit uncomfortable, as if I couldn't step down. The heel cushioning is more direct than the forefoot. Switching to whole-foot landing felt much better, thanks to the improved shoe last, which fits well. After the first break-in, I tried completing 10K at a 4:30 pace. The cushioning was more noticeable when landing heavily, with a relatively natural transition from heel to forefoot. The shoe's weight and thick sole caused a longer ground contact time, making it difficult to speed up. At a 4:30 pace, the performance was less satisfactory, but considering its positioning as a jogging shoe, this is a bit demanding. Subsequently, I ran 11K and 18K at a pace of 5 to 5:30, feeling more comfortable. When I ran 21K and 16K at a pace of 5:40 to 6 minutes, I truly felt the shoe's design intention. It is a jogging shoe, and its features are fully displayed under slow and long-distance conditions: comfortable wrapping, stable support, continuous cushioning... Its performance is somewhat slow to warm up, as if it doesn't want you to sprint like a teenager but rather slow down to enjoy the running time.
4. Summary
1. Advantages: Eye-catching appearance, solid craftsmanship and materials, good breathability, comfort, and wrapping, strong stability, shoe last more suitable for Asians, well-designed tongue buckle, significant improvement over the 21K 1st generation.
2. Disadvantages: The horizontal stripes on the outsole have insufficient lateral grip on wet surfaces; the outer heel of the outsole shows significant wear after 100 kilometers, suggesting an increase in outsole durability.
3. Suitable for: Runners with a pace above 5:30, whole-foot and heel landing running styles, heavier runners, or beginners.