bimai 42k running shoes this domestic new star is not ordinary

Bmai is a group of running enthusiasts who gather in the most suitable park for running to provide a better running experience for runners.

The Bmai brand was established in 2014. As far as I know, their principal is a marathon enthusiast who founded the Bmai brand out of his love for marathons. This brand is one of the few in China that specializes in running shoes. Their running shoes have evolved from Mile 001, Mile 10K, Mile 21K I, Mile 21K II to the current Bmai 42K. The Bmai 42K, launched at the beginning of this year after two years of development, is currently their most highly recommended product. Let's take a closer look at these running shoes.

These running shoes do not come with a shoe box. Bmai designed a unique packaging for these shoes: a bright silver airbag shoe bag that gives a high-tech mysterious feel. The interior is a low-key, deep glossy black, giving a sense of technical accumulation. The shoe bag is labeled with the Bmai logo and running shoe parameters, including item number, name, place of origin, color, and size. Carrying such a flashy shoe bag on the street will definitely turn heads.

Airbag Shoe Bag

Unboxing Surprise - A Letter from Bmai

Thoughtful Bmai

For this public test, Bmai provided three color options: fluorescent yellow, simple black, and Bmai purple. I chose Bmai purple. The overall appearance clearly indicates that it is a full marathon cushioning running shoe. The shoe features multiple reflective surfaces and 3M reflective designs. When light hits the shoe, it looks completely different.

Unboxing Photos

Under the Light

After trying them on, I found that the 42K insoles are made of ortholite antibacterial dual-density foam, making the inside of the shoe dry and comfortable. The dual-density midsole with added boom foam cushioning technology gives the 42K top-level cushioning among similarly priced running shoes. It uses a seamless film bonding process with a jacquard mesh upper. Simply put, it's a one-piece bonded upper where the mesh and support materials are bonded together. This eliminates the discomfort of traditional stitching, making the upper very breathable.

Walking Experience - Suitable for Chinese Feet, Good Wrap, Excellent Cushioning

On the first day of trying them on, I wore them to participate in the Hangzhou City Orienteering Race. The most impressive features were the good wrap, excellent cushioning, and perfect fit for Chinese feet. As a running shoe designed specifically for Chinese people, the last is naturally tailored for them. I felt that the width of the forefoot was very standard and fit well. With the 42K, there's no need to worry about narrow lasts squeezing your feet.

Running Experience - Improved Running Posture, Excellent Cushioning

The Bmai 42K has a certain height difference between the front and rear soles, which helps runners adjust their running posture, landing on the forefoot and preventing lateral rollover. You can also feel the wrap provided by the PU material, which covers all the toes and surrounds the forefoot, offering strong anti-rollover capability.

Feet Still Comfortable After Running, Toe Cap Doesn't Press on Toes

The heel has a built-in rigid TPU support frame, which securely holds the heel, making it stable and flexible no matter how you move.

Fits Well, Flexible

Many running shoes reduce the shoe's weight by cutting down on materials, causing the toe cap to press on the toes. Even buying a size larger doesn't help. The 42K's toe cap uses some technology that prevents it from pressing on the toes, making it comfortable!

Testing in Different Roadside Environments

I've been wearing the 42K for a while now. After multiple 5K, 10K, and 20K+ runs, the shoes have become increasingly comfortable. The last time I wore the 42K for a long-distance run, it was extremely comfortable. It felt like my feet were securely wrapped by the shoes, and the midsole felt like it was part of my foot, allowing me to exert force from any position. The midsole's performance is impeccable, whether for short-distance jogging or long-distance training. The soft and bouncy feel of the midsole is very durable, even after running over 20 kilometers, there is no loss of energy. On May 21, I volunteered for the Hangzhou Women's Trail Race, and after running up and down the mountain several times in the Bmai 42K, I felt that the 42K could even be used for light trail running!

Evaluation Score

Expectations and Suggestions:

(1) Overall, the appearance is quite cool and attractive, and the price of 399 yuan is very appealing. Although the weight of 300g is not considered lightweight, it is acceptable for a cushioning running shoe. However, for marathon runners with a pace of 4 minutes per kilometer, it may feel too heavy. It is more suitable for runners with a marathon pace of 5-6 minutes per kilometer. Therefore, I hope Bmai can make more effective optimizations in cushioning materials in the future.

(2) As mentioned earlier, the shoe upper uses a seamless film bonding process with a jacquard mesh upper, which theoretically should be very breathable. However, in actual long-distance LSD runs, there are some shortcomings, as prolonged slow running can cause a bit of a wet foot feeling. I think this might be a compromise made by Bmai 42K to ensure that more runners can safely and smoothly complete the marathon, increasing the wrap and durability of the upper. After all, you can't have your cake and eat it too! So I hope Bmai can solve this dilemma.