bmai 21k lite running shoes never ending lightness
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to test the Bmai 21K Lite, and I thank the team for their trust. My first test of the Bmai 42K left me with a great impression and interest in the brand. This time, testing the 21K Lite feels somewhat familiar! Without further ado, here is the test process.
Unboxing
The Bmai 21K Lite continues Bmai's thoughtful packaging, combining protection and a sense of fashion. The card inside the shoe box with the phrase 'Every step is a surpassing' is eye-catching!
The plastic bubbles inside the shoes provide excellent support and protection, working in tandem with the columnar airbag shoe box to continue the inner and outer packaging mode of the 42K, ensuring maximum protection during transportation and preventing deformation from compression.
Details
The upper of the Bmai 21K Lite still uses a PU mold combined with mesh fabric, utilizing 3D printing technology and jacquard mesh, making the shoes 'breathe'.
The shoelaces also use 3M anti-slip technology, effectively preventing loosening during running. Additionally, the shoelaces have a reflective function, improving safety during night runs. The dotted shoelaces are also aesthetically pleasing and very stylish.
The toe cap still uses a leather design to prevent stones and other debris from harming the toes, providing maximum protection.
The Bmai logo on the tongue and the 'Lite' lettering on the outer side of the heel declare its exclusivity.
As a pair of running shoes, the most important part is, of course, the sole. The 21K Lite uses wear-resistant rubber for the outsole with a serrated tread pattern, effectively dispersing pressure and enhancing propulsion, allowing us to set new personal bests while significantly improving safety. According to the information, the Bmai 21K Lite does not have the dual-density midsole or the arch support system of the 21K II, which reduces stability but achieves a lighter weight.
Color
I chose Firebird Pink (I only learned the color name after receiving the shoes). It's so bright and eye-catching! I fell in love with this pink at first sight, even though it was my first time understanding the specific term for this shade. It would be great if there were more color options besides black and pink.
Weight
The slogan for the launch of the Bmai 21K Lite is
lighter than lighter
Translated into Chinese, it means
'Endlessly Light'!
It is indeed light! According to the promotion, a pair of 21K Lite shoes in size 43 weighs 245g, roughly equivalent to the weight of 3-4 medium-sized eggs. I actually tried weighing three eggs, and it is light!
After putting them on, they indeed feel light, especially compared to the Bmai 42.
Field Test
Any test must go through practical use. I received the shoes on the 25th of September, and due to rain on the 26th, I couldn't run outside. On the 27th, as soon as the rain stopped in the morning, I couldn't wait to put on the Bmai 21K Lite and go for a run. Since it was after the rain, there was some water on the road, which was perfect for testing the outsole's grip and anti-slip performance. I also chose a sidewalk with tiles to test its shock absorption.
I ran nine kilometers at a steady pace of around 6:30 per kilometer, and then sprinted one kilometer at a pace of 5:14 on a slight uphill section. The shoes felt comfortable, with no pinching or rubbing. The rebound was good, and the heel support was strong. Even on wet surfaces, there was no slipping after speeding up.
On the morning of the 28th, I conducted a second road test, planning a five-kilometer interval run. After a warm-up kilometer at a pace of just over 6:30, I did two fast kilometers at paces of 4:18 and 4:53, making me feel like I was flying. After a two-kilometer cooldown at paces of 5:11 and 6:58, I sped up again in the sixth kilometer and ran a 4:49 pace, which was very exciting! Normally, I can only maintain a sub-5 pace for two kilometers during interval runs, and I need a pace over 6:30 to recover. This time, not only did I run three sub-5 kilometers, but I also managed to sustain two of them consecutively and sprint the last kilometer under 5! This is thanks to the 'lightness' of the Bmai 21K Lite.
After resting on the 29th, I went to the park on the 30th and ran ten kilometers at an average pace of 6:25. The Bmai 21K Lite is a pair of running shoes aimed at half-marathons, and to test its true shock absorption, it must undergo a half-marathon test. On October 1st, National Day, two running friends in my group planned a long-distance LSD run, and I wanted to help with supplies and accompany them, also taking the opportunity to test the shoes' shock absorption over long distances.
I joined my friends after they had run fifteen kilometers. The undulating hills not only tested our stamina but also the shock absorption performance of the Bmai 21K Lite. During the half-marathon at a pace of around 6 minutes per kilometer, there was no rubbing, and the size 39 shoes did not cause discomfort to my feet, which usually wear size 38. The only issue was a slight soreness in my right Achilles tendon after 30 kilometers, which did not occur when wearing the Bmai 42K for LSD runs. This indicates that the Bmai 21K Lite is suitable for half-marathon distances.
Personal Review Summary
The Bmai 21K Lite is an entry-level half-marathon running shoe with good wrapping, anti-slip, and shock absorption, suitable for lightweight beginners for any distance within a half-marathon. For a full marathon, I recommend the Bmai 42K.
