bimai 21k lite running shoes light as leaves take me flying
First of all, I would like to thank Codoon and Bmai Youth. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to review this product. When I received these running shoes, it was late at night, and I had just returned to Hangzhou, exhausted, after finishing the Jiangshan Trail Race on September 23. While caressing the Bmai Mile21K Lite, I told my friends, 'I will never go trail running again. I will just be a quiet marathon runner!'
Accompanying Bmai, this young brand, as it has grown, I now have three pairs of Bmai running shoes: Mile21K, Mile42K, and this pair of Mile21K Lite. If Mile21K is like a college senior, using a lot of new materials and technologies with some naivety to explore the marathon world, then Mile42K is like a fresh graduate entering the workplace. Its performance may not be top-notch, but it helps runners complete a full marathon safely, being stable but lacking sharpness. Mile21K Lite, on the other hand, is like a career elite aiming for the top or a matador shedding excess weight to fight. Let's take a look at the charm of this matador.
First, let's unbox it (at first glance, 'This product is different from those flashy ones before; the black and white combination is simple yet mysterious').
Details of the running shoes:
The upper uses 3D printing with jacquard mesh, commonly known as a heat-bonded mesh upper. This is standard for current running shoes. The half-circle 3M reflective strip on the upper not only enhances the safety of night running but also looks cool, adding points.
The moisture-wicking and quick-drying lining and the tight and neat stitching ensure comfort and demonstrate Bmai's good craftsmanship.
The midsole uses hard EVA lightweight support. Compared to Mile21K, it lacks the Bmai Boom cushioning technology, which, although bulky, is very effective. It also lacks the X-shaped TPU anti-torsion of Mile42K and shows no signs of any arch support system on the sides. Are you worried about the cushioning and support capabilities of such running shoes? Don't worry, I will answer this in the outdoor running test below!
The brand-new outsole is covered with serrated cuts in different directions, which can effectively disperse pressure, provide strong grip, and prevent slipping. Some runners may not understand the function of the dense patterns on the inner side of the outsole. These patterns, rarely seen in other road running shoes, help runners maintain stability on slippery stone roads, adding points!
The introduction of the running shoes is complete. Now let's move on to the outdoor running test:
Outdoor running test opinion: The official website describes these shoes as 'light as a leaf, fluttering in the wind.' After putting them on, I found them indeed very light, and their good wrapping made them feel very comfortable, almost like wearing large socks. The first outdoor running test route was along the scenic West Lake, passing six bridges, running 10 kilometers at night. During the run, the shoes always fit snugly against my feet. Being 90 grams lighter than the Mile21K and having a powerful grip and propulsion from the outsole, I easily ran at a 5-minute pace. Here, I address the concern about the stability of the shoes mentioned earlier. During the run, while crossing bridges, going uphill and downhill, and avoiding the many tourists around West Lake, I did not feel any lack of support or stability. The hard EVA lightweight support of the Mile21K Lite's midsole provides good cushioning and support. Although it is not as good as top-tier cushioning shoes weighing over 310 grams, it is completely sufficient for ordinary runners on road runs! Personally, I think if you are a sub-3:30 marathon runner or have strong leg muscles, you can also wear the Mile21K Lite for 30+ kilometer long slow distance training or full marathon races.
Review summary
Appearance: Cool black, understated yet stylish. The 3M reflective strip on the upper made me look like a spotlight-chasing youth during several night runs.
Comfort: Comfortable to wear, good wrapping, lightweight. The shoes always fit snugly against the feet during runs and do not cause blisters.
Stability and support: Due to the hard EVA lightweight support, it is not recommended for running on uneven stone roads or gravel roads. It is suitable for city road running.
Cushioning: Compared to similar lightweight running shoes, the cushioning is excellent.
Durability: Sturdy and durable. After running a total of 105 kilometers in them, I did not find any significant wear on the outsole.
Cost performance: At 359 yuan, these lightweight running shoes are very reasonably priced.
Personal recommendation for suitable users: Runners with normal or slim body weight can try them (those with heavier weight should be cautious). Half-marathon runners with a time under 2 hours can wear them for 10 kilometers or half-marathon races. It is not recommended for runners with a marathon time over 3:30 to wear them for a full marathon, as they are designed for 21K lightweight running. You need strong leg muscles to handle them for a full marathon.