bimai 21klite running shoes leaf coral as light as a blade
This is my second time testing Bmai running shoes. Speaking of Bmai, I have a bit of an emotional connection with them. The first piece of gear I got to review on Codoon was the Bmai 21K, which was also my first pair of domestic running shoes. The Bmai 21K was the subject of my first review article. Although my initial review was decent, the pictures were not great due to my lack of experience. However, I am grateful for that first Bmai review as it set me on the path of continuous product testing. As a high-mileage runner, averaging at least 300KM+ per month, buying running shoes has become a long-term task for me, and my review applications are mostly for running shoes.
When I saw the application for the Bmai 21K lite review, I submitted my review plan without hesitation. First, because of my emotional connection, and second, because the Bmai 21K lite intrigued me.
The official website describes the 21K lite as: Mile 21K lite features a three-dimensional support structure combined with a lightweight, durable sole for a lighter run. It offers a lightweight upgrade, dynamic response, and is both light and agile.
Lightweight is the primary focus, followed by support and cushioning, and finally durability.
This made me very excited about these shoes.
Bmai · Unboxing
Overall Appearance
The appearance actually surprised me a bit. That was my first impression of the Bmai 21K lite.
First, the shoe's outer packaging is a black shoebox in the form of a tote bag, which is more appealing than the traditional rigid wooden or paper boxes. It is also environmentally friendly while providing good protection for the shoes. This small detail pleasantly surprised me.
Upon opening the shoebox, I finally saw the coral Bmai shoes that softened my heart. The 21K lite series comes in three colors: black, electric blue, and flamingo pink. Most of my Asics shoes are blue and green due to personal preference. I have always liked the sophisticated gray series, which is not very bright but clean and serene. However, since I started running, my aesthetic preferences have shifted. I began to accept and even like high-brightness and high-saturation colors in sportswear and running shoes. This is one of the reasons I particularly wanted to apply for this Bmai shoe.
I have always wanted to add a pair of red running shoes to my collection, and the color of the Bmai 21K lite struck a chord with me.
The official name for it is Flamingo Pink, but I think Coral Red is more appropriate. It is a reddish-orange hue, which inherently has a warm feel due to its red and yellow values, plus a bit of fluorescence. The large area of solid color without any other color combinations makes the color very pure and clean. The matching orange-yellow shoelaces with small lemon-yellow dots break the monotony, adding a touch of liveliness.
The silver-gray Bmai logo on the heel, the large area of fluorescent yellow-green on the sole, and the white midsole create a balanced color scheme. Unlike the previous camo-style Bmai, the 21K lite's color choices and usage are refreshing. As the Bmai slogan says, 'Be Myself.' Take a step to break through yourself, even if it's a small one.
(Bmai's fluorescent red shoes under the sunlight)
About the entire shoe:
Getting back to the main point, after discussing the appearance, the most important aspects are the material and experience.
The Bmai 21K lite is suitable for runners weighing between 40-75Kg, meaning most runners can handle it. The offset is 9 centimeters, suitable for half-marathon distances with a pace greater than 5 minutes 30 seconds (which is also suitable for most runners). It is designed for normal and high arches, meaning normal and supinated feet. It is suitable for road running and rubber tracks.
However, because I have 'legendary' flat feet, running long distances still makes my feet a bit uncomfortable. It feels pretty good on the track, though.
About the weight
The Mile 21K lite, in US size 6.5 (size 37), weighs 205g. My shoe size is 39, and I measured it to be about 227g per shoe, which is relatively light. The lite series from Bmai is marketed with the slogan 'lighter than lighter,' meaning it aims to be endlessly light. It balances being lightweight with cushioning and stability.
However, considering the 'light' element, it inevitably means that the cushioning is slightly weaker. Cushioned running shoes usually have a thicker midsole to reduce the impact on the knees. Top-tier shoes generally weigh around 300g, while second-tier and practical models weigh between 280-300g. Lightweight racing shoes, designed for speed, often reduce cushioning and protective features to be lighter. These shoes are more suitable for racing needs.
Details
Shoe collar:
The shoe collar uses a moisture-wicking, quick-drying lining that provides a comfortable and dry feel while offering some stability and heel protection. My experience was that the moisture-wicking and quick-drying features were not very noticeable, possibly because my feet don't sweat much, but the heel stability was somewhat present. The contact area at the heel felt quite comfortable.
Tongue and lace details:
(The Bmai 21K logo and WeChat logo on the tongue feel like a stamp, which is pretty cool.)
Toe cap detail: built-in 3M reflective trim
Insole:
The insole is a moisture-wicking, quick-drying sports insole with neat stitching. The yellow and purple color contrast, curvature, and thickness are all decent. The fine lines on the insole surface provide anti-slip functionality, and the small serrated edges on both sides help the insole fit the shoe better.
These small details show the sincerity of the Mile 21K lite.
(It's hard to ignore the logo printed everywhere, inside and out.)
Heel:
(The exclusive reflective logo, I think the addition of silver-gray with black text and fluorescent green 'lite' text is very effective.)
(Charming little heel)
Size:
Bmai's size standard has been adjusted from the European standard of 6.67mm to the Chinese standard of 5mm, with different allowances for men and women, making the fit better. I bought half a size larger because my instep is slightly wider. For those with wide insteps, I recommend buying half a size larger. For those with different-sized feet, use the larger foot as the reference. Shoes should be slightly larger rather than smaller.
About the shoe body
The entire outer layer of the shoe uses a PU film and mesh fabric, providing good wrap-around support. My favorite part is the shoe body treatment, with 3D printing and jacquard mesh fabric. It fits the foot well and is quite breathable.
The pattern on the shoe surface is inspired by leaf veins, which is very interesting.
About the sole
Midsole:
The 21K lite uses an EVA midsole with a rubber outsole, featuring a dam-like support structure that effectively reduces impact force and provides some protection for the legs and knees.
Midfoot:
The midfoot uses 85-degree hard EVA, providing support and protection while maintaining overall smoothness in movement.
In my experience, the sole still feels a bit hard.
Outsole:
The outsole uses a single piece of lightweight rubber with integrated tread patterns, dispersing pressure while enhancing ground propulsion and increasing durability.
(My first pair of Bmai 21K series shoes showed significant wear after just a few dozen kilometers, indicating low durability. The 21K lite series has improved durability compared to the previous version.)
Real-world testing experience (Part 1)
It took over a week after unboxing to finally try them on. It rained for 7-8 consecutive days here in Chongqing, and I finally waited for the rain to stop. Although it was cloudy, the temperature was just right. This review was divided into two rounds: one 5KM run and one 14KM run. I didn't run a half-marathon because my training volume has been high recently, and I am preparing for a new full marathon, so I didn't test the half-marathon distance.
Short-distance 5KM review
Running mode: interval training, 3*1Km, 3 sets + 400m*5 sets
Weather: cloudy
Temperature: 16-18 degrees
Venue: rubber track
Clothing: Lorna Jane high-intensity sports vest + seven-point mesh sports pants + Bmai 21K lite
Finally, the rain stopped. In the afternoon, I went to the track, warmed up, and started interval training. I had just finished a 15Km run in the morning at a pace of 5:12. The interval training in the afternoon felt pretty good. Although the recommended pace is 5:30, I tried running an interval set at an average pace of 4:11, with a cadence of 199 (my usual cadence is above 190, as I am a high-cadence, short-stride runner), and a stride length of 1.2 meters (the longest I've ever had). The shoes felt very light, but the sole felt a bit hard. Since I have flat feet, these shoes are suitable for normal and high arches, so my feet felt a bit uncomfortable after running, with some rubbing. It might also be because I was running too fast.
(The shoes are really eye-catching, visually striking. After training, doing some stretches, I felt pretty good.)
Maybe because the speed was too fast and the distance too short, the experience was not enough, so I decided to try the shoes at my usual running speed and distance.
Real-world testing (Part 2):
Running mode: pace run 14.34KM at a pace of 5:19
Weather: cloudy
Temperature: 18 degrees
Venue: road + wetland park
Clothing: skin jacket + hollow seven-point pants + 21K lite
I got up at around five, as I am used to morning runs. After warming up, I started testing the 21K lite. The first few kilometers were at a pace of nearly 6 minutes for warm-up jogging. The shoes felt quite snug, but the sole still felt a bit hard, with insufficient rebound. As I continued running, my speed increased and I felt lighter. The lightweight feel of the 21K became more apparent. After finishing a 1Km speed run back at the stadium, I felt that these shoes are more suitable for rubber tracks. They can be used for road running, but at a slower pace. Running too fast reduces the rebound due to the lightweight design, which compromises cushioning. However, this time, my feet felt slightly better, with less discomfort than during the first interval run.
Feedback on the Bmai 21K lite upper: (10 being the highest)
Softness: 7
Breathability: 8
Midfoot wrap: 6
Heel stability: 5
Feedback on the Bmai 21K lite sole:
Hardness: 6 (a bit hard)
Wrap: 7
Support: 6
Cushioning: 5 (slightly weak)
Durability: 6
Flexibility: 8 (good lightweight flexibility)
Advantages:
Overall, I think the Bmai 21K lite is a pleasant surprise. It looks great, and the small design details are very user-friendly, showing the designer's thoughtfulness.
Besides being eye-catching during training and making training more enjoyable, they are also great for everyday wear. My favorite combination is a light blue skin jacket with coral red Bmai running shoes, which looks very refreshing. They are even better for daily wear.
I think Bmai did a good job with the 21K lite series. It is light, agile, and responsive.
Priced at 359 yuan, it has a high cost-performance ratio and is quite affordable among many running shoes. It is a good choice for general runners.
Disadvantages:
Due to the focus on being lightweight, some cushioning had to be sacrificed, which is unavoidable. Therefore, the cushioning is still not sufficient, and the midsole material's rebound is slightly weak. I hope the durability can be further improved.
I hope that Bmai, celebrating its 2nd birthday this year, will continue to improve, just like its slogan 'Be Myself.' Every small detail improvement is a sincere and thoughtful feedback! The Bmai 21K, coral red like light leaves, is great!