china speed li ning supports red rabbit 4 rapid assault

In the past, when we watched marathon broadcasts on TV, foreign athletes were always dressed in Nike, but in the recent Qingdao Marathon, almost all elite athletes were wearing Li-Ning. 'China Li-Ning' is not just a slogan; the brand has been genuinely accumulating a good reputation, allowing more people to recognize and accept Li-Ning in various international settings.

With China's speed and Li-Ning's endorsement, when top athletes choose Li-Ning, we ordinary runners can also try the Li-Ning running shoes that suit us.

Each series of Li-Ning has its own characteristics. The Ultra Light series, which I recently acquired, is known for its fashion and lightweight design and has been a mature series for over a decade. The newly released 'Chitu' has been updated to its 4th generation this year.

'Among men, Lü Bu; among horses, Chitu.' The Chitu horse is synonymous with a good horse, characterized by its nobility and speed. The Li-Ning Chitu series is positioned for speed, and after several upgrades, the Chitu 4 not only emphasizes speed but also boasts an attractive design thanks to Li-Ning's designers.

The color scheme I received is relatively conventional, with a combination of purple and pink, which is widely used by many brands. The upper of this Chitu shoe is made of jacquard mesh, which is breathable and maintains its toughness, unlike fully knitted uppers that can be too loose.

The tongue is made of single-layer mesh, which is breathable and doesn't press on the instep. The insole is also quite thick, with an additional layer of jacquard mesh for breathability, making this design more user-friendly for summer. The sleek and dynamic Li-Ning logo on the upper looks like it's speeding, and the pink geometric pattern on the heel complements the outsole in both color and shape, making the Chitu 4 look more fashionable.

The midsole of this Chitu 4 also uses the new LIGHT FOAM cushioning technology from the Ultra Light 16, which enhances cushioning and rebound while being lightweight compared to traditional EVA. The geometric pattern on the outsole resembles a bow, and the entire bottom is zoned with guiding grooves to consider ground impact, making the seemingly thick LIGHT FOAM midsole move smoothly through a series of actions like landing, transitioning, and rebounding, making running more flexible. The arch area uses a harder TPU piece, which protects against torsion during running and provides support upon landing.

Trying them on, some shoes need a break-in period and might feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar at first. However, wearing these Chitu shoes felt like they were made for me, with no issues. Official data suggests that the Chitu 4 is suitable for marathon runners with times between 3:30 and 6:00, covering almost all runners except elite athletes. My first impression of wearing these shoes was that they fit well. A good fit means good wrapping, no pressure on the instep, and stable heels. The first time I ran in them on a rubber track, the cushioning was quite noticeable. As I ran, I naturally picked up speed without feeling like I was exerting extra effort.

When road running, we often encounter uphills and downhills, so the flexibility and heel cushioning of running shoes are crucial. As mentioned earlier, the bottom has multiple guiding grooves, which divide the sole into smaller sections, allowing the shoe to bend without restriction and fit the foot better for excellent wrapping performance. When running downhill, to protect our knees, we usually land on our heels with high cadence and small strides, so heel cushioning is essential. The Chitu 4 performs well in this aspect.

I often hear fellow runners complain about courses with too many bridges. Why are bridges a problem? Because most bridge surfaces are hard concrete, and without cushioning and rebound features in running shoes, it feels like stepping on bricks, causing pain in the soles. Recently, I've been practicing stride rhythm runs, and while running on bridges in the Chitu 4, I could feel the quick rebound upon ground contact, without dragging down my pace.

Beginner runners generally hesitate to try racing shoes because many racing shoes reduce cushioning to lighten the weight, while beginners value cushioning the most. Although the Chitu 4 is positioned as a racing shoe, it still considers cushioning, making it suitable for runners with paces between 3:30 and 6:00.

If you're fast, the excellent wrapping of the Chitu 4 will make the shoes feel like an extension of your feet, almost as if you're not wearing shoes. If you seek stability, the cushioning support provided during long runs will help you endure to the end.

Compared to other Li-Ning series, the Chitu series is very affordable. If you're looking to improve with a pair of racing shoes, I recommend trying the beautiful and fast Chitu 4.