shaunzhi

"In the world of martial arts, speed is the only unbreakable skill." In a marathon, speed determines the result. Heavier running shoes will make you consume more energy. According to research, for every 100g increase in foot weight, energy consumption increases by 1%, which is equivalent to a 1% decrease in running speed. Therefore, the role of running shoes is crucial. Racing shoes are marathon shoes designed for speed, characterized by their light weight and fast speed. Recently, Xtep launched the Racing 160 running shoes, positioned as a marathon racing product. The name Racing 160 comes from its weight, with a size 41 shoe weighing exactly 160 grams.

I have been running for less than 2 years. My first full marathon in Wuxi in 2016 was completed in 4:30, and in 2017 I achieved a personal best of 3:05 in the Wuxi marathon. Over the past year, in addition to training, I have tried different running shoes, from Asics cushioning series to Adidas racing series, and have truly felt the convenience that lightweight running shoes bring to achieving a PB. Thanks to Codoon for this review opportunity. Below, I will introduce my experience with the Xtep Racing 160.

I was pleasantly surprised when I received the package. Everyone says racing shoes are light, but I didn't expect them to be this light. Even the box felt weightless in my hand. I couldn't wait to open the packaging box:

This is a special edition running shoe for the Chongqing Marathon. The tongue is marked with "Chongqing International Marathon." The upper is made of ultra-thin lightweight mesh fabric, which is thin, soft, and has excellent breathability. The side label Race Run indicates that this is a racing shoe.

Sole: Made of lightweight cushioning material, the overall thickness is very thin, with a heel-to-toe drop of only 4mm. The forefoot has a studded pattern, which is also in line with the characteristics of racing shoes.

The reviewed pair is size 44, with a single shoe weighing 199g, lighter than my current lightest Adidas running shoes at 240g. It truly deserves to be called a professional lightweight racing shoe.

(1) Half Marathon Break-In

On the evening of April 19th, the day I received the shoes, I ran a half marathon. Although it was the first break-in, it felt great with no discomfort. After the run, the upper remained dry, indicating its excellent breathability. Running through a section with some water accumulation did not affect the grip at all. A week later, during the second half marathon, I was able to speed up, maintaining a pace of around 4'05" in the second half, almost without any break-in period, quickly finding the right feel.

(2) 6x800m Interval Run

Following the Yasso 800 method, I did 6 sets of 800-meter interval training, with rest periods equal to the running time. It is said that the time for each 800 meters is roughly equivalent to the time to complete a full marathon, i.e., 3 minutes for 800 meters predicts a 3-hour marathon. Initially, I only completed 6 sets, but I plan to increase to 10 sets in the future.

(3) 30km Long Distance

As usual, I ran a 30km long distance on the weekend, running through the beautiful Changguangxi and Three Kingdoms Water Margin City. This route is famous for its beautiful scenery and numerous slopes.

Training on slopes is essential for effective results. I initially planned to run at a slow pace, but in the second half, I couldn't help but speed up. Thanks to the lightweight Racing 160, maintaining a pace of just over 4 minutes per kilometer felt quite easy.

(4) 5km Speed Run

Personally, I find speed runs more strenuous than tempo runs, so I usually practice speed runs less frequently. If the running shoes are heavy, it becomes even more exhausting. This time, with the Racing 160, I finally achieved a PB in the 5km, which had been stagnant for a long time.

In recent years, Xtep has been committed to innovation and has sponsored many marathon events, demonstrating its determination and ambition to build an international brand. The biggest feature of the Xtep Racing 160 running shoes is their light weight. Many runners consume a lot of energy due to the weight of their shoes, eventually struggling to lift their legs. These shoes will definitely help you lift and move your legs easily, becoming a powerful tool for breaking through your limits in a marathon. It is worth noting that, as racing shoes, they have reduced cushioning, making them more suitable for speed-oriented runners who need a certain level of leg strength to better handle them.