Weightwatchers Guide To Running Shoes
After the busy period leading up to the recently concluded MPIB Run last Sunday, I now have some time to catch some much needed rest. So here’s a fun post, after all the heavy stuff, to tide things over.
All the shoe reviews I’ve put out, as far as weight of the shoe is concerned, have always included the manufacturer’s notes and press releases. Not any more. I’ve been a little curious of late and thought it’ll be interesting to put the claims to the test. A slight variance is expected since wear and tear will have some influence to the numbers. Where the mileage logged have exceeded 160K, I’ve indicated so.
| Shoes (based on US9.5) | Manufacturer’s claim | Actual Weight with Sockliner | Actual Weight without Sockliner | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  GOrun Ride |
7.80oz
|
8.00oz
|
7.5oz
|
Link - 170KM logged
|
  GOrun 2 |
6.60oz
|
6.55oz
|
6.25oz
|
|
 GOtrail |
8.40oz
|
8.65oz
|
8.65oz – non-removable sockliner
|
|
  Pure Drift |
5.60oz
|
6.55oz
|
6.05oz- zero drop config
|
Link. Very large variance in the findings.
|
  Kinvara 3 |
7.70oz
|
7.90oz
|
7.40oz
|
|
  AirMax |
N/A
|
13.25oz
|
12.45oz
|
|
  GObionic |
6.00oz
|
6.00oz
|
5.60oz
|
|
  Free 3.0 |
7.0oz
|
7.70oz
|
7.05oz
|
|
  DS Racer 9 |
7.90oz
|
7.8oz
|
7.3oz
|
|
  Lunaracer+ 3 |
6.60oz
|
6.65oz
|
5.95oz
|
Check back in a few weeks’ time!
|
 Timberland Radler Trail Camper |
N/A
|
6.25oz
|
Ortholite insoles are removable but I didn’t weigh it.
|
N/A. This is a packable shoe where you can zip in half. Definitely zero drop but very comfortable.
|
|
Polar S3+ Stride Sensor |
N/A
|
1.05oz
|
N/A
|
N/A. Not a shoe but it what I attach to them
|
I personally prefer a less contoured sockliner and I’ve swapped several between shoes before. As you can see from the measurements above, the little piece of insert can be quite substantial in weight. We’re seeing more shoes which are designed to be run without the sockliner. These shoes are typically in the lightweight, transition and minimalist categories, such as the Pure Drift and GObionic. To swap, replace or remove it is pretty much up to your preference but be sure to test them out in your runs before the races. Check for seams, wayward threads and so on to ensure you don’t return from your run bloodied 
.
