The man who masters "Workman x Run" gives a serious impression of running with three popular new shoes [1st edition: Road]

For several years now, we've been exploring Workman items for running and trail running on this site, and our excitement for Workman continues this season. Spring 2020 is packed with long-awaited new running shoes. Since the majority of new releases to date have been outdoor and camping items, expectations are high. We immediately took the shoes for a run on a sunny, paved road, and our first impressions revealed the unique characteristics of each model

Athletics Shoes High Bounce 240g 1,900 yen

Based on the advance information, I have high expectations for this model. When I think of high-rebound shoes, I think of shoes from company N. The official comment is that these shoes don't help you run faster, but they reduce fatigue, but the photo in the catalog shows a runner (lol)

The upper is characterized by a low instep. This is likely intended to give the slip-on model a secure fit. The width is about 2E, making it easy to put on. There are shoelaces, but the design makes it difficult to increase the support. Therefore, choosing the right size is key

The outer sole has a W-shaped tread pattern, perhaps because it's Workman's flagship model. The balance between grip and durability seems to be excellent. Just walking in them gives you a strange feeling of floating rather than bouncing. When I tried running in them, I found it difficult to control my feet due to the lack of hold. So far, it's definitely an interesting model to use for fun runs. Since it's 190cm, it's the perfect pair to experience bouncy shoes

The weak point when running may be that the cushion sinks in, resulting in a weak response to rebound. At present, it seems that those with a relatively light weight will be able to make the most of the rebound power. I also tried running on rough terrain and found that it was a good match with the rebound properties of the Bounce Tech, so it seems that if it were to evolve into a trail shoe, it may be able to bring out its full potential. This is a model that gives us great hope for future developments

Athletic Shoes NEO 240g 1,500 yen

Is this an evolved version of the Athletic Shoes Light? Or is it a model specifically for running? I have high hopes for this one too

They look just like running shoes. The upper is made of a knit material that is breathable and durable. Because it's designed for durability, it feels a bit stiff and stiff. The egg-hold design around the ankle uses a sponge-like cushioning material that gently wraps around the ankle. It feels like the athletic shoes have added support. However, I'm worried that they won't be able to handle the heavy sweating in the summer

The midsole material appears to be the same as athletic shoes. It doesn't have much rebound, but it does absorb shock moderately. The shoe width is about 2E, so if you have wider feet, you may want to choose one size larger. Part of the outsole has anti-slip synthetic rubber, so it should be fine even on wet surfaces. It's easy to start running, so it's definitely a great pair of shoes for practice

Athletic Shoes Light 150g 980 yen

This is Workman's best-selling model shoe. My first impression was how incredibly light it was. The upper is made of a thin, breathable material, so you'll feel cool and comfortable just by running. The shoe width is wide, at over 3E

The toes had a lot of freedom and I felt less fatigue in the soles of my feet. I was a bit worried about the heel counter's hold, but adjusting the laces made it no problem. The sole is thin and lacks cushioning, but I hope you don't feel disappointed. The thin sole goes against the recent trend of thick soles, but these are fun shoes that make it easy to receive information from the soles of your feet and allow you to run while communicating with your body

Because they are simple and have no unnecessary features, you can control the shoes as you wish and they allow you to face your own running ability

summary

These are just my first impressions, so my impressions may change as I continue to wear them, but I was able to fully experience the unique characteristics of each of the three shoes. If you want to run steadily, choose the lightest Athletic Shoes Light. If you want to run slowly to avoid injury, choose the Athletic Shoes NEO. If you want to run, walk, and have fun, choose the Athletic Shoes High Bounce. With great value for money and a growing selection, will Workman Shoes become a friend to runners? It will be interesting to keep an eye on future developments

Tojo Kazuya

He grew up in Ibaraki Prefecture and focused on swimming during his student days. He made his triathlon debut as a working adult. In his first year as a working adult, he completed the first Japan Mountain Endurance Race (Hasetsune). He became fascinated with the sense of accomplishment that comes with mountain sports. In his 30s, he moved to Saitama Prefecture and became independent. After being shown around Oku-Musashi by Mr. T, he became fascinated with trail running and ultramarathons. He currently focuses on domestic trail races. He has completed consecutive long races in the Shinetsu Five Mountains, Joshu Hotaka, and KOUMI100. He also provides race support for the NPO Koedo Oedo Trenic World and the NPO Sainokuni Ultra Project (SUP). He is also dedicated to educating people on the safety of trail running by maximizing the performance of gear. He is a Workman Ambassador (Running)

As a Workman ambassador, this website has been provided with tools that reviewers find interesting by Workman since the fall of 2019. However, the content of the reviews is written in accordance with our website's regular review policy, is not checked in advance, and no monetary compensation is received other than the provision of the products

   

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