*The video above is filmed entirely with a Sony Xperia XZ Premium.
Asics Gel-Quantum 360 Knit
Yeah – Well-cushioned, Secure fit, Flexible
Nay – Slightly heavy, pricey
Overall Rating – 4.5/5
SGD 289
These kicks look great, and feel even better. I’m not kidding when I say it feels like running on clouds with these shoes. The first thing I noticed about the Gel-Quantum 360 Knit (henceforth referred to as 360 Knit), is how it hugged my heel securely. One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to running shoes is a loose heel grip. I don’t know about you, but the sensation of my foot slipping out of my shoes will bug me the entire way. With the 360 knit’s fit however, it feels like the shoes are just an extension of your feet.
The knit uppers also provide the shoes with a welcome flexibility, so if your foot slides about unexpectedly, the material compensates seamlessly. This will also help prevent blisters.
I took these shoes out for a 21km run, and to be honest, the only gripe I had was that it was a tad heavier than the lightweight sneakers I’m used to. At 357 grams, the 360 Knit is roughly about 100 grams heavier than what I’m used to. However, this is forgivable considering it provides a lot more padding, which is great for long distance running. You may want to look elsewhere if you’re racing though.
Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2
Yeah – Light, Targeted cushioning, Feels like socks
Nay – Cushioning feels weird at first, Toe box may feel narrow
Overall Rating – 4/5
SGD 239
When I first looked at the soles of the LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2, I immediately thought it wasn’t going to be comfortable, and I wasn’t wrong. It took a couple of runs for me to get used to the targeted cushioning, but it soon grew on me, and then, it grew on me. It is made in such a way that the sole of the shoes are adaptive, reacting to the surface the user runs on. It looks like it might not provide sufficient grip, but when I took it out for a run in the rain, it proved otherwise. I could confidently sprint downhill without worrying about wiping out.
The Flyknit 2 also feels like a sock so getting a secure fit is no issue. That being said however, I do find that the toebox is a little snug, so if you have wide feet, your little toes might feel like they’re getting squashed. Overall, the shoes are light (249 grams) and well padded, so they may make a good pair of shoes to race in, but I feel they’re a little more expensive than they should be.
UA SpeedForm Gemini 3
Yeah – Breathable upper, Good cushioning
Nay – Topline cuts into ankle
Overall Rating – 3.5/5
SGD 219
UA has been gaining popularity in our neck of the woods, and it’s easy to see why. The American company produces stylish and quality active wear with an affordable price tag. The Gemini 3 is one of UA’s best long distance running shoes to date. What was most noticeable on my first run with these kicks was the mesh used on the upper. The ventilation helped keep my feet cool, and it made a world of a difference. The shoes’ base looks awkwardly thick, but it absorbed impact well and provided great energy return. Two important features if you’re planning to tackle distances above 20 kilometers.
What isn’t ideal about the Gemini 3, however, is its topline, which is narrow and lacks cushioning. On one of my runs I wore a thinner pair of socks and found that the topline was cutting into my ankle. By the end of the run I had a welt on the ball of my ankle. Overall, the Gemini 3 is light, and provides good cushioning and ventilation, but it requires the right pair of socks.