The Zoot Ultra Kane described as a high mileage stability trainer built for runners seeking comfort and substance over what everyone else is wearing.
I tested this shoe by running on the various terrain and doing about approximately 50km per week.
I am 185cm tall and 76kilos and average about 50-80km per week. 65% of my runs are on trails and 35% are on the road. Right now I run in the Asics 2050’s, NikeLunarGlide’s and Montrail Hardrocks.
Aesthetically, Zoot did a great job designing the Ultra Kane. Right away, I was impressed with the look of the Ultra Kane and it’s construction. The only suggestion I would make is to add more eyelets (lace holes). I needed to “lace lock”…. Out of the box I ran 16 km’s and the shoes felt like it had good amount of cushioning and stability. As a mild over-pronator and midfoot striker, the Ultra Kane’s also offered a nice mid-level amount of support. The shoe also seems to be very durable, should be able to handle the high mileage and heavier efficient runners.
Here is a summary of pros and cons of the shoe:
Pros
The fit was excellent out of the box. The weight of the Ultra Kana is approx 11 ounces (size 12) ; quite light considering it’s support features. Zoot did a very nice job of keeping them light. The fit around the heel is snug without any hot spots that can cause blisters. This would be beneficial for those who prefer not to wear socks. It would be great for triathlons from the sprint to ½ Ironman. It is very easy to get in and out of the shoe; the stretchy material on the upper seems to add elasticity similar to the EZ laces.
Cons
The fit of the upper shoe is nice but could improve with extra eyelets especially towards the top of the shoes. I found that my foot wasn’t secure enough and tend to slide forward. I used ‘Lace Lock’ lacing technique and it helped secure the heel back. I do like the low profile design of the midsole but I felt it could have used more cushioning on the metatarsal area.
In conclusion, this is a great shoes for triathletes and runners who are seeking a light weight stability training/racing shoe. Also, triathletes or runners who run without socks will appreciate the sockless feature of the shoe. I would not recommend this show for the severe over-pronator or inefficient runners. Since this shoe was my first Zoot shoe of any kind, I was impressed with the fit, feel and quality of the shoe. I hope Zoot will continue to improve the shoe especially the lacing design but without drastically changing the shoe. It could be my next racing shoe.
Nytro Multisport 