Topic: Cloud's Parkour Shoe Write Up

[Cloud]

I've been meaning to do a shoe write up.  I'll go through some of my favorite shoes and tell you the good and bad. 10 is the highest.

K Swiss Ariake


http://www.kswiss.com/cgi-bin/kswiss/store/product_detail.html?id=ibxh4SUw&mv_arg=x&pid=01552:178

I've been wearing these for about 3 weeks now and the more you wear them the better they are becoming.  Grip is insane, best I've ever seen.  Wall runs are a lot easier.  At first the leather wasn't flexible, but when your break them in they are just find for flexing.  They get scuffed up, but the shoe looks solid and doesn't seem like it's going to break.  They run a little big, so get a 1/2 size smaller and your fine.

Grip:                10
Padding:           8
Flexability:        8.5
Durability:         8.5
Cost:               100


Merrell Chameleon


http://www.merrellboot.com/Shop/Product.aspx?AltNavID=MAF-G-HIK&PID=9779&GST=M

All around awesome shoe.  Grip rocks, really nice tread and fits like a glove.  Down side is they don't breath very well, but I've never really experience heat issues with shoes.  The old version use to be heavy, but the newer on is lighter.  The great thing is that the tread wraps around the side which i love for Cats and Climb Ups.

Grip:                8.5
Padding:           8.5
Flexability:        8.5
Durability:         9
Cost:               100


Five Ten Savant


http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/16761815.html

Haven't worn it but it looks like a SOLID shoe.  Meet a lot of people with them and I've only heard great things.  Famous stealth rubber grip, looks flexible, dunno about the padding. 

NoSole's take on the action:
If you think the Ariake's grip is 10, I dare you to try the Savant. Speaking from an objective standpoint, I think the Ariake has great grip relative to nearly all running shoes. But Savants still have more grip. It's tough to beat the rubber from a company whose soul mission is to create grip for climbers. And wait until the 5.10 Freerunner comes out. I got to try them last week and it's scary how sticky the soles are! Nothing else even comes close.

Stability wise, I think the Ariake and Savant are about the same. Padding, I can't really say how they (the Ariakes) stack up, wasn't able (or willing) to do any threshold testing. I just wanted to save my feet. Fit, I wasn't terribly impressed. I know there were issues with proper sizing (being that they fit larger than normal) and I feel like the leather would stretch over time allowing some floating room.

Shoe: 5.10 SavantGrip: 9 - The stickiest rubber on the face of the planet! Not a 10 because the Freerunner's rubber is even stickier!
Fit: 10 - Perfect fit! Laces to the toes eliminate any floating and keep 'em snug.
Comfort: 9 - Great support and stability! Rolled ankles are no longer on the radar
Weight: 7 - Very light, but not the lightest I've worn.
Durability: 10 - They can take a serious beating! Just ask st0ne.
Cushioning: 9 - Harder cushioning makes big drops very bareable! Much better than soft cushioning that can compress too much and leave you with bruised feet.
Overall: 9 - Waiting for the new "Freerunner"
Explain: OK, so the Savants are easily the most advanced shoe I have ever worn for PK. I wish I still had content from the old SFPK forum cuz I already went through and wrote up a huge review on my first impression of the Guide Tennie, which is similar. But super stoked for the Freerunner. I probly would have given the Savant 10's across the board if I didn't know about the makings of a better shoe  Wink

Cost: 92


New Balance 777
Pic of Asa's Shoe

My Favorite all around shoe.  I've had it for a semester and have done tons of training with them, and they still look brand new.  But alas it's only a Prototype Parkour shoe and not for sale yet. =)

Grip:                9
Padding:           7.5
Flexability:        9
Durability:         9.5
Cost:               N/A


ALWAYS try on the shoe before you buy it.  Jump around.

Things to keep in mind, 
Hows the Grip?
Make sure they have good padding in the ball of the foot (wear your suppose to land with your foot)
Make sure they don't have any Hard plastic on the bottom of the shoe.  Some shoes have plastic in the arch.
Personally i like it when the tread comes up and wraps around the side of the shoe.
Make sure they can breath and are flexible.

tat'z just my 2 cents.

[hydroscrog]

nice post! I will be in the market for a pair soon. what about tabi?
The split toe shoe/boots. I know it has little cushion but I sometimes think that its alot like barefoot running.

[Kurokaze]

so about the 777? do you have anymore insider info on them?

release date mayhaps?

[NoSole]

Damn, Ryan! If you think the Ariake's grip is 10, I dare you to try the Savant. Speaking from an objective standpoint, I think the Ariake has great grip relative to nearly all running shoes. But Savants still have more grip. It's tough to beat the rubber from a company whose soul mission is to create grip for climbers. And wait until the 5.10 Freerunner comes out. I got to try them last week and it's scary how sticky the soles are! Nothing else even comes close.

Stability wise, I think the Ariake and Savant are about the same. Padding, I can't really say how they (the Ariakes) stack up, wasn't able (or willing) to do any threshold testing. I just wanted to save my feet. Fit, I wasn't terribly impressed. I know there were issues with proper sizing (being that they fit larger than normal) and I feel like the leather would stretch over time allowing some floating room.

[Cloud]

hahaha yea I can't wait to see the 5.10 freerunning shoe.  NoSole could you do a write up in the same fashion for the Savant so i could update the thread?  The Padding is good on the Ariakes but it could use a little more.

If anyone else wants to do a write up of a shoe just post it in the same format i did and I'll add it to the original post.

hydro - I'm not familiar with the Tabi do you have a link

Kurokaze - Sorry no idea when they come out by it's a great shoe.

[NoSole]

You got it buddy. I already did one on SFPK, so I'll just repost it here. Feel free to reformat it if you like.

Also, I didn't to sound like I was stepping on your toes. Just wanted to post my personal opinion. So no offense intended if I came across that way

[NoSole]

Shoe: 5.10 SavantGrip: 9 - The stickiest rubber on the face of the planet! Not a 10 because the Freerunner's rubber is even stickier!
Fit: 10 - Perfect fit! Laces to the toes eliminate any floating and keep 'em snug.
Comfort: 9 - Great support and stability! Rolled ankles are no longer on the radar
Weight: 7 - Very light, but not the lightest I've worn.
Durability: 10 - They can take a serious beating! Just ask st0ne.
Cushioning: 9 - Harder cushioning makes big drops very bareable! Much better than soft cushioning that can compress too much and leave you with bruised feet.
Overall: 9 - Waiting for the new "Freerunner"
Explain: OK, so the Savants are easily the most advanced shoe I have ever worn for PK. I wish I still had content from the old SFPK forum cuz I already went through and wrote up a huge review on my first impression of the Guide Tennie, which is similar. But super stoked for the Freerunner. I probly would have given the Savant 10's across the board if I didn't know about the makings of a better shoe 

[Cloud]

none taken, this is to help the community so any input is appreciated!

[Muse_of_Fire]

NoSole, could you do a rating of the Flexibility of the Savants also?

Thanks.

[ghostinthebox]

hahaha yea I can't wait to see the 5.10 freerunning shoe.  NoSole could you do a write up in the same fashion for the Savant so i could update the thread?  The Padding is good on the Ariakes but it could use a little more.

If anyone else wants to do a write up of a shoe just post it in the same format i did and I'll add it to the original post.

hydro - I'm not familiar with the Tabi do you have a link

Kurokaze - Sorry no idea when they come out by it's a great shoe.

here's a link to a place that sells tabi shoes/boots:  http://www.tabisonline.com/

tabi's are the ninja-esque split toe design.  i guess they're still popular in japan, especially among construction workers.  i used to have a pair when i was a kid, the grip was pretty good as i recall, but it's been too long for me to really comment on.  ultra-light weight, though i don't know how durable they'd be.  there are lace-up models now, that look as though they'd be pretty hard-wearing.  tabi shoes do enhance your balance quite a bit, so they'd probably be great for precisions and balances.  i'd like to try out the lace-up models, personally.

i have an old pair of globe's (can't remember the model, sorry), and right now, those are my personal favorite for parkour.  i'm sure since globe's are skate and surfing shoes that they're not ideally suited for our purposes, but they do have a great grip, and they hold up like champs.  my pair must be 8 years old or more, and they still show only nominal signs of wear, and i abuse the hell out of them.  i'd like to see what globe could do if they set out to make parkour / freerunning shoes.

here's an odd thought... has anyone tried shoes for crews?  lol, just a thought.

okay, i'm off to research the 5.10's   

[Moa]

So you gave the savants a 9 in grip because the freerunners will be better so what has better grip the airrake or the savants?

[Travis Graves]

So you gave the savants a 9 in grip because the freerunners will be better so what has better grip the airrake or the savants?

Here's the thing man, both will grip more than adequately so if I were you I'd base any decision on other factors. When you have worked hard to improve form and strength in movements like wallruns, grip means less and less. So if you want a stiffer, more coushined, more supportive shoe, go with the savants. If you're like me and prefer a more flexable, sensative, responsive shoe the ariakes are it.

[#1Fool]

Does anyone know about the 320pk by inov8? They look impressive (specially wit the whole no mark sole) but I dont know if they are really any good.

[Patrick Holten (Denver Family) Flux Freerunning]

Ya truly, shoes with less random patterns and features on the bottom, are way more flexible than others, because they can flex more easily, and always have about the same amount of traction all the time so ya the K Swiss Ariake are the best choice hands down.

[Tyson Cecka]

Ya I wouldn't agree with the 10 rate for grip on the ariakes, you really haven't tried any approach shoes I guess. The problem with most sticky rubber though is that it marks everything to hell and wears through quickly. I think the rubber on the Ariake has some definite durability though, same as the whole shoe. I need a size that fits better before I can talk much more about them though (definitely get 1/2 size smaller, they break in well).

You found the NB prototype flexible? I was shocked at how stiff that shoe felt on my feet, granted I never tried to break them in fully, but they seemed worse than Merrels even.

Inov8's shoe is pretty sweet, I haven't worn a shoe that fit my foot so well before, made me feel like running. The huge problem is that while the clear sole was a good idea, it's incredibly slippery. Any water will wipe you out, and metal is pretty bad. If you live in a place that doesn't get wet definitely give them a try though.

[Cloud]

So you gave the savants a 9 in grip because the freerunners will be better so what has better grip the airrake or the savants?

Skynative has both shoes, and says the Savants have a better grip.  But I'd listen to what Travis said cause that is a much more important deciding factor.

I've tried some approach shoes the grip is great and they definately mark things up.  All the ones I've tried didn't have the best padding so i didn't consider them for parkour.  The NBs are great i'd give them another shot if you like.  Definately get a 1/2 size smaller for the ariakes like you said.

[Jason Todrick]

Levi should know better than anyone... He was one of the first people int he world to use the Savant for freerunning... and now he is sponsored by Kswiss... the list of people who have spent as much time in both shoes as Levi can be counted on one hand.