Well, I have seen the future of Zoot running this weekend at out Team Zoot camp and it is called the Solana. All new design in form and function. A running shoe with a traditional tongue while maintaining the classic bare fit seamless interior technology Zoot has become famous for. A very open toe box, injected EVA foam sole, a sock liner which incorporates Z Bound foam which is all now in the upper part of the sole closer to the foot, 8mm drop, all for $100. Get excited!
I got a pair of them around a month ago and (in my opinion) it’s the first real mainstream shoe that Zoot has done. And, I think it’s going to do well. The fit is dialed in really well, especially for a first generation shoe. Fits good and snug throughout the heel and midfoot. Like you said, a bit wider in the forefoot. Midsole feels soft, yet responsive and very runable.
I haven’t run in them too much, because they are a half size smaller than what I need (could only get a 9 when I regularly wear a 9.5). But, they’d make a great lightweight training shoe or long course shoe with some regular speed laces.
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Thanks for the pic, I forgot to take one. I couldn’t wear them as all they had were 9.5, but the guys who did said the same. There is also going to be a second model called the Solana ACR (All Conditions Running) with a beefed up sole traction for running in bad weather conditions.
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Bryan,
What did Dave say about when we will get them? That’s exactly the shoe I need.
Thanks,
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Do you happen to know the heel or front height by any chance?
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Bryan,
What did Dave say about when we will get them? That’s exactly the shoe I need.
Thanks,
July I believe, Christian.
Do you happen to know the heel or front height by any chance?
I don’t but maybe Randy above does.
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Nope, don’t have the exact heel or forefoot height, nor is it listed in the catalog. From what I can tell, the forefoot is probably about the same as the Kinvara (possibly 1-2mm taller), and the heel is thus a bit more raised than the Kinvara.
Posted weight in the catalog is 8.5 oz, and that feels about right on my feet.
The EVA looks VERY comfortable! Saucony Kinvara finally has a real rival. Praying for flexibility around the ball of the foot.
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- Constant Ground Contact
- Independent lugs in the forefoot that work with your foot
- Quiet from impact to toe off
- Midsole is 21mm center of heel to 13mm center of forefoot
- 8mm means there is no adjustment period
- Available in July
.
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!(webkit-fake-url://50D8B270-8136-43C4-AEF4-277DE1093456/image.tiff)
- Constant Ground Contact
- Independent lugs in the forefoot that work with your foot
- Quiet from impact to toe off
- Midsole is 21mm center of heel to 13mm center of forefoot
- 8mm means there is no adjustment period
- Available in July
Boom, there you go from the horses mouth. 
Too bad, that’s not enough shoe for me. I like the direction the company is taking though. Thanks for the info!
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LOL, here you go.
Too bad, that’s not enough shoe for me. I like the direction the company is taking though. Thanks for the info!
Well, sir, Zoot is making a shoe for you in 2015. in the mean time you might want to try the Kalani, that is the most cushioned Zoot run shoe.
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I just looked it up, that’s still not enough cushion for me! I personally can’t stand the Kinvara, so not for me.
I may be particular, but I moved away from the 8+ ramp, took me a couple of years, and not looking back. I like my shoes in the 4-8 ramp range, with a minimum of 20 up front. I stopped keeping track of how many shoes/brands I’ve tried over the years to arrive to this conclusion. Only exception being the Lunar-type shoes, because the insert is incredibly shock absorbing, albeit maybe a little too soft. I don’t know what Zoot puts in the insole, but of it compares to the lunarlon inserts, then I might give it a try. Otherwise, I’m hoping for a 28 heel/22front-neutral type of shoe.
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I just looked it up, that’s still not enough cushion for me! I personally can’t stand the Kinvara, so not for me.
I may be particular, but I moved away from the 8+ ramp, took me a couple of years, and not looking back. I like my shoes in the 4-8 ramp range, with a minimum of 20 up front. I stopped keeping track of how many shoes/brands I’ve tried over the years to arrive to this conclusion. Only exception being the Lunar-type shoes, because the insert is incredibly shock absorbing, albeit maybe a little too soft. I don’t know what Zoot puts in the insole, but of it compares to the lunarlon inserts, then I might give it a try. Otherwise, I’m hoping for a 28 heel/22front-neutral type of shoe.
Zoot has a material referred to as Z-bound which is placed at the top of the sole and is now included in the sock liner. It’s going to provide a very soft feel.
Can you name a couple of your favorite shoes with that 20mm forefoot.
Thanks
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Right now, my trainers are the Saucony Triumph. 21mm forefoot. 8mm ramp. Close to perfect, but would like something more flexible. For racing I use the Lunaracer 3 and the 1 before that (skipped the dreaded 2nd iteration), but they use to be my trainers. 18-20mm forefoot, but can get away because of the Lunar stuff (forgot the ramp, 6 or 8mm). Before that I used the NB M880 v2 and 3, 20-21mm forefoot also and 7-8mm ramp. That’s probably my shoes for the past 2-3 years.
Anything with less cushioning actually hurt my feet, I’m pretty heavy (170lbs at my best…right, who am I kidding!).
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I am excited when you say “a very open toe box” - details?
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hey dave - i am a big fan of the Ultra Kalani series and have a fairly high volume forefoot. will this fit better/worse than the stretchy kalanis?
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