Reebok Returns!

Cool Running Road Test

Final Words - 31 December 2004

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Ian, on the Premier Road Lite

ok I know it's been more than a few weeks but good things take time! My final comment on the shoes is that, despite the name, for me they seem better for off-road than on. During a recent period of fairly high-km road running and racing a half marathon my calves were often quite sore, which I attribute to the fairly low flexibilty of the sole. I continued to find them great for off-road where the sole provided protection from point loading due to loose rocks and the like, and the impact forces are less.

Second Thoughts - 13 April 2004

Ian, on the Premier Road Lite

Now that I've run in the shoes for a while my initial impressions have been confirmed. The shoes definitely don't have that 'spongy' feel that I've come to expect, but the heel strike is quite soft and I find the shoes suit my running style quite well. The forefoot is distinctly firm and initially feels stiff but after a few runs I have really got to like it. The net effect with each stride is a soft heel landing followed by a shift to a stable forefoot with good traction to push off. The forefoot effect was especially noticeable when I took the shoes for an offroader over the Belmont Hills - they gave a very positive feel on the crushed bluemetal.

I am even getting to like the bright yellow colouration :-) I will probably make them my main running shoes for a couple of months and report back later.

Kate, on the Premier Road Plus

I have been for a few jogs in my shoes and am struggling to adapt to them. They are a very chunky soled shoe and rather rigid which is the not particularly suited to my foot type. Since I am a fore foot runner the heaviness of the heel aggravates my achilles and therefore the comfort factor is not great.

I went for my first run in them around Oriental Pde and it was hard particulary for the first 5 minutes while my legs were warming up. The 3 runs I have been in them since that have improved but I still find them heavy, stiff and not very willing to give.

I can often take a while to adapt to new shoes so I am willing to persevere!

Check back in a couple of weeks for more comments...

First look - 16 March 2004

Ian, on the Premier Road Lite

The Premier Road Lite feels slightly snug compared to the same size Asics 1080's I have been using, and at first I was a little worried that my orthotics might not fit in - but they went in just fine. I felt envious of Kate with her Premier Road shoes with their elegant light blue and white styling. My Lite's are a little more extrovert being based on bright yellow and white - which will suit those runners who need to look fast to run fast! Before running in new shoes I like to wear them to wear them in by walking around in for a few days.

The shoes feel quite firm especially around the forefoot, which is good, and the heel is not as spongy as many other brand-new shoes can feel. An feature of the Premier Road Lite is a little 'bridge' on the sole - which leaves an empty space underneath the arch of the shoe. Knowing the kind of terrain I often run in (hilly, dirty, and sheep-infested) this might become a magnet for the brown stuff, but we shall see.

Kate, on the Premier Road Plus

My first impression about this new pair of Reeboks is that they are quite a solid, chunky shoe, good cushioning around the heel and forefoot,and seem to fit my foot shape nicely (very high arches!). They are a little rigid and stiff, but hey most new shoes are.

But the most important thing of all is they are comfy and I am looking forward to going for a run in them!