Gear Review: Mizuno Hitogami 2
Having a two shoe quiver, I noticed I am lacking in a quick and light trainer/racer. My Zoot Kiawe are triathlon specific so running track workouts or tempo days in them really doesn't play to the sock-less use for that shoe. In my research, I came across this shoe and thought to give it a try. Billed as a quick day training shoe or a racing shoe, it features light weight less cushion for speedwork. For many, it could also double as a racing flat.
First Impressions
These shoes are loud. Not in sound but in color. I purposely chose the brilliant fluorescent yellow shoes and they certainly are hi-vis. The material feels supple and well-made. Putting them on for the first time, I immediately felt how comfortable and roomy they were. They have a wide toe box and none of the shoe feels constricting. It is obvious that there is not as much sole underfoot as other shoes but that is to be expected for the stated purpose. I would not say they are minimialist since the ramp is 9mm and feels like a mountain compared to my current shoes (4mm ramp). But they are less shoe than the typical everyday trainer.
First Run
The first thing I felt was the ramp incline. After a few minutes to adjust, they felt remarkably similar to my Kinvaras. I could feel the ground contact and the shoes are very responsive to my running dynamics. I would say the responsiveness is probably the best part of the shoe. The heel cup is not as form fitting as others, having a rounded shape. It did feel foreign and perhaps warrants a little tighter laces to ensure my heel stays put in the back of the shoe. The underfoot is not as stiff as my Zoot or some other racing shoes with a carbon shank because this shoe does not have as prominent of a carbon shank in the sole. That does make it hug the ground more but lacks the snap of other "quick" shoes.
Ongoing Runs
I have done several quick runs in the shoe and it is quite snappy. I never felt held back by these shoes like I did in the 361 Volitation. That is a good trait for a quick day trainer. I have not yet done any long runs in them and I doubt I will use them for longer runs. They are not built like a high-mileage daily trainer for marathoning.
I have also discovered that the Hitogami fits into the Mizuno "quiver" of shoes with the Sayonara filling the gap of a lightweight middle distance trainer and the Wave Rider being the bulkier everyday workhorse of the line. It is potentially worth it to look into the other shoes to build a more specific stock of purpose-driven running shoes.
First Impressions
These shoes are loud. Not in sound but in color. I purposely chose the brilliant fluorescent yellow shoes and they certainly are hi-vis. The material feels supple and well-made. Putting them on for the first time, I immediately felt how comfortable and roomy they were. They have a wide toe box and none of the shoe feels constricting. It is obvious that there is not as much sole underfoot as other shoes but that is to be expected for the stated purpose. I would not say they are minimialist since the ramp is 9mm and feels like a mountain compared to my current shoes (4mm ramp). But they are less shoe than the typical everyday trainer.
Look at how bright they are!
First Run
The first thing I felt was the ramp incline. After a few minutes to adjust, they felt remarkably similar to my Kinvaras. I could feel the ground contact and the shoes are very responsive to my running dynamics. I would say the responsiveness is probably the best part of the shoe. The heel cup is not as form fitting as others, having a rounded shape. It did feel foreign and perhaps warrants a little tighter laces to ensure my heel stays put in the back of the shoe. The underfoot is not as stiff as my Zoot or some other racing shoes with a carbon shank because this shoe does not have as prominent of a carbon shank in the sole. That does make it hug the ground more but lacks the snap of other "quick" shoes.
Ongoing Runs
I have done several quick runs in the shoe and it is quite snappy. I never felt held back by these shoes like I did in the 361 Volitation. That is a good trait for a quick day trainer. I have not yet done any long runs in them and I doubt I will use them for longer runs. They are not built like a high-mileage daily trainer for marathoning.
I have also discovered that the Hitogami fits into the Mizuno "quiver" of shoes with the Sayonara filling the gap of a lightweight middle distance trainer and the Wave Rider being the bulkier everyday workhorse of the line. It is potentially worth it to look into the other shoes to build a more specific stock of purpose-driven running shoes.
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