falling in love with a fierce horse review of li ning fierce horse smart running shoes

Shoe Box: A dedicated shoe box for smart running shoes, labeled 'smart,' but it lacks the exclusive Liejun logo, making it less recognizable.

Side View: Each generation of Liejun running shoes has very distinctive color schemes, but the colors are often too flashy for some people to accept. The pair I received is in red and green, the main color scheme for the Liejun 2016. Everyone knows that red and green are very vibrant colors, and when combined, they create a strong visual effect, stimulating the eyes. I think this red and green color scheme is quite good, especially suitable for running, although it might be a bit hard to match with everyday clothing.

Front View: The Liejun is one of the few wide-last running shoes in the Li-Ning lineup. Although not all Asians have wide feet, most people do have relatively wide feet. Each generation of the Liejun has a sufficiently wide forefoot, allowing the toes to spread out comfortably.

 

Medial Side: The medial side of the upper uses a breathable mesh design, but it differs from the mesh material at the toe, being somewhat harder but not overly so. The mesh is relatively sparse, enhancing breathability.

Heel: A specially designed fixed support device for the heel enhances stability, significantly reducing the degree of lateral movement of the ankle during running.

Outsole: The outsole of the Liejun is extremely durable, generally lasting until the shoes are retired. The forefoot uses lightweight rubber, while the heel uses wear-resistant rubber. The combination of various materials greatly enhances durability. The arch anti-torsion device is rare in running shoes, designed for runners with incorrect running postures, enhancing stability during running and preventing arch torsion during lateral and side running.

Midsole: The midsole of the Liejun differs from typical running shoes, using a combination of various materials. It features the soft bounce of Li-Ning's Cloud Technology and the stable support of internal dual-density technology. The forefoot material is harder for better propulsion, while the heel is softer for enhanced cushioning.

Interior: The sizing of the Liejun running shoes has always been inconsistent, which will be detailed in the sizing section below. The interior padding of the Liejun 2016 is noticeably reduced compared to the previous two generations. The thickness of the sponge and the tongue padding has been significantly reduced, making it feel less substantial. This is not cutting corners but rather to enhance breathability. The weight of a bit of sponge is negligible; the heavy part is the sole. As for the internal stitching design, I think it's quite solid, but the EVA material layer between the insole and the midsole feels rather poor, with a rough texture. The smart chip slot is quite loose, causing the chip to fall out when the insole is removed, although it is usually held in place by the insole. Additionally, the semi-fixed design of the tongue and upper enhances the wrapping effect and prevents the tongue from shifting during running, which is very helpful.

Tongue: Like the Liejun 2, it uses a honeycomb breathable mesh design, reducing the pressure on the instep when the laces are tightened. The laces are standard fabric laces, long enough that they feel a bit too long when tied tightly, occasionally coming loose during running, but this is acceptable.

Upper: The upper uses a combination of seamless and traditional stitching. The mesh thickness is neither too thick nor too thin, as the previous two generations of the Liejun had complaints about being too stuffy. This generation has been improved. The traditional stitching at the toe is to support the leather material, ensuring the toes can spread out comfortably.

Insole: Li-Ning's insoles have always used this design, with yellow EVA material and green eco-friendly fiber material. The insoles are lightweight, durable, breathable, and odor-resistant, but not as comfortable as foam insoles. The first generation of Liejun used Ortholite foam insoles, but unfortunately, this was not continued.

Sizing: When buying shoes online, the most concerning issue is sizing. Sometimes, buying a size too big or too small can be inconvenient, leading to wearing them anyway, which is not ideal. Here, I recommend that runners buy Li-Ning running shoes based on the internal length. For example, 260mm is suitable for people with a foot length of 26cm. Unless otherwise specified, such as the Liejun 1 or special editions like the Yunma Pose Running Method, generally, you can buy your regular size.

Smart Chip: The smart chip is mainly for people who like to use mobile apps for running. When listening to music while running, using the Xiaomi Sports app, it records the running cadence, route, and allows you to share on social media, which is quite fun. However, if you want to run faster, it's better to run lightly without distractions.

Weight: The Liejun is the heaviest running shoe in the Li-Ning lineup, mainly due to the thick sole, the accumulation of technology, and the substantial interior padding. However, as a stable running shoe, 317g is still acceptable. Hopefully, the next generation will be lighter.

Experience

Recently, I've been practicing long jump, with a lot of sprinting and jumping. My overall impression of the Liejun is that it's strenuous to sprint, transitions are smooth, and landing is comfortable. Clearly, such a heavy sole is not suitable for sprint training. However, for exercises like frog jumps and stride jumps, the Liejun is very suitable. It provides good stability, with dual-density midsole support and Cloud Technology cushioning, ensuring smooth transitions and reducing the risk of knee injuries.

Cushioning: 9 points

Made from a combination of various materials, the technology is particularly impressive. The midsole feels great, sufficient for slow runs, and effective for jump training.

Breathability: 7.5 points

Although the upper is much thinner, the overall breathability is still average. During a slow run, the shoes can feel stuffy inside, and sometimes the socks get quite wet after running.

Support: 9.5 points

The arch anti-torsion, heel support, and upper hardness all enhance the support performance of the shoes. While running, the shoes feel very stable.

Durability: 9.5 points

The thickness of the wear-resistant rubber on the outsole is very satisfying, with a large area of lightweight rubber. The bottom design is similar to the second generation, which has received positive feedback.

Wrap: 8 points

Due to the reduced padding, the shoes don't feel as snug. I have a normal foot shape with a wide forefoot, and they feel slightly loose.

After several years of development, the Liejun has secured a place among domestic stability running shoes. Whether in terms of technological promotion or actual wearing experience, it lives up to its reputation and price. Of course, the Liejun may not be suitable for all runners due to its unique support and cushioning, which may not be ideal for those seeking speed. It is more suitable for heavier runners or those who have done too much speed endurance running and want to slow down and relax their muscles. As a training shoe, I think it's very suitable. The midsole cushioning and outsole durability can easily handle general training intensity. I believe each generation of the Liejun will continue to improve.

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