Bimai Mile21K Running Shoes Beautiful Objects Beautiful Scenery Too Much Beauty to Take In
1. Introduction
As a runner who hasn't been running for very long, I have quite a bit of knowledge about Bmai. Having had the opportunity to participate in the evaluations of the first and second generations of the Bmai Mile 10K, I have a special fondness for Bmai. I really appreciate Bmai's philosophy of 'Every step is a surpassing step,' which aims to provide cost-effective products to more runners. I am also very grateful to Codoon and Bmai for giving me the chance to experience another quality domestic product from Bmai.
2. Unboxing
From being selected to receiving the product was incredibly fast, showcasing Bmai and Codoon's commitment to user experience. Kudos to them! The package was wrapped in inflatable packaging, preventing it from being crushed and protecting it from damage caused by shipping issues. (Unfortunately, my wife opened it and threw it away before I could see it, leaving only the packaging box.)
The box contained a return policy, cards, and a letter from Bmai to the user, showing their attention to detail. I chose the 'low-key' blue color because I already had the purple version of the Mile 10K and found that most of my clothes are blue, making it easier to match.
The blue upper paired with orange laces creates a bold color contrast, giving a visually striking effect. The green design of the sole complements this flashy look without feeling chaotic. For runners with a flamboyant personality, this is a great combination.
3. Details
Before starting the evaluation, I took detailed photos of the running shoes under the light, which also reveals the design philosophy of the shoes.
The breathability of the upper can be seen through light, and its breathability is excellent. The TPU support at the arch, known as Arch Support, mainly functions to resist torsion and provide stable support. The upturned toe makes the running posture more relaxed and natural. The heel uses softer bilateral support, but I feel this could be optimized further. If it's too soft, it doesn't provide good support and isn't very convenient for putting on and taking off, which I'll discuss later.
The outsole uses different rubber for the forefoot and heel, with the forefoot having better grip and the heel being more wear-resistant (though actual experience suggests this could be improved, which I'll explain later).
4. Actual Evaluation
I weigh close to 180 pounds, so I belong to the heavier category of runners and have a greater need for cushioning in running shoes. When I wore the first generation of the Mile 10K, the feel was quite hard (ordinary EVA). Later, in the second generation, Bmai significantly improved the midsole cushioning, switching to the current Boom material, which I prefer in the Mile 10K second generation.
The first time I wore them, the initial feeling was that the sole was quite hard, and I didn't feel much of the soft and bouncy effect of Boom, which made me wonder if Bmai had regressed. After thinking it over, I realized that Boom technology might have been upgraded to enhance long-distance support, considering these are 21K running shoes (I can't make a definitive judgment without further testing, just a guess!).
For the first evaluation, I chose a combination of park and road running. Since running laps in the park can be monotonous, I prefer running in different places. Initially, the shoes felt a bit hard, but this feeling was different from the first and second generations of the Mile 10K. Especially after 10K, the feedback from the shoes became stronger, possibly because they were new and needed to be broken in. I maintained a pace of around 5:30 per kilometer.
For the second evaluation, I chose to run laps in the park at night. Unfortunately, it was very windy in Beijing that night, and my phone shut down due to the cold (yes, it shut down due to insufficient battery). So, I didn't capture any photos of my running form but did take a few pictures of the shoes at night.
After several evaluations, I analyzed the shoes from the perspectives of cushioning, support, durability, and wrapping feel.
Cushioning Performance: 8/10
To be honest, I have always been skeptical about the cushioning performance of domestic running shoes, but Bmai's cushioning is quite good. The Boom material upgrade from the Mile 10K shows overall good feedback. One thing to note is that you can truly feel it after breaking in the new shoes.
Support Performance: 8/10
This is an area where most cushioning running shoes need improvement. After long distances, the feedback from the shoes tends to be poor because the soles lose their support function. Bmai's support performance is quite good, and it still feels strong after long distances!
Durability: 7/10
I have to complain about this point. The outsole showed wear after the first run (although my weight might be a factor), and part of it was on the park's rubber track.
Wrapping Feel: 8/10
The wrapping feel is a conscientious design for domestic running shoes. I felt the tight wrapping the first time I wore them, and the overall fit was good. Since I always wear size 275, this pair fit just right.
Conclusion:
These running shoes are very cost-effective domestic products in terms of color and design. Although there is a gap compared to the four major running shoe brands, Bmai's thoughtful design is evident. However, the durability needs improvement. Considering the wear and tear of running shoes over 800-1000 kilometers, the outsole's durability needs enhancement. The poor anti-slip performance due to the wear is also a significant issue. I hope Bmai can improve this in their 42K running shoes, and I look forward to a better experience with the 42K.
