Bimai 42K running shoes a unique surprise
First of all, I would like to thank Codoon Gear Party for giving me the opportunity to review. I have been using Codoon since 2014. Initially, I wasn't very consistent with running, often taking breaks and playing more badminton. In 2015, I started using Codoon daily to track my running attendance. I also tried several other major running apps in China, but Codoon was the most considerate and user-friendly. Now, I only use Codoon and have uninstalled the others. Over time, my running distance gradually increased from 10 kilometers to 15 kilometers, half-marathons, and full marathons, eventually achieving a sub-3:30 marathon. Codoon has witnessed my hard work and sweat, my efforts and progress. It's not an exaggeration to call it my good buddy. I even encouraged my younger colleagues to form a Codoon city running group in our city, and it's developing well. Anyway, I have a deep connection with Codoon, so getting a review opportunity is well-deserved (haha).
2. Static Review
To be honest, before this review opportunity, I knew nothing about Bmai. I only wore Adidas, Brooks, Asics, and was familiar with Saucony, New Balance, and domestic brands like 361, Li-Ning, and Anta. But who is Bmai? Don't blame me for my ignorance; I was just focused. Until one day, I saw the Codoon Gear Party's Bmai 42K review announcement in the sports circle, and I was immediately attracted to the Bmai 42K. Its flashy yellow appearance and stylish design made me want to own it instantly.
Let's talk about the appearance first. Because I was on a business trip, I opened the box three days late, but the unique packaging of the Bmai 42 still surprised me. The special eco-friendly airbag packaging is lightweight and reduces deformation during transportation, providing maximum protection for the running shoes. Other running shoe manufacturers don't seem to have this kind of packaging.
Although I was eager to take the shoes out for a run, considering the review, I had to be professional and carefully examined the details of the running shoes. Here is the report.
l The upper uses one-piece jacquard mesh fabric and seamless film hot-pressing fusion technology, which is breathable and maintains wrapping to prevent deformation. The toe cap design provides maximum protection for the toes, preventing injuries from stones and other foreign objects. The unique MILE PRO logo shows its personalized characteristics.
l The X-shaped TPU support structure in the midfoot of the outsole and the TPU support pieces in the arch area on both sides ensure stability during movement, preventing twisting and deformation.
l The unique 3M anti-slip laces prevent loosening during exercise and have a luminous function, increasing safety during night runs. The Bmai 42.195 logo on the tongue, with its square, stamp-like font, leaves a deep impression.
l The large area of reflective design is both flashy and safe for night runs. The curved progressive TPU pieces on both sides of the heel provide strong support and three-dimensional protection. The anti-overturn design on the inner side of the heel's midsole reduces sports injuries.
l The outsole design is similar to that of brand A running shoes, using high-quality EVA cushioning material to ensure good shock absorption, reducing the impact on the knee joints. The new tread pattern with wear-resistant rubber in the front yellow and back black provides effective grip and maintains good durability.
l The inner midsole uses a new full-length cushioning material, which looks like jelly particles, semi-transparent, and very elastic when pressed with fingers, comparable to brand A. The insole has high-density material added to the forefoot area, increasing rebound and push-off force.
l Compared to the insoles of brand B's Glycerin series and brand N's 1090 series, the forefoot has added dual-density elastic material, and the thickness and elasticity of the insole exceed those of the other two brands.
3. Dynamic Review
1. On the morning of May 22, 2017, I was supposed to rest, but I couldn't resist the temptation of the Bmai 42, so I put on the new shoes and went for a run by the river. The flashy running shoes attracted a lot of attention, and I felt a sense of pride (haha). Even when walking slowly, the cushioning of the sole was good, and the elasticity of the forefoot was noticeable. When running, the cushioning of the outsole was evident, and the special dual-density material in the forefoot provided strong rebound, helping with quick landing support. For a moment, it felt like wearing top-tier running shoes from brand A.
2. On May 23, 2017, during an aerobic endurance run at a steady pace, with an average pace of 5:10 to 5:47, my weight of 68 kilograms, the running shoes responded actively and provided strong rebound without feeling stiff. The Bmai 42 is definitely a blessing for heavy runners.
3. On May 25 and 30, 2017, I did morning runs of 17.58 kilometers and a half marathon, respectively, to test the durability of the Bmai 42 in long-distance running. From the process, when the pace was between 5:00 and 6:00, the sole feedback was obvious, effectively releasing the impact of weight on the ground, providing maximum protection for the knee and ankle joints. When running at a relaxed pace of over 6 minutes, the cushioning was even more noticeable.
4. On June 1, 2017, during interval training, I tested the response speed of the Bmai 42 during fast runs, with a pace requirement of under 5:00. In five sets of interval runs, based on the feedback from the running shoes, when the speed increased to around 4:50, the cushioning of the sole was still evident, but the support for the forefoot was insufficient, preventing quick rebound. When the speed increased to under 4:30, this delayed rebound feeling was more noticeable, affecting the quick lift of the calf, feeling like stepping on cotton. It might be that the design overly emphasizes cushioning at the expense of landing rebound force.
4. Summary
Since trying on the Bmai 42, I have run 95 kilometers. Overall, the Bmai 42 is a rare gem among domestic marathon running shoes, with outstanding cushioning design comparable to brand A, suitable for heavy runners with a pace of over 5 minutes. Designed for Asian runners, the shoe's wrapping is slightly looser than brand B among the four major running shoes, with just the right tightness. The outsole and arch support structure are stable and effective, maintaining stability during running.
Disadvantages:
1. The glue smell after unboxing was quite strong and only gradually dissipated after a week.
2. The cushioning material of the sole is too strong, making it unsuitable for runners aiming for a sub-3:30 marathon.