@all runners you have a pair of anta running shoes to buy

In 2017, Anta launched its self-developed A-FlashFoam midsole material, which was used in several of its running shoes. Among them, two special city edition running shoes (Kunming and Chongqing) were introduced, debuting at the 2017 SCO Kunming Marathon and the 2018 Chongqing Marathon, respectively. They were sold out immediately upon release. At the 2018 Xiamen Marathon, the famous athlete Yang Dinghong wore the Kunming special edition and achieved third place domestically.

Therefore, as an equipment enthusiast, I was naturally full of anticipation for A-FlashFoam. So, let's first get to know today's star through a picture—A-FlashFoam 2.0.

Actually, those who are familiar with running shoes might find the appearance of this shoe somewhat familiar. Indeed, when I got the shoes, I had this feeling because they look very similar to a pair of Ultra Boosts I own. This similarity might be what attracted me, but it could also be a point of criticism for others.

Due to the shooting angle, the picture doesn't fully reveal the similarities between the two shoes. If you want to know more details, you can click the link below to check it out.

Alright, let's get to the main topic.

Unboxing

First, let's take a look at the main character! Honestly, if we don't consider other factors and just look at the shoe's appearance, its looks are quite okay. At least, as someone who values appearance, I was captivated by its looks. I experienced the midnight blue version, which looks mature and stable. This shoe also comes in black, cool gray, ivory white, and fluorescent bright deep red, offering a rich variety of colors.

The upper is made of ultra-light elastic material. Although it is a double-layer fabric, it has many breathable holes designed on the upper, which suggests good breathability, suitable for running in the upcoming hot summer. The toe area features the currently popular anti-collision design.

Compared to the previous generation, the sides of the upper have been enhanced with four different shaped support strips, improving the support and adding a three-dimensional feel to the upper.

The tongue and collar are designed as one piece, using elastic stretchable material. To enhance the wrapping feeling, it also adopts an inner bootie sock design, significantly boosting the overall quality of the shoe.

The midsole material is Anta's core cushioning technology, A-FlashFoam, which is a blend of EVA and TPU. A-FlashFoam has performed well in other shoes. The design features seven gradually enlarging oval cutouts from the toe to the heel, reducing weight while adding style.

The outsole material is the same as the first generation, using lightweight, wear-resistant rubber. The oval cutout design and scale-like texture, with the scales' protruding direction opposite to the force direction, can improve grip during running and reduce energy loss. However, the tread depth is not very deep, which raises some concerns about its grip.

The insole is a 5mm thickened soft EVA insole with an arch design, maximizing foot conformity, enhancing comfort, and improving cushioning.

On Foot

The first impression when wearing these shoes is one word: light! Indeed, according to the official data, a US size 9 (commonly known as size 42.5) weighs only 240g (single shoe weight). My Ultra Boost weighs 285g (size 40) per shoe. In comparison, it shows Anta's confidence in its core cushioning technology, A-FlashFoam.

Personally, I feel that the on-foot experience of these shoes is quite good, which is a significant reason they impressed me! Whether for running, fitness, or daily wear, they are a good choice.

Actual Test

1. Cushioning (4.4/5)

These shoes are positioned as long-distance cushioning running shoes, so I first tested their cushioning performance.

First, I performed a simple test on the A-FlashFoam midsole by squeezing it with my hand. When I applied moderate pressure, the midsole showed noticeable compression and returned to its original shape when released, indicating that A-FlashFoam can absorb some energy.

Then, based on the hand squeeze test, I tested the heel area by pressing with my foot, and the feeling was basically the same as the previous test.

Later, I conducted a dynamic test by jumping in place. During the test, I could feel a slight rebound from the shoe, but it was not very noticeable, which is indeed a difference compared to the Ultra Boost. Of course, during the subsequent running process, I also felt this rebound force, but it weakened as the running time and distance increased.

2. Wrapping (4.7/5)

The shoe size is quite accurate. When paired with moderately thick socks, the shoes do not feel too loose or too tight. As mentioned earlier, these shoes use an inner bootie sock design. When the laces are tightened, the feet are securely locked by the inner bootie and laces, providing a strong wrapping feeling.

3. Breathability (4.7/5)

The running time was around 5 PM, with an outdoor temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, and the running distance was 10K. After the run, when I took off the shoes, I could see that only parts of the soles were slightly sweaty, while the top and sides of the feet were dry. This is the effect of the numerous breathable holes on the upper!

4. Durability (4.6/5)

When I first got the shoes, I noticed that the outsole was relatively thin, and I was worried about its durability. However, after a period of testing, including running over 50K and daily fitness wear, I found that the outsole is quite durable, with minimal damage from short-term intensive training.

Summary

Advantages:Lightweight, good cushioning, suitable for long-distance jogging; the upper has many breathable holes, enhancing breathability.

Disadvantages:The tread depth of the outsole is relatively shallow, resulting in poor grip, making it difficult to adapt to slippery road conditions on rainy days.

For a mid-to-high-end domestic product, the shoes have a certain cost-performance advantage. With summer approaching, do you happen to need such equipment?