Why go with a 232 when a 230 is lighter!?
Here’s why!
My first idea of this shoe was that it was going to be
exactly like the ƒ-lite 230’s…just 2 grams heavier, and who wants to haul
around that extra 2 grams!? Not my skinny ass!
When I received the ƒ-lite 232, I was pleasantly surprised
at a number of tweaks and changes made compared to the traditional ƒ-lite
models.
The most noticeable attribute is the new addition of the “anatomic
fit” to the ƒ-lite line, offering a curved last and roomy toebox, compared to
the narrow and straight “performance fit” of the previous ƒ-lite models. This “anatomic
fit” allows the toes to spread in a more natural fashion to cover more surface
area on landing and take off. With the “natural running” kick becoming more
prevalent, the demand for a “natural” feel is gaining ground (pun intended). Previously,
the entire line of ƒ-lites was only available in the “performance fit.” Not too
comfortable if you happen to be blessed with a wide forefoot.
The midsole foam compound of the 232 is much more cushy and
responsive than the previous ƒ-lite midsole, leading to a softer overall ride.
The previous midsole tended to be firm, offering a harder ride which could get
bothersome running on harder surfaces such as concrete for extended periods of
time. Who invented concrete anyway!? It sucks!
My beef with shoes that are now being offered in a lower
drop or zero-drop, is that companies tend to take the cushioning out of the
midsole so that all you are left with is a outsole and a upper, which is fine
if you love your foot gloves or your five-fingers! I tend to cringe when
hearing the dreaded term “zero-drop”. The 232s have a Shoc-Zone of zero, which
means that they don’t have a ramp angle, or a differential, or a drop, or
whatever the kids are saying now days. I do not cringe, however, when I run in
the 232s because the midsole, although very low profile and minimal in design
and function, offers adequate protection and cushion for my little footsies. A novel
feature for such a lightweight, zero-drop, performance shoe.
Some things remain the same: the Meta-Flex groove, allowing
a natural flex point in the forefoot, and Fascia Band which mimics the
‘Windless Effect’, sort of like adding NOS (not the rapper) to your Subaru or a
Flux Capacitor to your DeLorean. Wild, huh!?
Now the ƒ-lite line offers a gender specific fit (a more
narrow heel for females) with specific gender colors. The women even get a
lighter shoe weighing in at 219 grams for the comparable model. That is not
helping gender equality.
These shoes have taken on the potholed roads of Savannah, GA, scrabbled
over the craggy trails of the Pikes Peak Region and carried me 4 times around
the track in less than 5 minutes. You will also never be missed again thanks
the sunburst color and baby blue highlights are akin to wearing the sun with cake
frosting highlights on your feet. The competition will know you have come to
compete! After wearing them for some time now, I could care less about the
extra 2 grams of weight. I could always take the lucky penny out of my shoe to
cut the weight, but, then again, how much does 2 grams really matter when you
need the luck?
Note: This was a prototype model, production models may vary slightly but the colors will remain vibrant!
Review by some guy named Pedro Maximus
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