REEBOK KUAI DISTANCE $100Reebok’s reputation for producing effective distance

running shoes reaches back more than a century.The Kuai Distance stands out as the best model

among the dozen or so they’ve already produced inthis century. The upper is a mix of woven mesh and

supportive midfoot overlays, with HF-welded sup-port straps over the toes. The newly developed spike

plate is a bit of a hybrid. Its forward pitch gives it amiddle-distance appearance, but the full-length layer of molded EVA softens the ride a bitfor longer races without inhibiting the faster paces of the middle distances. The sharkskin

heel provides an accommodating grip when the heel finds the ground.

Sizes: unisex 4–12,13,14,15 Weight: 6.8 oz. (w/spikes, men’s size 9) Spikes: 6, replaceable

Upper: mesh, synthetic overlays Innersole: EVA Midsole: full-length CM-EVA

Outersole: TPU heel, Pebax spike plate Recommended for: 800–10,000 meters on synthetic surfaces.

Early results from the track demonstrate that the buildup to Beijing hasbegun. Our technical track spike review in January included the earliestentries into the market. We offer this update to introduce you to the latest

offerings. We expect that by July we’ll have at least one more update to wrapup the new shoes we’ll be seeing in the Olympic Games in August.

For 2008, Reebok focuses attention on its high-end spike offerings byintroducing two new styles designed for athletes in track events from 100 to10,000 meters. Both carry the name “Kuai,” a transliteration from Chinesewhich means “quick,” “swift,” or “fast” and their design says the same thing.Scheduled for retail release in April, these will hit the shelves just in time forthe invitational and championship seasons.

REEBOK KUAI SPRINT $100The Kaui Sprint, as you might guess from the name, leanstoward the quickest end of the “Kaui” definition. The newlydesigned Pebax nylon spike plate provides a fairly rigidplatform for sprinting, but does so at a minimum cost inweight. This model is more of a power sprinter’s shoe,though it’s not on the stiffest end of the spectrum. The syn-thetic upper is supportive and the Pump bladder offers acustomized fit by surrounding the foot with its inflatable channels. Together, the upper and thePump keep your foot securely over the spike plate to maximize your contact with the track.That security allows you to translate all your effort into horizontal progress. The sliver of EVAmidsole buffers the impact from each step without dampening the crispness of your strides.

Sizes: unisex 3–12,13,14 Weight: 7.1 oz. (w/spikes, men’s size 9) Spikes: 8, replaceable Upper: mesh,

synthetic overlays, Pump system Innersole: EVA Midsole: full-length CM-EVA Outersole: full-length, flexible

Pebax spike plate Recommended for: sprints & hurdles to 400 meters on synthetic surfaces.

Our previous spike reviews are available in the Winter 2007 issue of ATHLETES ONLY

and on the Web at www.atf-athlete.com.

2008 Track Spike Update By Cregg Weinmann

CREGG WEINMANN is footwear and running products reviewer for the Running Network LLC. A competitive runner for the past 43 years, he also has coached runners at all levels for almost 30 years. He can be reached via email at shuz2run@lightspeed.net.

Copyright © 2008 by Running Network LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be stored, copied, or reprinted without prior written permission of the Running Network LLC. Reprinted here with permission.

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