That the Zoot Ali’i are not ordinary shoes, you can see at first glance because the traditional laces are replaced by the Boa system.
This solution, which is already found in some running shoes and many trail shoes offers unquestionable benefits in terms of fit, fitting and adjustment: it takes very little time to slip them on, adjust them, open them up, and-just in case you need to adjust the lacing-with a click of the Boa you tighten them up. Slightly more complicated issue is if you need to open them slightly, in fact you will have to open the adjusting wheel and re-tighten them.
But still, you will do each operation faster than with traditional laces.
I’m talking about opening/closing speed because the Ali’i-as the name implies-are shoes inspired by and designed for triathlons but, of course, it makes no difference if you’re going to use them without swimming and cycling first.
The road test
As soon as you slip them on, the feeling is one of great comfort, and the upper with the upper-at the lacing height-very padded makes you know right away that the steel wires connecting the lacing points will not be a problem.
These are shoes that are designed to be worn without socks, so internally there are no friction points and ventilation is great.
As I said, lacing them up takes between 0.5 and 0.7 seconds-just turn the wheel to the point where you feel your foot anchored in the shoe but not overly tight. You’ll need a few initial trials to figure out what the right pressure on the foot is, but then you’ll take a blink of an eye.
Comfort is also provided by a very wide toebox (the front part that houses the toes) that allows the foot to spread out in support, promoting natural movement.
Okay, so I think I was clear: it is very convenient and the use of the Buoy system is quick and easy.
As the upper and the fit are comfortable, dynamically, the Ali’i are very responsive. Cushioning is designed in a modular fashion so as to accommodate those who rest on the heel (who will find impact absorption) and those who rest in the midfoot (with great responsiveness). The latter are also facilitated by the 8-mm drop that leads to shifting the ground contact point more toward the forefoot.
It is a shoe that is designed and inspired by the Ironman – Ali’i Road is where the athletes who participate in the Kona IM arrive – and so you can easily imagine how it is also devoted to long runs in fact, with proper support at midfoot height, it maintains good running dynamics even after many kilometers. The sole-midsole system goes along with this philosophy while still maintaining a marked responsiveness and a certain “dryness” in cushioning.
Ultimately
The Zoot Ali’i are multi-purpose shoes; they are good for both fast work and long slow, comfortable work. The aesthetic may be divisive but-to further accentuate its Hawaiian spirit-it was developed by artist Keith Tallet and certainly has its “why.”
With a list price of 140€ (but can be found online at great discounts) and a weight of about 280 grams, they are excellent shoes that will accompany you for many many miles, I hope, all the way to Kona.