The Perfect Shoe? Read and find out.

I had been running in some ghetto New Balance for quite some time, and had decided on some new shoes. I got on the internet, and found these shoes, the F-lite 301 PK. I had never heard of the brand name, but decided to try them out, due to the description at the F-lite website. I have yet to find a better shoe.



Weight 5/5
These shoes are incredibly light, so much that I can perfom my martial arts kicks with no negative effect, unlike any other shoe I have ever worn. They weigh about what my slip-on vans do, which is saying something, considering they're little more than a slice of rubber glued to canvas.

Comfort 5/5
I live in Northern Alabama, where summer heat can reach a sweltering 100 degrees for weeks at a time. That being said, these shoes are very cool, with breathable mesh over the toes and tongue. Mesh covers the entire shoe, but much of it is blocked by the shoe's support and padding. They fit like a dream, and arch support is the best ever. I have plantar faciitis, and these shoes eliminated my painful arches.

Cosmetics 4/5
These shoes look sharp as a tack, and I can't complain about the design. A good contrasting black and white design that goes far, they look good whether you are wearing running shorts or pants, and look really good in blue jeans as an everyday shoe. However, I must deduct a point due to two problems: F-lite pulls a Henry Ford and offers the 301 PK in any color, as long as that color is black. While I like black shoes, I would have liked a white color scheme. Keep in mind that the F-lite brand is trail based, so I assume that they colored it black to fend off mud stains, but when you label your shoe under the "urban adventure" category, I expect a little urban style. Also, the white portion along the sole is lined with black stripes that, however stylish, come off very easily. Within my first week of running these stripes had been marred. I have heard of similar problems with the 320 PK. For $100 US, I expect the paint to last at least a month.

Durability 4/5
In the long run, these shoes are hardy and durable, lasting through several months of PKing through asphalt, grass and gravel. I noted the sole is coming off a little on the edge by the ball, but 6 months into these shoes, that's impressive. While it may be a cosmetic failure, within the first few days of PKing, the soft foam sole had begun to tatter. While it effects nothing performance-wise, I was surprised that my shoes looked a month old in the first week, but two months old half a year later.

Grip 5/5
From wall-runs to cat-leaps to tic-tacs, the grip is unmatched. That's all I have to say. They get a little slick when wet, but we all know to avoid wet sneaks by now, right?

Feel 4/4
It's remarkable how these shoes are extremely shock absorbing and cushioned for long drops, but retain their feel on rails and other touchy-feely situations.

Overall 5/5
The perfect shoe? As long as you like black, they are. Keep in mind that the sizes run a little small, and therefore you should order a size smaller than you normally wear, or so I was directed by zombierunner.com. I believe I ordered a half size smaller, and they fit great. For $100 US, worth every penny.