Li-Ning, the Chinese sportswear brand that has recently carved out a slowly-growing slice of the pie in the running space, continues to make waves with the release of the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra.
Joining the Feidian 6 Elite and Feidian 6 Challenger, the Ultra will offer runners a premium racing option dedicated to comfort and performance over longer distances than its two stablemates.
We haven’t previously talked much about this brand, but it’s been around for awhile and the designs just really felt like they deserved some attention! In fact, these remind of many of the Puma prototypes we’ve seen at recent Running Shows that everyone thinks look wildly futuristic.
Read on to find out more about the all-new Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra!
Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra Specs:
- Heel-to-toe drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 6.9 ounces
- Stack: 42 mm
- Colorways: 6 colorways available
- Available in wide sizes? No
- Price: $379
What makes the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra so Special?
Staying true to its high-performance roots, the Feidian 6 Ultra will come equipped with a Super Boom PEBA midsole. A full length carbon fiber plate sits between two layers of foam, while two Super Boom Capsules under the midfoot and forefoot reduce weight while adding to the bouncy sensation after landing.
A breathable woven Boom Fiber Upper wraps the foot securely over the sleek platform. The heel and midfoot, like many racing shoes, are built more narrow for a secure fit. The midfoot opens up for a more sure-footed transition to toe-off, but the toe box does taper off to a narrow point.
Li-Ning opted to go with a sock-like upper construction where the tongue is attached to the heel collar for extra midfoot support.
The near full coverage outsole will keep consistent with the Feidian 6 Elite and utilize Li-Ning’s Ground Control Unit (GCU) outsole rubber.
While some of the major brands have yet to craft a marathon supershoe in the sub-7 ounce range, Li-Ning leapt into the fray with their own big stack shoe coming in at a lightweight 6.9 ounces for a Men’s size 9.
As a total package this looks like a real winner. Yes, the price tag is higher than most others in the category, but if you’re comfortable dropping nearly $400 on your next marathon racer you might as well take the road less traveled.
Who is it for?
- Wide Feet: The toe box does appear quite tapered, so runners with a wide forefoot might struggle with breathing room.
- Heavier Runners: The high stack will offer plenty of impact protection but if you have stability needs it might not be the best option.
- Long runs: These are designed for long distances, but due to the setup the might be best suited for uptempo long workouts.
- Front of the pack: Absolutely, as the Feidian 6 Ultra is made for long distance speed.
Where will the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra Fit into the Feidian Lineup?
The Li-Ning Feidian 6 Ultra is the premiere racing shoe in the lineup, sitting just above the Feidian 6 Elite and the Feidian 6 Challenger.
The Feidian 6 Elite is the lighter, more aggressive choice for shorter races. It’s shown itself to be a great race option for shorter distances while also being a decent option for uptempo long run efforts.
The Feidian 6 Challenger is the entry level option of the three. Built to be more of a plated super trainer that can handle just about everything you throw at it, including races. Think of this shoe as the Adidas Boston 13 or the Hoka Mach X3. It’s like a Swiss army knife of sorts, and can be a good race day option for the every day runner who doesn’t have the energy to root around for flash sales and doesn’t want to spend close to $300 for a racing shoe.
Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite Specs:
- Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Stack: 41 mm
- Full length carbon fiber plate
- Available in wide sizes? No
- Super Boom Midsole
- GCU Outsole
- Price: $200
Li-Ning Feidian 6 Challenger Specs:
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Stack: 39.5 mm
- Full length carbon fiber plate
- Available in wide sizes? No
- Super Boom and Li-Ning Boom (EVA) Midsole Construction
- Durable rubber grip outsole
- Price: $170
Ok let’s hear it. Do you love this shoe, the design? Or no thanks give me something more streamlined?
What to read next?
- A Racing Shoe Based on Aerodynamics
- Nike Alphafly 4 Preview
- On Cloudboom Strike 2 – it’s crazy fast
Gut Training for Runners: How to Train Your Stomach for Marathon Fueling
Leave a Reply