THE SELL: A PR-ready racing flat. THE TEST: This shoe hammers on race day. (One of our testers, Mbarak Hussein, won the U.S. Masters 10K Championships in it this past June.) But what sets the RC1400 apart from most floppy racing flats is its potential as a minimalist trainer. The foam cutout in the heel centers foot strikes for stability and springiness, and the shoe is high enough off the ground to cushion steep downhills. The airy and almost stitch-free upper is plush by minimalist standards, and there's plenty of rubber in the sole for tempo runs. THE VERDICT: The funnest shoe we tested for speed work and shorter runs. 7.2 oz; 8mm heel drop
Responsiveness: 5
Comfort: 4
