With the exception of the Trainer, New Balance appears to have largely discontinued their Zante line, though the Pursuit sort of lives on in spirit in the form of the Tempo. The Pursuit remains available for a discount, which is how I got my hands on a pair over the winter.
Zante Pursuits in light aluminum and deep ozone blue.
Designed as plusher shoes were starting to make inroads into the realm of the fast trainer, the Pursuit is an interesting beast, combining light weight with a modest stack height, a breathable knit upper, and a durable rubber outsole.
It’s a shoe that checks quite a few boxes. Its firm ride might make it less suitable for longer runs, though quite a few runners have driven these through marathons, but for runners looking for fast, light trainers that can hold up to a good deal of abuse, the Pursuits are worth a look.
Technical Information
The Pursuit uses New Balance’s Fresh Foam EVA foam midsole. There’s enough foam to provide decent cushioning for speed work, though the firm midsole and one-piece outsole make for a firm ride.
Flexible knit uppers are light and airy.
The upper is made from a soft, knit material (think tightly-woven sweater) that is soft, breathable, and flexible. The latter quality allows for a comfortable, adjustable fit.
Many lightweight trainers have moved toward rubberized foam outsoles or use strategically-placed rubber on high-wear areas, leaving much of the midsole exposed. The Saucony Kinevara and Hoka Cavu and Rincon all use these strategies, although with their thicker midsoles, the Kinevara and Rincon are plusher shoes. in contrast, the Zante Pursuit uses a solid piece of crystal rubber that covers the entire bottom of the shoe. There are no breaks, segments or grooves, just a large swath of translucent material with dozens of small, moulded lugs.
This would usually make for a heavier shoe, but the Pursuit’s light upper and comparatively thin midsole keeps the shoe’s weight down. The crystal rubber is durable and often striking, though prone to discoloration over time. The sole also add’s to the shoes stiffness and firm ride, though the forefoot rises sharply, forming a Hoka like “rocker” that contributes to a lively ride.
Impressions and Application
The Zante Pursuit combines is a lightweight shoe that potentially has a durability approaching that of a daily trainer. This combination comes at the expense of cushion. This is not to say that the Pursuits lake cushion or have a harsh ride, but there are similarly light shoes on the market today that are far more plush. The additional cushion often comes at the expense of more durable materials.
The crystal rubber outsoles wear well.
This creates something of a dilemma, as the Pursuit’s durability makes it well-suited for longer runs, but the thinner cushion and firmer ride might make other choices more appealing for mid and long-distance races.
I use these for my weekly speed sessions, which cover 6-7 miles in about an hour. I wore them for a virtual 15K without feeling too beaten up, and I’m accustomed to running in highly-cushioned shoes. Some reviewers have used Pursuits in marathons, while others felt the shoes were too harsh for running past six to eight miles. By no means are these racing flats, but they aren’t going to match something like the Rincon for shock absorption either.
The comparatively low stack height and narrow sole reduce the shoes’ stability compared to other neutral shoes I’ve run in, so runners in need of additional support should look at insoles or other models. In spite of the Pursuit’s narrow profile, I haven’t had a problem with room in the toe box or ankle. The knit upper’s material flexibility fits like a sock without sloppiness, though again, this was not the case for some other reviewers, who found the fit on the sloppy side.
New Balance struck a fine balance with these shoes. I find them ideal for speed work where their firm, lively ride, light weight, and “rocker” profile lend themselves wonderfully to faster paces. These would be fine shoes for 5 and 10Ks, and runners who don’t mind a firmer ride (by today’s standards, as the shoes are really middle fo the road on the cushioned front) will appreciate these qualities for half and full marathons, and the full rubber outsoles will withstand the pounding for miles.
Future
The Fresh Foam Tempo is touted as the Pursuit’s successor. I don’t own a pair, but the critical consensus is that that the Tempo is a very different kind of shoe with a ofter, flatter ride, although they are still best suited for shorter runs.
Type: neutral trainer
Uses: Speed work, medium speed, racing
Weight: (men’s size 10): 15.2 ounces per pair
Drop: 6mm
Cost: $110 originally; $69.99 on sale.
Product Site: (Roadrunner Sports): https://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/26532/mens-new-balance-fresh-foam-zante-pursuit/
