For those expecting Hattori to be another barefoot-like shoe on par with VFF: You WILL be disappointed. While with its lightweight construction it may be classified as minimalist footwear, the Hattori is NOT really a barefoot (BF) shoe. The basis for this review is as a Running Trainer/Walking Shoe, and perhaps as a transition from traditional running shoes to more minimal BF shoes.
I have two pairs of the Hattori, with nearly 130 miles between them, and for longest runs of 7-8 miles. These are really good minimal cushioned shoes that fit the niche between traditional neutral cushioned trainers and BF shoes like Vibram Five Fingers (VFF).
The Hattori is similar to Nike Free 3.0 in weight, flexibility and cushioning-but with no heel-toe drop. They have a slightly tighter fit than NF with the slipper-like construction.
As a smaller framed middle-distance (5K/10K) fore/mid foot striker, this is becoming my favored trainer. They are light, responsive, yet comfortable for short to medium distances on road and trail that I have thrown at them (3-8 miles). My current inventory of running/hiking footwear also include VFF KSO , VFF KSO Treks, Merrill Tough Glove, Nike Free 3.0v2 and Saucony Kinvaras, all with issues for longer runs: The positive heel-toe drop of the Nike Free's bug my achilles, and with with Merrill & VFF I get a burn in the balls of my feet. The Hattori seems to solve both my problems, in that zero drop helps my achilles, and the cushioning eases the impact/burn issue of the VFF.
One negative that takes off a star: There seems to be a ¼ size variance between my 2 pairs (US size 8.5). To be fair this may be common in many models of shoes, but with the Hattori's slipper fit, the difference is pronounced.
In response to some of negatives from other reviews:
Sliding, Blistering: Like other trainers, varying adjustment of heel cup and upper straps, and and/or wearing coolmax or thin socks has solved the problem for me. I did have a transition period of a few runs to work out the adjustments and sock fit. This is one characteristic of the shoe that seems to align it to traditional shoe vs. BF shoe category.
Breathability: I find the breathability of Hattori to be on par with other trainers, regardless of whether or not I wear socks. As compared to BF-ware, I get more sweat build up in VFF Trek and Merrill Tough Glove than in the Hattori, likely because of closed leather uppers. VFF KSO and Sprint models win in this category hands-down.
Overall I am really happy with the Hattori as a basic lightweight trainer. I still like the BF experience of VFF and still supplement into my training program. While BF purists may not like the Hattori, it is a great transition shoe from heavier neutral cushioned trainers to more minimalist footwear like VFF. Or perhaps just a really good lightweight neutral trainer.
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Here's my review of the Saucony Hattori:
POSITIVE:
Excellent as daily trainer, including for longer distances (13mi+) on concrete.
EVA+, aided by the harder rubber under the ball of the foot, is turning out to be more durable than I anticipated: I estimate the Hattori have a 600mi lifespan on my feet
Saucony Hattori is faster in races compared to VFF Bikila LS due to more padding (esp. going fast on moderate/steep downhill) while still weighing less than the Bikila LS.
Upper is surprisingly more durable compared to Kinvara, perhaps it's the small strip of transparent plastic that keeps my big toe from piercing the mesh (NB I do trim my toe nails often)
NEGATIVE:
Can't wear without socks due to chafing, which I have no problem with in Bikila LS.
Feet can get rather hot in them on warm days
Racing chip or foot pod has to be attached to the back strap
Price: Less shoe should be less $$$
LC version looks and feels slightly roomier and better
Conclusion:
Some will argue that the Saucony Hattoris have too much padding for a minimalistic shoe, but shoes with little or almost no padding (e.g. VFF) in my experience result in slowing down on many non-concrete surfaces, steep downhill, ... which makes them less suited for racing and tempo runs.
I think the most important part of a minimalistic shoe are a zero heel-to-toe drop and being ultra light weight.
Like all minimalistic shoes, they will obviously not work for every minimalistic runner, but I would certainly advise to try out a pair esp. now the price is starting to drop.
This is a great start by Saucony in the minimalistic range, I hope there will be a Hattori 2.0
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I started running on the five fingers and loved them, but I do a lot of trail running so I started looking for a show with a thicker sole but still maintaining the minimalist feel. I found these on line and loved them! I have put about 200 miles on them and no issues they are the best shoe I have run with. The have a good free feeling to them and they are very light on my feet. I am personally not picky about whether or not they are snug like the five fingers I like that they feel like wearing a slipper. I am usually a 9.5 and that is what I purchased and I had no issues with the sizing they fit very nicely.
Honest reviews on Saucony Men's Hattori Running Shoe
This has got to be the lightest shoe ever made. It's like running barefoot. I like the shoe's design, perfect fit, ease while running and the muscle strength gained through the Saucony Hattori. I don't like it when people leave reviews that they "read somewhere else" and never even ran in these shoes. Therefore, the rating is tainted by those copy-cats. I give 5 Stars to this shoe!
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Hey so i have a pair of saucony Hattori shoes
and i gotta tell you this are really good shoes i'm impressed.
but a HUGE recommendation, i hope you guys get this a lot so you can take in considerations to make,
is to make the Hattori shoes exactly how they are but the only difference of them to be fresher or well air ventilated
once you make them with well air ventilation, you guys would have an amazingly great shoes with no comparison to other shoes!!!!!
and also keep making them with awesome colors. Please bring back the green ones.
