K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light...

By Frank

The next sibling in K-Swiss Blade-Light family. Meet the K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light. This review came a little late for reasons you all know why due to my work.

The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light...

Lateral view of the Kwicky...

Medial view of the Kwicky...

I received this shoe back in May 2011 and was instantly impressed with the Ion-Mask coating on the shoe. The coating made the shoe almost water proof and I'm able to justify it as I literary poured water over it during my Sundown Ultra Marathon to cool my feet down. Water just didn't sip in and just drip off from the top. Gone are the Flow Cool System which allows fresh air to enter the shoe from the toe box and to exit via the heel counter. Instead, ventilation pods are now located at the side of the shoe and it works just as good. The 10 drainage ports on the mid and outsole are still present and it's made bigger this time compared to other Blade-Light models.

Closer look on the Ion-Mask coated overlays...

The Kwicky weight in at about 255 grams which made it light enough for both training and race days. Flexibility is amazing and the blades like the other Blade-Light shoes help a lot in propulsion. Cushioning on the fore foot is barely there due to the low profile design which I really like a lot. However, as we move slightly upward towards the heel, the presence of a medial post which offers stability turned me off. I really like all my other Blade-Light shoes for it's minimalist design but the Kwicky just didn't felt right with the post. It felt firm on my arch and unlike the K-Swiss K-Ona C which have its medial post on the rather mild side, the medial post on the Kwicky is rather on the higher side.

The firm medial post...

Back to the outsole, more Aosta II carbon rubber has been included this time round compared to the other Blade-Lights for improved durability. Furthermore, somehow the blades did not actually pick up a lot of small stones or gravels as compared to the others. Am I superstitious or has it got to do wit the design? Hmmm...

The outsole showing the drainage ports and the Aosta II carbon rubber...

The blades...

The seam free upper is also another highlight of the shoe. There's basically no stitching and the shoe can be worn sockless. It felt really good and with the ventilation and drainage ports built into the shoe, those with sweaty feet will be able to wear it with minimal concerns. Even the stay-tie laces did what its suppose to, to stay tied always.

The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light is certainly a product that deserves praises. But I will certainly prefer it if the medial post is done away with. If so, I will probably give it almost a perfect score. However, as we are differ, this is just my opinion. Good or great, try it on to know more about it. It took me the distance during my century adventure with no discomfort at all. And my feet was just a little damp despite pouring water over the shoe. Like K-Swiss mentioned, you start the run with a shoe that weight 9 ounces and finish it at the same weight. That's gonzo!

The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light is now available at a recommended selling price of RM519.0 and is available at Running Lab, Tropicana City Mall.