I got the Anta C10 Pro for the purpose of review directly from Anta Adria. However, they have no control over this review and I will try to give my honest opinion on the shoe.
Before I will write about the shoe a few facts about me, that are important for the review. I’m mostly a half marathon and marathon runner. My latest marathon time is 3.28 and my latest half marathon time 1.35. I’m a heel to mid foot striker, 186 cm high and 72 kilograms. Currently training for y next marathon.
What does Anta say about the shoe
The ANTA C10 Pro is a high-performance marathon race shoe designed for elite runners seeking optimal speed and support. The C10 Pro incorporates advanced materials and innovative design elements to enhance running efficiency. The shoe is particularly suited to high-pace, long-stride runners, as they provide exceptional midsole responsiveness and dynamic fluidity. However, due to its specific design, it may require a certain level of running knowledge to fully utilize its capabilities.
The Anta C10 Pro is the running shoe used in marathons by one of the greatest long distance runners of all times, Kenenisa Bekele. Is a high performance marathon race shoe also a shoe that can be used by average runners?
How I tested the Anta C10 Pro
Till today I ran about 100 kilometers in the shoe. Before I write a shoe review, I normally do quite some runs in the shoes I test and review. From easy recovery runs up to tempo runs, intervals and a long run. I received this shoe after my last half marathon, just before I started marathon training. Therefore I did not test this shoe in a race.
To recap my runs in the shoe: 1 recovery run, 1 easy run, 1 interval session with 400m repeats, 1 interval session with 500m repeats, 1 interval session with 1k repeats and 2 longruns, one 24k progressive longrun and one 26k longrun with alternating paces.
Fit of the shoe
This shoe for me fits true to size. However, if you have larger feet and you need a shoe size bigger than 12US, you might have a bit of a problem. 12US is the biggest Anta running shoe size. If this is the case, Anta running shoes might not be for you.
The Anta C10 Pro is a marathon race shoe and we all know, that not all racing shoes are comfortable. Race shoes are developed for performance, not comfort. Somehow Anta found a good way to make the upper of the shoe comfortable enough.
There is quite some padding around the heel, so no issue with heel slippage or irritation of the achilles. The toe box has just enough structure and width and the upper is made from a thin mesh material for effective ventilation.
The tongue is not gusseted and it’s very thin. With just some minor padding at the top so there is not much pressure from the laces. But it takes a while to place the tongue and lace down the shoes. Once they are laced, the tongue is not sliding around. It’s not a dealbreaker but something you should be aware of.
All in all a modern race day upper. It’s not plush but still provides good comfort.
Performance of the shoe
First a bit about the midsole. For a lot of runner the most important part of a running shoe. The Anta C10 Pro uses a dual density midsole made from supercritical physical foam materials. This construction offers exceptional energy return and cushioning, helping to improve running performance. A carbon fiber plate is integrated into the midsole to provide propulsion and stability, promote a more efficient stride, and reduce energy loss during toe off.
There is a little warning sign on the shoe: Professional oriented marathon footwear for middle-forefoot running. While going out on your first run in the shoe, an 8k recovery run, I walked about 200 or 300 meters before I started running. Let’s just say, that this shoe is not made for walking. It felt unstable.
As soon as I started running I tried to strike the ground with my midfoot and that was ok. But as soon as I landed on the heel, it felt a bit unstable again. But than again, this shoe is not made for easy and recovery runs.
The ride was quite different during my interval sessions. As soon as I picked up the pace in the shoe I could feel all the forward propulsion from the midsole. It’s a shoe you need to run fast in. The faster you run and the energy you put in the midsole, the more you get back from the shoe.
It was easy to hold the paces throughout all interval sessions I did in the shoe. I would actually say, that interval running in this shoe is fun. Despite the hight of the midsole, just below legal limit, you don’t sink into the foam. It’s not one of those super soft foams, it keeps the legs protected from the pounding and still provides great energy return.
On both of my longruns I did some segments around marathon effort. In one of the longruns 1k and 2k segments, in the other one an 8k segment. Once you get to marathon pace the turnover feels effortless and the ride is great. But if you slow down or if your form gets a bit sloppy and you start to land more on your heel, the shoe becomes difficult to handle. I experienced it in both longruns at the end, when I ran the last 2k at my easy pace.
There is enough rubber on the outsole to protect the midsole foam and to provide grip. While the forefoot has quite a lot of rubber, there is less in the heel. After the runs I did so far in the shoe, there are no signs of use on the outsole. The traction is excellent in dry conditions. I don’t know how the outsole is performing on wet roads, since I have not run in any rain.
How will I use the shoe
I just started marathon training. The Anta C10 Pro will be my go to running shoe for some longrun workouts and some longer intervals at marathon race pace or faster. In case I will enter a 5k, 10k or half marathon race in the near future, I will test the shoe in a race. The shoe is build for racing and as such it should be used.
Could this be also my marathon race day shoe? Maybe. In my last marathon I struggled in the second half. But if my legs will be strong enough to handle the shoe and the way I need to run in the shoe, it will be on the shortlist for my next marathon.
Would I recommend the Anta C10 Pro
If you are a mid to forefoot striker, looking for a lightweight, fun and fast running shoe, yes. You don’t need to be a marathon runner to enjoy this shoe. It’s a perfect race day option for all running races, from 5k up to the marathon. It is the most fun shoe for faster running I used so far.
However, you should keep in mind that this shoe can not be used during easy runs and that it’s unstable, if you are a heel striker. So it would be a shoe you can use for some of your most important training runs and of course your races.
If you are looking for Anta running shoes outside of China, you can find them at Anta Adria.
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