I didn’t used to think carbon-plated running shoes were worth the hype, then I tried my first pair and immediately knocked seconds off my kilometre splits. This performance boost rarely comes cheap, however, with Adidas’s premium race shoe retailing at £450.
That is why Lidl’s latest running shoe offering has caused such a stir. It costs just £39.99, but promises a carbon plate, lightweight design and plenty of energy return. But is it any good?
The Crivit carbonlite 1.0 arrived on my doorstep the day before it relaunched in stores across the UK (Thursday 3 September). Within minutes, I’d ripped off the labels, slipped into the shoe and started haring around a nearby park.
I tackled a warm-up, some strides, then followed these with an intervals session. The aim was to see if the shoe could deliver a featherweight build, lively ride and energy return belying its modest price tag.
Keep reading for my first impressions.
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Lidl carbon-plated running shoe review
The Crivit carbonlite 1.0 looks like the real deal. The semi-see-through mesh upper, flashes of go-faster orange and (helpfully labelled) carbon plate in the midsole tick the requisite boxes for a race-day trainer. I also rather like the design.
But it is noticeably heavier than any other carbon-plated shoe I’ve tried. My UK11 weighed in at 309g per shoe, compared with my go-to Saucony endorphin pro 5, which tipped the scales at 230g. This might not seem like much, but the difference was stark in-hand and, more importantly, on-foot.
When I first slipped the shoe on, it didn’t quite feel right. But after a few minutes of tinkering and re-lacing, I was able to find a snug fit. Then I was out the door and on my way.
With less than 24 hours to test the shoe, I did a few strides followed by an interval session comprising faster 200-400m work sections intermingled with jogged recoveries.
My first impression was that the fit is on the small side. I usually wear a UK10-10.5, but a UK11 fitted me fairly well. If anything, I could have gone up another half-size, so it’s worth trying the shoe on before you buy it.
The next thing I noticed was how firm the shoe felt – in every area. The upper was unforgiving, the bumper on the front buffeted my toes when running slightly downhill and the EVA foam midsole provided an incredibly hard ride – a far cry from the incredibly soft foam offered by most super shoes. If you want plush cushioning, this is not the shoe for you. I also found the right heel struggled to lock down my foot, resulting in a bit of unwanted movement at the back of the shoe.
Now for the positives. I felt snappy. Not super-shoe snappy, but I was able to hold paces that weren’t a million miles away from what I might have hit in a more expensive carbon-plated shoe. And on a rainy day, the grooved rubber outsole offered OK grip – an area where many race shoes, and their minimalist treads, have let me down in the past.
Should you buy Lidl’s carbon-plated running shoe?
I hate the idea that people are being priced out of fitness. Running should be one of the most accessible forms of exercise going – simply leave the house and start striding. But between pricey shoes, gels, clothes and other kit, it’s become an expensive pursuit.
For that reason, I like what Lidl is doing. It is offering a product many of us can’t afford at a far more accessible price point. If you want to try or own a carbon-plated shoe, this is the cheapest way to do so. And the shoe itself is fun to play with over shorter distances, offering more energy return than your average daily trainer, which is impressive for the price.
However, you cannot view the Crivit carbonlite 1.0 as a premium product. Sadly (but understandably), it doesn’t come close to the comfort, cushioning or performance of competitors that cost five times as much. That is why I would advise you to think of it as a budget carbon-plated trainer, rather than a super shoe.
The incredibly firm ride felt a little uncomfortable after a few kilometres, as did the equally firm upper. Whether this wears in after a few sessions will be determined after further testing.
So if you want to sample a carbon-plated shoe and only plan to use it for a few short intervals, this is a fun little runaround. If you want to do anything longer or more intense, or you want a do-all running shoe, you will need to look elsewhere.
When can you buy Lidl’s carbon-plated running shoe?
After a successful first launch in March this year, the Crivit carbonlite 1.0 is returning to Lidl stores on Thursday 3 September. It is only available in some regions but you can check whether it is available at your local supermarket via Lidl’s website.
The shoe is available in stores while stocks last but, if the initial launch is anything to go by, they are likely to sell out fast.
How much is Lidl’s carbon-plated running shoe?
The Crivit carbonlite 1.0 costs £39.99. If you are after a new carbon running shoe, it is the cheapest I’ve come across by quite some margin.
However, if you take your running seriously and you want a cost-effective carbon-plated shoe that will go the distance, I recommend checking out some of last season’s options.
Best running shoes
When it comes to finding running shoes that balance price and performance, here are two of my personal tried-and-tested favourites.
Saucony endorphin pro 4
The Saucony endorphin pro 5 is my favourite carbon-plated shoe. Unlike a super shoe, it feels like a normal trainer, with a full midsole made of foam that doesn’t disappear from under you – unlike the Saucony endorphin elite 2 and many other premium products I’ve tried. But when you put your foot down, it still delivers impressive speed and energy return.
Its predecessor, the Saucony endorphin pro 4, is a very similar shoe, and you can now pick up a pair for less than £100.
Buy now £99.99, Sportsshoes.com
Puma deviate nitro 3
This isn’t a super shoe, but it is an incredibly comfortable, stable and speedy option for those who like to run fast.
I ran my second Hyrox in this shoe and was able to hold 4min 30sec kilometres – on par with my 5K PB pace – despite having incredibly tired legs. The PWRPLATE technology in the midsole worked a treat
Buy now £89.99, Sportsshoes.com
Read more: 16 best running shoes, tried and tested by our experts
