Pan Marathon Predator
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to my first and only pair of running shoes (for road running) that held so many memories. From my first steps to completing a marathon, they had been with me for less than a year. Durable in every situation, they withstood everything—until the day a dog from near the office decided to make a meal out of them. I was furious that day, ready to kill the dog on the spot.
The Day I Wanted to Kill a Dog
The story begins last Tuesday when, after a run, I left my shoes on the shoe rack outside the office, where I usually keep them. Later in the morning, Phet told me that a dog had taken my shoes but had been retrieved. I didn’t think much of it until I went to check and found my shoes torn to shreds. I was so angry at that moment; I was ready to kill the dog. Those shoes were my first pair, full of memories, and I couldn’t understand why the dog did that.
Moving On: Finding a New Pair
I’ve never been one to own multiple pairs of running shoes; usually, I stick to one pair for both training and racing. Now, I needed a new pair. I had a specific criterion in mind: affordable and reasonably good quality. I had my eyes on the PAN Marathon Predator for a while, after reading numerous reviews, including seeing Kenyan runners using them in the Thailand Marathon. I thought it wouldn’t be a bad choice.
I started searching for this model immediately, but due to its rising popularity and reasonable price, it was challenging to find. Every website and store was sold out. After checking several places and almost giving up, I thought I wouldn’t find them in time since I needed the shoes urgently for training.
Finally Found Them
After teaching a class today, I decided I needed to find a new pair of shoes, or I wouldn’t be able to run. I headed straight to Central Festival, navigating through the evening traffic. As soon as I arrived, I went to Super Sports, looked around for Pan, and there they were! I found them!
The second problem was the size. I usually wear size 42, but they only had size 44 left. I tried them on, and while they were a bit loose, they weren’t too bad. With past experiences of buying shoes that fit snugly but caused injuries during long runs, I decided to go with the larger size, even though it was two sizes up.
Overview, Performance, and Technology
Before diving into the actual review, let’s look at the technology behind these popular and reasonably priced shoes. According to the PAN Sportswear website, this model is designed for runners who aim for a natural running experience and is suitable for long distances (the website suggests 19-24km). The shoes weigh about 215 grams, which is quite light.
The midsole is made from EVA foam, making the shoes lightweight. The upper material is a breathable mesh, designed to allow air to flow through, reducing heat, moisture, and odor, thus enhancing long-distance running performance.
The sole isn’t very thick, and the heel is not raised much higher than the forefoot, making them ideal for mid-sized runners. According to the website, these shoes are designed for marathon racing, which piqued my interest even more.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The first thing I noticed was the lightness of the shoes. The mesh material was so thin that you could see through it, which made me worry if they were too fragile. However, the benefit was that air could flow through easily, keeping my feet cool.
In terms of design, they weren’t the most stylish, but they weren’t bad either. The bright yellow color stood out, though the craftsmanship wasn’t the best—it seemed more focused on the racing concept.
As I tried them on, I noticed that they were slightly loose, but they seemed to fit well with running socks. The toe box was wide, allowing my pinky toe to sit comfortably without being squeezed, which was a good sign.
Testing Them Out
I’ve been used to my old pair of shoes, which had a soft, cushioned feel. When I started running in these, I noticed they felt firm—almost too firm, causing some discomfort in my ankles when running at a faster pace. This might be because my previous shoes had a higher heel-to-toe drop, while these shoes are closer to a natural running experience.
The firm sole design helped push me forward, making them more suitable for fast runners. The breathable mesh did its job well, as I could feel the airflow, keeping my feet cool.
However, the downside was that even a small amount of water or mud could easily seep through. The laces needed to be tied tightly, or they would come undone during a run.
The heel cup provided good support, extending up to the Achilles tendon, which was reassuring. The sides also came up to the ankle, which might be a bit warm, but the lightweight material helped balance that out.
I’ve run about 10km in these shoes, both at fast and slow paces, without any injuries. I still need to test them over longer distances, but for now, they seem to be doing the job.