Chinese running gear

[ejump0]

aonijie is legit quality stuff in ultratrail realm. 
heck this year they go big by being pack partner sponsor for the utmb. 

i have not used their pack yet (as i have salomon adv skin12), but besides socks n z-poles, aonijie run belts are quality. 

[raisinberry777]

I've got some Pace Beams on the way. Have experience with a few other carbon shoes (ASICS Magic Speed 3, Puma Deviate Nitro 2, Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2) so will be interesting to compare. Current favourite uptempo training shoes (the Deviate Nitros) have worn out and I haven't been able to find a good sale on new ones so thought I'd experiment this time around.

Initial impressions:

• sizing is true-to-size and equivalent with my Puma Deviate Nitros I am a size 9.5US/43EU/270CN and went for the same in the OneMix Pace Beams, fit is perfect
• initial feel is good, but quite bouncy. The bounciness feels better at higher speeds (say, 4:00/km and faster) - these will most likely be an uptempo training session / 5-10k race shoes for me
• pink/orange colourway looks excellent

[amacal1]

Initial impressions:

• sizing is true-to-size and equivalent with my Puma Deviate Nitros I am a size 9.5US/43EU/270CN and went for the same in the OneMix Pace Beams, fit is perfect
• initial feel is good, but quite bouncy. The bounciness feels better at higher speeds (say, 4:00/km and faster) - these will most likely be an uptempo training session / 5-10k race shoes for me

This is my experience as well. I've done a few runs (4mi or less) in my Pace Beams so far. Also size 43 and they fit well. Also found them very bouncy. I am new to "super shoes", so I don't know how normal this is or not. These are my first carbon plate shoes so I can't compare them to anything else, but I can also confirm that I feel myself wanting to run faster due to the bouncy-ness and the rolling effect. I'm not saying they "make me faster", but I am saying that I find my pace increasing despite actually wanting to slow down because they just feel better faster.

[raisinberry777]

This is my experience as well. I've done a few runs (4mi or less) in my Pace Beams so far. Also size 43 and they fit well. Also found them very bouncy. I am new to "super shoes", so I don't know how normal this is or not. These are my first carbon plate shoes so I can't compare them to anything else, but I can also confirm that I feel myself wanting to run faster due to the bouncy-ness and the rolling effect. I'm not saying they "make me faster", but I am saying that I find my pace increasing despite actually wanting to slow down because they just feel better faster.

I've only got a limited selection of other shoes to compare it to - all the carbon-plated shoes definitely feel more bouncy than regular trainers but the OneMix Pace Beams are probably another step up from that. Is more bouncy = better? Hard to say.

Finally gave them a proper rip today at a Parkrun and set a new 5k PB at 17:12 (long overdue - in good running form and haven't attempted a 5k PB in a few years) - I wouldn't say it's anything to do with the shoes but the main thing is that they do feel nice as racing shoes. Time will tell as to durability, whether the bounciness causes any physiological issues and what they feel like over a longer race but I'd certainly enjoy racing 5/10km races in them. Full-length marathon is not my preferred distance (not that I've even attempted one) so I'm not going to be a useful judge of what they're like for longer road runs.

[amacal1]

So far I've done about 26mi of running in the Bumper Elites and about 35mi of running in the Pace Beams. I gotta say I'm pretty dang impressed. I went ahead and ordered a third pair of OneMix because I don't think I can buy a pair of shoes locally that is even close for the price (plus I have a dedicated use for one).

The Bumper Elites are more comfortable (at least at first and for shorter runs). They seem to have slightly more ankle support and offer a more cushioned and stable feel, though they don't necessarily feel fast. The longest run I've done in them has been 5mi. I'm not sure I'd want to do huge distances in these as I think the squishy sole and the slow-ness of them might add up over long distances, but I'm not a super long distance runner so I don't really know anything about all that. The "stability" I speak of seems to be because it has a big, fat, wide heel. I think I want to start using these as my racquet sport shoes because of the comfort and the wide, planted feel of them. I'm no serious player, so I'm not going to shell out for an expensive pair of court shoes and the combo of good ankle support and wide, planted heel make me want to use these for that purpose.

The Pace Beams are noticeably faster. The sole is stiffer, clearly, because of the carbon plate, but it also has a narrower heel and more rounded profile that matches most other running shoes I've used
 before. They don't have as much ankle support as I'd like though. I keep talking about ankle support because my right ankle is not great (broken in the past, never healed well). It affects my gait and my ankle gets tired and sore easily. I have used these for more of my longer runs 4-5mi, but due to the ankle and the stiffer sole, I decided to only use them for "racing" rather than just "training". I raced a mixed road/trail 10k a week ago and I was really happy with them, all things considered.

With all of this in mind, I just ordered a pair of what seem to be called "Meeto". They seem most similar to the Bumper Elites. I'll probably do a few runs in these and between the Meeto and the Bumper Elite, one of them will be my "training" shoe and the other will be my pickleball/racquetball/tennis court shoes. For the approx. $40 I paid for these, there's nothing I can get locally that's quite as good as either a running shoe or a court shoe, if they're like the Bumper Elites.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807931354937.html

Also, I had ordered these BOA-like "thick" lace accessories at some point and I ended up putting them on the Bumper Elites. I really liked them and bought 3-4 more just to keep around for whatever shoes I feel like. I won't put them on my "race" shoes, for no real reason at all. But, I like the look and the function of them for quickly popping on and off.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808473816030.html

[raisinberry777]

So far I've done about 26mi of running in the Bumper Elites and about 35mi of running in the Pace Beams. I gotta say I'm pretty dang impressed. I went ahead and ordered a third pair of OneMix because I don't think I can buy a pair of shoes locally that is even close for the price (plus I have a dedicated use for one).

...

The Pace Beams are noticeably faster. The sole is stiffer, clearly, because of the carbon plate, but it also has a narrower heel and more rounded profile that matches most other running shoes I've used
 before. They don't have as much ankle support as I'd like though. I keep talking about ankle support because my right ankle is not great (broken in the past, never healed well). It affects my gait and my ankle gets tired and sore easily. I have used these for more of my longer runs 4-5mi, but due to the ankle and the stiffer sole, I decided to only use them for "racing" rather than just "training". I raced a mixed road/trail 10k a week ago and I was really happy with them, all things considered.

To back this up, I'm now about 200km (130mi) into my Pace Beams, and I absolutely love them. Have used them in 5/10k races and faster training runs. Really love how they feel at sub 4:00 pace.

There seems to be a new model replacing them called the Orca - no feedback on those yet though:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008341390746.html

[amacal1]

To back this up, I'm now about 200km (130mi) into my Pace Beams, and I absolutely love them. Have used them in 5/10k races and faster training runs. Really love how they feel at sub 4:00 pace.

There seems to be a new model replacing them called the Orca - no feedback on those yet though:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008341390746.html

I think that might be partially a case of bad AliExpress description and naming. There may be a new Pace Beam style shoe, maybe, but I don't think it's called Orca.

There does appear to be an "Orca" shoe by OneMix, but it's not new to 2025 (I don't think) and it definitely isn't a Pace Beam style shoe. I had seen it before and it looks more like their Bumper models. I'm inclined to trust the Orca name on this other shoe because I've seen that name attached to it on a few different other listings and cross referenced on another website. Plus, I can see why they named it "Orca", because they totally styled it to look like an Orca, ha ha. Again, it's not a carbon plate shoe, just a run-of-the-mill cushioned sole with some orca styling.

https://onemixofficial.com/products/orca-1?srsltid=AfmBOored8yDLOI9-dC-KzIMSEQRuADstifvYxY87JoZVOzC8E2-l3tP

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806679341965.html

[raisinberry777]

I think that might be partially a case of bad AliExpress description and naming. There may be a new Pace Beam style shoe, maybe, but I don't think it's called Orca.

There does appear to be an "Orca" shoe by OneMix, but it's not new to 2025 (I don't think) and it definitely isn't a Pace Beam style shoe. I had seen it before and it looks more like their Bumper models. I'm inclined to trust the Orca name on this other shoe because I've seen that name attached to it on a few different other listings and cross referenced on another website. Plus, I can see why they named it "Orca", because they totally styled it to look like an Orca, ha ha. Again, it's not a carbon plate shoe, just a run-of-the-mill cushioned sole with some orca styling.

https://onemixofficial.com/products/orca-1?srsltid=AfmBOored8yDLOI9-dC-KzIMSEQRuADstifvYxY87JoZVOzC8E2-l3tP

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806679341965.html

Good pickup. It looks like the one I linked is actually called the Land Aircraft.

https://onemixofficial.com/products/land-aircraft

I do wonder if the names of Western products in China sound equally weird.

[frenzen]

Does anyone use their running gear while biking like the hip belt or these vests to carry more water or bladder

[kbernstein]

Does anyone use their running gear while biking like the hip belt or these vests to carry more water or bladder

Some of it. Most of the "running" things I buy I tend to wear in everyday life and they inevitably end up being used on short commutes.
-The hip belts kind of suck when you are bent on a bike. Only put thing in the rear pocket, the front ones will be uncomfortable/inaccessible
-All the clothes work as intended. They're in no way better than cycling bibs and jerseys but they work to go to the bakery and back
-I am strongly against the conventional wisdom to never carry backpacks when cycling. Running vests absolutely do not apply and ARE comfortable over long distances
-The tiny 12g flashlights I praised above can keep up under 35kmh on the road

I've not been running much recently because of injuries and good weather is for cycling but I still have more "running" items I use everyday to review:

-2in1 shorts to replace my decathlon ones I accidentally chainsawed    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005068926217.html
Very good. Maybe quite heavy because they're 2in1s but they're comfortable, good stitching and most importantly pockets don't sag and don't drop items
180g instead of 125g because of the liner (maybe I can cut it...), upper isn't as stretchy but 4€ instead of 15€... Not going to complain

-More socks https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008158376655.html and https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006906524173.html 5€ for 5 pairs
I'm repeating myself but aliexpress socks are seriously excellent. I probably have 15 pairs now between aero and "pedestrian" socks and they're all great. Solid, no signs of wear, comfortable, breathable
If you still get socks locally you're a sucker, simple as

-Superfire HL23 headlamp https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005537145150.html
Junk. It has just one button to cycle between way too many modes (like 10?) and one to toggle a motion sensor that barely works. The body is unnecessarily big for what it is. The band is great and can be cannibalized to swap on nitecore headlamps with shitty bands though
For anything that isn't 1+ hour or technical terrain that requires 200+ lumens, the small 10g lights clipped to a hat will do just fine anyway

[amacal1]

-Superfire HL23 headlamp https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005537145150.html
Junk. It has just one button to cycle between way too many modes (like 10?) and one to toggle a motion sensor that barely works. The body is unnecessarily big for what it is. The band is great and can be cannibalized to swap on nitecore headlamps with shitty bands though
For anything that isn't 1+ hour or technical terrain that requires 200+ lumens, the small 10g lights clipped to a hat will do just fine anyway

On the topic of headlamps, I have one that looks the same as the following link (though, this is not where I purchased it). It's excellent for running because of how light it is, how wide the beam spread is on the led band and it also has that huge led band beam to act as a very visible safety indicator. I would probably prefer a lit safety vest for running at night, but - for now - I run with this at night and it's good enough.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807619499979.html

[frenzen]

back
-I am strongly against the conventional wisdom to never carry backpacks when cycling. Running vests absolutely do not apply and ARE comfortable over long distances
-The tiny 12g flashlights I praised above can keep up under 35kmh on the road

When you say running vest which one do you use, there are just so many different models and ones with bladder and ones without. Really confusing and how is ventilation?

[kbernstein]

I've used many salomons on bigger rides or commutes. All salomons, 5, 8, 12 and even 25L. never felt uncomfortable even over 6 hours. Would like to swap to aonijie but it's not a priority for me