Review of smart sneakers from Xiaomi

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Stylish sneakers with electronic filling, which are not inferior in quality to the products of famous brands.

Xiaomi is no longer new to sports shoes. A year ago, we introduced you to Xiaomi Smart Shoes, which were created in collaboration with the largest Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li-Ning.

Xiaomi released the following sneakers on its own. On their packaging there is only the Mijia logo - a separate division of the company responsible for the production of smart appliances: lamps, alarms, tracking systems, kitchen appliances.

Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers can also be called smart due to the presence of a small chip in the sole that can count steps and transmit data to the owner's smartphone. But we will not start with this, but with an assessment of the appearance and convenience. After all, first of all, it is still sports shoes, and only then an electronic gadget.

Appearance and materials

A gray pair arrived for testing. There are also blue and black versions, but in our opinion, this is the most successful color. However, it is worth considering that light gray sneakers will quickly turn dark gray if worn in bad weather or running through dust and soil.

The upper of the sneaker is made of synthetic knitted material, which has different densities in different parts. The sock has a denser structure and is glued from the inside with something like a rubber tape, which protects against abrasion in those places where the fingers rest.

Thanks to the knitted material, the sneakers are well ventilated, which allows you to use the shoes even in the hot season. The material is quite elastic and light, so it feels like wearing the usual house slippers. The heel is securely protected with a dense plastic insert.

The main innovation of Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers is six transverse stripes that act as stiffening ribs. They run from the outsole to the lacing bar for durability throughout the structure. The designers spied on this solution from the skeletons of fish, which is why it was named the Fishbone Arch Lock System.

The outsole looks quite thick. It consists of three layers, each of which fulfills its role. The outer is made of durable polyurethane with a LEGO texture. These bumps provide excellent traction on all types of terrain.

The inner layers are shock-absorbing to protect the runner's feet from shock when landing. The front edge of the sole has a slight upward bend, which should protect the toes from hitting possible obstacles. Despite its solid thickness, the outsole flexes beautifully in the forefoot, making running even easier and more enjoyable.

In general, the appearance and workmanship of the Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers deserve the highest praise. In this respect, they are absolutely on par with the running models of Puma or Nike in the same price range. In these sneakers, you are not ashamed to come to the gym, run a distance on the street, or even just go for a walk.

Smart filling

The intelligent chip is installed under the insole in a special groove in the sole. It is found in both the left and right sneakers. While walking or running, the chip is not felt at all, so after a while you will simply forget about it. Fortunately, the battery lasts for several months. The filling of the chip is protected from moisture according to the IP67 standard, so you can not be afraid to get your feet wet in the rain.

First of all, you need to connect the electronic capsule with the Mi Fit mobile application, which is available for Android and iOS. To do this, simply go to the "Profile" tab, click on the "Add device" button and select the "Sneakers" item. The smartphone itself will find the chip, after which it will offer to perform a preliminary calibration. To do this, you need to put on sneakers and stand still for a few seconds, feet shoulder width apart.

As a result, a special tab with data received from sneakers will appear in Mi Fit. This is the number of steps taken, the distance covered and the number of calories burned. It is important that sneakers are able to determine the nature of the activity themselves - running or walking - and more accurately estimate a person's energy consumption.

The electronic filling of Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers has its own memory, which is able to record the results of training sessions throughout the week. When paired with a phone, they sync with the Mi Fit app and the Xiaomi cloud, so you can be sure that even if your shoes are lost or damaged, nothing happens to your sports record.

Practical tests

During test runs, the Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers showed themselves exclusively on the positive side. Due to their low weight, they are practically not felt on the foot, but at the same time they provide excellent protection for the foot. The elastic knit upper wraps around your ankle softly and snugly, while the cushioned memory foam footbed quickly conforms to your foot.

We were able to test the sneakers under different conditions. Of course, they are not very suitable for races on snow, but in all other cases they proved to be at their best. The bumpy outsole showed good traction both off-road and on asphalt. And during training in a gym with a glossy smooth floor, the shoes seemed to stick to the floor. Excellent result!

Outcomes

Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers left behind a double impression.

If we consider them solely as sports shoes, then the sneakers deserve the best rating. Lightweight, beautiful, comfortable - they look and feel no worse than the products of famous sports brands. And if you trust the numerous reviews of buyers who have already managed to vilify them for several months, then this model can also be praised for its durability.

However, we were not impressed by the electronic filling. They do not offer anything that the Mi Band bracelet, which, it seems, has already gotten by half of the planet, could not. If sneakers could count, for example, stride length, analyze the correct position of the foot while running and give some recommendations based on this, then yes, there would be some sense in having a chip.

Therefore, we recommend buying Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers only if you just need good modern sneakers for sports or walking. If you see them primarily as an electronic trainer, then you will surely be disappointed. From this point of view, even the most inexpensive fitness bracelets look much more promising.

At the time of this writing, the cost of Xiaomi Light Weight Sneakers is 3,233 rubles.