Mizuno TC-01 review

Who should buy the Mizuno TC-01

Mizuno, a brand founded more than a century ago has always been focused on sports like running, golf, volleyball, etc. But in 2019, it made its first breakthrough into the field of cross-training footwear, thus the TC-01 was born. This model is equipped with technology that gives wearers better ground feedback. It is a solid pick if:

• Achieving balance when you lift weights has been elusive and you need a shoe that would help fix the issue.
• You prefer a trainer that eases the challenges of agile workouts and short runs through its overall flexibility.

Flat outsole for stability

Checking the bottom of the shoe, you won’t find any aggressive lugs. Contrariwise, it has a nearly flat rubber outsole which helps to receive better feedback from the surface. And that means better balance.

The problem with thick treads is that they create extra padding between the foot and the ground which considerably decreases underfoot sensitivity. In turn, the shoe’s flat outsole helps the foot react faster during agile movements and feel more sure-footed when it comes to lifting weights.

Adhesion to gym floors

The TC-01 compensates for the absence of rubber lugs with the use of textured rubber and a geometrical outsole pattern. These features eliminate the unwanted slipping and sliding on smooth surfaces.

Research-backed Center of Balance

Although this part of Mizuno TC-01 is hidden from the eye, it is the shoe’s highlight technology. Made up of numerous responsive pods placed under the foot, this component instantly transmits information between the foot and the ground. That way, it aims to improve sensitivity and body awareness to help the wearer achieve a better sense of balance throughout the workout.

Mizuno has taken this patent-pending C.O.B. technology through a 6-week study to demonstrate its impact on the wearer's performance. The research involved several athletes training in the shoe for 6 weeks and then doing a workout in a lab setting. According to the brand, the results showed that these athletes improved their balance skills and had a faster reaction.

The Mizuno TC-01's cushioning

A thin layer of polyurethane is placed on top of the C.O.B.pods. This soft unit was added to protect the foot against impact without hindering underfoot sensitivity. It also has a flexible nature to promote freedom of movement.

The foot can achieve better balance when it’s placed flat on the ground. That’s why the TC-01 employs a heel-to-toe differential of 4 mm, similarly to most CrossFit trainers. It helps the wearer feel more sure-footed during dynamic multi-directional movements.

Embracing booty construction

Sliding the foot inside the shoe, you will notice a soft fit offered by the booty design. It has a padded collar and no separate tongue to keep the footwear securely around the ankle. Internal straps have been added inside the shoe to further lock down the midfoot.

Additionally, the lace-up closure with an extra pair of eyelets can be used to regulate the fit. 

The Mizuno TC-01's knit fabric

On the outside, the Mizuno TC-01 is covered by a soft knit fabric. It is engineered to give a compression fit in the right spots and yet stretch and loosen where needed. The knit has larger pores on top of the toe box to let the air go in and out of the foot chamber.