Kelme Apolo

We have received a model of the Spanish brand Kelme, and it has been a pleasant surprise to see the good feeling that these Kelme Apolo have given us.

It is likely that many of you identify Kelme with other sports such as futsal or soccer, but be careful because they are betting heavily on running with models with an excellent quality/price ratio. There are many runners, and each with different tastes and needs, so I think there is room for everyone here, and this is a personal opinion.

Buy in the official online store Kelme(Less than 40€)

First impressions

At first glance, as soon as you open the box and look at them, the colorful design, coloring, etc., catches your eye. One thing is for sure, Kelme does not want us to go unnoticed.

It is a bright yellow color that goes very well with the time of year in which we are, summer.

Already in hand, it doesn't give me the sensation of being a very heavy shoe, not a featherweight either, but something quite balanced for a training shoe.

I feel them all over, I flex them, I squeeze different parts to check if there is something to be criticized and, in principle, what I feel I do not dislike at all, we will see if they have behaved and have given us the same feedback on the asphalt as in the hand.

Let's go then with the analysis of these Apolo.

Houston we have a great shoe!!!!

Cushioning and midsole

These apolo 's have quite nice cushioning on the run. They are very comfortable for medium to long runs. They combine two technologies to achieve this. The name of both is Phylon Tech and Cushion Tech.

The midsole compound gives the sensation of being EVA which is the main responsible for providing those pleasant sensations in the race.

Outsole

The outsole can be divided into several parts due to its composition. On the one hand is the toe area, it has a tread that reminds me of trail shoes, wanting to grip the asphalt and the truth is that they get it.

On the other hand, the toe and midfoot area are formed by various geometric shapes, two kinds of rectangles divided by a torsion guide, however they are joined by small threads that provide some resistance and help the response. In this part the sole is smoother and has no lugging, but inside it has a series of hexagons. I understand that this composition is to get less wear in that part of the sole since there is not a smooth compound, but perforated.

The same happens with the external part of the sole, in its entirety is formed by those hexagons that seem as carved and that in that way have less contact with the asphalt so that the wear is less or is less noticeable (although they are different things).

In the heel area, there is a more sticky blocking, also in the shape of hexagons and what it achieves by having more compound is to also take advantage of it to cushion a little more to withstand abrasion.

Upper and last

Regarding the last, I found it a bit wide, at least for my foot, which does not mean that it fits perfectly to other types of physiognomy.
I think this width makes it perfect for those runners who need the use of corrective insoles or who simply like to add an extra point of cushioning with gel insoles.

The upper is what I liked the most because of the absence of seams in its entirety. It is practically formed in one piece. The only existing seam is on the heel where there is a synthetic leather strip that in my opinion is merely aesthetic.

As I said I like the way they have built the upper. In the midfoot area they have played with thermosealing to give a little more support, making the structure a little more solid. This area is the one that surrounds the symbol of the brand, the K.

In the heel area they have also added two plates on the sides that act as a buttress to support the calcaneus.

As for breathability, little to say, it is pleasant for the time of year in which we are, but I am curious to try them on a rainy day to see how they behave, in terms of water absorption by the fabric. This is a point that remains in suspense until it can be resolved but I do not think it is something negative.

The only negative I can give in this section is in the area of the lacing. I think it is necessary to create a last eyelet, since the one that is now the last one is too low.

This is a point to be improved, but it will not be difficult to solve.

Interior

The interior has a good finish, with a design that attracts attention by not being something smooth and sober, it has some black line drawings that combine very well with the yellow, at least in this model that I have had to test myself.

The insole is about 4mm thick which adds to the comfort of the shoe.

The tongue has a good thickness, enough to protect the instep when tightening the laces and avoid excessive pressure.

The height of the rear part is perhaps too high. The collar is too high, a few millimeters lower would be a correction that would add a plus to this model.

On the move

As I mentioned at the beginning, the sensations that these new Kelme Apolo have given me have been very positive. A shoe with which it is easy to run, that has a very good grip on the surface on which you vaya and that has a good cushioning getting a comfortable practice.

Conclusions

This model with a 10mmdrop, is intended for runners with a neutral stride with a medium, medium-high weight, we can be talking about from 70 to 85kg and who train at easy paces, between 4:45-5:30min/km.

Shoe with a contained weight that does not reach 300gr, 291gr for a 9.5 USA.

In favor

• Cushioning.
• Grip.
• Quality/price.

Disadvantages

• Lack of last eyelet.
• High collar.
• Anti-rock plate.