• out of stock

Li-Ning Feidian 4 Challenger Carbon Plated Running Shoes $110.46 + $5 Delivery ($0 with $150 Order) @ Running Warehouse

850
RUNNING15

Had this shoes popped up on AliExpress so I did a Google search, and found Running Warehouse Australia is currently having a sale. $129.95 + $5 standard postage for this (was $199.95). It's a light-weight carbon-fibre plated running shoes with relatively low stack height. Specs:

  • 2/3 length carbon plate
  • full length PEBAX foam
  • full length rubber outsole
  • 220g at US size 9
  • Available in Men's US sizes 8 to 12
  • Also available in pink.

Can't seem to be able to find info on the stack height, but older Feidian Challenger has 22-29mm with 7mm drop, so I am guessing the latest release would be similar. Here's a video review from RWA, and review on Reddit.


Mod: Added code RUNNING15 to bring it down to $110.46 from $129.95. Thanks to Pho King.

Related Stores

Running Warehouse Australia
Running Warehouse Australia

closed Comments

  • +1

    i want the alie version

    • +1

      It's actually more expensive but has more colourway & sizes.

    • -5

      Cheaper on 1688 and fish:

      1688: $12.50 - Second photo

      Fish: $10.34

      • +2

        And nowhere does it mention Li-Ning Feidian… 🤔

        • -2

          Honestly this is why I ozbargain the person who started ozbargain is just as passionate about deals.

          But you're right. I should've made it crystal clear that I linked to reps; that's on me.

          I simply didn't want others to feel like they were missing out on the deal because they couldn't afford to spend $135 on a pair of shoes.

          But you're right. I'll make sure to point out they're reps in the future. That way people won't mistake them for the real things.

  • +3

    I'm curious, what does a carbon plate do for you when running? Complement the custom spoiler on your WRX?

    • +23

      It acts like a spring — compress and then propel. Back in the days of the original Nike Vaporfly 4% people were calling it a cheat, but these days every major running shoes brand has a carbon plated racing shoes. Every winner on the podium of a marathon major race wears one.

      • +1

        Interesting, thanks!

      • +1

        Mizuno have a similar technology, 'wave ride' or some such, just with plastic. Can confirm, it's an energy rebound technology and aids in running.

        • The wave plates are kind of different. Even the full plates don't return as much energy as the carbon variations.

      • +5

        I don't think it's the actual carbon plate that propels you forward.

        The plate is there mainly for stability, because the PEBA foam used on supershoes is too soft and unstable (but super responsive).

        The energy return on PEBA foams can exceed 90%, while the good'ol EVA is around 70%.

        You probably can't have 40mm of PEBA without a plate, probably wouldn't be able to stand up 😅
        So they put a plate in the middle to make it stiffer.

        Hope it makes sense =)

        • +6

          nope, this is incorrect. it is definitely the carbon plate. when you bend the carbon plate, it flicks back to go flat. this is the propulsion it creates to assist you in running faster and longer. foam also help, but the majority of the propulsion comes from the carbon plate.

          • @Hugh G Rection: In super shoes, both the PEBA foam and the carbon plate play a role in helping propel you forward, but they do so in different ways.

            PEBA Foam: This lightweight, highly responsive foam provides energy return by compressing underfoot and then springing back, giving a bouncy, propulsive feel. The foam contributes to overall cushioning and energy efficiency during a run.

            Carbon Plate: The carbon fiber plate adds stiffness to the shoe, which helps with propulsion by minimizing energy loss during toe-off. It acts as a lever, propelling you forward with each stride, allowing for a faster and more efficient transition.

            The combination of these elements—responsive foam and a stiff carbon plate—works together to reduce fatigue and increase running efficiency, allowing runners to maintain a faster pace with less effort.

          • -1

            @Hugh G Rection: Have you ever seen carbon plated shoes using EVA foam?

            • +1

              @l o l: Plenty of shoes with PEBA foam without the plate though, but not all of them are unstable.

              • @scotty: Any of them with 40mm stack height, without any type of plate, or a firmer EVA foam to help?

                I would honestly be very curious about it.

                • +2

                  @l o l: Nike Invincible 3? 31mm front, 40mm heel, ZoomX midsole, no plate. Very wide profile though which provides stability.

                  • @scotty: I went to have a look at the runrepeat for the Invincible 3, and it says:

                    "Nestled between the insole and midsole is a new layer that helps to tame the squish of the Invincible and keep it under control."
                    "This new strobel lining makes the ride more stable but it does dampen the cushioning a bit."
                    "Another big change in the Invincible FK3 is the redesigned heel clip, which is now thinner and extends further into the midsole. This made the back of the shoe more rigid and structured, thus providing significantly more stability in the heel."

                    So basically they tried a few different tricks for added stability (and the result was 💩).

                • +1

                  @l o l: I found this video by "Foot Doctor Zach" quite interesting as he cuts both a Nike and a Li-Ning shoe in half and you get a chance to look at the construction. Admittedly, a different Li-Ning that the one on sale here, but still informative.

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMPnXFyBClc

                  • +1

                    @Kinjiru: Nice one. I always see reviews on runrepeat, as they cut all shoes in half as well, and have the most comprehensive reviews anyone could ask for =)

              • @scotty: Stable is relative, if you running forward on flat even surface you're mostly stable without any help.
                In indoor court sports, Carbon Plate is a must if you play at higher levels.

          • @Hugh G Rection: Very confident to correct l o l but they are actually closer to accurate, based on the research actually done looking at running efficiency, i.e. Hoogkamer who did the well known study on the o.g. Vaporfly. Saucony/Puma showed that cutting a carbon plate in half had very little effect on efficiency, even though it reduced stiffness.

            Basically the foam is the #1 contributor to efficiency gains, followed by the plate in #2, and the geometry in #3. The plate adds stiffness (giving efficiency gains) but has a greater effect in facilitating motion, i.e. the unstable foams giving more efficiency gains.

            This is why running shoe tech has improved massively since the o.g. Vaporfly came out in 2017, breaking race WRs along the way, while the carbon plates themselves have remained relatively the same - it has come from advancements in foam and geometries, and it's the combination of all 3 that is the "magic sauce".

            Remember, not all foams are created equally, even "ZoomX" by Nike is formulated very differently in each of their shoes using it, same as Lightstrike Pro, FuelCell, Nitro, etc. It's just people hear "carbon fiber plate" and assume that's doing all the work, while you have to be into running shoe tech to know the difference between PEBA vs TPU vs EVA etc.

    • +2

      Its used in a similar way to the prosthetic limbs for sprinting - energy rebound. Its kind of like mini trampolines in your heels which help you run faster.

    • +1

      This guy obviously does not run

    • -1

      beware - recent studies show these "super shoes" put more load on your knees so take care

      • +1

        this study is irrelevant unless you run a race everyday, lol.
        its a race shoe not a training shoe. you only wear on race day.

        • -1

          I think, but am not certain, that my initial wear of a pair of alphaflys to break them in resulted in a stress fracture in my foot. Perhaps a different height and responsiveness to what I was used to. I've read studies that suggest and deny that stress factures could be related but hard to know which to believe without more research than the effort is worth.

          • -1

            @Seaman Jones: I've been using Alphaflys for weekly long runs. Can confirm that I've experienced more ankle and foot injuries lately. A few other friends have experienced the same.

            • -1

              @mandelbrot: why?
              long runs you should be using a max cushion shoe if you are just running for fun or training.

              again, carbon shoes are for race day.
              race day = timed event where you are trying to beat a PB.
              if you are trying to beat your PB every week you aren't running correctly and will injury yourself.
              the minimum you should use race shoes is once a month, but definitely not once a week. that's crazy.

              • @Hugh G Rection: I've got several pairs of Alphaflys. Trying to wear through them so I can justify buying the new versions for raceday. Coming back from injury and lost a lot of fitness. Alphaflys for long easy runs just makes the effort a lot easier…. But I know I shouldn't be running in them.

            • @mandelbrot: I tend to agree with the other comments that I wouldn't use them that frequently but I am thinking that some people, based on differences in feet, are more prone to injuries from them over other shoes.

          • @Seaman Jones: this is why im hesitant to run in carbon plated shoes.

            • +1

              @mordinhoz: carbon is fine and fantastic on race day timed events where you are trying to beat your PB once a month minimum.
              definitely not every week.

            • @mordinhoz: If you have the money and are looking for that fast time I still think it is worth trying. I have several friends I am casually competing against and hoping for any advantage I could get…

          • @Seaman Jones: I highly doubt a single run caused the stress fracture. Foot stress fractures are quite common and are usually related to tissue adaptation.

            • @HerpinDerp: Like I said, I cannot definitely confirm it was the shoes but with nothing else changing it was where I focused. Similar runs per month, similar distance and the only noticeable change was the shoes.

      • -2

        There badminton shoes got quite a lot of bad reviews too

    • I get it to compliment my carbon fibre gaming chair

    • Ironic response with that username.

  • +5

    Even scotty gets invalid negs lol

  • +16

    What's going on with the neg votes? Hobby joggers or barefoot runners?

    • +10

      sore loser i guess

      • +6

        where can I find this constructive feedback you talking about?

    • +35

      Years of “China bad” news propaganda has caused severe brain rot.

      • +5

        Quite a few products on the OzBargain home page right now were made in China but only the running shoes get down voted? Those aren't valid neg votes anyway according to the Voting Guidelines.

        • +2

          Yeah you tell them scotty 🔱🔱🔱

        • I think you have missed the China car posts if you think only the running shoes are getting negged… way worse.

          Regardless, I find ozbargain has a very large Skynews crowd compared to say Reddit.

        • Made in China is different to Chinese Brand

    • +11

      new here?

      • +4

        I think we all know who he is 😂

        • the guy rules, quite literally!

      • +7

        His user ID is literally "1" 😂

    • +2

      The rainbow colourway probably has some 'special' people having a fit.

  • +1

    340 RMB for these on Taobao
    EDIT: that being said I don't know how reviews/fakes are like on taobao lol

    But did find Feidian Challenger 3s for 489 RMB from their official store

    • +1

      the taobao official store is selling it at CNY¥519(~AUD$108-110) during this single day promotion period. If you can get various vouchers before 10am and combine multiple items, the price could potentially drop to $9x.

  • +3

    NGL the Aliexpress fakes are getting good.

    Bought a pair of Asics Superblasts off there for lols. if there wasn't a video on youtube explaining the subtle differences (stitching etc.) i wouldn't of been able to tell the difference.

    • +2

      I actually bought one last year, and I think it's real to the point that I bought another pair of Saucony Triumph 20. The old pair I got just crossed 1,200km and about to be retired — the outsole is all worn out but PWRRUN+ midsole is still great.

      • +3

        How do you get 1,200km out of a pair of shoes?! I must be doing something wrong. Mine get uncomfortable after ~500-600km.

        • +2

          Which shoes? I found eTPU-based PWRRUN+ midsole quite resilient. I bought a Saucony Ride 15 with it's EVA foam that feels dead after 650km.

          • @scotty: Asics Evoride 2/3, and previously Mizuno Waverider 24. The latter had a (partial) plate, but I didn't find it helped much for going faster.
            I find that the support and bounciness of foam disappears fairly quickly.

            • @Make it so: I'm no expert but isn't the Asics EVA? TPU/TPE are much more durable.

              • @TurnipHead: It's Flytefoam, apparently: "The FlyteFoam midsole material is made from a combination of Kevlar and polyester PET fibres"

                Supposedly lighter and softer than EVA.

        • +1

          How do you even go 500-600km, let alone 1,200km?

          I'm not even sure if I've moved 1,200km in my entire life.

          • @p1 ama: Not in one week :)
            Most runners do much longer distance than me, but I'm often time constrained, so I go faster for less distance. That does seem to cause shoes to wear faster.

        • I've got some UA that are currently on 1043km…(1,149,370 steps) they have a BT sensor to keep track of it.. they're still fine but figured I should retire them at 1000km.. I'm gonna keep going now I've seen someone on 1200km!
          I'm spewing that they discontinued the BT sensor

      • Thanks for the review. I love Triumphs. Interesting your Ali pair lasted 1200kms!

        • +6

          I'll post up some pictures tonight. 1218.5km according to Strava, and I just washed them yesterday to retire as walking shoes.

          Edit: Photo 1, Photo 2 showing the wear & tear.

  • EV or ICE.
    Whats the range per run?

    • +1

      Dude shoes are just tyres

  • +2

    Tesla shoe?

    • Yeah , even better, the price in runaway*

  • Similar to the Decathlon version for $180 when it is in stock

    https://www.decathlon.com.au/p/kiprun-kd900x-men-s-running-s…

  • +2

    Anyone tried these?
    They look killer

    • +3

      Cereal killa you mean?

      • Yes exactly, milky cereal killa 😋

  • +1

    Anyone know about sizing? Are Li Ning shoes true to size or run bigger/smaller?

  • How do these compare to Saucony Speeds or similar?

    • Just try them out in store and find out? Lol

  • 2e?

  • What's your next race Scotty?

  • A bit fleuro for my liking but nice aesthetics apart from the fleuro

  • +10

    don't forget RUNNING15 coupon for 15% off bringing it down to $110.46

    • +2

      where were you an hour ago?!

      • -1

        having pho as late dinner i guess? user name checkd out XD

    • I don't really need any more running shoes but this is very tempting. Would prefer a slightly higher stack height though.

    • Do you know the terms and conditions for using this code? I tried on other products and it's not working

  • +5

    Jesus.. Its getting to the point that I'm buying something I see on OzBargain most days now..

    Thanks OP, picked up a pair!

    • +2

      Everyone will be wearing these at the OZB meetups…

  • Would it probably be factory 2nd?

    • Not from running warehouse. They are a premium store.

  • I wonder how these "Challenger 4" compare to the "Elite 4" for a bit more

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