Li-Ning Super Review: A Daily Trainer That Lives Up to the Hype

Introduction

Few shoes have arrived with this much hype. The Li-Ning Super, previously sold as the Yaoqian (originally in China), made its way to the United States with the same construction and a new name. The shoe was previously hard to get, with pricing all over the place through Chinese retailers, but Li-Ning has now launched an official US website selling it for $130.

The promise is bold: a supercritical TPEE midsole, a 41-34 stack, race-day weight, and a price that undercuts the typical daily trainer. After putting serious miles into it, the hype checks out.

Upper and Fit

The upper is a woven single-layer jacquard mesh with varied weaving throughout: more breathability through the sides and a chunkier knit over the toes. You get a nicely padded tongue with a gusset, and a heel counter that is flexible and lightweight yet still sturdy, with padding that locks the foot in well.

If there is a weak spot, it is the laces. They are completely basic, and swapping them for something better is an easy fix. The TPU insole with 2 mm of extra cushioning is glued in, so it sits on top of the midsole stack for a touch of additional comfort.

On sizing, one tester went down half a size because of recent fit trends and regretted it, finding the shoe slightly short over a 10-mile run. The other stayed with his regular size and described the fit as glove-like with plenty of toe box room. The safest move is to order your regular size.

Breathability is excellent. The material seems hydrophobic and does not hold water; even after a sweaty hot-day run, only the padded heel counter and tongue felt damp while the mesh itself stayed dry.

Midsole and Ride

The midsole is where this shoe earns its reputation. It uses a supercritical TPEE foam that delivers what feels like a Goldilocks durometer: just the right amount of cushion with a resilient bounce back. The 41-34 stack paired with the rocker simply hums through the stride.

Minor creasing in the foam is purely cosmetic. It does not affect performance, and for runners who care about energy return over looks, it is a non-issue.

The weight is the headline: 7.4 oz (210 g) in men’s 10.5. That is race-day light, with all the cushion and pop you would normally expect from a much heavier trainer. If you want a plated-shoe alternative for race day, this could genuinely be that option. Midway through a run, the shoe simply disappears; you stop thinking about what is on your feet.

Performance

This is a no-nonsense performance shoe. It is smooth through the stride, handles daily training and workouts alike, and makes running feel effortless without any extra frills.

Some competitors in the higher-price tier offer a bit more flair and wow factor in the ride, with more noticeable feedback popping off the toes. Those shoes cost close to $100 or more extra. For pure value and performance combined, the Li-Ning Super competes extremely well.

For beginners and seasoned runners alike, it is hard to argue against. It has become the default pick for non-review miles, which is perhaps the highest compliment a daily trainer can get.

Outsole and Durability

The outsole is cast polyurethane, which is lighter and more durable than traditional rubber. It is full coverage except for a small midfoot cutout.

After 30 to 40 miles, the pale outsole shows no damage at all, just a light patina of dust. For a shoe at this price, that durability record is impressive.

Buying Advice

At $130 (sometimes up to $150 depending on the retailer), this is arguably the best value in running right now. Standard daily trainers from major brands sit in the $150 to $160 range with conventional supercritical EVA midsoles. The Li-Ning Super delivers more advanced foam, less weight, and a lower price.

Design ratings from testers landed at the top of the scale, with clean white styling, the right stack, and full-coverage rubber. Performance ratings were an A: outstanding, but some pricier shoes still edge it out on pure fun factor. Overall, it earned a top rating and a resounding green light.

Conclusion

The Li-Ning Super is now the archetype for what a daily trainer should be: lightweight, lively, durable, and affordable. If you want one shoe to do everything at an entry price, this is it.