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XTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running Shoe vs XTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes

Buy the 160X 8.0 ULTRA if you race marathons and want the stiffest, most propulsive plate Xtep sells. Buy the 160X8.0 Pro if you want a lighter, more forgiving carbon racer for fast training and race day. The ULTRA is the top-tier model; the Pro is the lighter everyday racer at 179 g. No current prices were provided for either shoe, so compare store prices on Deal.ai before deciding.

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Xtep
XTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running Shoe

XTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running Shoe

Choose the 160X 8.0 ULTRA if you are an elite or sub-3 marathoner who wants a stiff GT1200 plate, a split forefoot and decoupled heel, and a snappy toe-off on track or road.

Pros
  • Stiff GT1200 plate with split forefoot for a firm, snappy toe-off
  • Triple-layer supercritical ACE+ foam with rocker geometry for long-distance transitions
Decoupled heel guides the foot through fast turnovers
  • DURA liquid-CPU rubber grips wet pavement
  • Built and positioned for competitive marathon racing
    • Cons
    • No published weight or stack height
    • Stiff plate and elite positioning suit strong, efficient runners, not beginners
    • Knit upper and racing fit offer less everyday comfort
    • No stated outsole mileage rating
    Xtep
    XTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes

    XTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes

    Choose the 160X8.0 Pro if you want a full-length GT700 carbon plate in a 179 g shoe that handles daily miles and race day without the ULTRA's aggressive stiffness.

    Pros
    • 179 g in Men's US 8, 17% lighter than its predecessor
    • Full-length GT700 plate gives propulsion with less stiffness than the ULTRA
    • Dual-density ACE foam balances springiness and stability
    • Outsole rated over 2,000 km
    • Works for daily miles, track and treadmill, not just race day
    Cons
    • GT700 plate is a step below the ULTRA's GT1200
    • Dual-density foam is less advanced than supercritical ACE+
    • 36.7 mm heel stack is tall for runners who prefer ground feel
    • Not positioned as a top-tier race shoe

    What separates them

    XTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running ShoeXTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes
    Carbon plateGT1200 premium plate, 12K carbon filaments, split forefoot and decoupled heelFull-length GT700 carbon plate
    Midsole foamTriple-layer XTEP ACE+ supercritical foam with rocker geometryDual-density XTEP ACE foam, 38° upper and 42° lower hardness
    WeightNot stated179 g (Men's US 8 / EU 41), 17% lighter than its predecessor
    Stack heightNot stated36.7 mm heel, 30.5 mm forefoot
    OutsoleXTEP DURA liquid-CPU rubber in high-wear zonesXTEP DURA CPU rubber rated over 2,000 km
    UpperXTEP FIT knit-mesh with integrated knit tongue and textured lacesLightweight engineered mesh
    Intended runnerElite, professional and national-level racersRunners wanting a light carbon racer for regular miles and races
    Best surfacePlastic track and roadRoad, track and treadmill

    Price history

    • XTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running Shoe: lowest $230.00 on Oct 29.
    • XTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes: lowest $230.00 on Oct 29.

    Specs compared

    SpecXTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running ShoeXTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes
    Carbon plateGT1200 premium carbon plateFull-length GT700 carbon plate
    UpperXTEP FIT Tech—
    MidsoleXTEP ACE+ Tech, XTEP POWER Tech (GT1200 carbon …—
    OutsoleXTEP DURA Tech—
    Product featuresLightweight, Shock absorption, Wrapping, Reboun…—
    Applicable populationElite Runners / Professional Runners / National…—
    Applicable scenariosPlastic track / Road—
    Carbon fiber filaments12K carbon fiber filaments—
    Weight—179g (Men's US 8 / EU 41)
    Heel Stack Height—36.7 mm
    Forefoot Stack Height—30.5 mm
    Upper Material—Lightweight engineered mesh
    Show all 19 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecXTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running ShoeXTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes
    Midsole Foam—Dual-density XTEP ACE foam
    Upper Foam Hardness—38°
    Lower Foam Hardness—42°
    Outsole Material—XTEP DURA CPU Rubber
    Outsole Durability—over 2,000 kilometers
    Release Date—August 2026
    Weight Reduction—17% lighter than predecessor

    Questions and answers

    Which is better for a marathon?
    The ULTRA. Its GT1200 plate and triple-layer supercritical ACE+ foam are built for fast marathon efforts, and Xtep positions it for elite and professional racers. The Pro is a capable race shoe but sits one tier below.
    Which is lighter?
    The Pro, at 179 g in Men's US 8 / EU 41. Xtep does not publish a weight for the ULTRA, so the Pro is the safer pick if low weight is your priority.
    Is the ULTRA worth the extra over the Pro?
    Only if you race at a high level. The ULTRA's stiffer GT1200 plate and supercritical foam reward strong, efficient runners. For daily miles and occasional races, the Pro's full-length GT700 plate and 2,000 km outsole are the better value.
    Which lasts longer?
    The Pro has a stated outsole durability of over 2,000 km in XTEP DURA CPU rubber. Xtep gives no mileage figure for the ULTRA, so the Pro is the safer bet for high weekly mileage.
    Can I use either for daily training?
    The Pro is the more practical trainer, with dual-density foam and a lighter build for regular miles, track and treadmill. The ULTRA is a race-day shoe with a stiff plate and an elite-focused fit.
    Which handles wet roads better?
    The ULTRA explicitly uses XTEP DURA liquid-CPU rubber in high-wear zones for traction on wet pavement. The Pro uses XTEP DURA CPU rubber rated for durability, but Xtep makes no wet-grip claim for it.

    More comparisons

    • XTEP 160X 8.0 ULTRA Carbon Plate Running Shoe vs XTEP 160X 7.0
    • XTEP 160X8.0 Pro 'Cyan Yellow' Running Shoes vs XTEP 160X 7.0