Athletes of all levels know the right gear can make or break a workout. As someone easing back into fitness after a Covid-induced hiatus, I’m less likely to flake on my runs and fitness classes before work if I have supportive, cute and, most importantly, comfortable clothes and shoes to pull on. So when Lululemon said it was entering the footwear market, starting with a $148 running shoe available online today in ten colors, it caught my attention. They’re referring to the new sneakers simply as “Lululemon for your feet,” implying they’re as cloud-soft as the Align leggings I wear for every yoga class.
There are hundreds of workout shoes out there already, dozens with cushioned soles and performance-enhancing features promising to make an Ironman out of you. Still, Lululemon says it has something new to offer. Its running shoe arrives after four years in development, based on scans and wear-tests from one million women. (The brand claims this strategy isn’t common in athletic footwear, where sizing for women’s shoes is usually graded down from men’s shoes.) Lululemon’s most distinctive feature is the sole, which is cushioned in a proprietary compound foam to soften the impact of each stride on your foot.
Lululemon
I had to know if these shoes could live up to the branding. So I wore the Lululemon shoes for a week’s worth of workouts that ranged from a dance cardio class to short-distance outdoor runs to one extremely sweaty Barry’s class. I also wore them to run errands and walk my dog, because I often pull on my running shoes when I’m not on the treadmill.
I’ll cut to the chase: The Lululemon sneakers are good. Unlike other running shoes I’ve tried, there’s no break-in period. From the first wear, I didn’t develop blisters or irritation along my ankles. Those amped-up foam soles have plenty of spring for cardio, but they don’t feel heavy or bulky. They also have excellent grip: If I’m doing bodyweight exercises off of a mat, or taking the aforementioned dance cardio class on a slippery wood floor, these sneakers keep me centered. (If I slip, it’s because I’m still re-building my endurance after a few months off.)
Sources—my calendar and my Strava app—say I’m signed up for a half-marathon later this spring. At this point in my training, I have yet to run further than five miles in Lululemon’s shoes, so I can’t say whether they feel as comfy on a 10k as they do on a 5k. For short distances, however, they’re perfect. My feet have a tendency to pronate when I run, but my arches felt supported and sturdy in these shoes—no rolling inward here. It wasn’t until I finished my jogs that I realized I wasn’t stopping to fix rolled-down socks or re-tie my laces. Better yet, I got the sense that I could keep going when my route ended, in part because my feet felt so good.
Lululemon
So far, I’ve worn the Lululemon running shoes with matching crop-top-and-biker-short sets for high intensity exercise, or leggings and a three-quarter-zip pullover for leisurely walks. My only complaint is the design doesn’t quite translate to casual outfits I like to wear with sneakers. They’re more a commuter shoe that functions for a post-work fitness class than a true all-day sneaker. I also tried the “Green Ray” colorway—a pink and neon green combo that pops nicely against my black leggings, but is a touch too track star to go with spring dresses or a matching button-down set. The “Triple White” or “Pale Linen” may prove more versatile. I’ll report back if I can snag another pair.
But Lululemon didn’t say this was supposed to be a Stan Smith—they said it’s a performance shoe. And it performed.
When my seven days of testing were up, I considered going back to my old workout sneakers for my next training session. But I’m sticking with Lululemon’s sneakers for all things fitness. When I’m working out, I’d much rather cross the finish line in comfort.
The Lululemon Blissfeel running sneaker is available in sizes 5–11, including half-sizes, on lululemon.com.
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Lululemon’s First Running Shoes Make Me Want to Work Out More
Source: Filipino Journal Articles
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