Shoe Review: Reebok Floatride Energy 3.0

THE BUZZ

The Reebok Floatride Energy 3.0 is an affordable, lightweight and versatile everyday trainer built for runners with a neutral gait pattern. It’s light and springy enough to run moderately fast, cushy enough to run long and durable enough to hold up for an entire summer of running.

WHAT'S NEW

The new engineered mesh upper is the biggest upgrade. It really changes (and improves) the fit, feel and ride of this shoe. The laces have also been improved and there’s a new heel flare to accommodate the Achilles tendon.

The single-layer Floatride Energy Foam is light and responsive. This gives the shoe a mildly energetic vibe in every stride even if nowhere near the lively pop of some higher priced shoes.

It’s cushy and moderately soft, but it tends to feel slightly more firm than some softer, bouncier midsole compounds. More than anything, it gives the shoe a do-everything, agile demeanor.

The new upper is durable, breathable and helps bolster the secure fit. When you lace it up and start running in it, you get the idea that your foot is anchored to a lightweight shoe ready for whatever type of running you plan to do.

The outsole is reliably grippy with a mix of firm, durable rubber and a section of softer, tackier rubber. This gives it the ability to provide good traction on wet and dry pavement. It also adds some softness and spring to the ride.

FIT, FEEL, RIDE

The fit of the Floatride Energy 3.0 is a bit long, you should consider a 1/2 size smaller than normal. The medium-volume interior feels sparsely cushioned and modestly comfortable inside, but it’s not notably plush or luxurious like some other shoes.

There’s a reliable locked-down feeling from the lacing system. Also, it has a partially gusseted tongue, which allows for an engaged, connective feeling out on a run. The firm heel counter and heel counter padding helped round out the fit and feel, providing a touch of comfort and confidence in every stride.

The midsole foam feels compliant and resilient even if slightly on the firmer side and not at all bouncy. It allows for smooth heel-to-toe transitions and is similarly comfortable running slow and moderately fast.

WHO IT'S BEST FOR

New and novice runners will love this shoe for its relative simplicity and versatility at such a budget-friendly price. The Floatride Energy 3.0 can certainly be the only shoe in your quiver, a model capable of handling your long runs, up-tempo workouts and recovery runs.

It’s not especially dynamic or comfortable or fast, but it’s definitely sufficient for running every day of the week if that’s what you’re looking for in a running shoe.

PROS: REEBOK FLOATRIDE ENERGY 3.0

Let’s be honest, there aren’t high expectations for a $100 shoe, especially with so many shoes in the $130 to $160 range or much higher. But the reason you should be interested in this shoe is what it offers for that price.

And quite honestly, yet it excels at everything our wear-testers asked it to do — it runs well and feels good and has the durability to get you through a season of running — so ultimately this shoe is a worthy purchase.

Looks aren’t everything, but the aesthetics of the Floatride Energy 3.0 looks much better than its predecessor. The improved engineered mesh upper gives it a speedier and more stylish look, a shoe that will inspire you to lace up and run more.

The tradition 9mm heel-toe offset make this shoe feel a bit chunkier in the heel than some shoes, but that just allows it to better accommodate for heel-striking gait patterns. That also makes it more conducive to slow and moderate paces, but the springy properties of the midsole foam also allow it to run faster.

CONS: REEBOK FLOATRIDE ENERGY 3.0

This shoe isn’t a glamorous top-of-the-line model. Compared to higher-priced shoes in the performance trainer or premium cushioned trainer categories, the Floatride Energy 3.0 isn’t as light, plush or energetic. But it’s still reliably functional as an everyday training shoe.

TECH SPECS

SHOP REEBOK FLOATRIDE ENERGY 3.0

SHOP MEN'S REEBOK FLOATRIDE ENERGY 3.0

SHOP WOMEN'S REEBOK FLOATRIDE ENERGY 3.0