Review: Reebok Floatride Energy X

With match fitness in mind, we’re continuing our looks at some of the latest running shoes on the market for soccer players looking to excel during the full 90 minutes of any given match. Up next in our review bag is the all new Reebok Floatride Energy X. The shoe continues the popular Floatride line with an offering that takes the series to the next level via the use of the latest in running footwear technology. Read on for our World Exclusive review of the Reebok Floatride Energy X!

Specifications

Before we delve into our look at the Floatride Energy X, here is a list of the highlight features of the shoe from Reebok:

• Flexweave Upper is lightweight, breathable, durable, and provides strategic support
• Carbon Fiber Plate in the forefoot for optimal efficiency, propulsion, and and comfort
• Floatride Energy Foam maximized stack height offers speed and cushioning
• Made with at least 30% recycled or repurposed materials.
• Flexweave® woven textile upper provides resilient stretch and targeted support at key performance areas.
• Floatride Energy Foam provides lightweight, resilient, ultra-responsive cushioning.
• Asymmetrical lacing locks down the fit
• Midsole drop: 6 mm
• Weight: 9.1 ounces

Sustainability

Reebok continues to be among the leaders in creating sustainable, environmentally-friendly footwear. We appreciate their efforts in making the Floatride Energy X of at least 30% recycled or repurposed material. We expect this percentage to increase with future products as the company continues its commitment to protecting our planet’s natural environment.

Design

The Reebok Floatride Energy X’ launch colorway is the visually appealing Opal Glow / Acid Yellow / Essential Blue. The choice stands out but is by no means gaudy. As such, the Energy X is a shoe that fits in well anywhere from the track to the gym to your favorite shopping space. It is also a gender neutral colorway that is used for the men’s and women’s versions of the shoe.

The Reebok Floatride Energy X is a shoe that looks like it means business with all of its elements seemingly meant for function and not looks. Nevertheless everything is put together nicely in an absolutely stunning package highlighted by the shoe’s Acid Yellow-infused sole, mesh upper, and oversized Reebok logo.

Fit

The Reebok Floatride Energy X runs true to size for both men and women. We wore the shoe in our normal running shoe sizes with no issues whatsoever. There was no slipping, unwanted rubbing, or hotspot on the feet regardless of what we did in the shoe.

Once on the foot, the fit of the Reebok Floatride Energy X is extremely snug. The resulting sock like running shoe effect is of little surprise since the upper is made of Reebok’s state of the art Flexweave woven textile material and in a shape intended to support key running performance areas of the feet.

The tongue of the Floatride Energy X  is well-padded and does not dig into the top of the foot. However, it is somewhat longer in length than other running shoe tongues and is surrounded by six rows of lace eyelets. These provide excellent lock-in and a bit of lacing customization for the nuances of your feet. We found this to be extremely welcome as it made the shoe extremely easy to slip into and out of.

On the Run

In order to get used to the Reebok Floatride Energy X, our testers spent two days wearing them for everyday activities before going on a 5-mile training run at a 6 minute a mile pace. Here’s what we found:

• Great cushioning – From the first time we slipped them on, we noticed that these shoes gave a soft, cushioned, springy feel. This was particularly so in the rear foot area. On the move, this cushioning can be felt in even on the toughest part of the run with each heel strike. If these were not new shoes being worn for the first time, I would not even think about them.

• Weight – At 9.1 oz. in weight, the Reebok Floatride Energy X is in the lighter echelon of running shoes despite its significant cushioning. We thoroughly enjoyed this fact. Less shoe weight to move means a faster run!

• No slippage – Above we mentioned the sock-like feel that the Floatride Energy X provides. What this results in is a trainer with no slippage to talk about. However, even though this running shoe is as snug as they come, we experienced no chafing or blisters from wearing them over the course of four weeks of running in them.

• Cooling Effect –The Reebok Floatride Energy X’ ventilated upper is a dream for running in hotter temperatures. The Flexweave technology that it is made of allows air into the shoe and dissipates moisture out of it. This feels like a dream when logging miles in the dead of summer! We also tried the Energy X on treadmills in cooled gyms. Needless to say, there were no issues with our feet remaining cool during indoor runs.

• Energy Return –The bounce and energy return of the carbon fiber plate in the Floatride Energy X’s sole can definitely be felt when running in the shoe. There is definitely an increase in the amount of energy transferred to the feet during a stride. We cannot say by how much without the use of high tech force measurement instruments but would estimate the amount to be at least 15% more than what we’ve felt in other recently released trainers.

Durability

At first glance, you might think the Reebok Floatride Energy X may not last through the rigors of your training regime. After all, the X’ sole looks like it’s intended for style at first glance while the Flexweave upper is quite novel. This is not the case! After putting over 30 miles on them, our pairs of Floatride Energy shoes are holding up as well as any other well-built trainers. We expect to be able to get at least another 200 miles out of them.

Value

At a non-discounted price point to $170 the Reebok Floatride Energy X costs the same as your typical high end running shoe. Given the comfort and ride that the shoe provides, we’d say that it is worth the price if you can afford it. If not, wait a few months for the launch colorways to go on sale.