Reebok is a global athletic footwear and apparel company which manufactures and distributes fitness, running and CrossFit sportswear. Just like other companies, its name is unique, unmistakably standing out from the sea of sports brands. With their slogan “I am what I am,” both athletes and lifestyle shoe collectors gravitate towards the Reebok brand for its inclusive approach to apparel manufacturing. If you’re looking for your own pair of Reebok running shoes, use this guide to help you figure out what the best Reebok running shoes for you are.
What is a “Reebok”?
The name Reebok doesn’t sound like any other word in the English language. That’s because it was derived from an African Dictionary. In 1958, the two grandsons of founder Joseph William Foster formed “Reebok.” The name came from an African dictionary that Joe Foster won from a running race as a boy. It comes from Grey Rehbok which is a species of an African Antelope.
When did Reebok arrive in the United States?
Reebok was born in Bolton, England. In 1979, Paul Fireman, an American businessman, took notice of the brand at the Chicago International Sneaker Trade Show. After negotiations, Fireman was given the license to deal and distribute the Reebok brand in the United States. After only two years in the US market, Reebok reached more than $1.5 million in sales.
A pioneer in women’s athletic footwear
In 1982, Reebok introduced the first athletic shoe designed for women. The footwear was named Freestyle. It was created for aerobic workouts and was popular during the aerobics craze of the 80s. It had two styles, the high-cut, and the below-the-ankle cut. Despite it being designed for athletic purposes, many used it as a casual sneaker.
Reebok running shoes aren’t just for running
Whether you’re looking for Reebok women’s running shoes or Reebok men’s running shoes, you will find a pair that best fits your athletic needs. A lot of people include Reebok in their collection because it’s widely known as an all-around shoe. It’s not just for running. It’s popularly used for Crossfit workouts because it allows users to move optimally with its features. Also, because of its stylish design, it is commonly worn as a lifestyle sneaker.
Reebok logo?
If you purchased a pair of Reebok running shoes back in the 1980s, you’ll see that your pair will have the classic Union Jack logo with the name Reebok. If you bought your pair somewhere around the late 80s to 2014, you’ll see that the logo is different. Somewhere around 1986, the Reebok logo took on another transformation. From the Union Jack symbol, it was revamped into the Reebok vector logo.
Realizing that Reebok wasn’t inspiring enough people to move, it recently did another major logo update. The former vector logo is slowly being phased out, except on the classic Reebok shoes. The new Delta logo, which was only used on the company’s Crossfit gear, has been introduced to most of the company’s footwear and apparel. With an updated and modernized font combined with the Delta symbol, it represents the company’s singular focus on fitness as a transformative agent in a person’s life.
Why was the logo updated?
Back in 2013, Reebok’s CrossFit range saw a 13% increase in revenue, which triggered the brand’s strategic shift. This brought about the mentioned logo revamp from the Reebok vector logo to the Delta symbol.
Originally, the Delta logo, which was designed internally and was first revealed in 2011, was created to signify the three pillars of positive change – mental, physical, and social. In a way, these three pillars also represent the direction the Reebok brand is moving towards.
From focusing on enhancing an athlete’s performance to focusing on the fitness needs of everyday people, the shift is allowing Rebook to have a stronger presence, not just in the industry of running but, in other fitness industries such as yoga, dance, aerobics, and CrossFit.
Best Reebok running shoe technology
Now that we know a bit about the Reebok brand, let’s take a closer look at Reebok running shoes and the different common technologies that they are equipped with. Over the years, Reebok has developed technologies that allow their running shoes to enhance both movement and performance. Here’s a short list of the most common Reebok technologies on trainers:
Floatride Foam - Appropriately named, this midsole technology affords runners the feeling of “floating” during their runs. It was engineered to have a consistent cell structure, providing a comfortable yet performance-enhancing run. This midsole technology is in the Rebook Floatride Run, which many commented to have exceeded their expectations when it comes to quality and performance.
UltraKnit - The UltraKnit is an upper material that’s seamless and highly breathable. Although this material supplies adaptive comfort, it still gives the runner a good amount of support. On top of this, it allows runners to move optimally and naturally. One of the many Reebok running shoes that have the UltraKnit on the upper is the Reebok Print Run UTLK.
Pump Technology - The pump technology is perhaps the oldest technology that Reebok has. Back in 1989, the Reebok Pump was the first athletic shoe to have an internal inflatable system which customized the fit from within. The modern Pump technology works in a similar way. For example, the Pump on the Reebok ZPump Fusion 2.5 covers the medial, lateral, and rear section of the upper. Pressing the button gathers air and customizes the fit all throughout the shoe.
CRTek Technology - CRTek is an outsole technology. It’s a kind of rubber that’s highly abrasion-resistant. It supplies the bottom of the shoe with enough traction and protection without added bulkiness from a robust outsole. This technology can be seen on the outsole of the Reebok ZQuick Lite which was given an overall rating of 90/100.
KooshRide Core Technology - The KooshRide Core Technology is a type of Reebok running shoes technology that supplies the midsole with a comfortable underfoot feel. Because of its unique geometric design, it wasn’t just designed for comfort but for lasting cushioning from the start of the run, up until the end. See the midsole on the Reebok Harmony Road 2.
ZigTech Outsole - The ZigTech is unlike any other technology in the running shoe industry. It’s a midsole technology that will immediately catch your attention because of its one-of-a-kind zigzag base. Just look at the Reebok Zig Pulse which is a Reebok running shoe for men and women. The special platform allows the shoe to be lightweight, responsive, springy, and stable.
Types of Reebok running shoes on RunRepeat
On RunRepeat, you will find different types of Reebok running shoes which are ranked according to CoreScore. The higher the CoreScore is the better the shoe has been reviewed. Whether you’re looking for Reebok women’s running shoes or Reebok men’s running shoes, you will find a pair that will best fit your fitness needs.
According to Terrain
Reebok Road Running Shoes - Road running shoes are designed to meet a runner’s common needs. It won’t typically have all the bells and whistles. For the most part, a road running shoe focuses on delivering comfort and responsiveness. On RunRepeat, one of the best Reebok running shoes for the road is the Reebox Fast Flexweave which has a core score of 91/100.
Reebok Trail Running Shoes - Compared to road running, trail running is more demanding because of uneven surfaces, different weather conditions, and various terrain topographies. This is the reason why most trail shoes are sturdier compared to ones designed for the road. The All Terrain Super 3.0 is one of the best-ranked trail shoes from the brand. It comes equipped with a rock plate and water drainage technology.
According to pronation
Reebok Neutral Shoes for Running - In case you didn't know, our foot naturally rolls inward when we run. This is called pronation. When a runner’s foot pronates normally, neutral running shoes will work well. You should check out Reebok’s Zigwild TR 50 with the ZigTech feature, a low ankle collar and a breathable mesh upper.
Reebok Stability Shoes for Running - There are runners whose feet roll inward excessively. They are referred to as overpronators. These types of runners need the best Reebok running shoes to minimize their overpronation. This is what stability running shoe will do. It differs from a neutral running shoe because it will have a component (or several components) that enable the shoe to minimize or control overpronation. The Rebook ZPump Fusion 2.5, for example, has a reinforced midfoot tuck board to support the arch and control the movement of the foot.
If you want to read more about pronation, you can go to this data study about arch support on the RunRepeat website. 150+ studies were analyzed to make sense of pronation and what the best shoe for it is.
According to usage
Reebok running shoes for daily running - Daily running shoes have a versatile characteristic. Aside from using them for every day running, they can also be worn as a lifestyle or everyday sneaker because of their stylish upper. Take a look at the Reebok OSR Grasse Road which has a durable outsole and a platform made of the KooshRide TPU foam for enhanced responsiveness.
Reebok running shoes for competitions - Competition running shoes have different uses. They can also be used daily for the usual purposes, however, they work best when used for competitions, training intervals, tempo runs, or fartlek training. For the Rebook brand, a good competition trail shoe to look at would be the All Terrain Super 3.0 which was found to be lightweight, with a durable outsole that supplied a good amount of traction and with a water draining system which is very effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a road shoe and trail shoe?
As mentioned, road running shoes were designed to handle the usual demands. Trail running shoes, on the other hand, can handle the grueling demands of the trail. It is more robust than a road running shoe. Some of the characteristics of a trail shoe include a robust outsole, a lightweight and breathable upper, and an effective water draining system.
Does Reebok have lightweight shoes?
Yes, Reebok definitely has lightweight shoes that can be used for different purposes. Because this type of running shoe is lighter than standard running shoes, it can be used for tempo runs, training, and even competitions. This type of running shoe allows you to be more agile and speedy.
Can Reebok running shoes for women's sizes fit men?
In most cases, women’s running shoes can also fit a man’s foot. All it needs is the right size. For example, a size 7 for women’s shoes is approximately an 8.5 for the men’s size. However, you need to know that there are running shoes that were specifically designed for women’s feet only. Some running shoe’s for women were designed to be narrower with a higher arch to cater to a woman’s natural foot anatomy.
Do I overpronate and need stability running shoes?
There are several tests for you to try to determine what your pronation type is. You can do a wet test. It involves dipping your foot in the water and then stepping on a dry piece of paper. If the footprint you leave has a prominent middle area, then your arch may not be defined. If your footprint doesn’t have a middle area at all, then your arch may be high which is causing you to overpronate. To be 100% sure, it is best to visit a center that specializes in gait analysis.
How do I wear my new Reebok running shoes?
Most Reebok trainers can be worn right out of the box. There are some, however, that need some time to be broken in. This means that you need to wear them for a certain amount of time so your feet get used to the new running shoes. After their break-in period, your new pair will feel more comfortable.
15 best Reebok running shoes
Reebok Floatride Run Fast
Reebok Zigwild TR 5.0
Reebok Fusium Run
Reebok Speedlux 2.0
Reebok Fast Flexweave
Reebok Print Run 3.0
Reebok Forever Floatride Energy
Reebok Floatride Run
Reebok All Terrain Craze
Reebok Harmony Road 3
Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro
Reebok Flashfilm
Reebok Endless Road
Reebok Jet Dashride 6.0
Reebok Fusium Run 2
Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.
jens@runrepeat.com
This shoe has recently been added to RunRepeat. There are still not enough reviews for us to assign it a CoreScore.
CoreScore A score from 1 to 100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. The average CoreScore is 78.
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