Reebok FloatZig 2 Review
By Matthew Klein
Reebok FloatZzig 2Price: $120 at Reebok
Weight: 10.4 oz, 295 g (men's size 9), 8.8 oz, 250 g (women's size 7)
Stack Height: 33 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot
Drop: 6 mm
Shoe Purpose: Daily Trainer / Fitness Shoe
Pros: Comfortable Fit, Solid for Walking, Good Cushioning, Great Durability
Cons: Midsole Not Response / Feels Dead, Feels Heavier than Listed Weight
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Reebok Floatzig 2 is a daily training shoe for those who want a comfortable upper fit and cushioned ride for easy running and walking. The Superfloat+ cushioning provides a solid amount of shock absorption but delivers a flat/firm ride that works better at slower places. A high amount of outsole rubber offers a ton of durability, making the $120 price tag even more attractive. A comfortable, refined upper provides a standard but secure athletic fit, creating a shoe that has some versatility for fitness and jogging for those wanting a more affordable, long-lasting shoe.
PAST MODEL: Reebok Floatzig 1
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Reebok Floatzig 2 fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The fit is normal and fairly standard in width throughout the length of the shoe. The engineered mesh upper provides a little bit of stretch, giving the Floatzig 2 a normal amount of volume. The toebox is slightly tapered but has a little stretch for toe movement. This transitions into a normal width forefoot that has a little extra stretch volume/height wise. This continues into a secure, normal to slightly snug midfoot. The tongue is thinner (but not paper thin) and strongly gusseted. Combined with the Reebok symbol overlays, the midfoot is quite secure and I did not have to tie the laces down any more than normal. The instep does fit a little lower, so those with a higher instep may have to loosen the laces or relace in that area. The heel fits normally with a decent amount of heel collar padding. The heel is decently padded, providing a comfortable against-skin feel. The heel counter is moderately flexible, rounded, padded and only comes up 2/3 of the way. Surprisingly, it did not bother me, so most people should be fine with it unless you have an irritated Haglund's or Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (which in that case this shoe is not appropriate).
The upper is fairly secure without being overly locked down. Turning is surprisingly good in this shoe, with walking and some general fitness activities (treating sports patients) still keeping a decent hold. The inner aspect of the upper is comfortable against bare skin. The heel padding is really comfortable and there is an internal mesh from the midfoot forward the is mostly comfortable. The overlays do create some stiffness, but did not cause me any issues, instead adding more general security. So those who want a training shoe they can wear sockless will do well in the Reebok Floatzig 2.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Somewhat
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Somewhat
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Somewhat (removable insole)
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Reebok Floatzig 2 is a cushioned but not responsive daily trainer. The full-length Superfloat+ foam provides good shock absorption with a slightly soft feeling that isn't mushy but has no energy return. The midsole feels like it absorbs shock but doesn't give anything back, making it best for short to moderate distance slower runs and walking. This does make the shoe feel heavier than its listed weight, further emphasizing its place as a slower day shoe. Attempting to pick up the pace is uncomfortable and awkward due to the lack of bounce and the posteriorly flared heel. The posteriorly flared heel does make the shoe feel like a slightly higher drop than the listed 6mm. This also makes for a slightly clunky rearfoot, which the centered heel bevel only slightly offsets. The midfoot transition is slightly stiff, although that makes it feel a bit more stable. The forefoot does have some mild flexibility that, combined with a fairly larger forefoot rocker, does create an easy transition forward. There is a decent amount of toe spring and combined with the mild flexibility makes this not an option for those with toe mobility problems or stiffness.
The extensive rubber coverage on the outsole does provide a solid amount of grip on dry surfaces. On wet surfaces, there is mild slippage and the gaps in the midsole and outsole make this an option only for road and track (the Floatzig Adventure is a better off-road option). The durability has been great so far as there is no major wear on the outsole after 30 miles.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Reebok Floatzig 2 is a neutral shoe but has some features that make it a somewhat centered shoe. There is a large amount of sole flare in the heel, the midfoot is wide and there are fairly large sidewalls (top line) on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. The lateral flare in the heel adds to the centeredness, but the amount of lateral and posterior flare causes medial bias upon landing. The sidewalls are solid, but their split nature create less resistance to motion. The forefoot has mild sole flare but no major centralizing mechanisms. These factors make this shoe feel more stable neutral in the heel and midfoot during lower impact activities like walking, but more neutral during running. Those who want a stiff, flared heel may like this shoe, but it is mostly neutral.
Thoughts as a DPT: Balancing Compliance and Resilience
By Matthew Klein
While the cushioning is solid, the Reebok Floatzig 2 may be one of the least responsive shoes I have tried in a while. This is a bit disappointing given the brand's history of ultra-responsive shoes, including the Reebok Floatride Run Fast and Run Fast Pro series. Responsiveness is also referred to as resilience, which is how much a foam reforms to its original shape after compression. Compliance is how much the foam compresses. Neither of these addresses how quickly these occur, and the rates of resilience and compliance further complicate this, referring to how quickly the foams reform or compress (respectively). There is some suspicion (not confirmed) shoes may feel better if those rates match the contraction rate or ability of human body to "tune" its muscles to the materials underfoot (Dr. Benno Nigg has some early research on muscle tuning). So there is a real possibility that my mechanics may not match the shoe. However, I am not the only member of our team to experience this. This makes me suspect that while the shoe has a decent compression rate, the ability of this foam to reform, either quickly or at all, may be responsible for it not feeling responsive. This may be fine for recreational runners or multi-sport athletes, but among running shoes in today's market, a little more bounce is going to be needed to be competitive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: While the upper is quite comfortable in the Reebok Floatzig 2, the midsole is disappointing. Both the heel geometry and dead midsole make this a fairly boring and slightly uncomfortable riding shoe. My major recommendations are to redo the heel and add more resilience to the foam. We have written extensively about how posterior heel flares are problematic and this is no exception. I would reduce the posterior flare and make the bevel a little larger, which should offset the clunkiness of the heel. This will help the shoe transition far better. With a midsole name like "Superfloat+" and the history of midsoles, I expect a great deal more from Reebok. Whatever is needed to give this midsole a bit more pep is needed. Hopefully, a bit more bounce and a smoother ride will make the next iteration of this shoe smoother and closer to what we all remember from the earlier models.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Reebok Floatzig 2 is a daily training shoe for slower running and walking miles. The Superfloat+ midsole will be best for those who do not want any responsiveness underfoot and just want a mildly soft ride. The upper will be best for those with normal-width feet who want a comfortable fit with an inner liner that can handle sockless running. The geometry is a little clunky and will work best for slower running, walking and even some fitness work given the wider sole. Overal,l I am disappointed in this shoe and have found the ride boring and difficult. I suspect this shoe is more targeted at the fitness enthusiast who may do a variety of activities, with running only being one of them. I do like this upper and it has been a consistent sockless walking shoe for me. For $120 (even better on sale), this isn't a terrible price, but still won't be something that stays in my rotation.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Comfortable, normal fit that is secure and comfortable even for sockless wear)
Performance: C (Mildly soft but dead midsole. Only good for slower running/walking.)
Stability: B+ [Neutral] (Almost stable but offset by excessive lateral flare that pivots foot medially. Sidewalls almost effective but too separated. Mostly neutral ride but more stable while walking)
Value: B ($120 is a great price and these shoes have durability, but aren't versatile)
Personal: C (I was able to get 30 miles on these and I like the upper, but the dead midsole is disappointing in today's age of bouncy midsoles and appropriate geometry)
Overall Design: B-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORReebok FloatZig 2Price: $120 at Reebok (coming soon)
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FURTHER READING
The apparel brand's updated trainer.
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