Lululemon just dropped a new pair of $178 sneakers for fall — I put them to the test
Are lululemon's Chargefeel 2 shoes worth the hype? Here's my honest review.
Read on for my full review of lululemon's Chargefeel 2 shoes.
I wish I could tell you that I'm an avid weight lifter or make any effort to play a sport regularly, but that would be a lie. Rather, my exercises of choice are quite simple: I walk a lot and when my music is good, I run. Between my heel-toe express commute, audiobook strolls and daily errands, I average about eight kilometres a day. Therefore, I have a (self-bestowed) PhD in sneakers.
As someone who burns through athletic shoes at a wallet-crushing pace, I was excited to put lululemon's newest pair of sneakers — the Chargefeel 2 Low Workout Shoe — to the test. Designed for running and training, the Chargefeel 2 shoe is the newest arrival in lululemon's ever-growing footwear roster. Read on for my honest review of the chargefeel 2 shoes.
Chargefeel 2 Low Women's Workout Shoe in White/Vapor/Delicate Mint.
🛍️ Product reviewed: Chargefeel 2 Low Workout Shoe
⏰ Tested for: 2 weeks
💵 Price: $178
⭐ My rating: 4/5 stars
🛍️ Reasons to buy: lululemon's Chargefeel 2 shoes offer a stable base for weight training and stationary exercises.
✋ Reasons to avoid: If you're looking for cushioning to propel your runs, you're better off with the brand's Blissfeel running shoes.
lululemon Chargefeel 2 shoe: The details
The latest drop from lululemon's line of athletic shoes is the Chargefeel 2. Like its predecessor, the Chargefeel, the Charefeel 2 is suited for running and training.
It's designed with a dual-density midsole to deliver the bounce you need for running and the support you need for training. The sneaker has a pressure-mapped outsole that provides much-needed traction and flexibility.
Available in four colours, including peach, white and black (more colours are slated for the end of the month), the brand recommends going up half a size if you have wider feet.
lululemon Chargefeel 2 shoe: Review
Design
If you like the look of a classic running shoe, lululemon's Chargefeel 2 sneakers might be right up your alley. The design is relatively simple (no blaring "I WORKOUT!" vibes), so they easily double as athleisure footwear. While the overall look isn't anything flashy, the shoes do feature an oversized logo on the back of the heel for branding.
Comfort
Right out of the box, I found the Chargefeel 2 shoes super comfortable — no break-in period required. Even after wearing them for several hours in sticky, sweaty weather, I experienced no irritation or blistering.
Traction
The Chargefeel 2's boast a pressure-mapped outsole for traction and flexibility. While I have yet to wear the sneakers in rainy or excessively slippery conditions, I felt supported while exploring a misty rocky beach.
Support
While the Chargefeel 2 sneakers are designed for both running and training, they're far better suited as a training shoe, in my opinion. If your workout consists of weight training, stationary exercises or mat work, they offer much-needed stability and a comfortable layer of padding.
However, for long-distance running, they fall short. When I hit the trails, I prefer ample cushioning for soft landings and maximum rebound. While I felt anchored weight-training, the shoes didn't help propel me forward on my runs.
Chargefeel 2 Low Women's Workout Shoe in Black/White/Anchor.
The bottom line
If you're a die-hard lululemon fan, you'll probably like the brand's new Chargefeel 2 Low Workout Shoe. They're supportive, stylish, and require no break-in time. The shoes are billed as a versatile pair for your workouts, whether you're hitting the weights or hitting the pavement. That said, while I found the former to be true, I'd sooner lace up in lululemon's Blissfeel 2 Running Shoes for long-distance walks and runs.
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