Are Lululemon's $178 running shoes worth the hype? I put them to the test
Are these trending running shoes worth the $178 price tag? Keep reading to find out.
Yahoo Canada's Shopping Editor put Lululemon's newest pair of sneakers to the test to see if they're worth the hype.
Here's what you need to know at a glance on these hyped-up sneakers:
Lululemon's newest Chargefeel sneakers come in both a Women's Low Style and a Women's Mid Style
The Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe retail for $178 CAD/$138 USD
The Chargefeel Mid Women's Workout Shoe retail for $198 CAD/$148 USD
Our editor found that the sneakers have a bouncy sole and are comfortable for walking and workouts, but struggled slightly with sole stability during a strength-focused training
Worth the hype? Our editor's verdict is that if you're a fan of Lululemon, you'll love their sleek, trendy sneakers, but they aren't revolutionary
If you're looking for something more supportive, you may prefer Lululemon's Strongfeel sneakers
Read the full review below:
Lululemon is known for their innovative workout apparel and thoughtful attention to detail, which is why the it only makes sense that the Canadian activewear brand has also branched out into footwear.
The Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe and the Chargefeel Mid Women's Workout Shoe have become some of the most popular online, with rave reviews from bloggers and customers alike.
Both styles are suitable for running and training, whether that's bodyweight, HIIT, or even a light jog. As someone who doesn't personally run due to a knee injury, the Chargefeel shoe was right up my alley in terms of what I look for in a workout shoe.
Lululemon bills the Chargefeel Workout Shoe as being "the workout shoe for running, training and on the go." They're designed with dual-density cushioning for bounce, plus a lightweight and flexible upper that moves with your feet.
You can choose from the mid version, which has a second-skin comfort thanks to an engineered mesh upper and smooth liner, or the low version which features zones of stretch and support to secure your foot in place.
The shoes come in women's sizes 5 to 12, and are available in a total of 13 colours across the mid and low-rise versions.
First impressions
I got my hands on the Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe in white, and was immediately a fan of the monochromatic look. Upon first glance, Lululemon's new running shoes appeared pretty similar to other training shoes I've worn in the past, especially with their knit upper design.
When I slipped them on, the first thing I noticed about these shoes was the added bounce through the heels. Although I don't run, I did try they out for an early morning walk and the added pep in my step was a welcome change from my old running shoes that I typically wear.
I also put the shoes to the test with an at-home strength workout, which included plenty of squats, lifts and lower body work. During the strength workout I felt like I could have used some more stability in the soles, but that could be a me issue — I'm working on my balance for a reason, after all.
What others are saying
These shoes have become a hit among shoppers, racking up thousands of customer reviews — both the Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe and the Chargefeel Mid Women's Workout Shoe have earned a 4.5-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews.
"Absolutely love these sneakers! They have just the right stability for HIIT and training workouts but also feel amazing on runs," one shopper wrote.
"I have wide feet and these fit better than the Blissfeels," added another.
Some shoppers found that these shoes run slightly large, but I got them in my usual size 8.5 and thought they were a perfect fit. If you have narrow feet, you may want to opt for a half-size down for the best possible fit.
So, are they worth the hype?
After wearing them through a few full workouts, I can say that I've enjoyed these Lululemon running shoes, but it's sort of like preaching to the choir. I've been a fan of their activewear for years, and to me the shoes have a similar vibe. They're comfortable, minimalist and they perform well throughout workouts.
Those who are already big Lululemon fans will probably also enjoy these training shoes, but are they anything revolutionary? I'd lean towards no. However, they do live up to their claims of being lightweight and comfortable, and at $178 CAD/$138 USD, they're on par, or just slightly more expensive than other brand name activewear shoes might be.
You can give the Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe a try and judge them for yourself, or opt for the Strongfeel Shoes, which are designed for training with a thicker, more supportive sole.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
