Reebok Floatzig X1 Review
By David Salas
Reebok Floatzig X1Price: $200 at Reebok
Weight: 9.8 oz, 278 g (men's size 9), Women's Weights Not Provided
Stack Height: 33 mm / 27 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Shoe Purpose: Carbon Plated Speed Trainer
Pros: Good durability, good training and workout shoe, good upper security
Cons: A tad heavy for true racing, though can meet in the middle for a lot of people
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Reebok Floatzig X1 is a performance running shoe aimed at both marathon training and racing. The shoe uses Floatride Energy foam that has been seen in many other Reebok shoes combined with the new Floatzig design. There is a carbon plate and a performance-oriented upper to give a more speedy experience.
SIMILAR SHOES: Skechers Go Run Ride 11
PAST MODEL: New model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The Floatzig X1 fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The mesh upper holds its structure really well and has a little bit more of a synthetic feel to it. The width of the shoe is normal throughout, without being overly wide or narrow in any specific regions. There is a surprising amount of volume to the shoe, though it still locks down really well. The tongue is moderately padded and I did not have any issues with biting. Because of the stiffness of the upper material there really isn't much stretch. That worked well in cornering situations and running on the track. The fit feels pretty dialed in throughout.
The heel counter is very rigid and does not have much padding at all however. Those who are sensitive to that may want to keep an eye on that. I did have some rubbing from it on some longer efforts, as well as an occasional feeling of it digging into my heel with sharper turns. The Floatzig midsole creates some small sidewalls in the heel, giving a slight bucket sensation. The lockdown is good and the fit is certainly streamlined for performance. I did get some Achilles rubbing with some longer efforts though. I think padding that heel or making the material a little more forgiving in that area would benefit the shoe.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Mild, carbon plated
Is This a Good Heel Bevel:
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
David: The Reebok Floatzig X1 performed well in some ways and missed the mark in others. The shoe is aimed to be a running shoe for marathon training and racing. I think the shoe will work for a couple of different situations. The shoe does use the Floatride Energy foam that we have seen in previous Reebok models, though now with a carbon plate and a more performance-ready upper. The Floatride Energy foam still has that durable feel to it and gives a slight bounce. The new platform with the carbon plate has a big rounding in the heel and then a gradual rounding in the forefoot. The outsole traction is mostly road focused, but does have some texture to it that gives it a little extra stickiness. I had zero issues gripping onto the track while running some pretty decent paces. The upper security is very good as well and keeps you locked onto the platform. The stiff heel counter did give me a some rubbing on the achilles with longer efforts, and a little bit of digging in with sharp turns. Otherwise, it was good.The rounded heel is very noticeable, and the forefoot a little less so. The carbon plate is definitely stiff, but actually does have a little give to it. That feels nice when pushing the pace in this shoe.
The Floatzig X1 does carry a little bit of weight to it. The foam and the outsole coverage are probably the bulk of it. For me this shoe is a really solid training companion. I am not sure I would actually reach for this on race day, though I could easily see someone beating a lot of miles into this shoe with both daily runs and workouts. Though I do think shoe could be a nice option for someone that is looking for a more durable shoe that they can hit their marathon in. If you are looking to use one shoe through your training cycle and race, especially in the recreational population, this could get it done.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: I found the Reebok Floatzig X1 to have pretty good stability for a performance shoe. The outsole traction is really good for the category and the upper is very dialed in with minimal stretch. The foam has some bounce, though does not come off as very compliant or unstable. The shoe definitely keeps you dialed into the platform. The heel also has some sidewalls built into it from the midsole and gives you a bucket sensation. The heel counter is quite rigid and your foot does not feel like it is going everywhere. It is stable, though I would like to see it be a little more comfortable, as the material can feel like it is digging into the heel at certain angles.
Thoughts as a DPT: Security vs Comfort
By David Salas]
The Reebok Floatzig X1 does a good job of providing good security on the foot, but does sacrific some comfort. For most shoes a balance is needed between the two. At Doctors of Running we say that the construction of shoes is both an art and a science. You can objectively make the best thing on the market via certain parameters, but if it is not comfortable for the user there is a very high chance they will not wear it. On a smaller scale, I feel we may be seeing some of this in the Reebok Floatzig X1.
The Reebok Floatzig X1 has a decently forgiving midsole that does a good job of making you feel centered. There are good size sidewalls that extend from the heel into the midfoot alongside a deep centered groove acting as a crash pad to land onto underfoot. The upper is a synthetic feeling mesh that does not have much stretch to it. The material itself is not the most comfortable but does hold its structure really well. The material is not too bad in the midfoot and the forefoot, but can definitely come off as uncomfortable in the heel. In the heel there is a stiff heel counter with virtually no padding. The counter itself integrates really well with the sidewalls and makes for a very stable environment, but I do feel some pressure posteriorly when pushing off of my forefoot. The heel collar is also relatively thin and can give a biting feeling in the side of the ankle. The heel is secure, but not comfortable enough for me to choose it over other shoes at similar price points. The performance and stability of the shoe is pretty good, but some comfort additions would be greatly appreciated.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I enjoyed my experience in the Reebok Floatride X1, though I do think is room for improvements. The shoe works really well as a training companion or recreational marathon shoe. I do think they can clean up the heel a decent amount to make it more comfortable and less irritating. I would like to see them either pad the heel more or play with some different materials so it does not dig into the calcaneus or Achilles tendon as much. I do feel the shoe could use to lose a little bit of weight as well. The shoe has decent comfort over distances and paces, though not enough responsiveness for me to look the other way on it.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The Reebok Floatzig X1 is a running shoe for those looking to have a durable training companion and don't mind a little weight on the shoe. The shoe has a large heel bevel and a more gradual rounding through the forefoot. The carbon plate is stiff, though has a small amount of flexibility up front. For me this is a solid training companion to beat miles up into, before changing into your racing shoe on the big day. I do think those that want to train and race in the same shoe can get some daily and workout use in this shoe as they transition to their marathon as well.
GRADES
David
Fit: B/B+ (Lockdown is really good throughout, though the heel needs some work to make it more comfortable)
Performance: B+ (Good durability, decent responsiveness, good traction, though heel fit can provide some irritation, weight on the heavier side)
Stability: A (For the category it is a stable ride thanks to the upper, traction, and sidewalls)
Value: B-/B ($200 is a lot for a shoe, though for the right person (training and marathon racing same shoe) they could probably justify the purchase)
Personal: B (I like it as a training companion, though the heel takes some appeal away)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORReebok Floatzig X1Price: $200 at Reebok
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FURTHER READING
The legacy trainer gets a new foam in the heel.
The world's lightest (and most expensive) carbon plated racing shoe.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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