I tend to be a little skeptical of running shoes from brands that don’t specialize in the sport. Human feet are highly individual, so it’s hard enough to find holy-grail sneakers for walking and casual wear. If I’m going to pound the pavement (and my body) for miles and miles, I prefer to leave my feet in the hands of brands like Nike and Saucony, which have been at the top of their running game for decades.

That said, when an APL rep offered to send me a free pair of the new TechLoom Dream ($250, Athletic Propulsion Labs), I was curious to see if they could compete with my running standbys. Aside from the impressive list of features and stylish design, the claim that the sneaker performs as well on a run as it does on the go intrigued me. A shoe that can keep up with my workouts and my life—and look good doing it—sounded like, well, a dream, so I was eager to test it out.

Who these shoes are for

APL designed the TechLoom Dream to be an extra cushy, “all-purpose” running and walking shoe. Features like a stretchy sock liner, a soft but responsive midsole, and a cushioned collar are meant to add up to a sneaker you can jog, sprint, stroll, and bop around in.

Out of the box

I tested the black and white colorway, so there wasn’t an immediate wow factor when I opened the box—which is just the way I like it. I’m not one for flashy hues or edgy details, and I love that APL keeps their lines clean and their colors simple: I found them sleek as hell.

Upon further inspection, it was clear that the shoe was high-quality. The flexible material of the upper just felt well-made, and the thick, three-piece outsole looked super sturdy. I also thought the sneaker was surprisingly lightweight considering it was designed to be extra soft and supportive.

APL TechLoom Dream Review A Comfy Shoe for Stylish Walkers and Casual Runners

Cathryne Keller

Fit and feel

The stretchy sockliner made the shoes easy to slip on (and, later, off—a major perk since I’ve decided I’m at a point in my life where I don’t have the time or energy to unlace my sneakers). Once I tied them and started walking around my apartment, I immediately noticed two things: My feet felt comfy and cozy, but my toes were a little cramped. I have a medium-width foot overall, but I need a little more, uh, wiggle room in the toe box, especially when running. My big toe was also almost at the end of the shoe, even though I went a half size up, as I typically do in running shoes. I tried another APL style a few years ago and found that it ran small, also, so if you’re between sizes, I recommend going with the bigger one.

On the run

The “dream”-like cushioning is supposed to be the standout feature of this shoe, and while my feet were plenty comfortable when I was walking leading up to my run, the ride was a tad too firm when I picked up the pace. It wasn’t hard by any means, and it was fine for my shorter three-mile run, but if you’re someone who prefers a cushioned trainer like I do (especially for longer distances), this pair might not be for you.



Source link

You May Also Like

Buying up baby: five baby products to avoid, and two that are worth the money

A bottle warmer? A baby food maker? A breast pump? If you’re…

‘Creating our own utopias’: the Black cycling revolution sweeping the globe

This is an edited version of The Long Wave newsletter, to sign…

I want a relationship before it’s too late, but I don’t trust myself to stay safe | Ask Annalisa

I would love to be with a partner but am held back…

Embrace the fog, savour the dawn, light up your home: readers’ top 10 tips for combating winter gloom

It can be hard to retain a sunny disposition when it’s grey…