The Reebok FloatZig 1 represents a significant step in Reebok's journey, during the current transformative period for the brand. In 2006, Adidas acquired Reebok, and ever since Reebok played second fiddle to Adidas running line-up. However, Adidas sold Reebok to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) in 2021. Under ABG's ownership, Reebok has been focusing on revitalizing its brand identity and product offerings. The FloatZig 1 and its carbon plated cousin FloatZig X1 are an indication of renewed direction.

In December 2021, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) procured exclusive rights to distribute and sell Reebok products in India. Under ABFRL, Reebok has been focusing on revitalizing its brand identity and product offerings in India.

The Reebok FloatZig 1 blends two different lines of Reebok running shoe-lines Zig and Floatride. At its core, the shoe utilizes Reebok's Floatride Energy Foam (used in FloatRide Energy series of shoes), known for delivering a responsive and cushioned ride. This midsole however is sculpted into a distinctive zigzag pattern, which is the trademark characteristic of Zig series (Zig Kinetica and Zig Dynamica).

Reebok India has provided us FloatZig 1 shoes for this review.

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What makes up FloatZig 1?

The Floatzig1 side silhouette resembles the other Floatride series shoes such as ‘Energy Symmetros’ and ‘Energy X’. However, the resemblance stops at the silhouette. The zig pattern in the midsole, extended heel bevel, flared midsole, and the layer of the outsole connecting from the front to back makes it look distinctive.

Like other Floatride shoes, Floatzig1 uses Floatride Energy foam which is based on E-TPU, and is well-known for its soft and responsive nature. Floatzig1 has a generous 37mm stack height, which puts it in the flush daily trainers category. With such a high stack and a heel to toe drop at 6.5mm, it is an all-round shoe targeting runners of all foot strikes.

At 305g for UK 10, Floatzig1 is on the higher side of a daily trainer. So it definitely doesn’t seem aimed at speed training or racing.

Midsole

The midsole of the FloatZig 1 is built around Reebok’s Floatride Energy foam, which scores 23 on the HA durometer, indicating a soft, cushioned ride. The foam feels forgiving on landing yet stable enough not to feel too squishy, thanks in part to the wide base, especially at the heel. What sets it apart visually and functionally is the zigzag cutout pattern along the sidewalls.The midsole also features a late-stage rocker design that aims to promote smooth transitions through toe-off. While the rocker is visually aggressive, its actual impact feels subdued, likely due to the foam’s softness dampening the forward roll effect. It’s a platform built more for comfort and stability over long miles than for energetic toe-offs or speed.

Upper

The upper construction is fairly standard for a daily trainer. It uses a dual-layered engineered mesh that strikes a good balance between breathability and durability. The upper also has plenty of overlays to give it a structure and keeps it in shape. Ventilation is decent even during hot conditions, and it feels sturdy enough to withstand months of use.

The padding around the collar and tongue is generous, adding to the step-in comfort. The fit is secure, with no noticeable hot spots or pressure points so far. It holds the foot well during lateral movements, without over-constraining it.

Heel

The heel area is particularly well-executed. Wide base at the heel, and extended heel bevel work pretty well. A firm internal heel counter provides structure, while the plush padding around it makes the lockdown comfortable. This combination offers both a sense of support and security, ideal for runners who land further back or need extra control during longer efforts.

Bottom Sole

The outsole design is one of the more interesting elements of the FloatZig 1. It uses a rubber sheet glued onto the midsole. This design gives it a consistent contact patch from heel to toe, despite the zig patterned midsole, contributing to smooth ground contact and probably better durability. The rubber compound grips well on dry and slightly sandy roads, with no slippage even during sharp turns.

Why did I consider the shoe?

Reebok provided us with the FloatZig 1 to test and evaluate as part of their refreshed running range. Given its build and spec, I was curious to see how it performs as a potential go-to shoe for daily runs, especially recovery and easy efforts where comfort and cushioning matter most.

Ride in FloatZig 1

The step-in feel is excellent. It is soft, forgiving, and immediately comfortable. The Floatride Energy foam works well over longer durations, delivering consistent underfoot comfort without feeling too mushy. However, due to the wide midsole platform and the way the energy is absorbed across the base, I felt the ride is a little muted. There’s less “pop” or rebound when compared to other responsive daily trainers.

That makes it suboptimal for speed workouts or tempos, but for easy miles, recovery jogs, and long slow distance runs, it shines. The aggressive rocker is designed to promote forward roll, but due to the softness of the foam, the effect is less pronounced. It’s there, you can feel it subtly, but it doesn't propel you forward dramatically.

Comfort and Fit

With 80 km logged so far, the comfort level remains high. The shoe fits true to size with a slightly snug fit. No signs of irritation or pressure points, and it holds the foot very well during the longer efforts. The plush padding contributes to the wearability of the shoe for longer runs. However, breathability can be an issue for longer runs in hotter-weather.

Stability

Thanks to its broad base and structured heel cup, the FloatZig 1 feels stable, even when taking corners or running on uneven surfaces. This makes it a good choice for runners who want a little extra support without switching to a full-blown stability shoe.

Road Grip

Monsoon season here in Bengaluru, and lately it has been raining in the mornings. The shoe’s grip has been excellent to tackle the conditions. Even on sandy or dusty roads, the shoe maintains traction. The outsole rubber, while not overly aggressive in tread design, offers dependable grip for dry and mildly wet conditions.

Durability

So far, wear and tear are minimal. The outsole rubber layer shows hardly any degradation, and the upper has maintained structure without signs of fraying. Given the build quality and materials used, I expect the shoe to last upwards of 800 km, making it a strong value proposition for high-mileage runners.

Aesthetics & Ergonomics

I like the look of the shoe. The vibrant pink-to-white transition on the outer wall of the midsole and black upper & outsole suggests, and the generously placed overlays, gives the shoe an aesthetic that is modern but inspired from Retro designs. Chunky Aesthetic with zig pattern is in line with the recent trend of bold, expressive, maximalist sneakers. The design has enough street appeal to wear comfortably for casual outings, not just workouts.

Review Summary

Aravind

Aravind is a techie, running geek, and a marathoner. He is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. He loves all things technology and technology in running, with special interest in running form analysis.