The Reebok Floatride Energy 4 is a lightweight road trainer that surprised me with its comfort, fit and grip. At £40.50, the question was simple: bargain, or a new pair of planks for my feet?
Headline facts
- Model: Reebok Floatride Energy 4
- Size reviewed: 10.5
- Fit: Standard fit
- RRP: £75
- Price paid: £40.50
- Miles so far: 15 easy miles
- Test runs: 3 miles, 4 miles and 8 miles
All reviews on this site are of products I have bought for my own use. They are based on how the product performs for me and are offered as a guide only. I update reviews periodically to reflect long-term performance rather than just out-of-the-box impressions, so it is worth revisiting them occasionally.
Why I bought these
After the unexpected events of Escape from Meriden, I found myself needing a new pair of trainers sooner than planned.
At around mile 4, I lost a shoe in waist-deep mud. The shoe was simply gone. I had to carry on and eventually finish the event in a borrowed replacement pair. It was not the footwear plan I had started with, but it got me through the day.
Once the race was over, I needed to replace the trainers I had lost. With the cost of living crisis making everyone tighten their purse strings, I decided to look for something cheaper than my usual options. After searching around, I came across the Reebok Floatride Energy 4.
They were on offer at the time. I also had an online voucher code, which brought the price down to £40.50.
The original product link was included on the old review, but I have removed it because the page is no longer live. I am keeping this review as a long-term record of how the shoe performed.
So, at £40.50, were these a bargain or a new pair of planks for my feet?
First impressions
Reebok describes the Floatride Energy 4 as having a “lightweight feel with a smooth and responsive ride”.
My first impression in the hand was that they were lighter than they looked. That impression held true once they were on my feet. They feel very light.
The sole has a good amount of rubber considering the weight, with a decent-looking tread pattern. Looking at it, I had the impression that the shoe would handle a substantial number of miles and provide good grip.
Aesthetically, they are fairly unimposing. That is not a criticism. They would not look out of place for general wear as well as running, and there are a number of colour options available.
Nothing about the shoe screams for attention. It looks like a straightforward daily trainer, which suited what I was looking for.
Fit and comfort
I have wide feet, so fit is always one of the first things I notice. The standard-fit size 10.5 accommodated my feet comfortably, with no pinch points. The shoe also provided a stable feel underfoot.
The toe box feels quite generous without the shoe becoming sloppy. My feet had room to spread naturally, while the upper still held everything in place.
The overall feel is very similar to the Nike Vomero. The difference is that the Vomero is a little tight on me, while the Floatride is a much more comfortable fit.
The cushioning and responsiveness also feel very similar to the Nike Vomero, but the Floatride Energy 4 was substantially cheaper. I have found the Vomero great for most types of training runs, so that comparison was positive from the start.
For my wide feet, the standard-fit Floatride Energy 4 offered a comfortable and secure fit without needing to size up.
The first run
My first run was a very gentle 3 miles. I wanted to see how my foot and leg were feeling after the punishment of Escape from Meriden.
My sole was still quite tender and one foot remained a little swollen. That gave the shoe a proper first test. I was not interested in how it felt standing in the house. I wanted to know whether it would let me run without creating more problems.
The Floatride felt very comfortable. It provided a firm but adequately cushioned ride, and it locked my foot in well without ever feeling too tight. That is an issue I have with the Vomero, so the Floatride had an early advantage there.
The shoe is not as cushioned or as obviously springy as the Nike Pegasus 38, which I covered in my Pegasus 38 review. However, it felt much lighter and more natural on my foot.
The gentle 3 miles ticked along nicely.
Grip was excellent on tarmac and pavements covered with plenty of greasy leaves. I did not experience any lack of grip at any point. That was a useful early sign because wet leaves are an easy way to expose a weak outsole.
On that first run, the shoes felt a little warm. On subsequent runs of 4 and 8 miles at an easy pace, I did not notice the same issue. It may have been down to my choice of socks on the first run rather than the shoe itself.
How they compare
The closest comparison for me is the Nike Vomero.
The Floatride Energy 4 offers a similar combination of cushioning and responsiveness, but it fits my feet better. The Vomero feels a little tight, whereas the Floatride gives me a more comfortable amount of room through the toe box.
The Floatride is also not as cushioned or as obviously springy as the Nike Pegasus 38. The Pegasus has a more noticeable bounce, while the Floatride feels firmer and more natural.
That firmer ride is not uncomfortable. It simply gives the shoe a more direct feel. For easy training, I prefer a shoe that feels stable and predictable rather than one that constantly tries to push me into a faster pace.
The main comparison is price. At the full £75 RRP, the Floatride Energy 4 already looked good value. At the £40.50 I paid, it was considerably cheaper than the alternatives I had been considering.
It does not feel like a budget shoe when I am running in it.
Verdict
I have not put much mileage into the shoes yet, so I am not going to pretend this is a final long-term judgement. Fifteen miles is enough to form a useful first view, but not enough to assess the full lifespan of the outsole, midsole and upper.
Even so, my first impressions are clear.
At the £75 RRP, I think these are a bargain. At £40.50, they were a no-brainer.
Based on the limited runs so far, the Floatride Energy 4 would be my go-to shoe for easy training runs. It has a comfortable fit, a firm but adequately cushioned ride, good foot security and excellent grip.
The shoe does not feel overbuilt or clumsy. It is light without feeling flimsy, and it gives enough protection for the easy road miles I have used it for so far.
I will revisit that conclusion after putting more miles into the shoes and using them for different paces and workouts.
Summary after 15 miles
After 15 easy miles in total, this is where I stand:
- The fit is great, especially for my wide feet.
- The shoe is comfortable without feeling soft or vague.
- The ride is firm but has adequate cushioning.
- The foot is held securely without feeling squeezed.
- The grip has been excellent on tarmac, pavements and greasy leaves.
- The shoes feel very light on the feet.
- The price was excellent at £40.50.
These could be my best buy yet when it comes to trainers.
That is a strong statement after only 15 miles, but the early signs are good. The shoe does what I want from an easy-day trainer without adding unnecessary weight or cost.
Closing thoughts
The Reebok Floatride Energy 4 was not a shoe I had planned to buy. I needed a replacement after losing a trainer in a muddy race section, and I wanted to keep the cost down.
That left me with a simple test. Could an inexpensive pair of trainers provide a comfortable fit, enough cushioning, a stable ride and reliable grip?
So far, the answer is yes.
The Floatride Energy 4 is not the softest or springiest shoe I have used. It does not try to be. Instead, it gives me a light, firm and comfortable ride that suits easy training miles.
At £75, it looks like good value. At the £40.50 I paid, it was an excellent purchase.
I will update this review once I have put more miles into the shoes and used them for different-paced workouts. For now, they have earned a place in my running rotation and look like a very sensible option for anyone looking for a straightforward road trainer without spending a fortune.
