REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Familiar fit
Relatively lightweight
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Just “okay” at everything
Reebok Floatride Energy 5 - Women's Review
A versatile and affordable running shoe that holds its own but doesn't excel in any area
This budget-friendly shoe will make a great daily addition to your shoe collection.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
The Reebok Floatride Energy 5 is a budget-friendly running shoe that is versatile enough to take you from running to the gym to mellow weekend hikes. While not the highest-scoring shoe across the board, the Floatride Energy offers enough to be a worthy contender when it comes to beefing up your running shoe arsenal. The rubber outsole offers control and agility, while the tapered heel collar provides a familiar running shoe fit. Weighing in at just over 7 ounces per shoe in women's size 6.5, this is a decent versatile shoe that will suit runners of all kinds, though it doesn't exactly specialize in any one area.
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 This Product
Reebok Floatride Energy 5 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Running Shoe for Women |  Best Value for a Women's Road Running Shoe |  Most Versatile Road Running Shoe | Best Stability-Focused Road Running Shoe | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | $109.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $120.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $99.98 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This accessibly priced running shoe doesn't WOW us across the board, but it is a versatile and easy-to-wear road shoe | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed |
| Rating Categories | Reebok Floatride En... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Reebok Floatride En... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Measured Weight | 7.32 oz | 7.36 oz | 5.44 oz | 6.27 oz | 8.21 oz |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 32 mm | 38 mm | 27 mm | 33 mm | 33 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 9 mm | 8 mm | 3 mm | 7 mm | 10 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 25 deg | 22.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 24.5 deg | 26.5 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 72.4% | 69.5% | 64.7% | 65.4% | 71.4% |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Upper | Engineered knit | Engineered knit mesh | Mesh | Creel jaqquard | Engineered air mesh |
| Midsole | Floatride Energy | FF Blast Plus Eco | PWRRUN | Supercritical EVA | DNA Loft v2 |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR outsole | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | None | Extended heel pull | None |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 11 US, regular & wide | 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Reebok Floatride Energy 5 stands at 32 mm high with a 9 mm drop, as measured by our in-house spec testing team. While its rank is middling across the board, this shoe is a versatile crowd-pleaser that provides a solid ride.
Performance Comparison
While not a high-scoring shoe, the Floatride Energy offers enough to be a good choice for runners on a strict budget.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Landing Comfort
Standing at 32 mm tall in the heel, the Reebok Floatride Energy 5 offers plenty of cushion between your feet and the punishing asphalt you run on. The Floatride Energy doesn't offer particularly springy underfoot cushion, but it offers enough to be a reliable daily trainer. The underfoot shape and somewhat narrow 4-inch outsole width help make this shoe agile enough to tackle road runs while doubling as an easy-to-wear gym shoe.
The neutral rocker, stack, and textiles make the Floatride Energy an easy-to-wear running shoe that is available on a budget.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Responsiveness
Some of the comfort of the Floatride Energy comes at the cost of responsive energy. We often find that running shoes that lack full rockers are more versatile and can accommodate squats and lunges at the gym, and this holds true when it comes to the Floatride Energy. It is not the most responsive running shoe, but is suitable as a wear-anywhere option. The familiar feeling fit of this shoe makes it an easy road running shoe to help you accomplish your fitness goals. Runners looking to amp up their speed and focus on running performance might find the Floatride Energy to be lacking running technology, but moderate runners seeking an all-around shoe will love the ride this shoe offers.
While not our favorite tempo running shoe, the Floatride Energy holds its own as a shoe that is great for HIIT training and boot camp-style workouts that include bursts of running.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
With its rather thick exterior body and moderate differential, the Floatride Energy feels stable as you run. It doesn't go overboard like a shoe with lateral structures built in, but it offers more than many of the featherweight shoes with ultrathin uppers. As is often the case with these traditional style shoes, the Floatride Energy isn't stable enough to necessarily correct overpronation, but it is strong enough to provide some gait feedback. Its relatively slim fit provides a snug shoe that won't budge or feel slappy as you run, ultimately leading to its feeling of stability.
The familiar fit and drop of this shoe make it stable without it feeling laterally oppressive.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
As has been the case with the other metrics, the upper comfort of the Floatride Energy is average. There isn't anything especially profound to gloat about, but there also isn't much to complain about. The Floatride Energy runs a bit narrow, with an outsole width of 4 inches. This is narrow enough to turn wide-footed runners off but falls within the realm of “average” when it comes to running shoes. The slight thickness of the heel collar is comfortable and prevents blisters, further adding to this shoe's standing as an all-around average daily trainer that will get you where you need to be.
The body of the Floatride Energy provides comfort without feeling overly soft or squishy.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
The Reebok Floatride Energy weighs 7.32 ounces per shoe in a women's size 6.5. When out head to head with the other shoes in our lineup, this shoe lands slightly lighter than average. For what it offers, plenty of cushioning and wear-all-day comfort, the weight of the Floatride rides comfortably. The weight is well distributed and is perfect for runners seeking a versatile shoe that will take them from one fitness-inspired event to another.
At 7.32 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the Floatride Energy rides like a standard running shoe with unremarkable weight distribution.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The Floatride Energy doesn't stand out in any metric, including traction. However, we didn't have any trouble slipping or sliding in this shoe during our testing. Moreover, this shoe has become one that we bypass for running but opt for during long days of work (or play) on our feet. Through this lens, the Floatride Energy offers solid traction, though it's nothing to write home about. We've stayed upright on wet roads, dewy grass, and even a snow-splotched street. This isn't a great shoe for weather-heavy adventures, but its functional traction doesn't change its overall versatility.
This shoe truly is the “jack of all trades, master of none” running shoe. Its traction is fine, but not burly enough to crossover onto trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Reebok Floatride Energy 5?
The Reebok Flotride Energy 5 is a fantastic budget buy for runners who dabble in other activities looking to buy a single running shoe. It is peppy enough to keep you company on tempo runs and plush enough to remain comfortable on LSD (long slow distance) days. It is neutral enough for gym workouts and simple enough for weekend dog walks. While not a chart-topping shoe, its solidly average profile and low price point make it a great buy.
If you are in need of a daily training shoe that isn't going to break the bank, the comfortable and standard Floatride Energy 5 may be just the shoe for you.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Saucony Kinvara 15 is our top recommendation for budget-minded runners who want a versatile road shoe. The Kinvara is a bit better equipped for speed when compared to the Floatride Energy, but it lacks the level of inherent structure and robust durability found in the Floatride. If a versatile shoe is what you are looking for and you don't mind spending a bit more, the Hoka Mach 6 is a neutral, comfortable, and versatile shoe to add to the mix.
—
Ally Arcuri
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