Our trio of experts clocked in thousands of steps while walking around NYC, training for a half marathon and hiking in the Australian Outback. (Ellie Conley/Rachel Roszmann/Rory Halperin/Yahoo)
Like so many others, Yahoo's shopping editors are big fans of Lululemon's athleisure wear. We recently named the brand's beloved Align pants the best leggings with pockets and we gave the viral Scuba hoodie high marks for its cozy feel and oversized fit. The latest item we're obsessed with: Lululemon's Beyondfeel sneakers, light-as-air running shoes that perform well on the trail while complementing all your Lulu looks. And they're made specifically for a woman's foot — score!
Ample cushioning makes this pair great if you have painful conditions like Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, while ergonomic foam helps support your feet no matter your stride. A breathable mesh upper keeps your whole foot cradled in comfort. Below, three shopping editors (including yours truly) share honest thoughts about wearing these kicks while doing everything from running and walking to hiking and traveling.
It's not just the style that makes these kicks so loved. They have a thick layer of foam for shock absorption and are specifically designed to support the way a woman's foot lands.
First impressions: "When I put these shoes on, I was immediately taken aback by how comfortable they were! To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from a Lululemon sneaker — I was pleasantly surprised."
Fit and comfort level: "The insole is soft and a little squishy, but not so much that it makes it hard to run in. For my first test, I wore them for a 5-mile run with no uncomfortable rubbing or blisters — meaning there was no break-in period. They’re comfy straight out of the box. I’d also say they run true to size."
How they were put to the test: "I just completed a half-marathon race, so I’ve been running a lot. I’ve worn these mostly for 5- and 6-mile runs or less, and have been really happy with them. I tend to overpronate, which means my feet roll inward as I run, especially as I get tired. I felt like these don’t offer enough support on the inner side of the shoe to help keep my foot steady on longer runs (although that’s mostly on me and I’m working on my form).
In addition to running, I wore these on a trip to Rosemary Beach, Florida. They were incredibly comfortable walking through the airport and exploring the town, and I took them for a 5-mile run in the morning by the beach. They’re stylish for a running shoe, and I got the plain white, so they match all of my outfits. Of course, I also like that they’re functional!"
Would you recommend these kicks? "Yes, for anyone who likes to run, jog, walk or travel. They're cute and comfy — not something you can say about every pair of shoes."
First impressions: "I love running and walking, but I also live in constant fear of a plantar fasciitis flare-up. That said, I'm pretty picky about what I put on my feet. Initially, when I tried them on, I didn't think there would be enough arch support. While I usually remedy that with an insole, I didn't want to modify them while testing them out. I am happy to say, I didn't need the insole."
Fit and comfort level: "I wear a size 8 in most shoes and these fit true to size. In general, they're pretty comfortable. Going back to the arch support remedy, the insoles that came with the shoes might not last as long as I would like and I will probably buy some new insoles when they start to wear out."
How they were put to the test: "Before vacation, I did a few runs in them and liked how lightweight they were. This was great to know before my trip, because sometimes I want to get in a run before I sightsee and sneakers take up so much space in a suitcase. It's really hard to justify multiple shoes with limited space, so having one pair that can handle all sorts of terrain was great. That said, I did a lot of city walking in Melbourne — 37,000 steps in one day — and some light hiking in the Outback."
Would you recommend these kicks? "I was surprised and delighted with these sneakers. The days I walked over 30,000 steps, there was a brief period when my feet started throbbing, but they bounced back and were fully recovered by the next morning. I definitely give them a thumbs up."
First impressions: "For years, I wore sneakers solely for exercising — I didn't think they were cute enough for when I was out and about. Instead, I'd walk around for hours in pain in thin-soled boots or sandals. Then, I hit my 40s and realized I wanted comfort and style all day, every day. When I put on this mauve pair, my first thought was: 'Where have these been all my life?' They fit that bill perfectly."
Fit and comfort level: "My feet are wide, so it's sometimes tricky to know what size to get when buying shoes — especially online. Since this Lulu style only came in one width, I opted for a 9. While overall they fit well and kept my feet pain-free throughout the day, they were a bit narrower than I had hoped. Not a deal breaker whatsoever, but something to keep in mind if your feet run wide too. I did notice that the bottoms of my feet didn't ache or burn — even when I wore them for hours on end. That's a huge plus in my book."
How they were put to the test: "I'm a New Yorker, so I get in lots of steps just getting to and from where I need to go. I wore these while running errands (grocery shopping, laundry, etc.), meeting friends for brunch and taking daily walks around the Central Park reservoir (approximately 1.5 miles). The sneakers are so lightweight that, at times, it didn't feel like I was wearing anything on my feet. Oh, and another perk: The thick soles gave me a bit of a height boost — an extra perk for those of us on the shorter side!"
Would you recommend these kicks? "An easy yes. They were overall very comfortable and I appreciated that they were stylish enough to wear on days when I was doing multiple activities. I also like that they come in fun colors in addition to the standard white or black." (Note: While this mauve pair is no longer available, Lulu seems to rotate colors in and out, so keep checking back.)
