Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Review: A Lightweight Trainer That Punches Above Its Price

Introduction

The Reebok Floatride Energy 4 has come a long way since the first version of this shoe, and the latest iteration looks quite different from what came before. It is a lightweight daily trainer built around Reebok’s Floatride Energy foam, a 9 mm drop, and a construction that feels more premium than its $110 price tag suggests. After putting real miles into it, one thing is clear: this is a shoe that makes the most sense as a value pick, and even more so when you find it on sale.

Upper, Fit, and Comfort

The shoe uses what Reebok calls the speed shift upper, a breathable mesh with simple overlays. Despite having two layers, the top mesh breathes really well. The tongue is a slipper-style design with gusseted sides that extends all the way over the toe box, adding a bit of structure up front while still ventilating nicely.

The heel and collar have a modest amount of padding: not a ton, but enough to feel comfortable on step-in and out on the run. A reflective pull tab at the heel is a nice functional touch, and a more rigid gray material near the arch helps lock the foot in over the midfoot.

Fit is true to size with plenty of room in the toe box, and it comfortably accommodated a wider foot, which is not something you always expect at this price.

Midsole and Ride

Underfoot, the Floatride Energy foam is bouncy and fairly light, with a slightly firm, almost styrofoam-like character that recalls the foam used in other responsive trainers. The midsole also features what Reebok calls an engineered bevel in the heel, which helps with transitions and prevents that heel-stopping sensation on landing. Combined with a somewhat rocker-shaped midsole, the ride moves smoothly through the stride.

The outsole has plenty of rubber coverage. It may look like a gum sole, but it is actually brown and white rubber. The main caveat: while the cushioning feels responsive and light, both testers agreed they wished there was a little more of it. The thin OrthoLite-style sockliner does not help much there. Swapping in a plusher aftermarket insole is a simple upgrade that turns this into a more complete everyday trainer.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is a shoe for shorter and moderate distances. Runs in the 5 to 6 mile range feel great, and the light, responsive ride suits tempo work and easy days alike. For longer efforts, especially deep into marathon training when tired legs want something more, the cushioning runs out before the shoe does.

If you keep it clean, it also works well as athleisure wear after the run, particularly in the lighter colorway.

Weight, Price, and Buying Advice

A men’s size 10.5 came in at 8.96 oz, just under 9 oz, or 254 g. A women’s size 7.5 weighed 7.27 oz, just over 200 g. That puts it firmly in lightweight trainer territory, and it compares favorably to other shoes in the $110 to $120 range.

The real story is the price. Reebok runs frequent sales and promotions, and this shoe can often be found for around $60. At that price, it is a different proposition entirely: grab it on sale, add a cushier insole, and you have a really good trainer for a very affordable price.

Conclusion

The Reebok Floatride Energy 4 earns its place as a value-oriented lightweight trainer. It brings bouncy foam, a smooth beveled heel transition, a comfortable and true-to-size fit, and enough durability to justify the purchase, especially at sale pricing. Runners logging mostly shorter and mid-length miles will get the most out of it, and a simple insole upgrade closes most of the cushioning gap. For the price point, the smooth ride and solid construction make this an easy recommendation.