Lululemon Chargefeel Low women’s training shoes review: Are the new shoes up to the hype?

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Yahoo Canada’s Shopping Editor tested Lululemon’s new pair of trainers to see if they’re worth a shot.

Here’s what you need to know at a glance about these fashionable sneakers:

  • Lululemon’s new Chargefeel sneakers are available in both a women’s low-top style and a women’s mid-top style

  • The Women’s Chargefeel Low Training Shoe retail for CA$178/US$138

  • The Women’s Chargefeel Mid Training Shoe retail for CA$198/US$148

  • Our editor found that the sneakers have a bouncy and comfortable sole for walking and workoutsbut struggled slightly with sole stability during strength training

  • Is it worth it? Our editor’s verdict is that if you’re a Lululemon fan, you’ll love their stylish and trendy sneakers, but they’re not revolutionary.

  • If you’re looking for something more supportive, you might want to wait until Luluelmon releases its next pair of sneakers, the Strongfeel, in the fall.

Read the full review below:

Lululemon is known for its innovative workout apparel and attention to detail, which is why the internet nearly lost its collective mind when it was announced earlier this year that they would be branching out into footwear for the first time.

In addition to the Blissfeel women’s running shoe, Lululemon has now launched two new styles designed for a variety of different workouts: the Chargefeel Low women’s training shoe and the Chargefeel Mid women’s training shoe.

Both styles are suitable for running and training, whether it’s bodyweight, HIIT or even light jogging. As someone who doesn’t personally run due to a knee injury, the Chargefeel shoe was perfect for what I was looking for in a training shoe.

Chargefeel Low women's training shoe. Image via Lululemon.

Women’s Chargefeel Low training shoe. Image via Lululemon.

CA$178/US$138 at Lululemon

Lululemon advertises the Chargefeel Training Shoe as “the training shoe for running, training and commuting”. They’re designed with dual-density cushioning for rebound, plus a lightweight, flexible upper that moves with your feet.

You can choose between the mid-size version, which offers second-skin comfort thanks to an engineered mesh upper and smooth lining, or the low-top version which features stretch and support zones to keep your foot in place.

The shoes are available in women’s sizes 5 through 11 and come in a total of 14 colors in mid-top and low-top versions.

Women's Chargefeel Mid training shoe. Image via Lululemon.

Women’s Chargefeel Mid training shoe. Image via Lululemon.

CA$198/US$148 at Lululemon

First impressions

I got my hands on the Chargefeel Low women’s training shoe in white and was instantly a fan of the monochrome look. At first glance, Lululemon’s new running shoes looked quite similar to other training shoes I’ve worn in the past, especially with their knit upper.

When I put them on, the first thing I noticed about these shoes was the extra bounce through the heels. Although I don’t run, I tried them on for an early morning walk and the added dynamism in my step was a welcome change from my old Adidias Falcon shoes that I usually wear.

I also put the shoes to the test with at-home strength training, which included lots of squats, lifts, and lower body work. During strength training I felt like I could have used a little more stability in the soles, but that might be a problem for me – I’m working on my balance for a reason, after all.

Try the Chargefeel Low women's training shoe.

Try the Chargefeel Low women’s training shoe.

what others say

Since the shoes have been available for about a week, they’ve only received a handful of customer reviews. That said, the Chargefeel Low Women’s Training Shoe received an average rating of 4.3 stars, while the Chargefeel Mid Women’s Training Shoe received a 4.8-star rating.

“Love these trainers! They have just the right stability for HIIT and training workouts, but they also feel amazing on the runs,” one shopper wrote.

“I have wide feet and these fit better than the Blissfeels,” added another.

Some buyers found these shoes to be slightly large, but I bought them in my usual size 8.5 and thought they fit perfectly. If you have narrow feet, you can go down a half size for the best fit.

So, are they worth the hype?

After wearing them for a few full workouts, I can say that I enjoyed these Lululemon running shoes, but it’s a bit like preaching to the choir. I’ve been a fan of their activewear for years, and to me, the shoes have a similar vibe. They are comfortable, minimalist and work well throughout workouts.

Those who are already big Lululemon fans will probably also appreciate these training shoes, but are they revolutionary? I would lean for no. They do, however, live up to their claims of lightness and comfort, and at $178 CAD / $138 USD, they’re on par with, or just a bit more expensive than, other name-brand sneakers.

You can try the Chargefeel Low women’s training shoes and judge them for yourself, or wait for the Strongfeel shoes, which are designed for training with a thicker, more durable sole and are slated for release this fall.

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