Details
Brand
Reebok
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Three-Foam Midsole Technology• External Heel Counter• High Abrasion Rubber in the outsole• Wide Toe Box• 100% Seamless breathable mesh upper• Breathable fabric sockliner• Foam Fusion Midsole Technology• Smooth Fuse Fabric Upper• Outsole Release Zone• 12-mm Heel Drop
Upper
The Reebok One Cushion is designed with a 100% seamless Smooth Fuse fabric upper. The upper is the softest part of the shoe. The upper is designed to work concurrently with the three midsole zones. The closed mesh material and heel counter featured in the Contact Zone give runners a locked heel fit. The lightweight mesh and lace overlays secure the runner’s foot in place in the Midstance Zone. However, wearers did not like the free-moving tongue because it was more difficult to adjust the fit than a shoe with an attached tongue. The lightweight and breathable mesh material used throughout the Propulsive Zone offers the runner’s foot maximum freedom and elasticity. The lining of the Reebok One Cushion is made of seamless breathable mesh and features a fabric sockliner. Also, the padded heel collar and tongue give runners a tighter fit. A few reviewers did comment about the thinness of the laces and found it difficult to get a good fit through the upper.
Midsole
The Reebok One Cushion features a three-foam midsole that offers a comfortable running shoe to runners who experience mild to moderate pronation. The three layers of foam each serve a different purpose during a run. There is an ultra-soft layer for the diminishment of shock (the Contact Zone), a lightweight layer for guiding the foot through a natural gait (the Midstance Zone), and a responsive layer to help runners feel as if they are being propelled forward (the Propulsive Zone). The ultra-soft foam is located in the heel where the runner’s foot makes contact with the ground. The softness of this foam allows it to compress more upon ground contact. Reviewers who are used to a firmer heel upon contact thought the soft heel felt strange at first. The next layer of foam, the Midstance Zone, supports the foot through a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The movement from the soft foam used in the Contact Zone effortlessly flows into the lightweight foam used in the Midstance Zone. The third layer, or Propulsive Zone, is made of a high-rebound foam that covers the whole forefoot of the shoe. This high-rebound foam gives the runner a spongy cushioning. Runners experience a quick push-off from their forefoot that feels natural, which was well-received by wearers.
Outsole
The Reebok One Cushion features an outsole release zone. This controls the amount of pronation experienced during a stride. The outsole also features high abrasion rubber in the heel that works with the decoupled outsole to provide a good amount of cushion and improved shock absorption during the heel strike. 80% of runners hit their heels first. Runners found the outsole of the Reebok One Cushion to be less structured, yet lighter than other neutral running shoes.
Breathability
The Reebok One Cushion features mesh material in the upper for breathability. Runners liked the lightweight mesh feeling in the forefoot. The interior sockliner is also made of a breathable material.
Comfort
The Smooth Fuse seamless weave upper gives runners an experience that is free from irritation. This breathable mesh material keeps the foot cool and comfortable mile after mile. The fabric sockliner in the upper gives the runner a cushioned feel. The ultra-soft foam material used in the midsole works well with the high abrasion rubber in the heel to give runners a soft landing at the point of contact. The Reebok One Cushion men’s version was ranked in the 86th percentile and the women’s version was ranked in the 70th percentile for heel cushioning by testers for Runner’s World. The lightweight foam continues through the midfoot and forefoot sections of the midsole to maintain comfort as the foot transitions through the stride. While most reviewers found the Reebok One Cushion to be comfortable, some added orthotic inserts to improve the comfort and provide extra arch support.
Style
The Reebok One Cushion is available in two different colors and runners enjoyed the bright neon colors. The men’s version is available in neon yellow/China red/grey and yellow/blue/black. The women’s version is available in white/neon blue/ultima purple and denim/white. What gives the Reebok One Cushion a unique style is that each of the three zones of the shoe (the Contact Zone, the Midstance Zone, and the Propulsion Zone) are different colors. When runners look at this shoe, it looks as if there are three distinct sections of the shoe. The color moves from the upper to the midsole creating a continuous stream of color in each zone. The Reebok One Cushion fit as expected for 80% of Amazon purchasers of the men’s version and 70% of the women’s version. Reviewers recommended purchasing the Reebok One Cushion a half size bigger to avoid rubbing during long distance runs. The Reebok One Cushion features a low-cut design. This design offers runners faster transitions and their feet more freedom to move throughout each stride. Reviewers did find the Reebok One Cushion to have a wide toe box.
Durability
Reviewers found the outsole in the heel and forefoot of the Reebok One Cushion to hold up as well as most neutral -cushioned running shoes. The column-like outsole pods are built with high abrasion rubber to withstand consistent wear and tear. The crash pad and tip of the forefoot showed a small amount of wear after logging 50 miles on the road.
Protection
There are several features of the Reebok One Cushion that protect the runner’s foot while in use. The seamless breathable mesh material used through the upper gives the runner good air flow, which minimizes the occurrence of blisters. The external heel counter and padded tongue keep the foot secure. The three-zone foam technology used in the Reebok One Cushion encourages the runner’s foot to move in a more natural way. Also, the lightweight foam used throughout the midsole provides the runner with good shock absorption. This helps protect the runner’s knees and joints during longer runs. Some reviewers said the Reebok One Cushion was their go-to marathon training shoe. The decoupled outsole made with high abrasion rubber gives the runner good grip on dry, road surfaces. However, the outsole does not perform as well on wet surfaces. There was no slipping, but the grip didn’t seem as strong when tested on wet road surfaces. The separated column-like pods throughout the outsole also provide good impact protection.
Support
Most reviewers found the Reebok One Cushion to offer good support for a neutral running shoe. The Reebok One Cushion is constructed to support the rearfoot, midfoot and forefoot in specific ways. They found the cushioning to be just right. The external heel counter and padded heel collar give the runner good support around the ankle. The cushioned sockliner and padded tongue keep the foot locked in place. Reviewers found the thin shoelaces to be unreliable. They felt as if they loosened during a run and made it hard to secure a tight fit.
Terrain
The Reebok One Cushion is built for the road. This neutral running shoe is also a great option for the track and treadmill. The decoupled outsole presents runners with great shock absorption as the runner continues to pound the pavement or log miles on the treadmill. The Reebok One Cushion is not the best option for mud runs or runs that include standing water. The material used throughout the upper does not wick moisture away from the foot.
Price
The Reebok One Cushion ranges in price from $54 to $110, depending on the size and color scheme purchased. This shoe is a more affordable option for runners who are used to a more lightweight, cushioned, neutral running shoe. The way in which the Reebok One Cushion is designed with three zones in the midsole and upper to encourage the foot through natural movement from heel-to-toe makes this a quality trainer for less money.
Drop
The Reebok One Cushion features a 12-mm heel-to-toe offset. The men’s version features a 33.1 mm heel height and 21.1 mm forefoot height. The women’s version features a 33.4 mm heel height and a 21.4 mm forefoot height.
Stability
The Reebok One Cushion features a flatter medial arch made specifically for running. This flatter medial arch is what distinguishes it from the Reebok Nanos or Nano Speeds. This feature of the Reebok One Cushion gives runners with a neutral gait full ground contact. However, some runners prefer a running shoe with more firmness and support through the arch. The Reebok One Cushion is definitely meant for a runner with a strong arch. Testers from the Runner’s World Shoe Lab gave the Reebok One Cushion a 39% percentile ranking for stability features. This score indicates less of a presence of those features that give the runner stride stability. Runners who tend to overpronate need a shoe with a little more stability. The Reebok One Series Guide is similar to the Reebok One Cushion, but offers runners a thicker foam under the arch, giving overpronators the higher stability they need.
Flexibility
The Reebok One Cushion outsole features an outsole progression groove that provides the runner with flexibility during every heel-to-toe transition. In fact, the high flexibility allows the shoe to be folded in half at the midfoot! Testers ranked the men’s version of the Reebok One Cushion as a very pliable shoe, with a percentile ranking of 29%. This means there is a lot of minimal resistance during the toe-off. The women’s version of the Reebok One Cushion fell more in the middle for stiffness, with a 53% percentile ranking. The women’s version is not as flexible as the men’s version, but still offers runners flexibility. The spacer mesh upper and structured textile upper offer great flexibility during each stride. The upper construction moves with the foot while keeping the runner’s foot supported.
Traction
While the Reebok One Cushion delivered great grip on smooth asphalt, the grip was minimal on wet surfaces and gritty road surfaces. Runners found the Reebok One Cushion to maintain good traction during endurance races such as half-marathons and marathons.
Bottom Line
The Reebok One Cushion gives runners a comfortable ride with its three-foam midsole technology. The level of cushioning provided by this foam is strategically placed throughout the midsole of the shoe to provide runners with a smooth yet comfortable transition from the initial heel strike to the toe-off. The materials used throughout the shoe offer a high amount of flexibility. The Reebok One Cushion gives the runner’s foot freedom of movement that resembles a natural gait cycle. The Reebok One Cushion gives runners a quality option for a neutral running shoe.
