Details
Brand
Reebok
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Breathable, supportive upper• Good mobility• Good stylistic choices• Comfortable fit• Durable shoe• Lightweight cushioning• Reasonable weight
Upper
The upper of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 does the duty of several uppers all in one, giving the shoe a high layer of breathability that helps to stave off some of the heat that the shoe generates, though there still is a significant amount of heat that you can expect to come from the shoe. It also supports the upper area of the foot, preventing the foot from slipping while running. Too often, you have to sacrifice breathability for support or vice versa, so it’s refreshing when a shoe offers you the best of both worlds. The upper has also been praised for being quite comfortable as well.
Midsole
For the midsole of the shoe, Reebok has employed what they call DMXRide technology that has been developed to provide plenty of cushioning in the interior of the shoe. Reebok has taken the wise approach of using only the highest of quality materials, resulting in a level of cushioning that’s impressive for just how light the shoe is. It also helps to absorb shocks, improves durability, and gives you comfort on the underfoot to ensure that you can run for long distances without the comfort of the shoe being compromised.
Outsole
The outsole of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 is highly praised for its resistance to abrasion, thanks in large part to its use of a strong rubber material that does a great job of resisting wear and tear. The shoe also utilizes some non-intrusive lugs in order for the outsole to do a better job of gripping the ground as you’re running without negatively affecting your gait cycle. The Reebok Carthage 4.0 also incorporates subtle flex grooves on the bottom of the outsole which is used to add an extra element of flexibility to the running shoe.
Breathability
As we’ve touched on earlier, the Reebok Carthage 4.0 does do well in the category of breathability, thanks to its synthetic mesh upper that manages to still provide plenty of cushioning and durability while remaining breathable. If there’s one thing that reviewers have faulted this shoe on, it’s on the fact that it has a tendency to overheat, so it’s quite welcome to see that Reebok is attempting to face this problem head-on by letting cool air naturally flow into the shoe. While this upper doesn’t entirely solve the overheating problem, it definitely mitigates some of its effects, especially on a longer run.
Comfort
The comfort of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 is helped by two important factors: its dynamic upper and its unique fit on the inside of the shoe. The upper, along with being quite breathable, is also being recognized for being quite comfortable. It allows the top of your foot to be supported as you run, which is especially helpful at long distances. This is even further helped by the fit of the shoe’s interior, which has been lauded for accommodating just about any kind of foot. It has a medium width that’s fairly neutral, allowing for it to work for the vast majority of runners.
Style
In terms of style, the Reebok Carthage 4.0 definitely excels. It has a number of color options that have all been lauded by reviewers, and Reebok here has taken the unique approach of highlighting the colors prominently instead of just having them as an afterthought like what you might see with other running shoes. The outsole is solid white, but the color that you choose is displayed prominently across the shoe itself, with synthetic material running alongside the rest of the shoe, giving the shoe a muted yet still exciting look.
Durability
The durability of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 all starts in a somewhat unexpected place: the upper. It uses a synthetic overlay that makes the shoe plenty breathable while at the same time giving the shoe enough structure and durability to make sure that it stands up to the stresses that will crop up in the course of a run on the road. This durability then extends to the midsole, which is cushioned and light enough to ensure that you always have a superb running experience. You can’t always count on a running shoe to give you a proper running experience, but the Reebok Carthage 4.0 definitely does, especially when it comes to durability.
Protection
The protection of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 all starts with the upper, which utilizes a net that functions as a way to protect your foot from dust and other debris, such as pebbles. Any experienced runner knows just how debilitating it can be to get even a tiny pebble lodged in your shoe, causing enough discomfort to put you out of commission, especially on a longer run. The truth is that you need all the protection you can get from the outside elements and that all starts with the upper of the shoe. The outsole of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 then completes the job, making sure that the shoe will stand up to the ordinary wear that accompanies running.
Responsiveness
When it comes to responsiveness, flex grooves on the outsole of a shoe will definitely contribute to the overall responsiveness of the running shoe, and the Reebok Carthage 4.0 is no exception. Not only do its flex grooves provide much-needed flexibility as you run, they also ensure that the shoe is as responsive as it needs to be for even the most competitive of runs on the road. The midsole also pulls its weight in this regard, providing enough cushioning to make sure you are as comfortable as possible while you’re running. While this shoe does have the tendency to run a bit hot, it does have a lot of other features that make it great for longer competitive runs.
Support
In terms of support, the Reebok Carthage 4.0 does very well, especially when it comes to its midsole. The shoe utilizes a synthetic mesh material to provide lightweight coverage that supports your foot without adding too much in terms of weight. When you consider how relatively light the shoe really is, it’s impressive to consider just how many features they were able to pack into it. The arch support on this running shoe is neutral, which means that it should have no problem accommodating the feet of the average runner. It doesn’t necessarily accommodate overpronators, but the majority of runners will be just fine.
Terrain
Just looking at the Reebok Carthage 4.0, it’s quite apparent that this running shoe was built specifically for road running. The outsole is thick and durable, yet also light enough to ensure a speedy run. There are flex grooves all alongside the bottom of the outsole, allowing you to get plenty of flexibility and responsiveness without having to worry about the possibility of having a stiff running experience. Reebok, as you might expect, knows what they’re doing when it comes to crafting a shoe
Price
The price of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 isn’t the cheapest we’ve ever seen from a running shoe, but it definitely isn’t the most expensive we’ve seen either. As of the time of this writing, this shoe is most likely going to set you back by about $80 or so. When you consider just how many features this shoe is actually packing, it’s a wonder that it isn’t being sold for a higher price. That’s what Reebok tends to do well–they sell running shoes that are packed with features, delivering a running experience that’s superior to your average shoe, all for a very competitive price.
Drop
The heel to toe drop on the Reebok Carthage 4.0 isn’t the lowest we’ve ever seen, but it’s not excessively high either. It sits at exactly 9mm for both the men’s and women’s versions, allowing you to still have a smooth gait cycle while you’re running. When you couple that with the fact that the weight of the shoe is very reasonable, it becomes a no-brainer that the Reebok Carthage 4.0 is a great choice for just about any runner.
Stability
While the Reebok Carthage 4.0 isn’t specifically built for stability (it’s instead built for neutral support), it definitely lends itself to a more stable run, thanks in large part to the flex grooves on the outsole and the thick and durable outsole itself. A stable run is always important, but especially when you’re running on a paved surface. A single wipeout can be disastrous when it comes to hitting the hard ground, as that can injure you and put you out of commission during a run. Luckily, you don’t have to worry much about stability when it comes to the Reebok Carthage 4.0.
Flexibility
There’s a high degree of flexibility in the Reebok Carthage 4.0, thanks mostly to the flex grooves that are present on the outsole of the shoe, specifically in the forefoot area. This allows the shoe to quite literally flex to the movements of your feet as you’re running, which is a godsend for runners who are trying to compete on a serious level. There’s also a mesh material that’s used in the interior of the shoe, which provides just that added layer of breathability and flexibility while you’re running.
Traction
The traction of the Reebok Carthage 4.0 really benefits quite a lot from two things, both of which are located in the outsole. It’s constructed from a durable rubber material that both stands up to the normal wear and tear of the road while also keeping a good grip on the road. It also benefits from a number of flex grooves on the bottom of the shoe that act as a way of retaining flexibility and responsiveness while also keeping a high degree of traction on the road. And when you’re running on a paved surface, one of the most important things is to have a good grip on the road.
Bottom Line
The bottom line when it comes to the Reebok Carthage 4.0 is that it’s a feature-laden running shoe that packs more into its small frame than the majority of other shoes out there. This isn’t very surprising when you consider that Reebok is the company behind this shoe. It’s very well-cushioned, stable, and durable, and it has flex grooves that allow the shoe to adapt to just about any situation you might throw at the shoe. Offered at a highly reasonable price, you really can’t go wrong with the Reebok Carthage 4.0.
