Details
Brand
Reebok
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Lugged piston technology in the outsole gives cushioning and responsiveness• Triple-foam fusion midsole uses C43 for shock absorption, G48 for smooth transitions, and R52 for propulsion• Seamless Smoothfuse mesh upper reduces the risk of irritation and hot spots• Adaptive NanoWeave straps give a locked-in midfoot fit• External TPU heel counter stabilizes the rear of the foot• Low-cut design allows fast and easy movement• Reflective materials give visibility in low-light conditions
Upper
The upper is made of seamless Kevlar synthetic material and mesh. The seamlessness reduces the risk of hot spots and irritation. The NanoWeave support straps lock in the midfoot and center it inside the shoe. The laces help deliver a snug fit. The mesh allows air to flow through the shoe and around the foot, keeping the foot cool and dry. The tongue and collar are padded for additional comfort and support. The TPU heel counter locks in and stabilizes the heel and rear of the foot. The cut is low enough to allow free movement. Reflective materials give runners visibility in low-light conditions. The upper is snug enough for light stability but flexible enough to allow natural movement. It offers protection against wind and cold and the fit is comfortable for most runners, although testers with wide or narrow heels had problems with the fit in that area.
Midsole
The midsole uses a unique triple-foam fusion technology. The Contact Zone in the heel uses the soft C43 foam to absorb shock on impact. The Midstance Zone in the midfoot uses soft G48 foam that gives smooth transitions to prepare for takeoff. The Propulsive Zone near the forefoot uses firmer R52 foam for added stability and powerful takeoffs. The three foams work together to make efficient and effortless gait cycles. The arch support level is neutral, good for runners with high or medium arches who don’t normally need additional arch support. The midsole has good durability and flexibility, and the drop is 11mm.
Outsole
The outsole is made of rubber. It uses lugged piston technology that looks like pods to give an extra level of cushioning and responsiveness, and also keeps the weight of the shoe low. The rubbers have different densities, with the hardest in the heel to impact during landings, softer rubber in the midfoot, and the softest in the forefoot for added traction. The decoupled heel works with the Contact Zone in the midsole to help absorb shock. The outsole is firm enough to support the foot, yet the grooves add enough flexibility to allow fast and easy movement. Although advertised as a road running shoe, testers found that the treads get good traction on trails as well. Most testers did not have problems with durability, but a few experienced peeling after a few runs.
Breathability
Breathability comes from the mesh in the upper. It allows air to flow into the shoe and around the foot, and covers most of the shoe, including the sides, the toe, the heel, and the tongue. This allows runners to go for long distances or in warm weather without overheating. Also helping breathability is the seamless SmoothFuse, which prevents hot spots and blisters by not blocking air flow or rubbing against the foot where the stitches would be.
Comfort
The Reebok One Cushion 3.0 is a very comfortable shoe. The outsole uses rubber of different densities to cushion landings, transition smoothly, and push the foot back into the air. The midsole uses soft triple-foam fusion to absorb shock and cushion landings, transition the midfoot for takeoff, and stabilize and spring the foot back into the air. The upper uses a seamless comfortable material to reduce the risk of irritation, breathable mesh to prevent overheating, laces and NanoWeave for a snug fit, and padding in the collar and tongue for additional comfort. The fit in the forefoot and midfoot had mostly positive reviews, although some testers noted that the sizes run narrow and advised potential buyers to order a half or a full size up. The fit in the heel received mixed reviews: while most testers thought it fit just fine, a few experienced blisters from it being too tight, and a few others thought it was too loose.
Style
The Reebok One Cushion 3.0 has solid color and camouflage-like patterns. Some styles are sold out, but there are two styles currently available for men and two for women. The men’s styles are Running White /Silver Metallic/Coal/Alloy and Semi Solar Yellow/Modern Olive/Dark Sage/Steel/Gravel/Flat Grey. The women’s styles are Black/Opal/White/Asteroid Dust and Noble Blue/Crisp Blue/Black/Skull Grey/Ash Grey. The outsole uses different colors to highlight the different density rubbers. Reviewers liked the styles, the bright colors appealing to those who like bright shoes, and the darker and camouflage patterns appealing to runners who prefer a more neutral look. The shoe also uses reflective materials for visibility in early mornings, evenings, or foggy weather.
Durability
The One Cushion 3.0 received mixed reviews for durability. The shoe uses different density rubbers in the outsole and different density foams in the midsole, with the denser materials used on high-impact areas and the softer materials to give extra comfort in lower-impact areas. This strategy worked well on the midsole, but some reviewers experienced the outsole peeling off after just a few uses. The upper has decent durability, with the synthetic material, heel counter, and Smoothfuse maintaining their structure and the mesh not wearing out for many miles.
Protection
The Reebok One Cushion 3.0 offers some protection to runners. The outsole uses denser rubber in high-impact areas and protects the runner from feeling any cracks, unevenness, or debris on the ground, as well as protecting the shoe from surface abrasion. The midsole has triple-foam fusion to cushion landings, especially the soft C43 foam in the Impact Zone designed to absorb shock and protect joints. The upper offers some protection in the heel and toe with its thicker fabric and higher rubber coming up from the outsole. It also protects against cold and wind, and the breathable mesh protects against heat.
Responsiveness
This shoe provides responsiveness at every level. The outsole uses lugged piston technology to transition and bounce the foot back into the air as soon as it hits the ground. The midsole’s G48 foam gives smooth transitions upon landing and the R52 foam propels the foot back into the air. The upper gives a great fit and moves with the foot, and the low cut allows the ankle to move freely. The light weight makes the shoe easy to carry for long periods of time, and the drop promotes forward momentum, especially in heel strikers. Taking away from responsiveness is the fact that the One Cushion 3.0 is not as flexible as some other shoes, especially in the heel, making it less easy to pick up speed.
Support
The Reebok One Cushion 3.0 offers some support for neutral runners. The outsole lifts the foot off the ground and gives some support from below. The midsole’s Propulsion Zone gives some support to the forefoot and a good level of arch support for medium and high arches, although some runners may require additional arch support. The upper has laces and NanoWeave straps to support the midfoot, a TPU heel counter to support the rear, and the Smoothfuse mesh and synthetic material go around the entire top of the foot. The shoe is supportive enough for most runners, although heavy over-pronators will want more support to keep from rolling.
Terrain
The One Cushion 3.0 is listed as a road running shoe, but testers were able to use it on trails without any problems. The shoe has treads and grooves, which are ideal for hard surfaces such as dirt, concrete, and asphalt. The deeper treads combined with higher density rubber in high-impact areas allow users to go on trails or slightly more technical terrain. However, the shoe does not have lugs for softer surfaces or spikes to allow users to go on snow, ice, or slippery terrain.
Price
Although around the average price for a neutral road running shoe, the many features of the One Cushion 3.0 make it a good deal. Its decent level of cushioning, different density rubber and foam for takeoffs, transitions, and landings, breathability, and locked-in fit in the midfoot and heel cannot usually all be found in the same shoe without a high price tag. As a shoe that has been out a while, some retailers sell it for full price, while others offer up to 60% off depending on the size and style.
Drop
The heel height is 34mm and the forefoot height is 23mm, giving a drop of 11mm, which is close to the standard 12 mm drop. Higher drops promote forward momentum, take the strain off the Achilles tendon, and have extra cushioning in the heel. This is good for heel strikers but does not benefit midfoot or forefoot strikers. Some runners may prefer a lower drop for a more natural running form.
Stability
The One Cushion 3.0 offers a good amount of stability for a neutral road running shoe. The outsole stabilizes the bottom of the shoe. The midsole’s Propulsive Zone foam stabilizes the foot as it takes off into the air in order to prevent rolling. The upper uses a TPU heel counter and NanoWeave to lock in the foot to prevent sliding in any direction. The shoe is stable enough for most runners, but heavy over-pronators will need a stability shoe.
Flexibility
The Reebok One Cushion 3.0 has limited flexibility. The outsole has shallow grooves that only allow it to bend a little. The foam midsole has different densities with varying levels of flexibility depending on the zone. The upper’s mesh and synthetic materials have a good amount of flexibility, although they do lock in the heel and midfoot well. The lack of flexibility is good for stability, but not as good for transitions or picking up speed.
Traction
Looking at the bottom of the shoe, the One Cushion 3.0 has pod-like treads with shallow grooves. Categorized as a road running shoe, it can grip hard surfaces well enough to take off, land, or go up and down hills. The shoe also gets a decent level of traction on trails. It does not have spikes to properly grip snow, ice, or slippery terrain, or lugs to grip softer dirt or mud that could be found on heavier trails.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Reebok One Cushion 3.0 is a good running shoe. It has good durability, cushioning, and responsiveness given by the outsole’s and midsole’s multi-zone rubber and foam. It supports the arch and locks in the heel and midfoot. The traction is good enough for roads or trails. It has a great price and light weight considering all its features. The lack of flexibility adds stability for slight over- or under-pronation, but also means it’s not a good racing or competition shoe and can take longer than other shoes to break in. In short, the One Cushion 3.0 is a good shoe choice for neutral runners to use on their daily runs.
