Details
Brand
Reebok
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Lightweight• Mesh and synthetic upper• Sublite foam midsole• Low pricing
Upper
The upper is made of a combination of 20 % synthetic materials and 80 % mesh. While this ratio is not bad, it has become more common for shoes to be 100 percent mesh in the upper, as mesh allows for greater flexibility and breathability. That said, 80 to 20 is not a bad ratio, and the upper remains fairly flexible and breathable overall. Apart from the upper piece itself, the Sublite Escape 2.0 doesn’t offer too many other features unfortunately, leaving it a bit lacking and plain overall.
Midsole
The midsole in the Reebok Sublite Escape 2.0 is composed of Reebok’s special Sublite foam, made specifically for this shoe line. The Sublite foam is similar to other midsole foams in that it provides cushioning and also facilitates responsiveness and energy return. Its key feature is a great deal lighter than most popular foams, which, of course, ties in with the shoe’s goals of being lightweight. The Sublite foam is also more responsive than other foams, which is another plus. It manages to do this without sacrificing much cushioning, which is a nice bonus.
Outsole
The outsole of the Reebok Sublite Escape 2.0 is composed of a fairly standard carbon rubber. Like most blends of carbon rubber, this one is designed to resist abrasions and impacts, and also maintain pretty good grip on most surfaces. The outsole also features some flex grooves., which allow the shoe to flex better with each stride, making for a more flexible feel, and have a more comfortable feel overall. Finally, the outsole features a Pivot Point, a special spot that is optimized to make turning more comfortable and natural.
Breathability
The primary piece of shoes that affects breathability is usually the upper, and this is the case for the Reebok Sublite Escape 2.0 as well. The upper is composed of 80 percent mesh which is a pretty good material for breathability. Mesh is frequently used because it has perforations intentionally woven into it, that provides both flexibility and air circulation. It would, of course, be better if the mesh made up 100 percent of the upper instead of just 80 percent, but this shoe still offers a high amount of ventilation.
Comfort
The Sublite Escape 2.0 is pretty solid in, though definitely not a standout, in the comfort department. The midsole’s Sublite foam is one proponent of comfort, serving to reduce shocks and impacts as is standard of most midsoles. One extra plus in its midsole is the lightweight nature of the Sublite foam, which adds to comfort a bit by reducing the overall weight of the shoe.;The upper contributes to the comfort through its partial mesh design. Mesh tends to be very comfortable as it is breathable, thanks to its perforations. These holes also allow it to be flexible, further increasing the comfort of the shoe. Apart from these main features, the Sublite Escape 2.0 doesn’t do too much to optimize comfort, which is a bit disappointing.
Style
Reebok is a bit less popular stylistically than other major brands like Nike or Adidas, but it does do a decent job keeping up. The Sublite Escape 2.0 is pretty minimalistic in design, and is definitely less flashy or bright than some other popular brands like Brooks and Asics tend to be. The shoe is offered in a wide variety of colors for both men and women, which is always great for variety. Overall, the shoe is decent and clean looking, though it might struggle to see use as a day to day shoe. Despite being pretty minimalist in design, it still gives off a running shoe vibe. This isn’t bad by any means, it just makes it a bit less usable interchangeably. Overall, the Sublite Escape 2.0 is a pretty good looking shoe.
Durability
The main pieces in the Escape 2.0 that contribute to the durability of the shoe are the midsole and the outsole. The midsole’s Sublite foam is pretty good at retaining its original shape, even after repeated impacts and abrasions, in a very similar manner to EVA foam. This allows the shoe to provide ample cushioning even after extended use. The outsole contributes with its special blend of rubber, which also is resistant to abrasions and impacts, and can take a great deal of force before wearing. These features are pretty much the main factors in the durability of the shoe. They definitely do a solid job, but the Sublite Escape 2.0 could definitely have more features to improve durability.
Protection
Protection in the Escape 2.0 is a bit lighter than in other shoes, partially due to its lightweight design. The main pieces that deal with protection are the midsole and the upper. The midsole comes in once again with its Sublite foam. This foam protects the feet by cushioning from harsh impacts, and reducing the overall impact of each step. This foam does a pretty good job at this, making strides a bit safer. The upper contributes through its secure design, which holds down the foot well. This helps prevent twists and sprains from missteps. Protections is decent in the Escape 2.0, though definitely less than what would be found in a heavier trainer.
Responsiveness
There are a few factors that play into the responsiveness of the Sublite Escape 2.0. The major one is the midsole, as it tends to be in most shoes. The Sublite foam, once again, is the big contributor here, and overall it does a pretty good job. The Sublite foam is similar to EVA foam, in that it is very springy and returns energy pretty well. The added bonus of the Sublite foam is its lighter weight, which makes the overall movement of the shoe better as well. Apart from this, there unfortunately are not any other features that heavily add to the responsiveness of the shoe. That said, the responsiveness of the Sublite Escape 2.0 is quite solid.
Support
Support in the Sublite Escape 2.0 mainly stems from the security of the upper, and again from the Sublite foam of the midsole. The upper supports the foot by securing the foot with the mesh and synthetic combo. It does this by remaining tight while still allowing for flexibility, to create an overall snug fit. The midsole adds support via the Sublite foam, once again. This foam adds support by reducing harsh impacts to the foot, and also providing general cushioning.
Terrain
The Escape 2.0 should not have many issues on the most common types of terrains. Grass, dirt, road, and sidewalks for example are all perfectly suitable for thsi shoe. The only issues that might arise are in more extreme weathers or terrains. Snow can cause problems with traction, as can extreme rain. Very rocky areas or icy areas can also hinder the shoes performance as well.
Price
Compared to most running trainers on the market, it is a bit below the average price. It is worth noting that it might be a bit difficult to find, as they are the older model of the Sublite Escape, and are not sold from Reebok anymore.
Drop
The drop on the Reebok Escape 2.0 is pretty much standard, measuring at 8mm. Despite being a lighter weight shoe, the Escape has a very average drop. Overall, this isn’t really a negative or positive for the shoe.
Stability
The Sublite Escape 2.0 is fairly stable as a shoe overall, mostly because of the midsole and upper. Stability in the upper stems from the mesh and also the synthetic components in the upper. In tandem, they allow for flexibility while still being very secure and fitting well. This makes a very secure environment for the foot. The midsole adds to the stability once again through the Sublite foam. The foam mitigates impacts, which makes each step more secure and stable.
Flexibility
Flexibility in the Escape 2.0 is pretty good, primarily due to the upper and the midsole. The upper usually plays a huge part in flexibility, as it is the part that holds the foot down. The upper in the case of the Sublite Escape 2.0 allows for good flexibility thanks again to the perforations and the way the mesh is woven. The mesh covering the foot flexes well. The midsole adds a bit of flexibility with its Sublite foam, which flexes fairly well. Grooves in the outsole that allow the rubber material to stretch also contribute to the flexibility of this shoe.
Traction
Similarly to how the Sublite Escape 2.0 fares on different terrains, it is much the same for traction. On common terrains, traction should not be a problem at all, but in the more extreme areas, issues may arise.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Sublite Escape 2.0 is a pretty solid but simple shoe overall. For anyone looking for a decently low priced shoe, the Sublite Escape is not a bad choice. The shoe is a bit lacking in a couple aspects, but for a simple pair of running shoes for moderate running, this shoe is a definitely not a bad choice.
