Details
Brand
Reebok
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Comfortable Sublite midsole and Memory Tech sockliner provide a plush but responsive ride• Outstanding style that’s eye-catching without being gaudy• Breathable, flexible upper outfitted with overlays that keep the foot firmly in place• Super lightweight trainer (6.1 oz/173 grams) without compromising its comfort• All-around solid running shoe for its price range
Upper
The upper contains most of the upgrades in the Sublite XT Cushion 2.0 from its previous edition. Gone are the cumbersome midfoot straps from the first model, now replaced by synthetic leather overlays which form the sidewalls, providing solid midfoot hold minus the bulk. This same lightweight material covers the heel, providing for excellent support and a secure ride. The upper’s coverage beneath the overlay is made of a breathable mesh that provides ventilation throughout a run or training session. In addition, the flat, textured laces will hold fast from first lace-up and keep their grip even during an intense run.
Midsole
As part of its name, the Cushion 2.0’s midsole is made of a one-piece Sublite foam that’s light, durable, and responsive. The entire length of the shoe, from heel to forefoot, is covered by this material, which aids with transitions in the gait cycle. Supplying superb comfort, this soft cushioning is aided by a solid arch support that will keep the runner’s foot in fine shape even after a long run. The cushioning of the insole also includes a Memory Tech sockliner for plush step-in comfort.
Outsole
Reebok’s hard carbon rubber outsoles have been a dependable material that runners have been hitting the pavement for decades. The XT Cushion 2.0’s heel is made of this sturdy stuff, providing durability throughout a ride, while the outsole’s flat rubber contains numerous flex grooves that give these trainers superior flexibility. Targeted rubber across the outsole also provides traction during a run, allowing for solid grip without extra weight added to the trainer.
Breathability
In keeping with standard trainer conventions, the Cushion 2.0’s open mesh upper provides excellent breathability. While covered by straps of a synthetic overlay, this lightweight material secures the foot without suffocating it. Meanwhile, the upper forefoot is comprised of an unconstrained open mesh that allows for maximum ventilation during a run. Never too loose while remaining airy, the Cushion 2.0 is a breathable trainer that will keep the foot cool throughout the ride.
Comfort
As two of the words that make up its title suggests, the Sublite XT Cushion 2.0 is a notably comfortable trainer. With its Sublite foam midsole from heel to toe that’s soft but responsive, runners will appreciate this cushioning that doesn’t result in feeling between the runner’s feel for the surface. Meanwhile, the Memory Tech sockliner provides an extra layer of cushioning for plush step-in comfort.
Style
The Cushion 2.0’s synthetic leather overlays add a dash of style to the aesthetics of the shoe, with straps that make up the overlay that continue down to a covered heel, leaving open a section for breathability on the back of the shoe. The grated pattern really pops on pairs in bright colors and looks sleek on more neutral-colored pairs. Meanwhile, its open mesh forefoot reminds one of the grills of a car while its toe is capped by the rubber outsole, black on the upper with the white outsole color at the tip. The Reebok logo is placed on the side of the heel with subtlety and repeated on the tongue. A low-cut design, the Cushion 2.0 looks sleek and like it was made to move–which, of course, it is. Its heel tab may be the one design element that looks slightly awkward against the rest of the shoe’s streamlined design, but sometimes practicality has to outweigh style.
Durability
From its carbon rubber heel to synthetic leather overlays to the synthetic open mesh that comprises the upper, the XT Cushion 2.0 is made to last from first step-in onward. Unlike some running shoes, complaints about the tread wearing on the outsole have been practically nil, which speaks well to the lasting power of the Cushion 2.0 on hard pavement and asphalt. Although flexible, this shouldn’t be read as flimsy: although some have voiced complaints regarding its overall durability, the durable synthetic leather that makes up its sidewalls are designed to keep the foot firmly in place and not lose shape over time.
Protection
Unlike some super lightweight running shoes, the Cushion 2.0 doesn’t sacrifice breathability for protection: its sturdy outsole provides quality protection against the hard surfaces runners tread upon while the Sublite midsole supplies shock protection with each footfall. Meanwhile, the synthetic leather overlay extends to the heel and forms a rib cage around the midfoot that keeps the foot in place while also providing nominal protection. The toe box is similarly protected by the rubber outsole. If there’s one area of weakness, it’s the open mesh that comprises the upper’s forefoot, but overall the Cushion 2.0 is a well-protected shoe–provided you’re not slogging through mud.
Responsiveness
Thanks to the Sublite midsole, the XT Cushion 2.0 provides a responsive ride for the runner. With the outsole’s many flex grooves, the runner has excellent surface control while wearing a pair, and thanks to its synthetic leather overlay that keeps the foot firmly in place, the wearer will feel secure with each change in position. Meanwhile, the low-cut design allows for freedom of motion without restraint around the ankles, aiding the natural stride of the runner.
Support
This neutral shoe provides nominal arch support while its Sublite midsole is designed with responsive cushioning without being too plush–although some have complained the arch support isn’t as good as it was in the first edition. The Cushion 2.0’s carbon rubber heel gives reliable support while the synthetic leather overlays keep the foot firmly in place throughout a run. While not strictly designed as a support shoe, the Cushion 2.0 has found popularity as an everyday shoe with some wearers, particularly those whose work requires them to be on their feet all day.
Terrain
Like many running shoes, the XT Cushion 2.0 is designed for running on concrete and asphalt surfaces and is responsive on spongy tracks. Its super lightweight construction makes it a very comfortable shoe on these surfaces but it’s not designed for the tough, uneven terrain of the trail. But many have commended the Cushion 2.0 for being a perfect shoe for hard, dry terrains found both indoors and outside.
Price
Perhaps the most attractive quality out of many the XT Cushion 2.0 has is its price: it’s an affordable, super lightweight trainer with comfort and style that would normally command a much higher price. For its sturdiness, looks, and performance, few running shoes out there on the market can beat the XT Cushion 2.0 in this department.
Drop
With an 8mm heel to toe drop, the Cushion 2.0 comes in slightly below conventional drop heights in running shoes. Like many other technical details of this trainer, the Cushion 2.0 aims to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, and many of its features reflect this desire. While sleek, this is not a minimalist shoe, and its drop reflects its desire to fit in as a general all-around trainer.
Stability
This is a neutral shoe and not created specifically with stability in mind. Although the Sublite midsole provides comfort, and this shoe also features standard arch support, it is made for the runner with neutral pronation.
Flexibility
Given that the upper is mostly open mesh with synthetic leather overlays, and the outsole features numerous flex grooves, the Cushion 2.0 is a flexible trainer. Even the heel counter, which is made from the same synthetic as the overlays and covers most of the heel, has retained a surprising around of flexibility. Since the upper’s overlays that make up the rib cage of the Cushion 2.0 is plenty flexible, after lace-up it also conforms to fit the foot snug, guaranteeing a secure ride.
Traction
With its outsole comprised of flat rubber and fitted with deep flex grooves, the Cushion 2.0 provides a fair amount of traction for the runner. While it may not provide as tenacious a grip as other comparable trainers, its light weight will make up for any loss in traction. However, it has been criticized for a notable loss in traction on wet surfaces.
Bottom Line
For a trainer with all-around good features, the Reebok Sublite XT Cushion 2.0 is hard to beat. Particularly for its affordable price range, this super lightweight running shoe provides style and comfort without skimping on its construction. Although there have been complaints about its loss of traction on slick surfaces, the Sublite XT Cushion 2.0 will still perform well on dry terrain and provide good traction besides. With many wearers finding the shoe so dynamic and comfortable that it’s been taken up as an everyday shoe–particularly those who work on their feet all day–the Cushion 2.0 is a lightweight trainer that performs on the streets but will remain on your feet even after the run is over.
