Details
Brand
Reebok
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Dynamic breathable mesh in the no-sew upper• Superior cushioning keeps your feet comfortable and well-supported• Midsole supports the rigid durability of the outsole while also providing flexibility• Minimalistic, sleek design• Plenty of color options to choose from
Upper
The upper on the Reebok ZJet is designed with proprietary technology from Reebok, all of it constructed from a seamless material that’s called JETfuse. This way, there’s a layer of breathable mesh and a synthetic overlay all in one seamless piece. Added to this, you have a mesh padded liner and tongue, adding just that extra level of comfort and control while you run. It gives you a good lockdown, so it’s not just all about the comfort. You won’t have to worry about falling out of this shoe.
Midsole
One of the great things about the Reebok ZJet is that its midsole works in tandem with its outsole, providing flex grooves that allow air through the shoe so that you can run faster. The way these flex grooves are designed allows for maximum flexibility on the shoe while still remaining rigid and strong. The midsole also provides a level of foam cushioning that supports the foot while allowing for your gait to be smooth. You’ll have a soft feeling on the underfoot as you move from heel to toe.
Outsole
The first and most obvious thing that you’ll notice about the Reebok ZJet is that its outsole is made from solid rubber that has flex grooves directly inserted into the design. These serve as a sort of channel for air to move through the shoe while you’re running. This keeps it aerodynamic so that nothing can slow you down. This solid rubber means that you’ll have traction on just about any surface, though you should still proceed with caution when running on technical trails. Usually, this design would result in an overly stiff shoe, but the Reebok ZJet is surprisingly flexible for its design.
Breathability
As you might expect, the bulk of the breathability of the Reebok ZJet has to do with its no-sew mesh upper. Coupled with its synthetic overlay, this shoe does a great job of keeping your feet dry and cool without letting the elements in. You also won’t have to deal with irritation on any of the seams, so you get breathability without a price. This shoe might suffer when it comes to the overall weight of the product, but at least you don’t have to worry when it comes to breathability.
Comfort
All the fancy bells and whistles in the world won’t mean anything if the shoe isn’t comfortable. You’d be surprised to find that there are actually more than a few running shoes out there that sacrifice comfort for performance. With the exception of weight, the Reebok ZJet gives you the best of both worlds with both performance and comfort. It offers up a smooth and cushioned ride, and the feeling on your foot is nearly unrivaled when it comes to running shoes. You should keep in mind that this comfort won’t necessarily extend to exceedingly long runs, where your feet might swell up and the cushioning might give.
Style
It’s great to have a shoe that can perform and stand up to repeated abuse, but it’s arguably just as important to have a shoe that looks good while you’re doing it. The Reebok ZJet does very well in that regard, offering up a multitude of color combinations to satisfy every fashionista’s desires. Along with the color combinations, the shoe greatly benefits from a sleek and minimalistic design that shines without having to draw attention to itself. The cherry on top here are the unique flex grooves as well as the traction on the outsole, giving the shoe a space-age look that’s as timeless as it is fashionable.
Durability
One of the great ideas that Reebok had when designing the Reebok ZJet was to include a durable rubber outsole that was designed to stand up to the demanding conditions of most road surfaces. This isn’t to say that it will handle well on all technical trails as well, but it will definitely serve you well while out on the road. The added flex grooves only further add to this durability while at the same time providing a level of flexibility. This all comes at the expense of weight in the shoe, but you’ll definitely be covered durability-wise.
Protection
The fight for protection on the Reebok ZJet is a two-pronged effort. It all starts with the ZJet upper, with its no-sew construction and synthetic overlay. While it lets cool air in, it also does a fairly good job of keeping the elements out. That way, the top of the shoe is covered. The bottom of the shoe is likewise covered by a thick and durable rubber outsole that won’t be prone to holes or leakage. While this shoe might suffer from being a little heavy from a running shoe, you definitely shouldn’t have to worry about leaks or having a shoe that won’t protect your feet from damage. On the inside, soft cushioning absorbs the shocks of the run and keeps your feet comfy.
Responsiveness
You’d think that a shoe like the Reebok ZJet that has such a thick, rigid, and durable outsole wouldn’t be all that responsive during a run. Perhaps you’d even be justified in thinking so. However, this running shoe has no problem responding to the rigors of your run, no matter how hard you might be pushing yourself. In this effort, the midsole and outsole work in tandem, with responsive flex grooves and shock absorbers that ensure you’ll enjoy a ride that is as smooth as it is efficient. Say what you will about the weight, but Reebok has definitely designed a shoe that reacts well to almost any environment, save for the most technical of trails.
Support
The support on the Reebok ZJet all starts with the NanoWEB technology in the heel. It allows you to run efficiently without fear of slippage, this proprietary technology not drawing attention to itself because of how well it works. Both the medial and lateral sides of your foot will be supported and protected by this technology, which will greatly reduce any soreness you might otherwise experience after the run. The Reebok ZJet is considered to be a neutral trainer that has a maximum level of cushioning, but it’s also very sturdy on the foot. On top of that, it offers this support while also offering a high degree of flexibility, something that can’t be said of just any running shoe.
Terrain
Between its weight and the type of terrain it can handle, the Reebok ZJet is definitely not a perfect shoe. While it’s fantastic at handling just about any type of road terrain, this running shoe is a bit lacking when it comes to more technical trails. Even so, there are plenty of other salient features that will make a dedicated runner settle on this shoe. While it can’t handle any type of terrain, it’s still competent enough to stand up to some abuse. Just don’t go into using this shoe thinking that it will be able to perfectly handle every type of terrain.
Price
One of the most important things when it comes to buying a new pair of running shoes is the price tag. All the features in the world won’t cover for the fact that a particular shoe might be expensive. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about price when it comes to the Reebok ZJet. As of the time of this writing, the shoe never crossed the $100 mark. While this could be a bit pricey to some, it’s actually fairly reasonable when it comes to high-performing running shoes. You could definitely do a lot worse in terms of price, so it’s a good idea to go with the Reebok ZJet.
Drop
While there’s plenty to love about the Reebok ZJet, there are now three things that detract from the overall running experience. Those are the weight, the lack of technical trail terrain support, and now the heel-to-toe drop. This running shoe has a drop of 12mm, to be exact. While this isn’t extreme or out of the realm of comfort, it will definitely impact your ride. It won’t be as smooth as it could possibly be. However, the weight might actually help in this regard, keeping you planted on the ground before lifting off again. You probably won’t notice much of a difference between this shoe and others you might have used before, but if you’re running in races that come down to tenths of a second, this shoe might disappoint.
Stability
For a shoe as flexible as the Reebok ZJet is, it’s also surprisingly stable. This is no doubt due in large part to the rigid nature of the outsole which comes into effect when it’s truly needed the most, especially on those longer runs. Speaking of longer runs, the advanced cushioning on the inside of the shoe will ensure that you can run for miles and miles with a high level of stability, all without having to worry that your shoes are going to burn out. This is a true runner’s shoe, and it shows. Again, it’s not advised that you attempt to tackle some of the tougher technical trails, but the Reebok ZJet is more than competent on any road surface.
Flexibility
We’ve covered this before, but the Reebok ZJet is surprisingly flexible considering just how rigid and durable the midsole and outsole are. Part of this, no doubt, is due to the advanced flex grooves that were incorporated into the shoe, allowing the outsole to flex while out on a run, regardless of how rigid it might be. The cushioning on the inside of the shoe definitely adds to this level of flexibility, allowing you to push your feet to a new level. While the traction on the shoe isn’t ideal for technical trails, there’s no doubt that the overall flexibility of the shoe would definitely allow you to take on even the most uneven of terrain.
Traction
As we’ve covered earlier, the Reebok ZJet is blessed with a thick, durable outsole that’s coupled with handy flex grooves that provide plenty of traction while running on the road. These flex grooves won’t handle as well on technical trails, however. Also, there’s a chance that you might get mud or gravel stuck in the flex grooves while out and running on the trail, so that’s even more of a reason to stick to the road while running. The flex grooves provide so much traction that you shouldn’t have any difficulty running even on wet surfaces. But again, be careful when it comes to technical trails, as this shoe wasn’t necessarily designed for them.
Bottom Line
When it comes to running shoes that are packed with features, you can’t get much better than the Reebok ZJet. It starts at the top, with an upper that was specifically designed to keep your feet cool and dry without opening you up to the elements. On the inside, your feet will feel like they’re resting on pillows, preventing a lot of the blisters and strain you might find elsewhere. The midsole and outsole tag team to provide a smooth ride, and the style of this shoe is truly top notch. You will have to watch out for the weight, the lack of technical trail terrain support, and the high heel to toe drop. These issues, however, are relatively minor when you factor in all of the benefits that the Reebok ZJet has to offer. When you couple that with the fact that the shoe itself is quite affordable, it’s a no-brainer that the Reebok ZJet is a great option for just about any runner.
