Lululemon Chargefeel 3 Review | Are They Worth the Price?

On the outside, they look like they have a wide toe box with a pretty aggressive taper through the midfoot. Once you slip them on, though, you find out that appearances aren’t everything. They aren’t super wide on the inside, and the taper isn’t nearly as aggressive as it appears.

Performance Breakdown

Cross-Training and Lifting: 8/10

The Chargefeel 3 is advertised to be a jack-of-all-trades shoe and this is where it shines. They are built for HIIT sessions and class-style workouts like Barry’s and F45. The break-in period was basically non-existent, and they were comfortable from the moment I put them on (that’s kind of a rarity for the heavier modern-day training shoes, I feel).

I recently put them to the test during a half-HYROX and came away pretty impressed. They held up across every station and run segment with no stability issues and they were decently comfortable. The transitions between runs, sled work, box jumps, and plyometrics were smooth and easy.

Now, would I wear them for a full HYROX? No, I’d grab something more running-focused, but I wanted to share my thoughts in this context to give you a better idea of the range of these shoes.

The only issue I have with them is heavy strength training. I prefer a shoe with more ground feel and structure to it for my strength workouts, especially lower-body days. These were a bit too bouncy for me for that kind of training. The aggressive toe spring and arch also hindered the ability to ground the feet when lifting.

For my lifting-focused peers who are training heavier and only do some cross-training here and there, I’d consider something like the Nike Metcon 10 or Adidas Dropset 3. Both of these shoes will have better stability.

Short Runs: 7.8/10

They perform well enough for short runs not to be a problem, think distances between 400-1,600 meters. The ShiftFoam midsole is lightweight and responsive. They have just enough bounce to them to be comfortable whether you’re on a treadmill or running outside. They’re also light enough to not feel like weights on your feet.

That said, this is a class-focused training shoe. The cushioning is made to handle gym sessions and short bouts of cardio, not longer, slower runs. They feel great in that 1 to maybe 2-mile range, but if you’re logging more serious mileage or training for longer distances, you’ll want to pick up a running-specific shoe.

Daily Wear: 8/10

As well as they perform in the gym, they excel outside of it. The Chargefeel 3 are comfortable enough to wear all day, light enough to toss in a travel bag, and stylish enough to pair with your outfit of the day.

I did grab these in white, and while the aesthetic is gorgeous, trying to keep them clean can be a pain. The layered mesh upper requires more effort to clean than I care for. I also don’t like the band across the forefoot. It doesn’t do much to help with lockdown and security, and the added branding is a bit over the top for me.

Chargefeel 3 vs Metcon 6

I included this section because multiple women have asked me at my F45 classes how I’d compare to the Free Metcon 6 to the Chargefeel 3s.

Both the Lululemon Chargefeel 3s and Nike Free Metcon 6s are regulars in my training rotation—it really just depends on the day and the type of workout. While both are versatile cross-trainers, they shine in slightly different ways. On higher cardio days where I know there will be some running, circuits, or plyometrics, I usually reach for the Chargefeels. They have a bit more bounce to them, which I prefer for this type of training.

The Metcon 6s, on the other hand, provide a slightly more stable base for mixed training sessions that include more lifting or strength work. The structured heel helps keep you grounded without feeling overly stiff, which I appreciate on hybrid days that combine strength and conditioning.

Outside of the gym, the Chargefeels tend to win me over for everyday wear or travel—they’re a little more “on trend,” easy to slide on and off, and the white color I chose pairs well with just about anything. The Metcons are still stylish in their own right, but they lean more performance-oriented IMO.

Construction Details

The upper is made from a breathable, layered mesh that runs from the forefoot through to the heel. There is a TPU wrap around the boot for added support and security. The ankle is a booty-style construction with an extended heel tab and loop. It’s soft enough that rubbing isn’t too big of an issue, especially if you wear higher socks to help protect the back of your ankle.

The interior of the ankle is padded and lined with Lulu’s Nulu fabric. They advertise it as having the same soft feel as their leggings and they’re not wrong. The soft padding in the boot of the shoe is super comfortable and just hugs your foot.

With the booty-style construction, there is no separate tongue, so tongue slippage isn’t an issue. The downside is the tongue isn’t padded so when you tie the laces super tight, they can dig into the top of your foot.

There are 5 core eyelets with a 6th for lace lock. There’s also an added band around the forefoot under the bottom two laces that feels like it’s supposed to be there for added lockdown but it doesn’t feel like it does very much beyond adding unnecessary branding on an otherwise clean shoe.

The midsole is Lulu’s ShiftFoam midsole and runs the length of the shoe. It has a nice balance of cushion for some shorter runs and jumps without being unstable. The outsole is a segmented rubber outsole with deep lugs on the forefoot and heel.

There is a break in the exposed midsole under the midfoot for added flexibility. The amount of exposed midsole is a concern long-term for durability. I fear that it will break down and deteriorate over time, especially if it’s exposed too much to rain or wet environments. The rubber outsole extends up the toe and heel for some extra protection.

Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?

I have found myself reaching for these more and more as my daily do-it-all shoe. It doesn’t matter whether I’m taking the dogs for a walk, running some errands, it’s a travel day, or heading to the gym. These shoes are a great all around option for me.

They’ve been so easy to slip on and off. And the fact that the laces stay tied without having to double knot them is an added bonus.

If it weren’t for how frustrating the upper can be to clean, they would be a perfect shoe. If I didn’t like white shoes so much, it wouldn’t be a problem either. I’m sure the darker colorways wouldn’t show as much dirt.

At the end of the day, the Chargefeel 3 is going to be a solid shoe for anyone looking for something that can handle most of what you throw at it. It’s definitely not the cheapest option on the market, but for what it does and how comfortable it is, it’s worth taking a look at.