Lululemon Chargefeel Review | Plus, Low Vs Mid-Top Breakdown

The Chargefeel Workout Shoe is Lululemon’s cross-training counterpart, launching on the heels of their first-ever shoe drop, the Blissfeel Running Shoe.

This shoe is special in that it comes in two versions — low and mid. The low, similarly to the Blissfeel Running Shoe and the majority of training shoes, has a heel counter cut at the ankle, whereas the mid includes a sock-like upper bootie that extends over the ankle.

As someone who primarily strength trains, but also enjoys going to workout classes from time to time, I was excited to try this model and see how it compared with other popular “HIIT shoes” on the market.

I’ve tried classes with as many modalities as treadmill running, kettlebell, ski-erg, and plyometric components, so I understand how difficult it can be to find shoes that perform well in a variety of exercise modalities.

In this Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoe review, I’m going to discuss the construction of low-top and mid-top ChargeFeel shoes as well as the training contexts in which each shoe excels and falls short, to help you decide whether you should invest in your own pair.

Who Should Invest in the Lululemon Chargefeel?

The Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoe is ideal for women whose primary form of exercise is workout classes or circuit training. This shoe can do it all — boxing, running, boot camps — and is well-designed for the large breadth of exercise modalities that you often find in group fitness workouts.

They have a lightweight mesh upper as well as a responsive midsole and outsole, making them a great choice for multi-directional work and plyometrics. The Chargefeel Workout Shoe is also a good pick for beginners starting out at the gym.

If you’re a recreational gym-goer or lifter who is not yet very specific in their training, then the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoe is a good all-around shoe for incorporating both strength training and cardio, without needing to lug multiple shoes to the gym. They’re also very aesthetic (both the low and the mid), so they’ll pair nicely with your workout outfit.

In some contexts, the Chargefeel is almost too broad of a shoe, a “jack of all trades, but master of none.” If you have more specific goals than exercise, such as running a 5K or hitting a deadlift PR, the Chargefeel Workout Shoes are probably not worth the investment.

These are also not shoes to use for a CrossFit with high-intensity exercise, as their mesh upper isn’t the most durable or supportive, as we’ll dive deeper into in the Cons section.

Lululemon Chargefeel Pros

The Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoes are currently the pair I gravitate to most for more casual workouts and everyday wear – including to the airport — for a couple of big reasons.

1. Two Versions Make Customization Easy
2. Aesthetic and Comfortable for Daily Wear
3. Breathable and Lightweight Mesh Upper

The first to like about the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoes is that they’re available in two different versions — low and mid. The low is a traditional model with a separate tongue, and a collar cut under the ankle, similar to the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoes.

The mid is a bootie-style shoe with no separate tongue and a sock-like upper that extends over the ankle. I’ve tried both and I, surprisingly, really liked both styles. I generally prefer low tops for a couple of reasons.

I’ve tried the high-top Nike Blazer and found the stiffness of the upper fairly uncomfortable, as well as difficult to get the shoe on and off. I also, being exactly five-foot, used to think that high tops can make short legs look even shorter.

Interestingly enough, I love the aesthetic of the Lululemon Chargefeel Mid and, while there is a break-in period, the ankle sock is way more flexible than that of the Nike Blazer.

I like that you can choose-your-own-adventure for these shoes and that different women with different preferences can choose between the two versions of the same model. It adds versatility because if you like low-top, then you’ll likely enjoy the mid-top as well.

Another thing I like about this shoe is that the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoes are perfect for the versatility of your day. You can wear them for a morning workout, stay in them for work (if your workplace is okay with sneakers), and keep them on to grocery shops or walk your dogs.

It’s not always easy to find shoes that both perform well for your training contexts and look good out on the town. Looks aside, though, the Chargefeel is also comfortable enough for everyday wear.

Because it’s not a super-rigid training shoe, it’s easy to walk around in, while still providing some stability for circuit training and submaximal lifts. Also, since the shoe can be used for cardio, strength training, and casual wear – they’d be an excellent pick for traveling light on vacation.

The third pro to the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoe is the breathable and lightweight mesh upper. They feel super light on your feet and, as discussed earlier, allow the mid version’s ankle sock to be pliable.

This also means wearing them during high-intensity workouts in sweaty gyms or studios is way more bearable, as well as wearing them day-to-day during hotter, summer months or in warmer climates.

Lululemon Chargefeel Cons

Although I like this shoe, there are some areas that the Chargefeel Workout Shoe is lacking in.

1. Arch Support May Be Lacking for Some
2. Not the Most Durable for High-Impact Workouts
3. May Experience Some Heel Slip
4. Fairly Pricey for a Workout Shoe

The first drawback is the Chargefeel’s lack of adequate arch support. It leaves much to be desired for certain foot types, including mine. As someone with a flatter foot, having some arch support helps me feel more stable in both my foot’s contact with the ground.

A little arch support also helps me feel more stable in my ankle-joint complex. The lower arch in this shoe makes it difficult to find stability while lifting, as well as can lead to some soreness in my foot after long days on my feet.

Another thing to keep in mind with the Chargefeel Workout Shoe is that it won’t be the most durable option for high-impact workouts, such as CrossFit. The mesh upper, albeit comfortable, doesn’t necessarily stand up well for outdoor workouts or for exercises that include any type of abrasion, like rope climbs.

Related to why the Chargefeel Workout Shoe wouldn’t be the best candidate for high-impact workouts, I’ve experienced some heel slip in this shoe, especially in the low version. My theory is this happens due to the flared heel construction in this model.

Although there is a padded heel counter, my ankle doesn’t feel secure in the shoe, even after tightening the laces. While it still can stand up for class exercises and plyometric movements, it may not be well-suited for more intense multi-directional work.

Lastly, the Chargefeel’s price is on the steeper side for a workout shoe. At $138 and $148 price points for the low and high versions respectively, you may be able to find a variety of shoes better fit for your workout modality at lower price points.

It is Lululemon after all, so being willing to pay for a more premium or more “luxurious” product is the compromise you have to make for this shoe.

Performance

Below, I’m going to break down the performance of the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoe for different training contexts so you can have a better idea as to whether this shoe will fit for your training needs.

I’ll discuss how the Lululemon Chargefeel performs for versatile training, weight training, short runs, and daily wear. Since these can be a “jack of all trades” style shoe, I wanted to test them in various training settings.

Testing the Lululemon Chargefeel for Versatile Training

The Chargefeel Workout Shoe is a cross-training shoe designed for workout classes and circuit-style training. Lululemon markets them with the tagline “run-first, train-second,” which does check out since their dual-density midsole is responsive yet relatively stable.

I found this shoe to be pretty ideal for both running and lighter training. The mesh upper in both the low and mid versions is also super maneuverable, which is advantageous in agility and plyometric movements.

As stated in the cons section, there is a limit to the contexts in which this shoe is good for versatile training. Although they would work well for classes, like Barry’s or Rumble, their lightweight upper likely wouldn’t be durable enough for outdoor training or intense CrossFit sessions.

Additionally, I didn’t experience some heel slip issues in the low-top model when doing lateral plyometrics and heavier sled pushes. If your classes involve a lot of cutting and digging into the forefoot, then you’ll want to keep an eye on this.

Testing Lululemon Chargefeel for Weight Training

The Lululemon Chargefeel is an okay shoe weight training, depending on your experience and intensity levels. For submaximal lifts, the shoe works fine. You can easily use it on upper days and even in most lower accessory lifts.

That being said, I think if you’re much more recreational in nature with your strength work and like to sprinkle a little in on a weekly basis, then you’ll be fine in these shoes.

For strength and power-based barbell exercises, such as snatching, squatting, or deadlifting, I would not recommend using these shoes, as there is just not enough stability both in the midsole and in the upper.

For example, these were not my favorite shoes for tackling heavier squats as I did have some compression of the midsole as I got heavier, and for deadlifts, the stack height was okay, but not my favorite for pushing heavy singles and doubles.

Testing the Lululemon Chargefeel for Shorter Runs and Daily Wear

For day-to-day wear, the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoes are both comfortable and aesthetic. They’re a good pick for being on your feet for extended periods of time, such as a commute to work, a morning in the airport, or exploring a new city.

However, you may experience some heel slip in this model or some sore arches due to a lack of support in the heel counter and arch. If you can, I would highly suggest trying these on in-store before investing in them if you normally have slip issues or like more arch support.

For those reasons, I don’t prefer the Chargefeel as a stand-alone running shoe, but they get the job done for shorter runs under two miles. if you’re running casual and short warm-up or cooldown runs, then these will likely work just fine.

However, with their questionable upper durability, the Chargefeels would probably fair better on a treadmill or a track than on pavement or trails, and this is why I also recommend keeping your runs shorter in these.

Lululemon Chargefeel Sizing

The Lululemon Chargefeels run true-to-size. The length of these shoes runs true and the width could best be described as neutral. Now, if you have a wider foot, it’s recommended that you go up a half-size.

For the Chargefeel mid-version, if you have a narrower ankle, realize that the ankle-sock bootie may fit a little loose, and if you have a wider ankle, you may want to forego this model.

Regardless, you do have a 30-day trial period for the shoes, so you can easily swap sizes if you find they run too large or small for your anatomical needs.

• Lululemon Chargefeel Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size. Size up a half-size for wide feet.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Luluelmon Chargefeel low and mid-top versions, drop a comment below.

Price Breakdown

There is a slight price difference between the Chargefeel Low and the Chargefeel Mid, at $138 and $148, respectively. These prices are on the higher end for cross-training shoes, but with the Lululemon brand, you can expect to pay premium prices.

Although they are good-looking shoes and have a good return policy – 30 days for a full refund – I don’t necessarily think that these shoes are durable enough and would last long enough to be worth this higher price point, especially if you’re using them for serious training.

Construction Details

Below are some of the key construction details for the Lululemon Chargefeel Workout Shoe that contribute to its quality and performance.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9mm
• Weight Low-Top: 8.70 oz (for my size 6 model)
• Weight Mid-Top: 8.20 oz (for my size 6 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes (for both models)
• Dual-Density Midsole
• Mesh Upper
• Elastic Boot Construction (mid-top)
• External Heel Tab (mid-top)
• Synthetic Upper Overlays
• Rubber Outsole Tread
• 6 Core Eyelets

If you have additional construction-related questions about the Luluelmon Chargefeel low and mid-top shoes, drop a comment below.

Takeaway Thoughts

The Chargefeel Workout Shoe, Lululemon’s first cross-training shoe, has been one of my go-to’s for the last two months, mostly for everyday wear, like walking the dogs or running errands, and circuit training that I sprinkle in here and there.

Although they’re not my favorite option for strength training or running, I still enjoy both their look and their comfort. The Chargefeels can be a great, well-rounded option for women who love workout classes or who are starting out at the gym!

If you have any questions on the Lululuemon Chargefeel, drop a comment below or reach out via Instagram (@nikkikoplitz)!