Lululemon, a brand somewhat responsible for the athleisure craze and almost synonymous with fit-fluencer culture, expanded into a new category this year: shoes.
The Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe is designed specifically for running and female anatomy. Lululemon’s product designers and engineers have been studying and working with countless women for the past four years to formulate this model.
As a personal trainer who is familiar with the nuances between men’s and women’s physiology and especially passionate about most things being designed for men (e.g. gym equipment, office temperatures, and, of course, shoes!), I was excited to get my hands on – and feet in – these shoes.
In this Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe review, I’m going to discuss all the details that you need to know before investing in this model.
Contents
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Who Should Invest In the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe?
The Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe is a great pick for the recreational athlete and “woman-on-the-go”. Although it’s technically for running, the Blissfeel is aesthetic enough to wear daily if you’re looking for a casual shoe while being comfortable enough for women on their feet all day or constantly jetting from place to place.
That being said, I would also recommend using the Blissfeel as designed and using it for, well, running. Because of its responsive and cushioned midsole, this shoe would be a strong performer for women new to running, women who primarily focus on shorter runs (5 miles or less), and women who mainly run on a treadmill (usually more forgiving than pavement).
The Blissfeel Running Shoe would also be a great choice for women who enjoy fitness classes as their primary form of exercise. Because its construction is not overly specific to any form of activity, it performs well for lighter lifting, plyometric movements, and lateral bounds and would work in most forms of interval classes.
Due to it being primarily a running shoe, I especially see it as useful in a running and lifting-focused class, like Barry’s Bootcamp or Orange Theory Fitness.
While it’s a strong starter running shoe, I would not recommend the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe for long-distance runners who want more arch support and cushioning on longer runs, nor for more experienced runners who may be looking for a more technical shoe at this price point.
I would also not suggest the Blissfeel Running Shoe for women whose primary training modality is lifting or women who do CrossFit, as these do not provide the stability needed for heavier lifts like good cross-training shoes.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe
$148
Best For
- Short to Medium Run (<5 Mi)
- Class-Style Workouts
- Light Lifting
- Daily Wear/Walking
Falls Short
- For Long-Distance Running
- For Cost-Efficiency
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe Pros
After my testing and reviewing of the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoes, I’ve found a few pros to like and enjoy about these shoes.
- Designed Specifically for Women
- Comfortable for Everyday Wear
- High-Quality and Durable
- Solid Hybrid Shoe for Fitness Classes
The first thing that stood out to me with this shoe is that it’s one of the few shoes specifically designed for women. While many companies create women’s shoes, oftentimes, the only difference from the men’s version is the size and colorway. Women’s and men’s anatomy and biomechanics are inherently different.
Specifically, women’s feet tend to be wider in the toes and forefoot but narrower in the heels. There are also differences between women’s and men’s foot pronation.
Because women have wider hips than men, our Q-angle — the angle between the quadriceps muscle and the patella tendon (basically, the angle from our knee to the widest part of our hip bone) — is generally larger than a man’s, leading to more stress on the knee joint and more pronation in the foot as our foot strikes the ground.
Lululemon has been very vocal in their PR statements and marketing campaigns for their new line of women’s shoes in the four years of product design; their engineers and designers have used millions of women’s foot scans and conducted three rounds of wear-testing by hundreds of women training thousands of miles.
Sun Choe, Lululemon’s Chief Product Officer, detailed that the Blissfeel is designed with a narrower heel, a wider forefoot-to-heel ratio, and a shallow big toe, all specifically to fit a woman’s foot.
Another thing I like about the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe is the day-to-day comfort. While its primary use is exercise, whether running or fitness classes, it’s always a bonus to have a shoe that you can comfortably use during the day.
When getting ready to run errands, take my dogs on a walk, or grab a quick bite, I’ve reached towards this pair for all the casual everyday activities. I probably wouldn’t wear them with jeans or a dress, although, let’s be real, who still wears jeans?
These shoes are aesthetic enough to go with most athleisure outfits I throw on for pre-errands day. I love a pair of shoes you can wear on a training run and then on a grocery run.
Along with being comfortable for everyday wear, the Blissfeel Running Shoe is also durable enough for everyday wear. Lululemon is considered a premium brand for a reason (besides that high price-point) — they tend to use high-quality materials, leading to products that stand the test of time.
Their Blissfeel shoe is no different, and you can tell in the shoe’s construction down to the small details, like the tongue, the laces, and the lack of visible glue around the creases.
After wearing the shoe for both exercise (lighter lifting, short runs, and HIIT classes) and daily wear for over a month — along with bringing it to my most recent trip to NYC — I have noticed no breakdown in any part of the shoe.
One of the biggest pros to the Blissfeel is it’s a great option for fitness classes, especially a running-focused fitness class (think Barry’s Bootcamp or Orange Theory Fitness). If you are someone who frequents HIIT workouts that incorporate plyos, cardio, and weights, this shoe would excel.
Although I generally steer clear from running shoes for any form of weight lifting, for the lighter types of lifting in the majority of group fitness classes, the Blissfeel isn’t overly cushioned to the point where it would severely hinder your stability. It also isn’t overly bulky of a running shoe, so you would still be able to safely perform plyometric and multidirectional movements.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe Cons
Although there is a lot to like about the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe, there were also some strong cons that I note when testing this shoe.
- Size and Fit Won’t Work for Everyone
- Not Specific Enough for Advanced Athletes
- Their Price Point Is Pretty High
Even with all the extra attention, Lululemon paid towards women’s feet anatomies, I still found that the fit doesn’t work as well as I’d like for my slightly narrow foot. Although I don’t experience heel slip (a big win!) because of the narrowness at the ankle, the toebox and midfoot are a little too spacious for my preference.
I do think if you have a wider foot, you may need to go up a half-size or opt for a different model because despite me feeling as though this model was roomy, that won’t be the case for everyone.
Regarding size and fit, I expect some shoes designed for running to be a little bulkier, especially if they are designed for longer runs and have more cushion and support.
These shoes, however, feel unnecessarily bulky, as they don’t provide enough padding underneath the shoe to be better for longer runs, yet still have a lateral thickness where I end up tripping over myself.
All that being said, it doesn’t fit poorly, but the lack of versions for different widths may be something to consider if you have a more narrow or wide-width foot.
The next thing to consider about this shoe is its potential lack of specificity for more advanced athletes. If you’re a serious runner training for short-distance sprinting or longer-distance marathons, these may not be the best pick, as they provide a pretty middle-of-the-line amount of cushion and support to encompass a wider range of women.
Because this shoe feels more like a generic running shoe than a specific one, the $148 price tag feels a bit steep. You can find a decent, comparable running shoe at a lower price.
That being said, it is Lululemon, and the higher mark-ups can be qualified from the quality and durability of the product, as well as if it’s a shoe you’ll wear not only for running but for everyday use as well.
Performance
To break down the performance of the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe, I’m going to talk about how this model performs in different training contexts. I’ll discsus how this model performs for running, versatile training, light lifting, and daily wear.
This way, you can have more clarity on whether this shoe will fit your individual training needs well or if you should pass on this model.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe for Running
The Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe, unsurprisingly, performs best in the context of running. The shoe is comfortable, which I attribute to being built for women. I appreciated the design details specific to women — again, the slightly wider toe-box and narrower heel — as I felt that the shoe hugged my feet well
I didn’t have to worry about my toes feeling super cramped together or my heel slipping out of the shoe during my runs. The cushioning and responsiveness of the shoe save my shins and knees during runs on pavement.
Although, if I was running for longer mileage (full disclosure, I haven’t run more than 5 miles at a time in this shoe as my training block is strength and shorter run-biased at the moment), I’m not sure the Blissfeel would provide me with enough cushion.
There is a nice “springiness” in the forefoot that I enjoy for shorter or mid-range runs, especially for tackling any sort of pick-up. For treadmill running, I could also see this model being a really good option for recreational runners.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe for Versatile Training
For HIIT classes, plyometrics, or athletic-based training, the Blissfeel Running Shoes perform pretty well. Because it was designed primarily as a running shoe, it is fairly responsive and lightweight, and decent for quick, multidirectional movements.
Although I spoke about the slight lateral bulkiness in the cons section, this shoe remains nimble enough for more casual sprint work (especially on a treadmill) due to its lighter layer of cushion.
Its rubber outsole is grippy enough to prevent slippage – I’ve used this shoe on pavement, gym floor, and turf, and in each of those settings, I didn’t feel that I was skidding or slipping when performing plyometric movements.
I even used this model when performing different forms of sled pushes which I often encounter heel slip when wearing other shoes. Because of its versatility, comfort, and lightness, the Blissfeel has turned into one of my current go-tos for HIIT, especially for cardio and weight hybrid classes like, as mentioned before, Barry’s Bootcamp, Orange Theory Fitness, or boxing-inspired classes.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe for Weight Training
The Blissfeel Running Shoes aren’t the best performer for heavy lifting or power movements. In fairness, they are running shoes. They were not designed with heavy lifting or explosive power movements.
What that in mind, I would avoid using them for those exercise modalities. Where they can work, however, is if you’re doing a lighter training session with mostly accessory work, especially if it’s an upper body session.
They provide enough support where you can still ground fairly decently for most upper body lifts, but they are too cushiony to generate adequate stability for heavy lower body lifts.
I also found it difficult to grip the floor and create a stable base while performing more dynamic movements, such as kettlebell swings If you want more ground feedback and less toe spring for this style of training, then you’ll want to explore different models.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe for Everyday Wear
For everyday wear, I enjoy the Blissfeel Running Shoes! Because the midsole provides cushion and support and the upper fits like a glove to your foot.
I gravitate toward this shoe if I’m spending all day running errands, taking my dogs on a long walk through the park, or even — the true test — going on a flight and navigating different airports.
I recently wore these on a recent trip to New York City, and they stood up very well as I sprinted to my flight’s gate trying to catch the plane. Because it’s lightweight, it’s an easy shoe to travel with and get the most use out of.
Since you can use it not only daily, like walking around a city, but also if you want to go on a run, for a workout, or to a class.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe Sizing
The Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe runs true to size, particularly if you have a narrow or neutral-width foot. If you have a wider foot, it may be more comfortable to size up a half size.
As someone with a slightly more narrow foot, I did find there to be some extra space in the midfoot, but not to the point of discomfort. There was also a fair amount of arch support in this model, however, not so much that it felt uncomfortable.
- Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe Sizing Thoughts: True to size for narrow and neutral-width feet. Size up a half size for wide feet.
If you have additional questions on the sizing and fit of the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe, drop a comment below.
Price Breakdown
You can expect to pay $148 USD for the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe. While this price is relatively on par with premium running brands like Hoka and On Running, it is a little pricier than more cost-effective options.
I think Lululemon’s proven quality will make this a smart purchase for a beginner runner wanting a durable starter shoe.
However, if you’re looking for a shoe designed for more specific running goals, like running a marathon or triathlon, I recommend spending the extra money and choosing a shoe better suited for your more distinct context.
Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe
$148
Best For
- Short to Medium Run (<5 Mi)
- Class-Style Workouts
- Light Lifting
- Daily Wear/Walking
Falls Short
- For Long-Distance Running
- For Cost-Efficiency
If it makes you feel better spending the money, Lululemon offers a 30-day trial on the shoe, allowing you to return them for a full refund if you’re not satisfied during your first 30 days.
Construction Details
Below are some key construction details for the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe that contribute to its quality, durability, and performance.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9.5mm
- Weight: 8.55 oz (for my size 6 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Pressure-Mapped Outsole
- Foam Midsole
- Padded Tongue and Heel Collar
- Breathable Mesh and Synthetic Upper
- Moisture-Wicking Liner
- 6 Core Eyelets
- Supprotive Midfoot Frame
If you have additional construction questions about the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Are the new Lululemon shoes worth it?
Q:Are Lululemon shoes true to size?
Q:Are Lulu running shoes good?
Takeaway Thoughts
I feel as though the Lululemon’s first-ever dive into shoes has proven to be a success. Their first shoe in the women’s line, the Blissfeel Running Shoe, is an overall solid, everyday running shoe for all types of runners.
Although it may not have the cushioning or support for more-specific races, running, or training contexts, it is a fairly strong, high-quality option for short to mid-range runs, fitness classes, and daily wear.
If you have additional questions on the Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@nikkikoplitz).
I personally test every product featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training gear. I buy the gear I test and may earn commissions on sales made through links on my site.
