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The Reebok Floatirde Energy 4 Adventure is the latest Reebok performance shoe to debut for their popular Reebok Adventure line. This model is designed to be a road and trail running hybrid shoe.
This model is coming in hot on the heels of the Reebok Nano X2 Adventure. As a fan of the Reebok Adventure shoe line, I was super excited to put the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure to the test.
For its price point, I thought the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure delivered on its promises and performed well for both casual road and trail running. I’ve beat these shoes up pretty bad, and they’ve lived up to the “Adventure” in their name.
Granted, there are a couple of cons that I have with this model for certain training contexts, and I’ll discuss those below.
In my Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure review, I’ll discuss all of the key details that you should know before investing in this model.
Table of Contents+
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Author’s Note: The Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure has been said to come to market in mid-September on Reebok’s site. This model’s release date has been pushed back from its original go-live date.
Who Should Invest In the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure?
The Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is a good hybrid road and trail running shoe performing well in both contexts. I think, more specifically, recreational runners will benefit the most from this model.
This shoe performs exceptionally well for short to mid-range road runs (1-6 miles), can hold its own for easy to moderate trail runs, and is comfortable for hiking and walking. It’s a good all-in-one style running shoe.
Additionally, the Floatride Energy foam midsole in this model provides a nice level of cushion. For runners that want a budget-friendly hybrid running shoe that has more cushion, I think they’ll enjoy this shoe.
I also enjoy the rubber outsole and its variable lug pattern. It does a good job assisting with propulsion and grip when road running and also provides a decent level of traction on dirt, mud, and rocky trails.
That being said, if you want a running shoe for something like marathon prep or serious trail running on technical terrains in different seasons, you’ll want to look into models that have more specificity to their construction.
Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure Pros
I’ve found multiple pros and things to like about the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure throughout my testing and reviewing of this model.
- Strong Hybrid Road-Trail Running Shoe
- Comfortable for Long Walks and Hikes
- Recycled Ripstop Upper Seems Durable and Breathes Well
The first aspect to like about the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is that it delivers a strong performance for hybrid running. If you like to tackle road and trail runs with one shoe, then this model is a good option to explore.
I’ve enjoyed this shoe for shorter road runs, and it’s held its own on most of my hikes and trail runs. If you’re regularly tackling runs that range from 1-5 miles and you vary your running terrain often, you should enjoy the performance of this shoe.
This shoe’s midsole is responsive and provides a comfortable ride, and the rubber outsole’s variable tread patterning feels durable and grippy. I also like the toe wrap for protecting this shoe’s upper when in different training settings.
The second aspect to like about the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is its comfort and performance for walking and hiking. For most casual hikes and long outdoor walks, I enjoy wearing hybrid running shoes.
If you’re similar, I think you’ll enjoy this shoe’s performance and overall comfort. The ripstop upper breaths well, which is great for keeping your feet cool, and the Floatride Energy foam midsole is comfortable for long walks.
I’ve worn this model for a couple of 10-mile hikes, and they worked really well and felt comfortable throughout. My feet weren’t screaming post-hike or long dog walks, and I think if you want a model that you can also run in, then this adds to this shoe’s versatility.
My final pro with this model is its recycled plastic ripstop upper construction. I like that Reebok used recycled plastic for this shoe’s upper. Honestly, I feel like that’s fitting for the “Adventure” side of the model.
For example, if you’re going to make a shoe that is designed for outdoor adventures, then using materials better for the environment feels fitting. The durability also feels good with this upper, which is a must for those wanting this model for casual trail runs.
Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure Cons
At the end of the day, I’ve enjoyed training in the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure. However, there are a few cons to note about this model.
- Laces Run a Little Too Long
- Lacks Some Specificity for Serious Road and Trail Running
- Upper Can Lack Security At Times
The first drawback with the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is the laces and how long they are. With road and trail running shoes, the last thing you want is laces coming undone, or worse, being so long that they trip you up.
In the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure, I found the laces to be a little too long — which I know isn’t the biggest deal — but it is pretty annoying. When trail running, I basically have to double-double knot them to prevent slack from tripping me up.
Another drawback worth noting with this shoe is that it’s going to lack specificity as you get more serious with your training. This is pretty normal and typically the case with shoes that are designed to be hybrid models.
For example, with training shoes, you’ll always generally have to sacrifice lifting performance if a shoe is more hybrid in nature and decent for lifting and running. Similarly, the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is a great hybrid shoe, but it isn’t going to be your best serious road and trail running shoe.
In the context of trail running, this shoe’s lugs lack when running on more technical terrain, and the upper isn’t the best for climates where you’ll be navigating a lot of moisture. For dedicated road running, you’ll likely want a model with more features built for this specificity of running.
The final drawback that I have with this Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is that the upper construction can lack security at times through the midfoot. I think this will impact those with skinny and narrow feet most, more specifically.
I like the upper in this model, but when I wear super thin no-show socks, I almost feel like I’m swimming in this shoe due to its upper volume. Then, once you factor in the long laces, it’s a recipe for disaster with upper security, so I wear thicker socks to work around this. The thicker socks help a ton with this.
Performance
For my testing of the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure, I put this model through multiple performance tests. I’ll discuss how this model does for road running, trail running, hiking, and walking.
This way, if you’re thinking about this model, you can better understand if this shoe will fit your training needs and wants well.
Testing the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure for Road Running
For road running, I thought the Reebok Floatride Energy did a fairly good job, especially for short to mid-range runs. This model feels similar to the normal Floatride Energy 4 running shoe, which is a shoe I’m a fan of.
When tackling short runs ranging from 1-3 miles, I found this model to be responsive and well-cushioned. The Floatride Energy foam midsole does a good job of giving you a pretty soft and bouncy ride.
For mid-range runs ranging from 4-6 miles, I also liked this model and thought they held their own as a hybrid running shoe. They’re lightweight, and the Ripstop upper provides a nice level of breathability for these distances.
I also like that the variable lugs on the outsole are not so aggressive that they take away from road running performance or give you an overly rigid or bumpy ride.
When tackling longer runs (7+ miles), I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Floatride Energy 4, and my thoughts on the Adventure are the same as the normal running shoe.
I noticed around mile 8 in one of my runs that my feet were starting to get uncomfortable in these shoes, and I felt as though I was “bottoming out” in them. If you like more cushion for longer runs, then you’ll definitely want to keep this in mind before investing in these.
For their price, I do like this model for road running, but I think they’ll be best suited for more recreational runners like myself and beginners who want a hybrid-style running shoe.
Testing the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure for Trail Running and Hiking
For trail running and hiking, I like the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure for the most part. With this shoe, there are two things that I really enjoy with their outdoor-focused performance and one thing that I think needs a rework.
The first aspect to like is that I think the performance of this shoe will fit the bill really well for the casual and moderate terrains for both trail runs and hikes. This feature makes this model an easy pick for anyone who’s using these here and there for more recreational outdoor work.
The lugs provide a decent amount of grip on dirt, mud, rock, and light gravel, and the midsole protects the hook pretty well. Note that if you’re tackling technical terrain, you’ll want to choose a different model. I learned this the hard way, scree hiking down a peak in Banff, Canada.
The second aspect to like is the Recycled Ripstop upper construction. This upper feels lightweight and breathable, which is awesome for using these in warmer months.
Plus, when I got these shoes wet on some of my hikes and trail runs, I found that they dried really quickly, which is a perk for adding to their dynamic nature.
My gripe with this model for this context is the lack of upper security and the long laces. Multiple times I found myself tucking my laces into the bottom of my laces because they kept getting hung on branches running through thicker trees and brush.
The upper was also frustrating when tackling dodgier rocky terrains because I felt my foot rolling in this shoe a bit. If you stay off technical stuff, then you should be fine here, and this will be a non-issue, by the way.
Testing the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure for Walking and Standing
For walking and standing, I thought this model performed pretty well. They’re comfortable for long walks, which is nice for easily slipping them on and off for casual wear.
I could see this shoe being good for someone who likes to do longer walks on different terrains and wants a model that can also be used for running, hiking, and trail running.
Despite not enjoying the upper for certain trail runs, I did like it for walking. It’s an easy upper to wear for long walks, and when tackling 10-20k steps in this shoe, I never had an issue with my feet feeling overly hot.
Similar to walking, this model is pretty comfortable for standing. If you’re on your feet all day and wanted a model to wear that is comfortable and also good for walking, this could be a viable option.
Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure Sizing
For the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure, most runners and athletes should be safe going true to size in this model. Their length runs a tiny bit long, and they have a neutral width.
They fit similarly to the Reebok Floatride Energy 3 and 4, so if you’ve ever worn those shoes, then I would suggest sizing these the same.
That being said, if you have a narrow foot or like snugger fitting shoes, you’ll want to size down a half size to play it safe with this model, but for most, go true to size.
- Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure, drop a comment below.
Price Breakdown
You can expect to pay $120 USD for the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure. Honestly, I feel like this price is pretty solid for what this shoe has to offer.
For recreational runners that like to vary their terrain, this model could be a good pick to look into. They’re versatile and feel like they have a good amount of durability.
I’ve put them through some gnarly trail runs and hikes and am seeing little to no signs of breakdown, which is a good thing for their more budget-friendly price.
Despite liking their price, I don’t think this model will be for everyone. For those into serious road and trail running, you’ll want to look into different shoes, and for those with skinny feet, you may also not resonate with this shoe’s upper construction.
Construction Details
There are a lot of cool construction features that go into the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure. Below are some of the key features to note for this shoe.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9mm
- Weight: 10.4 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Full Rubber Outsole With Variable Lugs
- Recycled Ripstop Upper Construction
- Additional Rubber Toe Guard for Durability
- Floatride Energy Foam Midsole
If you have additional construction questions about the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Do the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure fit true to size?
Q:Are the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure good for road running?
Q:Can you hike in the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure?
Takeaway Thoughts
Throughout all of my tests, I found that the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure did a good job. I think this shoe will be a good fit for recreational runners wanting a hybrid running shoe.
This shoe performs well for hikes and trail runs with moderate terrains, and they’re comfortable for shorter road runs and walking.
For serious runners, I think this model will fall short, and you’ll likely want to explore other options. Plus, I’m not the biggest fan of this shoe’s upper security and laces.
If you have additional questions about the Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
That Fit Friend is supported by its readers. I [Jake Boly] run this site myself and buy the gear I review. If you purchase through my site, I may earn commissions on sales, read more here!
SteveTT
Hi Jake , I am currently wearing Reebok Harmony Road 3.5’s, they work really well for me but are no longer available and i am now looking for a replacement. Would the Floatride energy 4 Adventure be a good replacement, I do run mild off road tracks with the Harmony’s. as well as road, distances of ~5km.
Hey! While I haven’t tried the Harmony and can’t speak to it, these should be fine for your performance asks listed. Plus, they’re a neutral shoe so they can accommodate different running styles pretty well!
Fakhri
Is there any vast difference or improvement over the floatride energy 3 adventure? (Previous year adventure model). (From your nanox2 adventure review, it seemed like the nanox1 adventure was better in some ways. If that’s accurate).
Hey! The reworked upper and toe guard are pretty nice upgrades for outdoor running, but when it comes to fit/feel with this shoe’s midsole/outsole, the performance is similar to the 3. I think if you’re looking into them with a heavy bias toward trail running and hiking, then they could be worth it, but if not and you’re getting a sweet deal on the 3 — go 3!
Fakhri
Hey Jake. Love your content. I just saw a pretty sweet looking blacked out floatride energy 5 adventure buy one free one for this weekend. Have you tried this one yet?
I have! They’re a good model, honestly. Have rocked them for some trail and road runs and enjoyed their performance.
Fakhri
Thanks!