Raise your hand if you’ve ever spent an entire day on your feet, only to come home and immediately kick off your shoes with a sigh of relief. Yeah, we’ve all been there. But what if you didn’t have to? I’d like to introduce to you the KURU Atom 2, a shoe designed to keep your feet happy all day long.
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m picky when it comes to shoes. If I’m going to be on my feet for hours, I need something comfortable, supportive, and well….not ugly.
Because let’s face it, most shoes made for things like plantar fasciitis scream “orthopedic” in the worst way and end up collecting dust in the back of the closet.
The KURU Atom 2 is sleek and sporty, meaning you’ll actually want to wear it. This is the perfect shoe whether you’re running errands, hitting your daily steps or just tackling a long day on your feet.
If you’re someone who spends a lot of time on their feet and deals with plantar fasciitis, this might just be the shoe you’ve been looking for!
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the KURU Atom 2 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Walking Workouts: It’s a heavier shoe, so you may want a different option.
- Wide Feet: Lots of space but it also is available in wide!
- Standing All Day: Just the right amount of support without sinking into the shoe.
- Daily Wear: Comfortable and stylish to dress up or keep casual for a workout.
This is going to be a great shoe to wear from standing at your desk, running errands or even hopping on an airplane for a long day of travel.
KURU Atom 2 Overview
I still remember those long event days when my feet were absolutely done to the point where I’d rather go barefoot or slip into a pair of flip flops than spend another second in my shoes. Throbbing and achy feet, no thank you.
I won’t lie, the second someone suggests a “specialty” shoe, my first thought is a hard pass. Most of them are clunky, bulky, and not something you’d want to actually wear outside of the house.
But I know that I’m not alone when it comes to dealing with things like plantar fasciitis, so I figured it was worth giving these a fair try.
As soon as I opened the box, I was shocked at how cool they looked and even immediately texted Amanda! I was so excited that I put them on immediately and wore them at my standing desk for the rest of the day.
This is a pair of shoes that I could picture wearing to run errands, pairing with jeans for lunch with a friend, or just anytime I know I’ll be on my feet for hours.
A “specialty” shoe that’s comfortable and stylish…. yes please!
I may not be on my feet all day for work anymore…okay, that’s a lie because I’m a gear tester…but not in the same way I used to be when working events. I never wanted to sacrifice comfort for style and vice versa,
KURU made updates to the Atom design after receiving a lot of feedback from the community. They wanted the shoe to not only look better but feel better underfoot.
While the weight of the shoe didn’t change too much, there were significant changes made in the sole by combining KURUCLOUD+ Foam and advanced KURUSOLE to give a more supportive feel.
KURU is a brand that designs heel-first footwear to match your foot’s natural biomechanics. Instead of adding a bunch of extra inserts to your shoes, it’s already built in for you!
KURU Atom 2 Specs
Let’s look at some of the details:
- Weight: 13.1 oz Men’s, 11.4 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Stack height: 28 mm
- 4 colors
- Available in wide
- Available from kurufootwear.com for $165
KURU Atom 2 Fit
As soon as you take the KURU Atom 2 out of the box, you can just tell they’re going to be comfortable.
The NOVAKNIT mesh gives a plush feel. It’s snug in the right ways without being restrictive, which is exactly what you want in a shoe you’ll be wearing all day.
I really like the KURU Atom 2 but I have a couple of complaints about the fit, both tied to one of the updates from the previous model.
First, the updated adjustable tongue moved around way too much and tended to stick out, especially if you tighten the laces more. It’s a small detail, but once you notice it, you can’t forget about it.
Second, I found that as the day went on, whether standing or walking, the laces loosened and my heel started to slip out the back. Normally this is an easy fix with heel lock lacing, but there are no extra eyelets to make that adjustment.
One silly thing is about the added layers in the sole giving you a little extra height. Now, it’s not a deal breaker and you probably won’t even notice it during the day. But if you’re already tall and prefer shoes lower to the ground, it’s something to keep in mind.
KURU Atom 2 Feel
As soon as I put the KURU Atom 2 on, I immediately noticed the KURUSOLE. The best way to describe it is like putting your heel in a cup. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, it was different from anything I’d worn before.
The good news is that the shoe just needs a little extra time to break in. By the end of the day, I barely even noticed that cupped feeling!
The curved, heel-cupping design gives your heel pad a little extra support and forms to your foot. If you’re someone who deals with plantar fasciitis, this is exactly the kind of structure that can make a big difference.
Shoes with deep heel cups offer runners with plantar fasciitis not only protection for the heel bone but also a reduction in pronation which can help manage that all too familiar heel pain.
The other thing that caught me off guard was the firmness of the cushioning. The sole is made up of multiple layers including the KURUCLOUD+, KURUSOLE and the ULTIMATE INSOLES so I had expected it to feel super plush. But for a shoe designed to support plantar fasciitis, firm and balanced cushioning is actually the way to go.
A cushioned shoe absorbs shock, protecting the plantar fascia from strain caused by repetitive impact. But too much cushioning can make your foot and ankle unstable.
The KURU Atom 2 strikes that balance of plush enough to be comfortable but firm enough to provide support making it a perfect option if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis.
Similar Shoes to the KURU Atom 2
- Topo Atmos – (lighter weight shoe)
- Brooks Adrenaline– (uses a GuideRail support system to help with pronation)
- Hoka Bondi – (higher stack height and a bit more cushion)
There you have our full review of the KURU Atom 2, it’s a definite give them a try from us! We’re excited to keep following this brand to see what they come out with next.
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