Reebok FloatZig Tread | Do You Need a Treadmill Specific Shoe?

Reebok has just released the FloatZig Tread, a shoe made specifically for treadmill running!

I’ve never ran in a shoe specifically designed for the treadmill and as a runner who runs the majority of her winter mileage on the treadmill, I was very excited to test the FloatZig Tread. In fact we have a whole list of the best treadmill running shoes without a single one stating they are a treadmill shoe, so this is going to be fun.

The FloatZig tread is Reebok’s first foray into the treadmill specific space, though the shoe can also be worn outdoors and as a bodyweight workout shoe. Think of it as a one and done shoe for an indoor basebuilding day, where you want to do that pesky PT or lift while also in a run out of the elements.

In fact, we’d say for most of you doing runs over 3-4 miles this is more of that cross training shoe than anything because it’s so low cushion.

Reebok FloatZig Tread Overview

I tried the Reebok FloatZig Tread out first on my treadmill with a few 2-4 mile runs. Then I wore it in the gym for a full week of lifting with running warm ups and cool downs.

Right away it was clear to me that the shoe is built for shorter mileage and cross training, and is not about max cushion, bounce, or speed.

The FloatZig Tread boasts a unique tread design which Reebok calls Griptonite Traction, providing targeted reinforced rubber with additional durability at key points of contact.

It follows through on the promise of additional durability in key points in the footstrike on the treadmill with great traction, creating a run that feels stable and secure on the treadmill.

Not exciting and not cushioned, but secure.

It’s true that you don’t need a max cushioned running shoe for the treadmill. But if you’re using the treadmill for long winter runs, this isn’t going to the job unless you generally like a barefoot feel. For us this really falls into that training for a Hyrox kind of feel.

That being said, we like how this could be a gym shoe that transitions well.

Reebok has created a lateral outrigger that provides stability through gait transition and then also makes the shoe more suitable for lifting and functional fitness. This outrigger does result in a surefoot feel both on the run and while lifting, making it a great dual threat shoe.

The dualdensity surefloat midsole cushioning does allow for comfort while having a minimal stack and an EVA rim.

Reebok also built zoned breathability into the design of the shoe which you’ll see with the arrows on the side and then an open mesh forefoot. The thin tongue also helps with this and did a great job keep air flow moving and my feet feeling cool.

Do You Need a Treadmill Specific Shoe?

We asked the question, so the least we could do is answer it.

As a team of coaches who all happen to enjoy treadmill running, I’ll say that we easily use our road shoes on the treadmill and there’s nothing that says you’re running the treadmill by tracking dirt on it. Nope.

BUT we have found that going with max cushioned shoes on the treadmill can be a bit of overkill, which is why we do like to recommend some of the more moderate cushioned shoes (Kinvara, Mach, Rebel). This option is a very low cushion and not what the majority of our readers are used to.

The four colorways in both men’s and women’s models result in one of them appealing to most tastes. The black/orange/yellow colorway I tested is not to my taste at all, and I would not choose to purchase or wear this colorway on my own either to run, lift, or as a general everyday sneaker.

Reebok FloatZig Tread Fit

The sizing overall for me was true to size. The ZigTech technology in the FloatZig tread is designed to help forefoot flex and for an energized toe off.

I felt like this forefoot flex in the upper was too much, almost as if the material was folding over on each step. I did not feel an energized toe off either as there is no rocker built into the shoe. It’s entirely reliant on the foot of the runner to toe off, with the shoe only providing what for me was excessive and unproductive room in the toebox.

I did not notice any intentional support in the arch or heel.

I tied my laces as I normally do and had no parts of the shoe that were too loose or too tight. The shoe does feel stable on the foot and has a shorter tongue with minimal padding.

Reebok FloatZig Tread Feel

The majority of the fit and feel is much more similar to my typical lifting shoe rather than any other shoe in my running rotation.

The FloatZig Tread has a lower stack DualFuel midsole which is a specialized midsole shape optimized to provide the smoothest ride while enhancing responsiveness. I didn’t notice this specialized midsole shape in the smoothness of the ride of the shoe at all.

This shoe is very different from every other shoe I have in my running rotation. I prefer a high bounce shoe with a higher drop to help my foot get off the ground and that sort of technology isn’t present in this shoe. Yet, it’s not meant to be present in this shoe either.

It does well at what it’s designed to do, get you through a few miles a day on the treadmill and perform functional fitness without having to change your shoe. Don’t expect it to be something it’s not, the FloatZig Tread does what it’s designed to do.

Similar Shoes to the Reebok FloatZig Tread

We’ve tested a few gym style shoes that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit: 

I would not run regularly on the treadmill in this shoe because I prefer more of a bounce off the running surface with higher cushion. However, I will turn this into my gym shoe when I know I’ll be both lifting and running during the same workout.

Who Tried It?

I’m Katrina, a freelance photographer based in the Twin Cities. I started running during the pandemic when the gyms closed and to try to keep up with my agility dog. I now use running to help my body stay fluid to function in daily life. As a person with fibromyalgia staying in motion is essential for my health, rather than a choice. In addition to running I enjoy lifting, spin classes and yin yoga. Find me on Instagram @katrinagaisford

What to Read Next?

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• How to Combine Running and Weightlifting
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