An athleisure shoe proves to be sneaker-trainer that does surprising things

The Reebok Sole Fury is a celebratory release to mark the 25th anniversary of a coveted piece of sneaker history, the Reebok InstaPump. Like its predecessor, this one too has something interesting happening around the middle outer sole.

The Sole Fury is ridiculously lightweight. No wonder it’s missing a piece. A chunk of the outsole is cut from the arch side, splitting its EVA midsole into two. Not only does the wacky engineering make the Sole Fury among the lightest performance sneakers ever produced — 230 grams for a size 8 – it also increases the flexibility of the midsole. A graphite plate running through the midsole ensures that stability is not compromised.

The neoprene upper and asymmetrical eyelets give the pair an edgy look. The bootie construction is not as snug as you would expect from a knit upper, but it’s hardly necessary in a sneaker. Reebok says the Sole Fury is an athleisure pair, but after walking and casually sprinting in the “clover green” colourway, I was convinced the pair belonged in the gym.

After wearing them for more than a few HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) sessions, it’s hard to believe the shoe is not primarily a trainer. The split EVA helps the forefoot and the heel flex independently, protecting the arch from overextending. It's a godsend for mixed sessions, such as full-body conditioning. MMA superstar Conor McGreger endorses it. Given its weight and flexibility, and the attention the pair attracts for its looks, Sole Fury should be a breaking staple.

Verdict 4/5

The traction of the rubber outsole is not the best going, nor is the cushioning. And yet, this sneaker-trainer crossover is surprisingly good at doing what it’s not meant to do.