Reebok FloatZig 2: Retro Roots, Modern Moves

One running shoe that crept up on us last year was the Reebok FloatZig. It mixed some throwback flair with modern tech, and while it wasn’t a category killer, it held its own as a reliable daily trainer at a very accessible price point. Now Reebok is back with version two—and it’s sticking to a $120 tag, which is a breath of fresh air in today’s maxed-out running shoe market.

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So, what’s new and what’s familiar in the FloatZig 2? Let’s dive in.

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Looks:

The original FloatZig had some real 90s vibes happening—sort of like a sneaker straight off the set of a Saved by the Bell reboot. The FloatZig 2 keeps that funky DNA but smooths out the rougher edges. It looks a little more refined, a little more modern, but still keeps enough quirk to stand out.

Nineties Nostalgia Meets 21st Century Comfort: The Reebok FloatZig 1

While I personally miss the unapologetic retro aesthetic of the original, the V2 feels like it’s trying to play in both worlds—nostalgic and futuristic—and mostly succeeds. The black-and-white colorway we tested leans into a clean, versatile vibe that you could easily rock for travel, errands, or just a coffee run, while still being capable of handling legit running duties.

And if you’re into more color, Reebok offers six colorways, including some bolder options that amp up the fun factor.

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Construction & Fit:

I am gonna talk sizing first. I generally prefer a little more room in the toe box—I’d much rather have some wiggle than feel jammed in. That said, the FloatZig 2 might have a little too much room for standard sizing – at least for me. I have seen other comments out there on the Interwebz that their pairs felt a little small. My usual size 12 left a noticeable gap near the toe, and even my wife commented they looked big on foot. A quick thumb test confirmed it—there’s a good chance I’d be better off in an 11.5.

So, I probably recommend attempting to find this in person. Reebok also has 30-day returns, so you should be able to order a pair and see what works for you.

As for construction, the shoe comes in at 10.4oz for a men’s size 9—not exactly featherweight, but acceptable for a daily trainer. That said, there are some elements that feel more style-forward than performance-focused, like the slightly overbuilt heel padding (i.e. some odd padded bumpers near the heels that don’t particularly seem to have a purpose) and considerable rubber outsole coverage, both of which could probably be removed/streamlined  to lighten things up.

Specs

• Stack Height: 30mm (heel) / 24mm (forefoot)
• Drop: 6mm
• Weight: 10.4 oz (Men’s size 9)

Upper:

For a $120 shoe, I was actually pretty surprised with how nice the upper felt. Reebok didn’t just phone this part in. The engineered mesh feels soft and breathable, and the heel collar and tongue are cushy enough to feel secure without being overbearing. It’s a definite step up from the FloatZig 1, which had a funkier construction that didn’t hold the foot as nicely as hoped. The V2 is a step-up in this area.

While the upper still ran a bit roomy for me (again, try these on for you) the lockdown overall is decent and the comfort factor is high. This is the kind of upper that wouldn’t feel out of place on a more expensive shoe.

Midsole:

Here’s where the FloatZig 2 starts to show off a bit. The new Zig midsole with SuperFloat+ Foam replaces the original foam and brings a lighter, snappier feel without totally reinventing the wheel. It’s not bouncy in a super-plush superfoam kind of way, but it’s got enough pep to keep daily miles feeling fun.

The ride leans ever-so-slightly to the firmer side of neutral, but it’s not harsh. After a few runs to break them in, the shoes settled into a groove that worked really well for short to mid-distance efforts. This isn’t your marathon workhorse or your tempo-day weapon—but for most runs in the 5k-12k zone, it’s a solid performer.

Outsole:

The outsole design on the FloatZig 2 hasn’t changed much from V1. It’s still a thin and mostly full-length rubber concoction molded into the zigzag grooves of the midsole. While it looks cool, it might be a little overbuilt. That said, grip is very reliable roads and crushed gravel, and it’s held up well so far in terms of durability.

My main gripe is that it probably adds some extra heft to the ride. However, I am not a shoe designer, so maybe there’s not a better way to accommodate the uniqueness of the Zig midsole design.

Overall:

The FloatZig 2 continues what Reebok started with version one—providing a comfortable, capable daily trainer with unique looks, solid performance, and a hard-to-beat price. It won’t dethrone your top-tier super shoe or marathon cruiser, but that’s not its goal. What you get instead is a well-rounded shoe that works for casual runs, daily training, and even travel—all for $120.

And in today’s world of $180 trainers and $250 racers, that feels like a huge win.