Most runners prefer to run outside whenever possible, and there’s a reason the word “dreadmill” gets thrown around so often. I generally fall into that camp as well — I’d much rather be outside taking in fresh air and scenery than logging miles in my garage. That said, about a year ago I invested in a quality treadmill for a variety of reasons, and I’ve ended up running on it far more frequently than I ever expected.
Working from home has been a big part of that shift. I like being able to look presentable on camera while still wearing running shorts and shoes, knowing I can sneak in a 30–45 minute run between meetings. Living in Oregon also plays a role. While running in the rain is part of the deal, there are plenty of days when dry, controlled speed work on a treadmill is simply easier to stomach than getting soaked head to toe. And having a treadmill like mine that can stream shows, sports, or guided workouts goes a long way toward reducing the mental drag of staring at the same wall for an entire session.
All of that said, most road running shoes we review handle treadmill running just fine — there’s no denying that. However, I do find that some shoes don’t fully showcase their design or ride characteristics on the treadmill, which is why we’ll always take review shoes out onto the roads.
But as footwear categories continue to become more specific — race shoes, gravel shoes, door-to-trail, trail racers, daily trainers, and everything in between — one emerging category would seem to be a treadmill-focused running shoe.
We’ve seen early hints from a few brands, but as far as we can tell, the Reebok FloatZig Tread is the first treadmill-specific running shoe that’s readily accessible here in the U.S.
See All our Posts on Reebok Here!
Construction:
One running shoe brand that’s been genuinely fun to have back in the conversation over the past two years has been Reebok. Their recent releases haven’t been earth-shattering, but they’ve been consistently well-constructed and, more importantly, enjoyable to run in — which is still the ultimate goal.
Reebok also incorporates what they call a Lateral Outrigger, designed to provide stability through gait transition and to support functional fitness movements. The terminology is a bit techy, but on foot, it simply feels like a shoe with mild stability built in. It would have been easy to ignore stability altogether given the controlled nature of treadmill running, but this feels like Reebok’s way of maintaining balance and expanding the shoe’s utility beyond just running.
That added stability opens the door to non-running movements that mimic real-life actions — bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling — without pushing the shoe into rigid stability territory. If you’re doing consistent or heavy strength training, this doesn’t replace a flatter, more stable lifting shoe (lifting in a cushioned running shoe is still not recommended). However, there’s enough structure here that gym-goers could realistically move between treadmill work and floor exercises in this same shoe without issue.
Specs
- Stack Height: 28 mm (heel) / 20mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 8mm
- Weight: 9.1 oz (Men’s size 9)
Looks:
Over the past few years, Reebok has leaned into a mix of throwback design cues and modern materials. I do think that Reebok is going to be aiming to get a little bolder into its visuals in the coming years, as some of their new 2026 launches seem to be a little less nostalgia heavy and more standard and expressive colorways and overall looks.
The men’s FloatZig Tread is launching in four colorways. The version we tested — the bright orange — is easily the most boisterous of the group. Rounding out the lineup are a white option with red accents, a white option with blue accents, and a more understated black and grey colorway. The women’s versions are definitely more straightforward with a couple black and white options (including a killer black/leopard print option that I personally love.
They lean less heavily into the retro aesthetic — which we still appreciated in its own right — but standardizing the look and bringing it in a more modern direction is likely the right move.
Upper:
An indoor-focused running shoe also has the potential to shake things up a bit. When I run on the treadmill in standard outdoor shoes, things can sometimes feel a little excessive. My feet tend to run warmer indoors, and there’s far less need for heavily reinforced uppers or weather-focused durability when the elements simply aren’t part of the equation.
I’m no shoe designer, but it looks like Reebok is thinking along similar lines here. The upper is lightweight and breathable, and while the tongue is gusseted, it feels relatively minimal — which makes sense for the setting this shoe is built for.
Midsole:
The midsole construction largely mirrors what we’ve seen in the FloatZig 2, which makes sense given the lineage. The Superfloat midsole combines dual-density cushioning with an EVA rim for added stability. The signature ZigTech grooves — which provide much of the spring and energy return — are still in place.
What’s different here, and again it makes sense, is a slightly lower stack height. A quality treadmill already offers some built-in cushioning, so there’s less need to double up on midsole material in a treadmill-specific shoe.
Outsole:
While most running shoes can accommodate treadmill belts without much issue, the FloatZig Tread is designed specifically for that environment. It uses Reebok’s Griptonite Traction — a reinforced rubber compound placed strategically in key wear areas to improve durability where treadmill running tends to take the biggest toll.
I haven’t always been in love with Reebok’s FloatZig outsoles. They’ve generally gotten the job done, but they haven’t stood out as a favorite. Here, though, the approach feels better matched to the use case. The airy, full-coverage outsole that defines the FloatZig line actually makes a lot of sense on a treadmill, providing consistent contact with the belt without feeling overly aggressive or unnecessary.
Overall:
For runners who don’t spend much time indoors, a treadmill-focused shoe likely isn’t high on the priority list — even at an accessible price point. That said, it’s worth noting that while the FloatZig Tread is tuned for the treadmill, it’s still functional enough to be used outdoors as well, something Reebok also acknowledges. It clearly delivers its best value on the treadmill, but it won’t feel out of place if you’re someone who transitions between indoor and outdoor runs.
Honestly, it wasn’t on my bingo card that Reebok might be first to market with a readily available treadmill-specific running shoe. But here we are. And the result is a very solid — dare I say, great — entry into a niche category that feels poised to grow.
