My fitness journey is always evolving. I'm the type of person that needs variation to keep my workouts interesting. Six months ago I signed up for the Peloton app that's $12.99 a month to include running/hiking and yoga workouts into my routine. Before Peloton, I was only doing weights with Alexia Clarke and Supernatural for cardio, but I was lacking stretching/yoga and running workouts. Running is fairly similar to Supernatural but the main difference is the lack of incline which I noticed was impacting my VO2 max score according to Apple fitness. My V02 max measurement was on the decline for a year now, but I'm finally turning it back around! With the new running routine in place I decided I needed to get some serious running shoes. This is where APL comes in.
For reference I wear size 5.5 in Allbirds and I'm also wear size 5.5 in APLs.
Streamline White Cherry Blossom Size 5.5
Before I start with the APL review, I would like to say that while I love my Allbirds and I wear them as my everyday shoes, I haven't found them to be a serious running shoe. Allbirds Tree Flyers were close, but the fit is just slightly off for me and I can't run in them for more than 2 miles at a time. Allbirds seems to be a strictly casual running shoe for short distances while APL is definitely a high performance shoe.
When I saw this Cherry Blossom print, it really caught my eye and I just fell in love. They make me so happy to put them on, it actually makes me look forward to my run. The Streamline collection has a ton of other colors and prints, so if cherry blossoms aren't your thing, there's 35 other pairs to choose from. The photos here doesn't do them justice, the lighting isn't great so there is a yellow tint to the pictures. In real life they're actually very white especially when I take them outdoors in natural lighting.
Fit - I found these to run true to size. My normal size fits perfectly and I'm able to wear them with my Bombas socks. According to APL's website, it states the following "All of our shoes are unisex. If your size is sold out, simply select a men's size on the site and adjust the fit down by a size and half. For example, a size 9 in women's is a size 7.5 in men's." This only works for women if your size is 8.5 and up.
The upper is made of AeroLux, which feels very strong but thin and lightweight. It's hard to describe because it's nothing like what I've ever seen before in a shoe. It's almost feels like a plastic material but it is thin and breathable. The lacing is also something I've never seen before. It's very tight and woven with no stretch in them. The shoe itself also has zero stretch. There are pros and cons to this.
Pros - Combined with the AeroLux material for the upper and the lacing, the shoe will fit and mold to your feet perfectly. You can lace them up as tight or as loose as you want and once it is laced up, it doesn't budge.
Cons - These shoes havezZero stretch, which means you have to take the time to lace them up and loosen the laces when you take them off. All of this takes an extra two minutes, but there is no kicking these babies off when you're done with your run. It definitely takes getting used to. The price is also steep. These retail for $320.
Heel drop - 8mm
These are fairly lightweight. They're not as heavy as my Allbirds which are always between 8 and 9oz. Still nowhere near as light as my Adizero's, which weigh 4.6oz.
Couple of close ups of the lace and fabric.
So, how does this shoe perform?
I've been running for the last five to six months and about two times a week. Yesterday I ran four miles in these without any issues. They are super responsive and feel very smooth. I love the thick midsole. It feels like I'm running on clouds since they're fairly lightweight. By the end of the four miles I was definitely tired, but that's my longest run to date in a LONG time. These are by far the best running shoes I've tried. I've had nothing but great experiences with my two pairs of APLs. I reviewed the TechLoom Bliss shoes a few months back. I'm very tempted to try more shoes from this brand.
A couple of months ago, APL X McLaren HySpeed collection was released. I love the Rose Dust/Creme color, but the price is an eye popping $450. I don't know but the price seems pretty insane even if it is a McLaren collab. That said, I am still dying to try them! 😅
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I'm also eyeing these TechLoom Wave in the white/black/marble color way. I like that the laces can be tucked in for a streamlined look. You can actually remove the laces completely and just wear them as a slip on!! Price is $265 which is more my speed. Still pricey though.
That's it for me, I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!
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My Review- TechLoom Bliss
That print is so unique and beautiful! I would like to try APLs one day.
ReplyDeleteI got my natural ivory scuba half zip and while I love it I wanted mention a few things! Compared to the first releases the stitching on the neck where the hood attaches isn't perfectly even which is totally fine. My silver blue and tidewater teal one are also not perfect and I never noticed til I dug them out just now. My first release scubas in heathered core ultra light grey, trench, submarine are stitched more evenly. It's so subtle and not a bother at all but worth a mention! The material is noticeably thinner than the first year releases (similar to the silver blue full zip I have) which I prefer! The length is also a little longer but the overall drape is really lovely and somehow looks less boxy than my thicker scubas. I think the thinner fabric drapes much better on than my favorite HCULG which runs smaller in the sleeves and body I tried the HCULG on just now and it's very square and boxy looking on me bc the fabric is stiffer. I think the scuba runs bigger than before but also read that different colors can run slightly different.
The color is everything I hoped it to be! It is darker than white opal but still very light in color and tad more beige whereas white opal is more grey. This is my favorite scuba so far I think because of the color.
Hi Janessa! You have quite the Scuba collection. =D
DeleteNow you've made me want to see Natural Ivory in person. I love White Opal and find it hard to believe Natural Ivory is prettier. I really wish I liked the Oversized Scubas but the baggy arms just don't do it for me. I did see they restocked the Scuba Plush hoodie in black, so I am crossing my fingers that they release it again this year in more colors!