Happy Friday! Hope everyone is doing well. We're speeding into the holidays with Thanksgiving/Black Friday in just three weeks. I need to start getting my shopping list ready for my friends and family and then of course there's my wish list. 😇 I also want to know what's on YOUR wish list. Tell me in the comments below! Speaking of wish lists, the APL McLaren HySpeed was on my fall wish list and I did manage to scratch it off! I received a gift card and decided to go for it.
For reference I typically wear size 5.5 in Allbirds (also my normal sneaker size). For the McLaren HySpeed, I sized down half a size.
This is a collaboration between APL and luxury carmaker McLaren. This is a running shoe that for sure will make you look fantastic on the track. This has a unique design with a carbon plate running the length of the shoe for increased performance. There is a three piece cushion placed along the inside of the heel to mimic the McLaren seat design. Very clever! The color Rose Dust/Creme is just a gorgeous pink with a nude midsole. There is a hint of some silver dusting along the edges of the shoe that adds to the eye candy. The color is just to die for. The flat laces match perfectly and are woven.
After reading some reviews that said this running shoe ran large, I decided to size down half a size. That was definitely the right call. The size 5 fits perfectly. The toe box is wide and roomy which made it very stable and comfortable. Similar to my other APL shoes, these also do not have a lot of stretch. You do need to take a couple of minutes to lace up these sneakers. I think that's the biggest issue with this shoe. There's no easy on and off.
As some of you know, I recently picked up running again with the Peleton app and typically run 2-3 miles at a time. Nothing crazy. So far my favorite running shoe have been Allbirds Tree Dasher 2s and the Tree Flyers. I wore the McLaren HySpeed for a 2 mile run and wasn't crazy about the landing. My foot tends to strike on the ball of the foot and I found it to be very hard and not so bouncy or responsive. The midsole is actually quite high, it gives me at least an inch and a half off the ground, it's higher than all of my other running shoes and it takes some time getting used to. I did feel a little sluggish by the end of the run. I guess the extra weight does make a difference. Overall, I feel like these are more for the look and brand name rather than an actual performance shoe. The ride definitely isn't as smooth as I hoped it would be!
I myself will be wearing these shoes for casual walking and to add some flare to my outfits. I will be sticking to my Allbirds for running. However, I will say that when I have these on my feet, I do feel like a mini celebrity! 😂
The bottom of the sole has treads that look like a lily pad.
That's it for me! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Oh and just in case you didn't know there won't be anymore WMTM updates until Black Friday! I do have some reviews on the way from Athleta, Uniqlo, Lulu, and Naked Cashmere. Stay tuned!
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Mclaren hyper cars make running shoes? Good way to push APL brand paying for licensing with car manufacturer. My Pumas were race inspired drivers shoes licensed by Ferrari logo. Adidas used Porsche as style brand many could see through the marketing.
ReplyDelete450 US is inflationary price to be paid now. $616 cnd yikes, plus tax.....
Color is reason to purchase these since it works with lot of my outfits. Good pastel choice, great taste Leslie.
Gather the traction or balanced footprint of the sole, basically does the job for running. Don't doubt APL design since they put lot of tech into the running shoe more then most brands. APL being Lululemon first shoes sold in their boutiques looking to partner up.
Don't know why they make soles so thick with todays training shoes not just APL doing this.
As i don't need more shoes but nice to update newer styles like these Nikes.
https://www.nike.com/ca/t/free-metcon-4-training-shoes-2g2hts/CT3886-234
Problem with high platform sole it will quickly go out of fashion in long term since it looks odd unlike streamlined narrow soles of the past.
Leslie you will look superb walking in these shoes being the great influencer you are. Celebrity status wearing the APL Mclaren for or sure! Unique style with a bounce in your step, attractive appearance, beautiful body, summer, autumn works with the seasons.
Agree with you i be wearing them on the street rather then the gym or treadmill. Lacing might be annoying taking longer..
Enjoy wearing them making them look good..
My wish list nothing so posh or fashionable just looking for durable and comfortable gym shoes. Maybe watch cyber Monday deals from Nike didn't see any last year.
As tan shoe link above or Khaki color..
.https://www.nike.com/ca/t/free-metcon-4-training-shoes-2g2hts/CT3886-301
Thanks Mack! I do love a good creative collaboration. The McLaren's really look amazing and the orange color is pretty fantastic too. Those will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.
DeleteThick soles are on trend right now. I kinda like it since it gives me a little more height and I can use all the help I can get. But agree that once the trend is out, they may look a little odd but I'll deal with it when that time comes!
The Metcons look interesting, they do remind me somewhat of robotic - Transformers look. My husband collects Transformers so that's why they come to mind. But still a very cool shoe. I am looking forward to see what sales we will get this holiday season!
I didn't even know APL made chunky sneakers! I LOVE that rosey greyish mauve color. The price is steep!
ReplyDeleteAs for what's on my wishlist... some pants and basic tops from Aritzia and maybe another boyfriend hoodie bc I wear mine ice skating all the time. Metal zippers/metal tip drawstrings wack my face but these don't have that.
and from LLL the utilitech cargo pants, groove pants, french press scuba OFZ (if they ever will release it),
some dainty gold jewelry maybe from CatBird. I don't wear much jewelry except on my ears so I'll see.
Hi Janessa! Sometimes I do find the metal tips on the drawstrings on hoodies whack my fingers and it hurts!! Haven't had it hit my face yet, knock on wood.
DeleteSurprisingly I don't have much that I want from Lulu. Hoping they will release some nice holiday items though. I just placed an order with Athleta so unless they release more stuff, which I'm sure they will....
I don't wear much jewelry either, but I make up for that and then some with purses! =D
hi Leslie! The APL shoes look very cool! I saw your promo code for AllBirds on Instagram. It's too bad that they excluded the Canadians again! Keeping my fingers crossed that they will have a promo for Black Friday! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! My contact tells me it's in the works for Canada. They didn't give me a specific date but possibly towards end of November. Fingers crossed!
DeleteThat's great to hear! I'm in no rush to buy, so I will wait! Thanks, Leslie!
DeleteHi Leslie! Thought I'd mention that shoes with a carbon plate and a high stack like these are meant for fast paces where the carbon is meant to propel you forward and absorb some of the ground contact. If you look at Nike's Alphafly or Vaporfly shoes they look like this. They're notoriously "sluggish" or weird feeling while running at slower paces. Also, they don't generally last (mileage wise) nearly as long as why they're mostly reserved to races. $450 is steep but these "super shoes" are really getting up there in price (another reason to reserve them for racing). Just thought I'd mention since in case you're disappointed about how comfortable they are (not) for use as casual shoes. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry, should have proofread that before hitting publish. I promise my grammar and writing skills are way better than what is reflected above. lol
DeleteHi Trilikemary! Good to know about the carbon plate. I am definitely not a fast pace runner, I guess that's why. =D Learn something new everyday. I'll have to check out the Nike shoes you mentioned. Maybe one day I'll try them for a faster run, or as fast as I can go lol.
DeleteNo worries on the grammar. I'm writing 3 posts a week and I'm still a terrible writer. LOL!