ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ review

We tested the ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ both on the road and in the lab, and we recommend it for:

• Runners on a budget who want performance that rivals far more expensive shoes.
• Athletes looking for one shoe that can handle both speed workouts and race day.
• Anyone buying their first carbon-plated shoe thanks to its approachable and predictable ride.
• Those interested in trying a high-performing alternative to the major running brands.

The ActiveRise+ offers solid versatility, but we think runners looking for a daily training shoe should consider the ALLSWIFIT Active5K instead. While it's not as fast, its higher stack height makes it a better choice for comfortably handling easy runs.

We also don't recommend the ActiveRise+ for runners seeking a true super shoe. Its geometry is less aggressive and better suited for training than all-out racing. If you're after a more race-focused option that's still approachable for a wide range of runners, including beginners, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a stronger choice.

Long-distance runs are well within the shoe's comfort zone. In our lab, it delivered 140 SA of shock absorption in the heel and 111 SA in the forefoot.

These results confirm that the shoe is more than capable of handling multiple distances despite its moderate stack height, thanks to its advanced midsole foam.

With the ActiveRise+, ALLSWIFIT proves that high performance doesn't have to come with a premium price tag. The shoe delivers energy return figures that rival some of the best super shoes we've tested, reaching 76.5% in the heel and an even more impressive 77.4% in the forefoot.

For runners looking for an exceptionally bouncy ride without spending a fortune, it's hard to find a better value.

We already mentioned that the ActiveRise+ features a moderate stack height, and our measurements confirm it.

Using our digital callipers, we recorded a heel stack of just 33.1 mm, making it an excellent choice for runners seeking high performance without the towering feel and reduced stability often associated max-stack shoes.

The forefoot also sits below the average at just 26.3 mm, reinforcing the same design philosophy with a lower-profile platform that delivers a more connected, ground-focused ride.

We measured a 6.8 mm heel-to-toe drop, a versatile setup that works well for virtually any footstrike pattern. Whether you land on your forefoot, midfoot, or heel, we believe the ActiveRise+ delivers a natural and predictable ride.

We already proved in the lab that the ActiveRise+'s supercritical foam delivers outstanding energy return, but does that come with a soft, balanced, or firm ride?

Based on both our runs and our Asker C durometer measurements, this ALLSWIFIT shoe clearly leans toward the soft side. It doesn't reach the ultra-plush feel of something like the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3, but we think it's still an excellent choice for runners who prefer soft landings.

The midsole features a dual-layer construction, although both foams are remarkably close in softness. We measured the secondary layer at 30.2 AC, just 0.6 AC firmer than the main foam.

Like most modern carbon-plated shoes, the ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ features a rockered midsole. However, its moderate stack height keeps the geometry less aggressive than many competitors, making the ride easier to adapt to and more approachable for runners new to carbon-plated shoes.

The carbon plate inside the ActiveRise+ is another interesting feature. Rather than using a simple flat design, ALLSWIFIT opted for a more advanced winged shape, similar to the concepts HOKA has been refining over the past few years.

We think this approach makes perfect sense for a shoe geared more toward fast training than all-out racing. The relatively flat plate skips the aggressive forefoot curvature seen in many super shoes, enhancing stability through the midfoot and forefoot without sacrificing most of the responsive feel.

From the moment we slipped into the ActiveRise+, we noticed a snug fit, which comes as no surprise for a shoe built with speed in mind. However, we wondered whether that race-inspired fit might feel too restrictive over longer distances.

Starting with the widest part of the shoe, our digital callipers measured 93.7 mm, putting it below the average for road running shoes.

The toebox told the same story, measuring below the average as well. That matched our experience on the run, so expect a secure fit that may feel slightly restrictive unless you have naturally narrow feet.

The limited width we found doesn't carry over to the vertical dimension.

In fact, the shoe offers more vertical space than we expected, measuring 29.1 mm. This added room also promotes better airflow inside the toebox.

Another area where ALLSWIFIT truly impressed us is traction. With a coefficient of friction of 0.85 in our test on wet concrete, the ActiveRise+ goes toe-to-toe with standout compounds like Continental and ASICSGRIP. The key difference is that this shoe delivers that level of grip at a much lower price...

The outsole combines three distinct rubber patterns with a large central channel that provides noticeable guidance throughout the gait cycle. The triangular tread in the forefoot and lateral heel enhances multi-directional traction, while the ribbed rubber sections under the medial heel and toe-off area reduce weight without compromising its generous coverage and excellent grip.

We also found a large midfoot cutout that exposes the carbon plate, trimming some weight while allowing the surrounding foam to compress more freely.

One aspect of the ActiveRise+ that genuinely surprised us was the stiffness of its carbon plate. It required 23.2N in our flex test, making it noticeably stiffer than most supershoes, even those built with significantly taller midsoles.

At just 7.2 oz (204g), the ActiveRise+ leaves nothing to complain about here. It's among the lightest tempo trainers on the market and tips the scales at nearly the same weight as elite racing shoes like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.

We found that the ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ takes a different approach to stability than most modern super trainers. Its platform is relatively compact, but the lower stack height helps offset that, resulting in a ride that feels more stable than its dimensions might suggest.

We wouldn't recommend it for runners who need dedicated stability features or substantial support for overpronation. However, in our experience, it remains surprisingly planted, especially as the pace increases.

The carbon plate also plays a major role in the shoe's stability. Even so, the ActiveRise+ posts a near-average torsional rigidity score of 14.7 Nm, striking a balanced compromise that suits its overall design and intended purpose.

The heel counter doesn't provide a high level of support, but that's exactly what we expected. Most supershoes score just 1/5 in this test, so it makes sense for a more approachable racing shoe or tempo-focused trainer like the ActiveRise+ to offer a touch more structure while remaining noticeably less supportive than a daily trainer. And obviously, it's a 2/5 for us.

We hinted earlier that the ActiveRise+ has a compact platform, and our measurements back that up. Starting with the forefoot, we recorded a width of just 114.0 mm, placing it below the average for road running shoes.

The heel is where the ActiveRise+ feels the most aggressive on the run, and our digital callipers confirmed why. Measuring just 83.0 mm at its widest point, it lacks the broad landing platform found in many modern trainers, reinforcing its speed-focused design.

We were genuinely surprised by this result, and in the best possible way. Despite the large ventilation openings of this one-piece woven upper, the ActiveRise+ earned an impressive 4/5 in our durability test.

The heel padding didn't perform as well as the toebox in our durability test. Even so, its 3/5 score still represents a respectable result in our view.

With only 1.0 mm of wear, the rubber showed solid resistance to abrasion, delivering durability that's right in line with our current lab average.

We found that ALLSWIFIT went all in with an ultra-thin 1.2 mm outsole. On the upside, this helps reduce weight while enhancing ground feel, resulting in a more engaging ride. 

However, runners concerned about long-term durability, especially heavier ones who tend to wear down the outsole in specific high-impact areas, may find this minimal thickness less reassuring.

The insole is remarkably thin at just 2.4 mm, reminding us of the minimalist designs commonly found in modern super shoes.

Another premium touch is the perforated insole, a feature that's absent from many more expensive running shoes and helps improve air circulation inside the shoe. That said, replacing it won't be an issue if you prefer a different insole.

Thanks to its excellent supercritical foam, the ActiveRise+ delivered outstanding performance in our freezer test.

The ActiveRise+ doesn't feature any reflective elements, which is common for speed-focused running shoes. Even so, we think a few strategically placed reflective details would've been a welcome addition for runners heading out after dark.

The ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ may cost just a fraction of similarly-specced Western running shoes, yet it competes in the same league in almost every aspect. The sawtooth laces are another example of the attention to detail, delivering a perfect lockdown and excellent perceived quality.

We noticed that the tongue follows the same speed-first philosophy as the rest of the shoe. It features only 1.9 mm of padding, keeping weight to a minimum while avoiding unnecessary bulk.

The tongue features a semi-gusseted design that perfectly suits a tempo-focused running shoe like this one. That said, we believe the gusset would've benefited from perforations in the yellow fabric to unlock top-tier airflow in that area as well.

The heel of the ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ keeps things simple. It doesn't include a heel tab, but the brand neatly covers the exposed stitching with a hot-melt overlay.

While the ALLSWIFIT ActiveRise+ packs an impressive set of features, its value is on another level. This shoe costs roughly half as much as most models offering similar energy return and a carbon plate. Therefore, runners looking for high-value performance at a budget-friendly price will simply love it!