Reebok Zig Dynamica 4 review

In our view, the Zig Dynamica 4 is a good shoe for:

• Runners who don't mind using a heavy shoe and favour other features like durability or price.
• Those in search of a shoe that can handle a few runs per week on top of gym workouts.
• Fans of Reebok designs that want a simple, cheap shoe for running.

The main letdown of the Zig Dynamica 4 is its considerable weight, which is surprising given its only average stack height. It's far from a maximalist shoe, yet it tips the scales like one. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, lighter daily trainer, consider the Nike Downshifter 12.

Additionally, this Reebok really leans towards the firmer side. For those who prefer a softer feel in an entry-level running shoe, we recommend exploring options like the Nike Winflo 10 or the Brooks Launch 10.

If you're thinking about running in the Zig under the blazing sun, think again. It has decent breathability, and we gave them a 3 out of 5, but it really lacks airflow for the hottest days of the year.

Our light test confirmed this. While most well-ventilated shoes let air pass through, this Reebok blocks almost all of it.

We wanted to uncover the full story about the upper, so we put the Zig under our microscope.

We spotted a thick mesh that blocks almost all airflow, with no large ventilation holes. There are only a few small gaps, but they're definitely not enough.

During our hands-on assessment of the upper, we noticed that Reebok seems to have put comfort and durability ahead of breathability.

We're eager to see how it performs in our upcoming tests.

Less weight often leads to better durability, but sometimes with budget-friendly shoes, you end up with neither. Thankfully, that's not the story with the Zig.

After subjecting the upper to the intense test of a Dremel running at 5,000 RPM with 3.2N of force, we awarded it a solid 3 out of 5 score, which is impressively good for an £90 shoe!

Unfortunately, the heel padding area's performance left us quite underwhelmed (1/5).

Following the same test (3.2N - 5K RPM), the resulting hole exposed the shoe's lackluster durability in this area. It's a straightforward disappointment that can't be excused, even considering the shoe's low price.

Shifting our focus to the outsole, we discovered that Reebok opted for a fairly average rubber in terms of hardness, with a durometer reading of 80.1 HC.

This resulted in a minor 0.8-mm indentation in the rubber after our final Dremel test.

It's an average score, but in our view, it's quite good for an entry-level shoe.

The outsole thickness measured at 4.0 mm, which seems excessive to us.

The outsole boasts a full-length rubber coverage in a zig-zag pattern, completely without any exposed foam.

Why? Because given the shoe's solid performance in previous tests, it could easily have been 1 mm thinner, leading to a lighter shoe with a more responsive ride.

We mentioned earlier that the shoe could have been better with less rubber, since it's often one of the heaviest parts of every shoe. We pointed this out because the shoe felt quite heavy to us in our first test runs.

But when we weighed the shoe, we were genuinely shocked. Tipping the scales at 12.4 oz (352g), the Zig seriously needs to shed some weight!

The high weight on the scale is particularly worrying since this isn't a high-stacked shoe by modern standards.

With a heel thickness of just 32.0 mm, it's actually slightly below the average for most shoes.

The forefoot area tells the same story. At 23.5 mm, it's average in stack height, which works for us since this shoe is meant to be a casual daily trainer.

We called it a daily trainer, and that's exactly what Reebok delivered in terms of heel-to-toe drop.

Like most daily trainers with the standard 8-to-10-mm range, the Zig Dynamica 4 features a 8.5-mm drop. This tried-and-true geometry suits all footstrikes, from forefoot to heel strikers, making it a reliable choice.

In the lab, we found the insole a bit cushier than usual, measuring at 5.3 mm.

Shifting to the rare midsole, it's clear the shoe leans towards the firmer side. However, this could be due to its considerable outsole thickness. So, we were keen to test the foam's firmness with the durometer.

This Reebok uses Fuel Foam, an EVA-based compound that we found to be quite firm at 27.6 HA. It's definitely not for those who prefer the feel of cloud-like, soft foam in their shoes.

We ran the same test in cold conditions to see if the underfoot feel changed after 20 minutes in the freezer.

In these conditions, the shoe turned out to be a bit firmer, measuring 32.5 HA.

That's a 17.8% change, which some might notice, but for most runners, the shoe will still feel firm—no significant difference.

Now we're turning our attention to the stability of the Zig. And let's just say it outright—this is one of the most stable budget-friendly shoes we've ever tested in the lab!

However, this impressive stability doesn't stem from the shoe's torsional rigidity. In the lab, we conducted a manual assessment and rated it 3 out of 5, which is pretty standard for daily trainers.

The same goes for the heel counter stiffness—it's slightly flexible.

We also rated it at 3 out of 5. This is because it has a unique piece in the heel, but it's only in the midsole and doesn't extend upward, so it doesn't add any stiffness to this area.

Besides its firm foam, another key component to the Zig's stable ride is its midsole width.

In the forefoot, we measured a substantial 116.7 mm at the upper's widest part.

Yet, it's the heel measurement that really delivers the stable ride. At 98.8 mm, its width is more akin to stability shoes than daily trainers.

Naturally, this contributes to the shoe's higher weight, but for many runners, the trade-off is well worth it.

In our 90-degree bend test, we needed just 19.9N of force to flex the shoe to the desired point.

This is fantastic news for those planning to use this shoe for absolutely everything—running, walking, shopping, and more.

After another 20 uneventful minutes in the freezer, we repeated the stiffness test and recorded a result of 25.7N.

That's a 29.1% increase, which might be noticeable in cold temperatures for those more sensitive to changes. Yet, the shoe will still remain quite flexible.

Now, let's measure the toebox. During our initial tests, we noticed the shoe has a unique fit, sparking our curiosity for this specific test.

In its widest part, it's impressively wide at 100.8 mm, offering ample room for most people, even those with wide feet.

Yet, the big toe area is unexpectedly narrow with a pronounced taper, measuring just 73.9 mm.

This is significantly below average, making the shoe a poor choice for those with wide feet in the toe region.

Sadly, the tongue isn't gusseted. But we never really expect one in shoes under £110, so it's a disappointment but not a surprise.

The tongue is thickly padded at 7.1 mm, which really adds to the shoe's comfort—and its weight.

Reebok left out the heel tab in the fourth version of the Zig Dynamica.

The insole in the Zig Dynamica 4 comes with a notice about the eco-friendly upper and it's removable, letting you swap it out for your favorite one.

We're pretty used to testing entry-level shoes in the lab and finding they don't have reflective elements. This is just another one.