Reebok Zig Dynamica 5 review

The Reebok Zig Dynamica 5 is a solid choice if you:

• Want a retro-inspired shoe at a low price that fits seamlessly with today’s street fashion trends.
• Run occasionally and still want a decent experience for weekend outings while enjoying the Reebok style.
• Are new to running and unsure about long-term commitment, making a sneaker-like option a smart way to start.

We do not recommend the Zig Dynamica 5 if energy return is important to you. We found in the lab that it delivers a flat, uninspiring feel underfoot, scoring well below average in rebound. For better options at this price range, we believe the Nike Revolution 8 provides a more running-specific experience, while the Reebok FloatZig 1 offers a performance upgrade with a similar look... if your budget allows.

Additionally, we think the moderate drop may not suit extreme heel strikers. In our view, runners who prefer a higher-offset geometry for extra support at landing should look elsewhere. A higher-drop alternative is the Brooks Revel 7, which we consider a stronger match for this type of runners.

The Reebok Zig Dynamica 5 is far from being one of the most cushioned shoes on the market. With just 115 SA in the heel and 99 SA in the forefoot, it feels more appropriate for short to medium runs, likely up to around 15 kilometres.

Energy return also fails to impress. We tested it knowing the budget-friendly price limits any chance of a high-performance foam, and the ride reflects that cost-cutting compromise.

Our lab measured 48.7% in the heel and 52.4% in the forefoot. These results are even far from the lab average.

Using our calliper, we measured the heel stack of the Zig at 34.1 mm.

Moving to the forefoot, our digital callipers recorded a height of 27.8 mm. This is fairly substantial for a budget daily trainer and was likely necessary to offset the basic foam, which lacks the cushioning of advanced compounds.

The difference between the two measurements gives a moderate 6.3 mm drop. It suits most footstrikes, but heel strikers or runners who prefer a steeper, more inclined feel may find it less accommodating.

The Floatride Fuel foam is neither lively nor plush, as we confirmed in our lab tests. With a durometer reading of 24.3 HA, it matches the retro character of the shoe and provides a firmer feel. 

This firmness offers extra stability, though it might not appeal to everyone.

The rocker design here is minimal, keeping the forefoot and heel flatter instead of curving forward like modern performance trainers. As a result, transitions feel more traditional, relying on natural foot flex rather than an assisted rolling motion. This makes the ride stable but not especially propulsive.

In our view, this shape fits seamlessly with the retro look of the shoe. The zig-zag midsole really features bold 90s vibes, and the low-rocker geometry reinforces its old-school character.

With the Zig Dynamica 5, the toebox stays true to its retro roots and comes with a tapered shape.

After moulding the interior with a green gel, we measured 94.3 mm at the widest point.

With our second toebox measurement of 70.0 mm, it’s clear that this shoe runs slightly narrower than average, making it more suitable for runners with slim feet or those who prefer a snug, locked-in fit.

The final measurement in our trifecta is the toebox height.

We recorded just 23.7 mm, which means anyone seeking extra room will find the opposite here. While some narrow shoes still allow decent vertical space, this one limits the fit in every direction... for better or worse.

The low price of the Zig Dynamica 5 might suggest poor traction, but our SATRA TM144 test showed an impressive 0.55. Grip on dry surfaces is really good, and performance on wet ground proves to be reliably consistent as well.

One of the secrets of the good traction from the Zig Dynamica 5 comes from its full-length outsole coverage. Sure, it features a lot of cutouts to reduce weight, but keeps the presence of rubber consistent throughout the whole shoe, including the midfoot.

In the forefoot, angled rectangular and chevron-shaped patches are placed in rows, while the midfoot continues this chevron style with central cutouts. At the heel, larger trapezoid-like pieces cover the strike zones, leaving foam visible in between for flexibility.

Despite its moderate stack height and the zig-zag midsole designed for flexibility, the shoe remains noticeably stiff. In our 30-degree bend test, it required 18.1N to flex.

The Zig Dynamica 5 feels heavier on the run compared to many modern daily trainers, and our scale confirmed it at 10.5 oz (298g). It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s clear that weight is one of the trade-offs that comes with the shoe’s budget-friendly price.

One of the common compromises in budget running shoes is breathability, often due to lower-quality materials. However, Reebok performed impressively here.

The combination of engineered mesh and retro-style overlays earned the Zig Dynamica 5 a solid 4 out of 5 in our lab test, a result that makes it suitable for runs in various temperatures. Still, airflow is concentrated mainly in the toebox, leaving the rest of the shoe less ventilated.

Under our digital microscope, the engineered mesh showed a refined build with tightly woven fibres that looked both consistent and durable.

The material gave the impression of being on the same level as what we typically see in shoes that cost 20-30% more, which is quite surprising for this price point.

We also examined the upper for flaws and found none, as the stitching was clean and evenly executed.

The foam padding around the heel and tongue is dense and soft, giving the shoe a cushioned structure that supports comfortable everyday use.

With its firm foam and lateral upper reinforcements, the Zig Dynamica 5 provides solid stability for most runners. However, forefoot strikers may notice less stability than in other shoes because of the narrower dimensions in that area.

Despite its zig-zag midsole design, the Zig Dynamica 5 is nearly impossible to twist, earning a perfect 5/5. No matter how much force we applied during testing, the shoe remained completely rigid.

We found the heel counter stiffness of the Zig Dynamica 5 to be similar to most daily trainers, offering a balanced mix of comfort and support. In our test, it earned a common 3/5 rating.

Here’s another test that highlights the Zig Dynamica’s retro DNA, not just in style but also in shape. The forefoot measures only 106.8 mm in width, echoing the dimensions commonly found in daily trainers from the nineties.

On the flip side, the heel comes in proportionally wider than average at 96.7 mm. This design choice makes sense, as the shoe targets beginners, and many of them tend to land on their heels.

While the blend of engineered mesh and retro-inspired overlays looks promising, we felt the toebox material could use more durability. In our Dremel test, it managed only a 2/5 score.

Even more concerning, the heel padding scored only 1 out of 5. Since this area is among the most wear-prone parts of any shoe, showing such low resistance to abrasion is a clear weakness.

To balance things out, we found the outsole performed well, showing only 0.8 mm of damage. This result is especially positive when paired with its full-length rubber coverage.

With a thickness of 3.4 mm, the outsole stands out as one of the Zig Dynamica 5’s strongest features. It combines a robust construction with dependable grip, making it a key element of the shoe’s design.

Reebok chose a thicker insole than what’s typical for daily trainers, measuring 5.6 mm in thickness.

That works in your favor, and here’s why: this shoe isn’t very spacious, so swapping the standard insole for a thinner one can create a bit of extra room for your toes.

The foam of the Dynamica 5 turned 32% firmer after 20 minutes in our freezer, which is far from ideal.

Unfortunately, the Zig lacks any reflective elements, leaving night visibility out of the equation.

The lacing system sticks to a classic six-eyelet setup (plus an extra one) with flat laces running through reinforced panels. A central lace keeper on the tongue prevents sliding.

Here in our lab, many times we find that shoes are too padded and heavy in the tongue... or too minimalistic with no comfort. And we wished that more brands went with tongues around the 4-7 mm threshold, like Reebok did this time with 5.0 mm.

The tongue is semi-gusseted, a welcome feature that’s uncommon in shoes at this price point. It enhances lockdown and contributes noticeable value to the overall design.

The price of the Zig Dynamica 5 matches its mix of strengths and compromises. For runners less concerned with energy return or top performance, it’s a solid option, especially if the appeal of a retro-inspired design that pairs well with jeans takes priority. In that case, it might even feel like a bargain!

The shoe skips a heel tab, and this clean collar design pairs nicely with its streamlined, retro-inspired overall look.