Reebok RealFlex Fall 2012 Colors

Reebok has launched awesome Fall colors in their Realflex line. Even though Reebok Realflex is not the best barefoot shoe on the market it still tends to get alot of the attention, That's what a big marketing budget will do. I do love the retro look of these shoes.

Mini Reebok RealFlex Toddler

Well if I had kids I think I'd be buying them these shoes.

Reebok has come out with Reebok RealFlex's for toddlers. They may be a lot of money ($44) for a shoe that your toddler will quickly outgrow but they will be the coolest kid in diapers.

There are some scary shoes out there for kids so I would encourage you to buy your kids any shoe that is minimal in nature to keep your kids feet healthy.

Kenny

Reebok Realflex Optimal

Hey, I was poking around today and found these cool photos and video based around a pair of Reebok Realflex Optimal shoes.

The video and all related text was in Italian which I don't speak so it was hard to figure out what was going on. I think Reebok is introducing the Realflex to Italy and had a lady dressed in period clothing wearing a pair of Reebok Realflex's lowered from The clock tower in The Piazza San Marco which is the social, religious and political centre of Venice.

The video is worth a view...

Reebok Realflex Has The Money

The Reebok Realflex may not be the best Minimalist Running Running on the market right now but it diffinitly has the most marketting dollars behind it.

Reebok has recently launched their RealFlex shoes in India. A mammoth 8500 sq ft OOH advertisement spread across the length of the Dhaula Kuan metro station showing multiple shots of the RealFlex shoe taken from different angles is not only jaw dropping but also brilliantly executed.

India has one of the largest populations in the world, and if Reebok can get a fraction of Indians to put on their shoes they will be laughing.

Reebok Opens Store In Abu Dhabi

Reebok has announced the opening of a shiny new store at Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi.  Abu Dhabi was named the richest city in the world by CNN.

The opening of the retail outlet is in direct response to the growing demand by people in this area for the newest and best things from the west.

The New store is 165 square meters, the store will offer all of Reebok's fitness gear and apparel along with Reebok's minimalist running shoe line, The Reebok Realflex.

I find it hard to picture a pair of Reebok Realflex's popping out from under a traditional middle eastern wardrobe.

Reebok RealFlex colors

The Reebok RealFlex was one of the Minimalist running shoes that really brought alot of press along with it. When Reebok launched the RealFlex they did it right and only how a big name shoe company can. Reebok threw a lot of money at the launch of the RealFlex. Most Minimalist running shoe companies have smaller budgets and use word of mouth within the minimalist running shoe community.



 I'm interested to see whats in the works for the Reebok RealFlex 2.0, so far they have just added new colors which I do enjoy. I like the all white.

Whats your fav?

Reebok CrossFit Workout

How are your workouts going?

Do you workout at your local sports club, do you attend a fitness class or do you workout at home with Erin Andrews?

Erin Andrews became the first female featured in Reebok's ZigTech campaign," referring to the exercise sneaker with the distinctive zig-zag shaped sole. (Not Minimalist)

Erin Andrews relationship with Reebok started when Andrews made a comment about Nike Football cleats  during a NCAA Football game, it was an unwelcome comment on Nikes end, but Reebok liked it.

Reebok has their Reebok Cross-Fit One Gyms where they offer cross-fit workouts, this is where Erin Andrews comes in.  Recently at Self.com there was an article promoting trying a cross-fit workout at home.

In the article there are a bunch of photos of Erin Andrews in Reebok gear doing each exercise with alittle write-up for each.

Cross-fit workouts are great and easy to do at home, all you need is 5-15 pound dumbbells, a towel and about 45mins. I would have liked to see Erin Andrews in a pair of Reebok Realflex's. Cross-fitters love minimalist running shoes, so I think Reebok dropped the medicine ball on that one.

I guess I won't complain too much, Erin Andrews looks good in the Zigtech's.

Reebok Realflex Sales Up

Adidas is the world's second largest sporting good company in the world. Some of you may not know this but back in 2006 Adidas acquired Reebok.

Reebok reported a 25 percent profit increase and said it’s more optimistic about sales growth this year.

Adidas sales rose 22 percent to 3.27 billion euros, led by growth of 27 percent at the Reebok unit, which is adding toning shoes and retro sneakers to capitalize on growth in personal-fitness spending, and right now they can't keep their Reebok Realflex shoes in stores.

Have you been helping sales? Do you enjoy the shoes?

Ali Larter in Reebok Realflex's

With her ever-demanding five-month-old son in tow, Hollywood hottie Ali Larter never knows from day to day when she'll get time to work out.

So the 35-year-old former star of the Sci-Fi TV drama Heroes is always prepared to break into a sweat at a moment's notice.

"From the morning through night, I just wear my workout clothes so that if I can grab a half an hour here or there "¦ then I'm ready to go," she says in a one-on-one interview at Reebok's recent launch of its RealFlex footwear, a first-of-its kind "barefoot" running shoe.

"Being a new mom, my time is of the essence."

But don't picture Larter in frumpy sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt. On this day, the five-foot-seven New Jersey native wore a sporty ruby red top with black leggings -- showing no signs of having given birth in December. Her athletic ensemble, of course, was punctuated with her pink and white Reebok RealFlex shoes.

Larter, who has been known to jog up to four times a week in LA's Runyon Canyon Park, has become a firm believer in barefoot or natural running.

"I think this is the future," she says, noting it's more than a passing trend.

"What I love about the new Reebok RealFlex sneaker is that it looks good, so you're actually dressed for the day out. But then it also helps to be anatomically correct. And I'm about alignment now. "¦ It's about putting your weight forward so you hit the muscle groups, rather than the shock of it going to your knees."

Her infant son, Theodore Hayes MacArthur, often goes along for the ride.

Reebok Realfex Review: A Good or Bad Shoe?

To start off I'm not saying the Reebok Realflex is a bad shoe, but is it really a good choice as a minimalistic shoe?

Recently there has been a lot of hype about Reeboks entrance into the Barefoot Running shoe market. They launched their Reebok Realflex with a lot of hype and marketing dollars. If you want to check out their dollars at use, check out this catchy commercial.

When watching Reeboks technology video (shown below) you're off the top saying to yourself maybe they do know what they're talking about. The thing is, they are saying all the right things in the video. Here are a few quotes below:

"barefoot or natural running actually makes a lot of sense from a bio-mechanic standpoint."

" Bio-mechanically speaking it makes sense because when you land on your forefoot you land with your knee bent so all the shock absorption happens in your muscles not your joints. When you land on your heel all that shock is taken up by the joints in your knees and ankles and hips"

So reading those quotes your saying to yourself that Reebok has done their homework and maybe they are buying into the Barefoot running idea.

But quickly you see their true colors, after talking up Barefoot running they say this statement... "But we want to take that and improve it — namely by adding protection" If you truly believe that barefoot running is the best for you, would you say you can improve it, and then would you go above that and say to improve it you'll add protection to make it better??

When Vibram speaks about their Vibram Five Fingers newer models that just added 1mm more to their soles they have to apologize because they know with each mm added it takes away from true barefoot running feeling, so is Reebok missing something? Yes!

Reebok seems like they put alot of padding on the heel of the Realflex, why's this? Reebok tells us its for running down hill. I kinda think its for all those heel strikers that will buy these shoes because of the hype and now they won't complain because their heels will be protected, and they will continue to run improperly.

Reebok made a pretty shoe that looks great and is comfortable, but is it really a barefoot shoe?
They made the sole more flexible which is great, they made the shoe alot lighter which is great but when it comes to the padding there's still too much between your foot and the road.

Reebok say the Realflex is natural running perfected, I say it's marketing dollars perfected.

A great shoes not a great Minimalistic shoe

KO

Reebok Realflex commercial

I must say I really like the commercial that Reebok has launched with their addition to the Minimalistic shoe market, the Reebok Realflex.

Reebok Realflex vs. Nike Free

Well You all know my stand that the # 1 minimalistic shoe is the Vibram Five Fingers, but know the big question what is the #2.



There is alot of buzz recently about the Reebok Realflex and there place in this market, and are they better then the Nike Free's?

Comfort
The Nike Free's are extremely comfortable and flexible with a nice upper. The original Free Run is a bit more restrictive, but still nice and comfy.
The Reebok Realflex are flexible like the Free's and provide a nice feeling when running, but when comparing the two I give the point to Nike for the sock like upper that gives it the edge of the Realfex.

CUSHIONING
Now if you win this catorgy I don't know if it's a good thing, if your going for that Barefoot feeling you don't want alot of cushioning. But if you compare the two shoes the Reebok Realflex wins (loses) for Cushioning.

Who's more natural?

Reebok did a great job in making the Realflex very flexible and that say that their sensor platforms give you that natural feeling, when I was wearing them I have to differ, I felt like I was floating more then feeling the ground. The Nike Free's are not a "natural" as they could be but they are alittle better.

Style
 I consider Reebok running shoes to be more of a style/fashion thing, and the technical side of the shoes seems half-assed and gimmicky. So it takes the style points over the Free.

So to Sum this all up if your are looking for a Barefoot style shoe but you don't to go as natural as the Vibram Five Fingers the Nike Free's are my pick.

Check out the full Nike Free review and the Reebok Realflex review

Josh Duhamel Launches Reebok’s RealFlex

Josh Duhamel hosts the launch of Reebok’s RealFlex shoes in New York City where he tells Access why he loves this flexible footwear.

There's a couple lines in here that seemed alittle coached.

REEBOK REALFLEX REVIEW

Looking for a new running blog? Check out IdleHide

Reebok has officially jumped on the bandwagon of barefoot running "or natural running." That may be understating the significance of this event, Reebok has not just created a "natural running" shoe. No, no, they have perfected natural movement. 

 Natural movement. Perfected. ( From Reebok Site)

76 strategically placed RealFlex sensors independently adapt to your environment, providing tailored protection and performance. With a sole that is 20% lower to the ground than conventional running shoes, RealFlex brings you closer to your training surface for a more responsive, more natural feel.

The Video below does a good job at marketing the shoes, I like how they talk about these shoes being built to protect you on pavement but the video is all out in the mountains...lol

When watching Reeboks technology video (shown below) you are off the top saying to yourself maybe they do know what they're talking about. The thing is, they are saying all the right things in the video. Here are a few quotes below:

"barefoot or natural running actually makes a lot of sense from a bio-mechanic standpoint."

" Bio-mechanically speaking it makes sense because when you land on your forefoot you land with your knee bent so all the shock absorption happens in your muscles not your joints. When you land on your heel all that shock is taken up by the joints in your knees and ankles and hips"

So reading those quotes your saying to yourself that Reebok has done their homework and maybe they are buying into the Barefoot running idea.

But quickly you see their true colors, after talking up Barefoot running they say the following statement... "But we want to take that and improve it — namely by adding protection" If you truly believe that barefoot running is the best for you, would you say you can improve it, and then would you go above that and say to improve it you'll add protection to make it better??

Reebok seems like they put alot of padding on the heel of the Realflex, why is this? Reebok tells us its for running down hill. I kinda think its for all those heel strikers that will buy these shoes because of the hype and now they won't complain because their heels will be protected, and they will continue to run improperly.

One Thing I must say is that Reebok has made a great shoe to go head to head with the Nike Free, I just wish they went alittle more minimalist.
Reebok made a pretty shoe that looks great and is comfortable, but is it really a barefoot shoe?
They made the sole more flexible which is great, they made the shoe alot lighter which is great but when it comes to the padding there's still too much between your foot and the road.

Reebok say the Realflex is natural running perfected, I say it's marketing dollars perfected.

Does the Realflex's heel mess with your running?

I find it funny that if Reebok was making a true Barefoot shoes, that they would give it a raised heel, does that make sense?

The heel only allows you heel strikers out there the option to heel strike if you chose.

It's interesting that in the video at the start they speak of fore foot running then at the end they are talking about heel padding??? Whats up?

Reebok say's:
There's two problems with barefoot running. One is landing on the forefoot on hard man-made surfaces such as concrete tends to induce stress fractures. We want to protect that.

So we're taking your foot and raising it up off the ground and protecting it throughout the foot with 76 sensors each designed to serve a specific purpose under your foot. Back in the heel the sensors are joined together. That's going to give you heel impact. One of the other issues with running barefoot is that when you're running downhill you can't land on your forefoot so you're going to need that heel protection and this build that in. On the lateral side of the back of the shoe we build those posts a little square to give you support and stability. Up in the forefoot we link those pods together. These nine pods right here are what's giving you the impact protection up in the forefoot.

All combined it gives you the feel and motion of natural running but with protection. That's the difference with RealFlex.

I have a problem with this.... The whole point of barefoot running is to stay away from all the unnatural padding that we see in the everyday running shoe. How can they say this is a barefoot shoe then talk up all the padding ???

It's funny that Reebok has 76 pods called "sensors" but these sensors lifts your foot higher away from the ground.

Every shoe does this to some extent. Vibram FiveFingers even do it. 

So is Reebok's Realflex a good addition to the Natural  Running Movement?

I would have to say no, the shoe looks like any other running shoe that gives you alot of padding at the heel, so you can heel strike, They try to make it sounds like the Reebok Realflex is something new.... Have they ever seen the Nike Free?? I must say that the realflex is a great shoe I'm just disapointed that Reebok didn't go all the way..

I'll let you make your own choice...

Nike Free Vs. Reebok Realflex