This FootJoy Flex XP evaluation is fragment of our 2022 SELF Licensed Sneaker Awards, the build the shoe obtained Finest Walking Shoe. You may perchance well perchance glance the leisure of our award winners right here.
Reader, I must confess: I haven’t been the most sharp person since COVID shut down my accepted boxing classes. I by no intention got into realizing at home because I love actions that have faith a foundation, center, and cease, versus gymnasium sessions the build I linger for 3 hours doing weights at my have (unimaginative) tempo.
I indirectly got into taking walks around the lake within the park across the avenue from my house, however generally the climate could perchance even be too sizzling or too cool for me (gorgeous name me the Goldilocks of excuses!). On top of that, I injured my foot after I went off the rails utilizing a bike closing summer season. Since then, the soles of my feet harm after I stand for prolonged durations of time, like after I’m wanting ahead to the relate for the length of my shuttle. Enter the FootJoy Flex XP ($90, footjoy.com), a golf shoe that anyone can wear for walking.
How I TestedI wore these footwear for a two-mile certainty, taking my usual route around the lake. Even though it’s a walking and golf sneaker, I made up my mind to construct these to the test for the length of a workout class too.
After I stumbled on out that Outbox Fitness center—a trans-owned, trans-operated gymnasium in Brooklyn—used to be having an LGBTQ+ boxing class whereas we had been testing for these awards, I jumped on the risk to strive the sneakers there. Valid by intention of the class, and to a soundtrack of handiest Beyonce’s Renaissance, we did a circuit of shadowboxing, squats, toe taps, sit-ups, and drills with heavy baggage.
Fit Being flat-footed, I build up with knee nervousness for years sooner than I stumbled on orthotic sneakers that gave me extra cushion and arch make stronger. I moreover have faith huge feet, so I typically choose for sneakers that adapt to the form of my foot. In that sense, I preferred the light-weight performance mesh of this shoe, which—with the scuttle-on form of the sneaker—made the shoe straightforward to construct on. The knit collar enveloped my foot without feeling restricted.
These footwear speed enormous, so the sneakers didn’t feel as stable on my foot, even after I tightened the laces. In case you’re between sizes, take into memoir going a half of dimension down in these sneakers, as they appear to speed in actuality enormous. My heel felt stable sufficient for walking—however when it came time to speed in characteristic for the length of the boxing workout, my feel didn’t scuttle out the total vogue, however I could perchance well feel my heel lifting out of the shoe anytime I had to achieve something that fervent pointing my toes.
Shape of the Shoe The shoe has a swish shape, and it’s much less plump than sneakers I typically wear. In must a more cosy toe, the shoe has a fat, rounded toe personality. The sneakers have faith a toe spring and a barely slim heel, which hugs my heels whereas giving my huge feet location.
In actuality feel of the Shoe After I first walked out the house, my feet felt more uncovered and decrease to the floor than what I’m stale to. I didn’t feel that these footwear offered as noteworthy arch make stronger because the orthotic Asics sneakers I in total determine in. However because these had been much less plump than the replace sneakers I wear, the light-weight mesh felt like a 2nd pores and skin. After I was doing squats, my knees felt supported. I wore these for a workout, however they’re in actuality supposed to be walking footwear handiest.