Did a Yoga Brand Just Drop the Best-Looking New Trail Running Shoes?

It kinda feels like a thousand years ago, but it was in fact just a little more than three years back (March 2022) that Lululemon announced its first foray into footwear.

That inaugural women’s-only collection was small but smart: three shoes and a sandal specifically designed for running, cross-training, weightlifting and recovery.

Lululemon

Since then, the (admittedly now much more than yoga) brand has continued to tread lightly, gradually expanding its offerings — as well as introducing men’s footwear — rather than swinging for the fences.

Considering the brand’s Q score is high enough that it could probably slap its name on anything and move a few units, I admire this restraint. 

My enthusiasm is not at all dampened by Lululemon’s latest launch, trail running shoes that frankly look fantastic. 

If the performance of this little Wildfeel lineup remotely matches the appearance, fans are in for a treat. Let’s assess.

Probable pros

There’s a lot to like here beyond the looks, though they are quite notable — and critical for most consumers, let’s be honest.

There are two colorways each for men and women, and each has a clear standout selection for me. 

Lululemon

The prettiest men’s option is Black/Natural Ivory/White, while the finest women’s pair and my overall favorite is the Desert Sun/Black/Raspberry Glo. (I feel like if Seniq made shoes, they’d look just like those, but I digress.)

Another compelling feature is the knitted sock-like upper, which clings to your foot and helps prevent pebbles and other debris from sneaking into your sneaks. 

I’m also kinda digging the woven layer with thermoplastic polyurethane overlays. I’m not sure I’ve seen the latter in a trail shoe before.

Lululemon

I could see it providing a nice mix of support and protection, complemented by the front toe bumper and grippy multi-directional lugs underfoot.

Finally, the weight of 11.6 ounces (Men’s 9) sits squarely in the middle of the spectrum, implying a nice balance of durability and float.

Special features

Regarding a couple other key elements, I inquired with Lululemon itself for additional clarity.

The first element is the midsole material, which the brand calls “dual-density supercritical foam.”

While I have procured no juicy details about what’s in it, I am told it is optimized for trail performance: softer in the heel for impact absorption and smoother descents, firmer in the forefoot for takeoffs.

Lululemon

The second element is the notion of the shoes being “tuned to support the unique morphology” of the female foot and male foot. 

On this point I was able to procure significantly more info than you might learn from the product page.

According to the brand, the shoes emerge from unique lasts that account for biomechanical and foot shape differences between female and male feet to produce the best possible fit and feel.

1. For men’s shoes, the base lasts account for his wider foot shape, taller instep and longer toes.
2. On the women’s side, there are more cutouts in the outsole for added flexibility.
3. The crash pad angle is tuned differently between men’s and women’s models.

Bottom line: Considering Lululemon’s overall track record and promising early footwear steps — not to mention the immediate visual appeal on display here — I’ve got a good feeling about these kicks.

Availability and pricing

The Lululemon Wildfeel Trail lineup is available now, in two colorways each for women and men, for $168.

Lululemon

Lululemon Wildfeel Trail

• $168 at Lululemon

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