Reebok Princess Reviewed for Performance
If you are looking for a comfortable pair of sneakers to wear in the gym, take on your runs or just throw on with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and be on your way, the new, revamped Princess from Reebok might be the shoe for you. With its retro, yet clean and stylish design and feminine silhouette, you will look fashionable and enjoy the comfort that lasts all day.
This iconic sneaker from Reebok is very budget-friendly.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent cushioning
- Lightweight construction
- Great traction
- Good ankle support
- Classic silhouette
- Flexible
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Narrow fit
Outsole
The outsole of the Reebok Princess is made of a durable, highly abrasion-resistant rubber material for enhanced traction and lifespan. The outsole also features a log-like pattern to help give the shoe a better grip on the ground, dry or wet. Besides providing excellent traction, the Reebok Princess is a very flexible shoe as well, thanks to the Flex Grooves incorporated into the construction of the outsole, which allow the shoe to move with the natural movement of the feet, without restrictions. This makes the Princess an excellent choice for a multitude of activities, from running, to working out at the gym, or just walking, the wearer will have a firm grip on the ground. Many customers reported wearing them all day long, switching from activity to activity without any problems, and the majority were satisfied with the amount of flexibility in the outsole, as it enabled them to move freely without getting tired easily.
Midsole
What makes the Reebok Princess shoes so versatile is the lightweight EVA foam midsole, that has many great qualities and is a favorite among runners. The midsole provides supportive cushioning and has excellent shock absorbing qualities that keep the feet, especially the heels protected against injuries. As already mentioned, this type of foam is very lightweight, which makes it an excellent choice for a variety of exercises as well as everyday use, since it will not weigh the wearer down, who can enjoy comfort and support that lasts all day long. Many reviewers praise the shoe’s comfort and support for running, jogging, working out or walking, while others choose to wear them to work, where they have to be on their feet for long hours.
Upper
The Reebok Princess has been a favorite among customers since the 1980s due to its minimalistic design and high comfort levels. While the original Princess’ upper was made of quality leather, the new, revisioned model has a synthetic leather upper instead. This move was a hit or miss with some customers, especially if they wore the original Princess. However, many liked the new upper material, as it is more environmentally conscious and breathes better than leather. Further enhancing this shoe’s breathability are the perforations on the toe box, which allow the air to move in and out of the shoe throughout the gait cycle, keeping the feet dry and cool. Additionally, the lining is made of a soft terry material, that is very breathable and has excellent moisture absorbing properties, to help keep the feet dry. The in-shoe comfort is achieved with a soft foam sockliner, that also delivers support, which many customers appreciated. The Reebok Princess features a standard lace-up closure, that allows the wearer to get a customized, snug fit around their feet, while the tongue and collar are lightly padded for cushioned ankle support that does not rub them raw. Sizes vary from normal to wide, however, some customers noticed that they were a bit narrow in the toe box. This issue is easily fixed with going up a size, though, so it is not a big problem. While the change from genuine leather to synthetic leather might be a bit tough to get used to, it is certainly worth it for many customers, not only for the affordable price tag, but for overall comfort and breeziness as well.
Breathability
Swapping the leather upper for a synthetic leather one ensured better breathability, yet kept the structural integrity of the shoe at an optimal level for colder weather as well. Besides the change in the upper’s material, Reebok added perforations to the toe box to ensure maximum air flow inside the shoe, as well as the sides, enabling the air to move freely in and out of the shoe during the gait cycle, keeping the feet dry and cool. Good ventilation is very important for any shoe to have, especially athletic shoes, as the feet tend to sweat a lot during training, and they need to be protected against overheating and excessive moisture, as it can lead to injuries or different medical conditions. The lining of the Princess, which is made of a soft, terry material, has moisture-absorbing properties to provide a healthy and comfortable in-shoe environment during any activities. Some reviewers use them during winter as well, and are genuinely satisfied with the breathability of the Princess shoes.
Comfort
If there is one thing the majority of reviewers agree on, it is that the Reebok Princess is a very comfortable sneaker. Meant for activities from running and working out to walking and everyday use, the Princess had to be as comfortable as possible. Reebok achieved that by carefully choosing and combining the shoe’s components. Starting with the outsole, which is very flexible, it allows the feet to move and bend in a natural way without restrictions. The lightweight EVA foam midsole provides supportive cushioning and shock absorption for soft landings and energized toe-offs, ensuring a smooth ride, while the upper’s synthetic leather creates a supportive and breathable wrap around the feet. Inside the shoe, a soft terry lining helps absorb excess moisture and a foam sockliner provides additional cushioning for a comfortable fit. The ankles are also cushioned, thanks to the light padding in the tongue and collar, which also act as support. Many people use the Princess for running and walking because of how lightweight and comfortable it is, however, people who have to be on their feet for long hours for work, like nurses and waitresses, also enjoy the comfort this shoe provides. Some reviewers who frequently experienced back pain, or had surgeries on their feet, recommend the Reebok Princess for its comfort levels and supportive cushioning.
Durability
When Reebok dropped the new version of their famous Princess sneakers, many long time fans of the brand were a bit sceptical, mainly because they replaced the leather upper with a synthetic leather one. The assumption was that the cheaper material will not hold up as well as leather over time and a lot of people loved the shoes exactly because of how durable they were. Since then, reviewers had mixed opinions about the durability of the Princess sneaker, with some praising it for its longevity and resistance to wear and tear, and others who would like the old Princess sneaker to make a comeback. There were a couple of extreme cases though, where, according to customers, the shoes fell apart straight out of the box, however, that could be due to mishandling.
Flexibility
The Reebok Princess has excellent flexibility, making it very versatile and suitable for many different activities. It has a very flexible outsole, due to the addition of Flex Grooves, allowing the wearer to move naturally, since the shoe will follow the natural flexing of the feet. The midsole and upper further enhance the flexibility of the Princess sneaker, wrapping around and conforming to the feet and their natural movement. This shoe is a great option for runners and gym goers alike, since they can move freely and effortlessly, without feeling like their shoes are holding them back. It also makes an excellent walking/ everyday shoe. Overall, reviewers liked the flexibility of the new Princess sneakers.
Style
With the retro styles back in fashion, Reebok fans everywhere can rejoice knowing that their favorite Princess sneaker got an upgrade too. Made from synthetic leather instead of genuine leather this time, the Princess style stayed true to the original silhouette, much to the customers’ liking. It has a clean and minimalistic look and comes in the base colors, of which the all white and all black are the most popular. The Princess sneaker fulfills many purposes, from being an athletic shoe to a casual sneaker, and as such, it can be incorporated into any kind of lifestyle and wardrobe easily. It looks great with a tracksuit, jeans and a T-shirt, or even a dress or a skirt. This versatility is exactly why this model was so popular back in the 1980s and why it is popular now.
Support
The Reebok Princess has a solid amount of support according to reviewers. The outsole, which is made of a durable and abrasion-resistant rubber material, has excellent traction on both dry and wet surfaces, making sure the wearer has a firm grip on the ground. The EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning and support, as well as great shock absorption, lessening the shock of impact that the heels are subjected to with every footfall, thus preventing injuries. The synthetic upper gently wraps around the feet, and with the help of the lace-up closure, creates a customized snug fit that keeps the feet in their proper place during use. The tongue and collar are also lightly padded for a cushioned ankle support. Inside the shoe, Reebok included a foam sockliner to provide additional support and cushioning for the arch and heel. However, if you suffer from overpronation or supination, you might need to add your own orthotic insert for additional support.
Weight
The weight of the Princess sneaker falls between 7 and 9 ounces, depending on the size, making this shoe as lightweight as some of the best running shoes on the market. This is all thanks to the materials Reebok used in the production of this sneaker, from the lightweight EVA foam midsole and synthetic leather upper, to the lightweight cushioning inside the shoe. Since the Princess sneaker is a versatile model, that is used for both exercising and casual wear, it needed to be as light as possible in order to achieve maximum comfort during different activities. Reviewers were all satisfied with the lightness of this shoe, especially runners and people who are on their feet for long periods of time, since it did not weigh them down and they did not feel tired after long hours of wearing the sneakers.
Bottom Line
When Reebok decided to bring back one of its beloved sneakers from the 1980s, many people were thrilled to see the iconic shoe back on the shelves. Although sticking to the original Princess sneaker style, Reebok made a few changes for the new version, among which the synthetic leather upper is the most notable. While some reviewers felt that the new upper was not quite as good, since the original Princess was made of leather, others did not mind this replacement. Nevertheless, the new synthetic upper is lightweight and breathable, which is always a plus in activity shoes. Further adding to the lightweight nature of the Princess is the EVA foam midsole, that provides supportive cushioning and great shock absorption for any kind of activity, be it running, working out, or just going to the store. The outsole is durable and has a lot of traction to keep you steady on the ground in all weather conditions. It is also very flexible to ensure the wearer can move naturally, without restrictions. The ankles are kept in place thanks to the padding in the collar and tongue, while a soft terry lining and foam sockliner provide a healthy in-shoe environment. Finished off with a cool, retro look, the Princess comes in base colors, which complement any kind of style, making them very versatile. Even though many reviewers love the new Princess just as much as the original, some customers complained about the durability and narrow fit of the shoes. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a stylish and versatile shoe you can wear to the gym or for walking around, the Reebok Princess is an excellent choice. Plus it is very affordable as well. However, if you need more arch support or a shoe that can handle some heavy duty wear, you might not like this sneaker.