Lululemon Blissfeel 2 Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
Lululemon Blissfeel 2 | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Running Shoe for Women | Best Value for a Women's Road Running Shoe | Most Versatile Road Running Shoe | Best Stability-Focused Road Running Shoe | |
Price | $128 List | $140 List $139.95 at Amazon | $119.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $139.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $117.27 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | While not a lightweight shoe, it has enough comfort and pep to get you moving in relative ease and style | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed |
Rating Categories | Lululemon Blissfeel 2 | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
Stability (15%) | |||||
Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Traction (5%) | |||||
Specs | Lululemon Blissfeel 2 | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
Measured Weight | 8.80 oz | 7.36 oz | 5.44 oz | 6.27 oz | 8.21 oz |
Measured Heel Stack Height | 30 mm | 38 mm | 27 mm | 33 mm | 33 mm |
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 11 mm | 8 mm | 3 mm | 7 mm | 10 mm |
Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
Rocker Angle | 17.0 deg | 22.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 24.5 deg | 26.5 deg |
Rocker Apex Location | 65.7% | 69.5% | 64.7% | 65.4% | 71.4% |
Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
Upper | Mesh | Engineered knit mesh | Mesh | Creel jaqquard | Engineered air mesh |
Midsole | EVA foam | FF Blast Plus Eco | PWRRUN | Supercritical EVA | DNA Loft v2 |
Outsole | Rubber | AHAR outsole | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | None | Extended heel pull | None |
Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 11 US, regular & wide | 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We measured the drop on the Blissfeel 2 at 11 mm (Lululemon claims 9.5 mm), and it's made of a shape-shifting mesh upper for a truly unique-to-you fit. It is a heavy shoe, but one that will cushion your joints and provide a bit of pep during long-distance slogs.
Performance Comparison
Landing Comfort
The outsole of the Blissfeel 2 is thick and sturdy, unlike many of the ultralight shoes on the market. The landing platform provides plenty of cushion with balanced flexibility, so the outsole never feels clunky. The instep of the Blissfeel is super straightforward, with a neutral shape and compact cushioning. The compressed insole is comfortable straight out of the box and held strong throughout our testing. The thickness of the heel makes the Blissfeel an excellent distance shoe for heel strikers.
Responsiveness
The sheer meat of the Blissfeel 2 detracts from its responsiveness, but it is not completely devoid of energy return. The Blissfeel quickly became a mainstay in our testers' shoe rotation because it offers just enough bounce for long, slow miles. The flexibility of the outsole lends itself well to strong muscular usage, though this isn't a shoe that truly allows one footfall to roll into the next. The midfoot is somewhat springy without sacrificing softness. In many road running shoes where responsiveness is a highlighted feature, the midfoot can feel rigid due to carbon plates. This is not the case with the Blissfeel. It lacks the oomph of these increasingly popular plates but provides a bit of spring through its cushion alone.
Stability
Sliding your foot into the Blissfeel is like encasing your feet in individual hugs. That is to say, the interior of the shoe is comfortable and has enough pliability to accommodate unique anatomy. The gentle nature of the arch support feels very stable, and when combined with the thick and secure heel collar, your feet feel locked in and ready to run. This is a neutral shoe, so it has no lateral lattices or structures to guide feet toward the right gait. The upper mesh is relatively thick but not supportive enough if you rely on your shoes to help overpronation.
Upper Comfort
The features of the upper on the Blissfeel are twofold. On the one hand, the upper mesh is comfortable and flexible in all the right ways. Even after just one run, you can see the mesh conforming to fit the unique shape of your foot. This ensures a custom fit that is very unlikely to rub blisters or cause irritation as you run. On the other hand, the thickness of the upper runs really hot. Even runs in the fog of coastal California felt steamy in these shoes. For our testers, the heat build-up isn't a dealbreaker, but we know that it can be for many runners. If you spend much time running in warm climates or on steamy city streets, a more breathable option will probably be a better choice.
Weight
Each women's size 6.5 Blissfeel 2 shoe weighs 8.80 ounces, which is on the high end of the spectrum. If you are looking for a super speedy, lightweight superstar of a shoe, this isn't going to be it. But for reliability, this heavy shoe is worth its weight. When assessing the weight of a shoe, our testers take into consideration how the shoe feels in motion as well as how much it weighs on the scale. The Blissfeel feels slightly bottom-heavy in this case, but its other features are so comfortable that we didn't mind.
Traction
As we've discussed, the Blissfeel was created to work, and work it does. Though its outsole is made of standard-issue rubber, the curvature and nuance of the outsole help provide rugged grip across slick and damp surfaces. Not quite well-tractioned enough to crossover to trails, this daily shoe's outsole will help keep you safe and secure during runs in inclement weather.
Should You Buy the Lululemon Blissfeel 2?
If charging down PRs and increasing leg turnover are your goals, then the Blissfeel will leave you wanting more. An all-around workhorse of a shoe, it's better suited toward slow-and-steady marathoners or those looking for a comfortable pair of kicks that they can run and walk a ton of miles in. This shoe is versatile enough for a variety of run types but is not our go-to recommendation for speed demons.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If a sturdy, workhorse of a shoe is what you're after, check out the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 or the Asics Gel Kayano 31. Both options offer stronger lateral support than the Blissfeel. If you want something with a bit more pep, the lightweight Saucony Kinvara 15 is notably more responsive, slightly more affordable, and lighter weight.