Lululemon Blissfeel 2 Review

We measured the drop on the Blissfeel 2 at 12mm (Lululemon claims 9.5mm), 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

Cushioning and 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 with 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 doesn't have any 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 of 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 a lot of 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 weighs 8.8 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. In this case, the Blissfeel feels slightly bottom-heavy, but its other features are so comfortable that we didn't mind.

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.

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