APL TechLoom Dream Review: A Cozy Shoe for Stylish Walkers and Casual Runners

I are likely to be a little bit skeptical of trainers from brands that don’t concentrate on the game. Human feet are highly individual, so it’s hard enough to seek out holy-grail sneakers for walking and casual wear. If I’m going to pound the pavement (and my body) for miles and miles, I prefer to go away my feet within the hands of brands like Nike and Saucony, which have been at the highest of their running game for many years.

That said, when an APL rep offered to send me a free pair of the brand new TechLoom Dream ($250, Athletic Propulsion Labs), I used to be curious to see if they might compete with my running standbys. Except for the impressive list of features and classy design, the claim that the sneaker performs as well on a run because it does on the go intrigued me. A shoe that may sustain with my workouts and my life—and look good doing it—seemed like, well, a dream, so I used to be desirous to try it out.

Who these shoes are for

APL designed the TechLoom Dream to be an additional cushy, “all-purpose” running and walking shoe. Features like a stretchy sock liner, a soft but responsive midsole, and a cushioned collar are supposed to add as much as a sneaker you may jog, sprint, stroll, and bop around in.

Out of the box

I tested the black and white colorway, so there wasn’t a right away wow factor after I opened the box—which is just the best way I prefer it. I’m not one for flashy hues or edgy details, and I really like that APL keeps their lines clean and their colours easy: I discovered them sleek as hell.

Upon further inspection, it was clear that the shoe was high-quality. The flexible material of the upper just felt well-made, and the thick, three-piece outsole looked super sturdy. I also thought the sneaker was surprisingly lightweight, considering it was designed to be extra soft and supportive.

Fit and feel

The stretchy sock liner made the shoes easy to slide on (and, later, off—a significant perk, since I’ve decided I’m at a degree in my life where I don’t have the time or energy to unlace my sneakers). Once I tied them and commenced walking around my apartment, I immediately noticed two things: My feet felt comfortable and comfortable, but my toes were a little bit cramped. I actually have a medium-width foot overall, but I would like a little bit more, uh, wiggle room within the toe box, especially when running. My big toe was also almost at the tip of the shoe, although I went a half-size up, as I typically do in trainers. I attempted one other APL style just a few years ago and located that it ran small, also, so when you’re between sizes, I like to recommend going with the larger one.

On the run

The “dream”-like cushioning is alleged to be the standout feature of this shoe, and while my feet were plenty comfortable after I was walking leading as much as my run, the ride was a tad too firm after I picked up the pace. It wasn’t hard by any means, and it was wonderful for my shorter three-mile run, but when you’re someone who prefers a cushioned trainer like I do (especially for longer distances), this pair won’t be for you.