Summary
Finding an option that veers away from the usual work shoe silhouette can be challenging, so I’m glad that I didn’t have to search for a long time before coming across the Reebok Work N Cushion 4.0 KC Shoe. It’s certainly an eye-catcher but I’m happy that I also had the chance to experience its functional benefits while using it for work and other purposes. The main thing that differentiates this shoe from other work shoe choices is the presence of two hook and loop straps instead of the usual laces and eyelets in place. I liked the straps because they offered enhanced convenience, making it easier for the shoe to be pulled on and removed since I didn’t need to tie and untie the shoelace with every wear and removal. However, the area just below the straps felt a bit too tight and may possibly cause pain for those with wide feet.
The leather upper created a sleek profile that fits seamlessly with workwear as well as with chinos, cargo pants, and jeans for great versatility that can be taken advantage of in various settings on and off the job site. I liked the lightweight feel of this shoe because it enabled me to walk for a long time without a bulky feeling weighing down on my foot, making it easier to move without the extra weight that needed to be carried around. As the name suggests, this shoe offers remarkable cushioning, providing enough padding to soften the impact of continuous walking or standing on hard surfaces to prevent the development of foot pain. I appreciated the shoe components that worked hard to deliver enough breathability, preventing the heat from building up even if the leather upper didn’t totally allow a lot of air to come in. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the shoe’s features to check which ones bring out the best in terms of function and aesthetics and if there are aspects that can still be improved on.
When you’re looking for something out of the ordinary for your work shoe, look no further than this choice with its distinct silhouette.
Performance Analysis
Comfort
I was expecting a lot from the Reebok Work N Cushion 4.0 KC with regards to comfort because of its name, and I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed with my overall experience.
I was attracted to this version with the straps not only because it looked unique (compared to the lace-up version) but also because the closure system looked more comfortable and a lot more convenient to deal with.
I found that the hook and loop closure did make the shoe-wearing easier.
However, this closure system resulted in a bit of discomfort on the top of the foot, directly where the straps lay.
What saved the day for this shoe is the cushioned interior, featuring the same DMX Ride technology that’s used in Reebok’s latest basketball shoes. This reactive cushioning gives the shoe a sneaker-like feel, making it significantly more comfortable compared to other leather work shoes so I was able to enjoy using it for long hours of staying on my feet while avoiding a great deal of discomfort. The top portion of the DMX Ride+ foam is structured to be softer, and it welcomingly cradled my foot, offering increased comfort while still acting as a supportive base that prevented unwanted foot movement inside the shoe.
I liked how the exclusive cushioning system works together with a shock-absorbing bottom layer to protect the foot from extreme fatigue, especially with prolonged periods of continuous shoe use.
This second layer soaks up the impact of continuous steps or staying upright on hard surfaces, dispersing the force throughout the shoe to protect the muscles from becoming fatigued, especially with extended hours of shoe-wearing. I’m impressed that the insole came covered with the special MemoryTech foam material that provided another layer of comfort. This material followed my foot’s contours to deliver a customized feeling – almost as if the shoe was created specifically to cater to my unique foot shape. I felt that the sock liner also worked to prevent blisters from forming as it eased the pressure points on my foot, keeping it comfortable even with continuous movements for hours. I appreciated the overall flexibility of this shoe – from the leather upper to the sole – because this enhanced the comfortable feeling. The shoe flexed along with my steps, enabling me to walk without discomfort since my movements weren’t hampered by hard components such as stiff leather or extremely rigid soles.
Weight
I liked the lightness of this shoe’s structure because it didn’t weigh down heavily on my foot the way bulky shoes do. I was a bit surprised with the lightweight profile because I was expecting the leather upper to contribute a lot of weight. I believe the advanced technology at work in the interior cushioning and in the sole structure was responsible for keeping the weight minimized, resulting in a lightweight shoe that can be used for long hours of walking or staying upright without causing pain.
Traction
The shoe’s slip-resistant outsole worked to help me maintain my stable movements. It had a firm grip on different ground conditions, allowing me to walk confidently and quickly to keep up with my activities without compromising my safety in any way. I wished the sole had more thickness, though, because it didn’t feel as tough as thicker rubber outsoles.
Fit and Sizing
This shoe is true to size – I chose my usual size 10 and achieved a comfortable fit without the need to downsize or upsize. However, the shoe felt a little snug, making it unsuitable for wide feet or for those who prefer spacious footwear. There was a particularly tight feeling on the portion directly underneath the straps – something that may cause a great deal of discomfort for people with wide feet.
Waterproofing
Without waterproof materials, this shoe isn’t an ideal choice for use in environments or professions exposed to extreme moisture sources. It’s worth mentioning that the leather upper does offer a bit of liquid resistance, keeping the foot protected from becoming completely soaked in case a small amount of liquid is accidentally spilled on the shoe.
Breathability
I’m impressed that this shoe comes with several components that fight overheating, which was a very good thing considering the leather upper doesn’t allow air to freely get in. The tongue is made with a mesh material cover that permits some air to come in, helping the heat inside to move out so it won’t build up even more. The mesh lining helps wick away moisture, preventing perspiration from pooling inside the shoe so I was saved from incredibly sweaty feet even when I used the shoe for almost the entire day. Upon close inspection, I noticed that there were also vents across some portions of the leather upper, encouraging the excess warmth and moisture to evaporate to keep the interior as cool as possible.
Quality and Durability
Its unique closure system isn’t the only thing that I found impressive about the Reebok Work N Cushion 4.0 KC Shoe – although that aspect was the first thing that caught my attention with this choice.
I liked how this leather work shoe looked sleek enough to perfectly fit into professional surroundings while at the same time sporting an athletic silhouette that goes well with different casual getups.
The leather material doesn’t let in a lot of air, but I fully appreciated how the shoe compensated with a few enhancements to deal with the breathability issue. The leather upper has portions that are fitted with vents, allowing a bit of air to come in while also working to help with moisture evaporation and heat dissipation. The padded tongue not only protects the top of the foot against bruises or abrasion but also comes with a mesh cover, promoting good air circulation to prevent heat from building up inside the shoe, especially with long hours of continuous use in high-temperature environments. The mesh lining added an extra helping hand to keep the interior as cool as possible considering the non-breathable upper. The hook and loop closure features leather straps that match the rest of the leather upper’s structure, blending harmoniously with the entire shoe’s aesthetic. This closure system made wearing this shoe a lot easier, because I was then able to quickly pull it on and take it off without needing to deal with shoelaces. I should mention that there was a slightly tight feeling directly below the straps, which I believe may become increasingly uncomfortable with long periods of wearing, especially for those with wide feet. The DMX Ride+ foam technology creates a soft and supportive platform, cushioning the foot so it’ll be protected from the pain resulting from hours of walking or standing on unyielding surfaces, such as concrete floors. The top portion of the foam base cradles the foot with the right level of softness, providing a well-padded structure that protects against pain. Meanwhile, the bottom layer acts as the shoe’s shock absorber that soaks up the force produced by each step, spreading the impact to prevent it from developing into full-blown fatigue.
I liked the customized comfort offered by the MemoryTech sock liner as it molds to the shape of my foot, instantly adapting to its movements.
The liner also works nonstop for pressure relief, preventing the development of blisters. The slip-resistant rubber outsole offered strong traction, enabling me to walk over slippery or uneven floor conditions while maintaining my balance for a safer experience. I found out that the beveled heel worked to reduce the impact of every step for a more comfortable, seamless heel-to-toe movement.
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However, I felt like the sole was a bit thin compared to the soles that are fitted into other work shoes, so I’m not sure it’ll be as strong or last as long as thicker rubber soles.
Other Versions
The Reebok Work N Cushion 4.0 KC Shoe comes in black and white color options. It also comes in a lace-up profile instead of the hook and loop closure.
The Challengers
Skechers Afterburn Memory Fit
The Skechers Afterburn Memory Fit – Final Cut Sneaker combines a classic silhouette with a touch of boldness, creating a profile that looks great with casual attire but also goes well with workwear. The athletic design takes on a classic vibe with stitching accents, while synthetic overlays are placed on strategic areas to strengthen the shoe, protecting these zones from premature damage in case of exposure to abrasive materials. The memory foam insole offers superb cushioning, keeping the foot cradled with a padded platform to ward off the pain that’s produced by continuous walking or standing. This insole eases the pressure points on the foot, preventing blister formation so you’ll be able to walk and move around for a long time without feeling pain. The midsole works as the shoe’s shock absorber, protecting the foot from becoming fatigued by soaking up the force resulting from staying upright on hard surfaces, such as concrete or wood floors. The two hook and loop closures make it easier for you to achieve a secure fit while eliminating the need to tinker with laces with every wear. However, the insole tends to get damaged easily even after only a few months of use.
New Balance MW813 Hook and Loop Shoe
The New Balance MW813 Hook and Loop Shoe is built with a sleek leather upper, giving it a look that’s formal enough to look good in professional settings while still retaining enough sportiness to pair well with casual outfits. The hook and loop closure straps make it more convenient to pull on and remove the shoe, eliminating the need to tie and untie the entire lace system with every wear. The foam insole is designed to mold to the natural shape of the foot, ensuring long-lasting comfort while preventing pressure points from developing over prolonged use. The interior has a soft lining that surrounds the foot with a comforting texture, keeping the skin protected from painful chafing, especially with long hours of nonstop walking. The padded tongue and collar add comfort while increasing the stable feeling, keeping the ankle in a more secure position to protect it from twisting accidentally when you’re walking at a rapid pace. The exclusive ROLLBAR system works to stabilize the foot, helping maintain your balanced gait over different surface conditions. However, the elastic loop holding the strap loses its elasticity quickly, making it harder to achieve a secure fit over time.
Propet Stability Walker Strap Shoe
The Propet Stability Walker Strap Shoe is constructed with a leather upper with a sporty yet streamlined silhouette that goes well with different clothing choices, providing the functional versatility that you’ll be able to enjoy for a variety of purposes. The upper has perforations that act as vents, permitting some air to get in so that the interior won’t fully overheat with long hours of continuous use, especially in humid or hot settings. The dual hook and loop straps make it easier for you to put on and remove the shoe without needing to fiddle with the laces, enabling you to achieve the perfect fit quickly and without too much effort involved. The PU footbed supports the foot with ample cushioning for all-day comfort, offering a soft base to ward off the pain that can result from nonstop walking on hard surfaces. The internal and external heel counters create rigid structures that keep the heel in its proper position, preventing it from sliding inside the shoe to maintain your stable footing over tricky surfaces. This shoe’s a bit heavier than other walking shoes, though, mainly because of the all-leather upper with no mesh portions to reduce the overall weight.
Brooks Addiction Walker V-Strap 2 Shoe
The Brooks Addiction Walker V-Strap 2 Shoe features full-grain leather with a supple texture, exuding a professional look while keeping the foot supported from all around. The padded tongue and collar enhance the snug fit, keeping the foot secured so it won’t easily move inside the shoe for a more stable walking experience over a variety of ground conditions. The hook and loop closures help you get the most comfortable fit while offering enhanced convenience, removing the need for you to tinker with the laces with every shoe-wearing. This closure system allows you to easily customize the shoe’s fit with minimal effort required. The proprietary cushioning system adjusts to your weight, gait, and speed so you can walk comfortably while keeping the impact off your joints. The breathable lining allows more air to move in, promoting proper ventilation to reduce the risk of overheating, especially with long hours of use in high-temperature settings. The extended progressive diagonal rollbar works to maintain proper foot alignment, protecting your foot from fallen arch problems for all-day comfort. The slip-resistant rubber outsole helps maintain your stability while navigating slick or uneven floor conditions. It’s worth mentioning that the sole can feel too flexible, lacking the much-needed rigidity that delivers continuous support and stability.
SAS JV Mesh Sneaker
The SAS JV Mesh Sneaker has a sporty profile that goes well with jeans, cargo pants, and chinos – but it’s still sleek enough to pair nicely with work pants, allowing you to maximize the use of this shoe in and out of the workplace. The hook and loop straps enable you to get a personalized fit most conveniently as you won’t need to deal with the laces every time. The exclusive SAS CoolStep footbed keeps your foot cool with a bottom layer that wicks away moisture, preventing sweat accumulation over long hours of nonstop shoe-wearing. It has an anti-friction liner that prevents the footbed from heating up while also protecting your skin from uncomfortable chafing. The special Tripad Cushions offer reliable support all day long by relieving the foot’s pressure points. The flexible midsole absorbs the shock resulting from hours of walking or standing on hard surfaces while maintaining a lightweight profile that doesn’t add much to the shoe’s overall weight. The rubber outsole won’t track marks and offers strong traction for increased safety on challenging surfaces. This shoe is pricey, though, so it’s not ideal for those who want the most affordable choice.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Reebok Work N Cushion 4.0 KC Shoe is a versatile choice that offers good value for money. It’s ideal for outdoor and indoor use and I discovered that the high-traction outsole can easily deal with unstable or slick surface conditions. The two hook and loop straps made pulling on and taking off the shoe a lot more convenient than tying and untying the laces. However, the area below the straps felt a bit tight and may cause discomfort, especially for those with wide feet. I’m also concerned that the flexible sole may not last as long as thicker rubber outsoles.
