Reebok’s New Lead

If you are a follower of mine on Instagram or Twitter, you might have a hunch at what this post is about… sneakers.  Pretty fun ones!

As as professional dancer who has been performing in the NBA for five seasons now, I have had my fair share of sneakers on my feet and on the dance floor.

When hearing about the new dance line Reebok is rolling out, I became instantly smitten.  A new line of sneakers and gear just for dancers? Finally!  I think it is wonderful that a major athletic brand is recognizing the need to design and cater towards dancers, movers, and Zumba enthusiasts alike.

With a quick look on their website, the first thing I noticed about this line was color.  Such bright and fun color combos!  After a few days of stalking my doorstep, I was excited and anxious to give the new Dance UR Lead Mid Shoes a try.

*Disclaimer: These shoes were provided to me, free of charge from Reebok through my ambassadorship with FitFluential.  I was not compensated in any way for this review, and simply exchanged my time and experience for product. As always, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I hate to play the favorites game, but have to admit that this has been one of my most exciting reviews yet.  I never promote products I do not believe in, and can fully show my new love for this brand and sneaker!

Are they not the cutest?

I became instantly giddy the day I saw them.  Somehow the folks at Reebok know my adoration of pinks and purples, and I could not wait to take them out for a spin the next morning.

With a simple snap of Velcro, I felt pretty sassy and ready to rock.

There is just something about these shoes that makes me want to rise up on my toes and shake my hips.  I have only taken Zumba a time or two, but can imagine how great that style of dancing feels in them!

Before trying them out, I had some pretty high expectations.  Former So You Think You Can Dance favorite and current Dancing With the Stars cast member Chelsie Hightower endorses the brand, and I would think that her line of work requires the best of the best on her feet.

(Check her out and see these sneaks in action!)

So how did they hold up?

UR Leads in Practice

I could not think of a better way to test out a pair of dance sneakers than to wear them to a four hour dance rehearsal.

Within a few minutes of walking in, I received quite a few oohs and ahhs over them.  It is very common to wear this type of sneaker for the type of dancing I do, so I think it was the bright colors that made them stand out to my team mates.

Occasionally, a bit of a workout is thrown into our rehearsals, and this one required us to run about half a mile on an indoor track.  I was a little worried at the start, since I came armed with support from dance sneakers, but have to say that they held their own.

Of course, these were in no way designed for running – and I would not recommend running in them – and shined best on the wood floor during our runs of dance routines.

With styles ranging from hip hop to jazz, I have to go through a lot of levels and variation in movement.  These held me up, and kept me from sliding by gripping the floor in just the right spots.

Favorite Features

I have quickly learned to love these shoes, and have a list of reasons why.  Here are the highlights:

• Lightweight: There is cushioning in the sole, but it is extremely lightweight.  This provides enough support for me to jump and spin, without holding me down to the floor.

• Flexible: There is mesh on the sides and front tip of the shoe, which makes it easy to breathe and move.

• Colorful + Unique: I am loving the mid-high top height and bright colors!  The coral and purple is adorable, but I am dying to get a pair of the blue and green ones!

• Made for Dancers: These shoes were made to move in.  There are pivot points on the bottom, and grips specifically placed and designed to allow smooth slides and turns.

I decided to take them out for another rehearsal last night on court.  We are performing with Debbie Gibson in 80s wear, and I knew that the look of these sneakers would fit the bill perfectly.

Later on, I heard we are to wear a certain sneaker for the actual performance, and I was a little disappointed to realize the NBA debut of my UR Leads would have to wait.

No worries, though. I still rocked them out at the rehearsal, and with multiple performance teams there they (again) got the love and attention I predicted.

Overall Thoughts

I adore these shoes!  I am impressed by the design, and appreciate that they were created to support the jumps, spins, and grips dancers need during long rehearsals.  They feel light and airy, and I really like the mesh material thrown onto the sides.

Comfort is key, and the bright color combinations are a bonus!  The colors chosen for the line are funky and fresh, which is always what a stylish dancer is looking for.  Retailing at $85 a pair, they seem to fit into the mainstream look and price of sneakers that dancers and fitness enthusiasts go for.

Way to go, Reebok! I am giving the Dance UR Lead Mid sneakers two enthusiastic thumbs up!