The Yeezy Foam Runner: An In-Depth Review

The Yeezy Foam Runner, also known as the Yeezy Foam RNNR (but let’s skip that game), surprised everyone with its release in the Ararat colorway back in June 2020. As expected with Yeezy products, it sold out immediately. Over the past year or so since its debut, the Yeezy Foam Runner has become incredibly popular, sparking endless discussions and debates. And there’s a good reason it’s been the talk of the town. With more colorways on the horizon, including an all-red version, we felt it was time to give the Foam Runner a thorough performance review.

Contributing to this review are two members from the Pshoes Discord community. Ema is a sneaker enthusiast with a background in public libraries. She’s a sports nerd who paid her way through college by playing basketball. She first discovered Pshoes while searching for a review on the Nike Shake NDestruckt.

Alejandro is a 27-year-old business student and sneakerhead from Southern California. He’s been a longtime lurker on Pshoes and a relatively recent supporter. He’s passionate about sharing anything sneaker-related to help inform others. 

Fit

Ema: I usually wear a size 11 Men’s/12.5 Women’s in most Yeezy models, although I do go up a half-size in the Yeezy 700 V3 due to the materials being less forgiving. I don’t mind snug-fitting shoes; in fact, I often prefer a tighter fit, even for casual wear. While many people opt to size up in Yeezy 350s, I don’t, so please keep that in mind. I purchased my true size 11 in the Yeezy Foam Runner, and the fit is just right for me. However, I do find that I need to wear thinner socks with them, as thicker socks tend to chafe my big toe. Would a size 12 alleviate this issue? Perhaps, but I’d rather have these “shoes” snug than too big, especially given their bulbous shape.

Alejandro: Choosing the right size for the Foam Runner can be tricky. I’m a true size 10.5 with slightly wide feet. For regular lifestyle shoes like the Nike Air Force 1, most Jordan Retros, and Dunks, I stick with my true size 10.5. Yeezys generally run slightly small, and this model is no exception. The challenge here is that the Foam Runners only come in full sizes. If you’re a half size, going up is usually the best option because of the thick foam towards the toe box. If you’re a full size, sticking with your true size is your best bet. Going up or down a full size will likely result in shoes that are too big or too small.

As for heel lockdown, these are exceptional. They stay securely on your feet with zero heel slippage, thanks to the dimpled material underfoot that prevents sliding, even when sweaty. Because they’re made entirely of foam, similar to Crocs, the shoes will perfectly mold to your foot after several wears.

Cushion

Ema: The cushioning is pleasant. I’ve never owned a pair of Crocs, so I can’t directly compare the foams. I would say it’s akin to a pair of Adidas Comfort Slides. The cushioning seems to be a bit thicker in the heel, and it feels that way when worn. Is it as plush as the Boost-filled Yeezy 350? No, but the comfort is still there. I can easily get through a full day of standing and walking around at work without any issues.

Alejandro: The cushioning feels soft right out of the box. The most similar cushions are Nike React or adidas Boost—both responsive yet soft underfoot. Many compare these to Crocs classic clogs, but personally, I find the Foam Runner cushioning to be noticeably softer and more comfortable. Additionally, the height from the foot to the ground is average, so wearing these doesn’t feel like standing on a platform.