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One of the most important, yet underlooked pieces of equipment when it comes to fitness is your choice of footwear. Most shoes serve a specific purpose, and ideally, you want to have the right footwear for whatever activity you’re doing—running shoes for running, weightlifting shoes for Olympic lifting, and so on. However, buying a different pair of shoes for each type of exercise you’re doing will quickly get expensive, which is where the affordable Feiyues come in.
While a $35 shoe may not sound like it’s durable enough to train in, GGR founder Cooper Mitchell has been using these shoes for seven years and loves them so much that he’s even purchased them for his family. In this Feiyue FE LO 1920 review, I’ll be breaking down the specifics of this affordable shoe to help you decide if this is the right training shoe to add to your collection.
Seven Years of Testing from GGR’s Founder
The Garage Gym Reviews testers are certified fitness professionals, Olympians, CrossFit athletes, runners, and nutrition coaches who have spent years testing products. We’ve tested over 75 pairs of shoes over the years, so we’re experts at distinguishing between good and bad training shoes.
For this review, we have notes from seven years of regular wear from GGR’s founder himself, Cooper “Coop” Mitchell. Coop has been wearing Feiyues for over seven years, which makes him very familiar with the pros and cons. He carefully rated the shoes according to our GGR equipment testing methodology, which looks at specific aspects of each shoe, like:
- Construction and durability
- Stability
- Appearance
- Cushioning
- Outsole
- Value
Now, let’s take a closer look and see why Coop loves the Feiyue FE LO 1920s so much.
Feiyue FE LO 1920
Feiyue FE LO 1920
Product Highlights
- Super affordable
- Very flexible
- Great traction
- Great for strength training
- Order a half-size up from what you usually wear
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and flexible
- Rubber sole for extra traction
- Great for recreational athletes
Cons
- Not the most durable shoe
- If you’re a serious CrossFitter or powerlifter, look elsewhere
- If you wear a half size, round up to the nearest full one (so if you’re a 7.5, go for an 8)
Bottom Line
The Feiyue FE LO 1920 is a lightweight, minimalist shoe that was originally designed for martial artists, but can work for nearly any type of training. This is a very durable shoe for most kinds of lifting, and is priced to fit any budget.
A Quick Look at the Feiyue FE LO 1920
The Feiyue FE LO 1920 is a low-cut, minimalist canvas shoe that’s very reminiscent of the classic Converse Chuck Taylor design. There’s not much padding or support to these shoes, but they come with a flat, grippy sole that’s perfect for strength training.
Feiyue is the Chinese word for “Flying Forward,” and these shoes that were originally designed to be martial arts shoes have become popular among parkour enthusiasts, Tai Chi practitioners, and garage gym lifters.
Similar to barefoot shoes, there is no heel lift, so you probably won’t want to use these shoes for Olympic lifting. However, these shoes are an excellent choice for any other type of training where you want your foot to have a stable grip on the ground. In fact, the Feiyues were even named the best budget shoe in our guide to the best shoes for deadlifting.
Priced to fit nearly any budget, the Feiyues are a fantastic option for anyone looking for a lightweight, comfortable, minimalist shoe that can be worn both in and out of the gym.
Before You Buy
- The Feiyue FE LO 1920 is available in 25 colorways and a wide range of sizes, so there’s an option for everyone here.
- There is no heel lift or excessive padding, so these shoes aren’t great for long-distance running or Olympic lifting.
- At only $35, this is one of the most affordable shoes we’ve tested to date.
Is the Feiyue FE LO 1920 Worth It?
While this is a super affordable sneaker at only $35, especially when you consider the fact it can easily be worn throughout the day, that doesn’t mean it’s the best shoe for everyone. Most people should enjoy this shoe, but depending on your goals, or current shoe inventory, you may want to spend your money elsewhere.
Great for:
- Anyone who wants a casual shoe that can be worn in and out of the gym
- Anyone who prefers a minimalist shoe for strength training
- Beginners who don’t want to buy multiple shoes and prefer a budget-friendly shoe that can be used for nearly all types of training
Not recommended for:
- Distance runners who need more support
- Olympic weightlifters who prefer lifting with an elevated heel
- Anyone who doesn’t like a flat-soled shoe with minimal support
RELATED: Training Shoes Guide
Feiyue FE LO 1920 Specs
| Price | $35 |
| Weight | Not disclosed |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 0mm |
| Colorways | 25 options |
| Features | Ripple sole plate, authentic plimsoll design, removable insole |
Wearing the Feiyue FE LO 1920
While I’ve never worn the Feiyue FE LO 1920s myself, Coop has gone through multiple pairs over the past seven years and loves the shoes. As a zero-drop shoe, these are designed to keep your feet very flat, with no heel lift or cushioning.
If you’re wondering why anyone would want a shoe without a heel lift or excessive cushioning, it’s for stability purposes. When you’re performing squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, lunges, or any other exercise where you’re standing on the ground, you want shoes that will keep your feet firmly anchored in place.
RELATED: Best Gym Shoes for Men
For those who’ve never tried squatting in running shoes, I can tell you firsthand that the feeling of your feet being on a squishy surface where they can shift side to side and move around is very unsettling. You’ll feel more stable if you can drive your foot into a hard surface, not a cushion, which is why many lifters choose minimalist shoes like the Feiyue FE LO 1920s.
Since they aren’t designed specifically for lifting, they’re comfortable and stylish enough to wear all day long.
Construction, Materials, and Durability
For $35, you aren’t going to be picking up a pair of shoes that’ll last forever—but the quality of the Feiyues is significantly better than the price tag would suggest.
The bottom sole is made of gum rubber, with ridged rubber on the sidewall and toecap for extra traction and durability. The lightweight canvas upper makes the shoe breathable, so you won’t feel like you’re being weighed down as you go through your workout.
It’s also nice to see a removable insole, which allows you to remove it entirely or replace it with your own.
As far as durability goes, Coop said, “The sole wears out over time and the rubber can detach from the canvas in spots, but very durable for the price.”
For durability, we rate the Feiyue FE LO 1920s a 4 out of 5, with a slight boost for the extremely low price point.
Ergonomics
When it comes to ergonomics, these shoes are specifically designed to be very flat on the bottom, much like Chuck Taylors or Vans. That doesn’t mean they’re uncomfortable, but you shouldn’t expect lots of padding or cushioning. If you’re used to wearing shoes that have a lot of cushioning, there may be a bit of an adjustment period.
There’s also no heel lift, which is commonly found in the best weightlifting shoes, but that’s the point. People who buy the Feiyues, or similar minimalist shoes, generally want as little material as possible between their foot and the ground.
While the shoes are technically zero-drop, there is a removable insole that offers a slight bit of heel cushion and lift. Some users say they remove the insole completely for the flattest possible shoe, but even with the insole, your foot is pretty flat.
When it comes to traction, Coop said the shoes gripped well on a variety of surfaces, including wet concrete, but they weren’t great for rope climbing. He used these shoes almost exclusively for over three years, for all kinds of training.
Finally, the shoes are only sold in full sizes, so Feiyue recommends ordering up a size if you’re in between.
For the ergonomics, the shoes earn a 4-out-of-5-star rating.
Colorways and Design
When it comes to the overall design and colorways, the Feiyues earn a rating of 4 out of 5.
The clean, minimalist style means these shoes will work for all sorts of settings. You may not want to wear them to any event with a dress code, but it’s not obvious that they’re gym shoes, which many will find appealing for daily wear.
Assuming you like the design, these shoes are available in 25 colorways, which means there should be a colorway for every preference.
Feiyue FE LO 1920 vs Xero Shoes Forza Trainer
Xero Shoes Forza Trainer
Xero Shoes Forza Trainer
Product Highlights
- Barefoot, minimalist shoe with focus on staying connected to feet
- Midfoot strap that wraps around heel for extra security
- Durable rubber outsole
- Molded sidewall for more lateral stability
- Moisture-wicking upper
- Optional 2 mm insert for additional cushion
- Zero heel-toe drop
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heel strap keeps foot secure
- Supportive for cross-training
- Molded sidewall
- Flat sole ideal for deadlifting
- 2-year warranty
- Wide toe box
Cons
- Won’t appeal to those used to lifting with a raised heel
- Thin shoe laces
- Short velcro strap
Bottom Line
The Xero Shoes Forza Trainers are a unique barefoot shoe that emphasizes staying connected with the foot. With a midfoot strap that also tightens the heel, you’ll stay very connected through dynamic movements as well as heavy lifting. These bootie-style shoes are minimal, providing limited support and a zero heel-toe drop.
Another popular pair of minimalist shoes is the Xero Shoes Forza Trainer, which cost quite a bit more, but have different features.
With the higher price tag of the Forza Trainers, you’re also receiving both a 2-year warranty and a 5,000-mile sole warranty, along with a midfoot strap to securely anchor your foot in place. These shoes are certainly designed for the fitness crowd, with the added foot strap to keep you anchored in place.
The Feiyues are significantly cheaper, but there’s no warranty or foot strap. That’s likely because Feiyue designed these shoes to be multi-purpose shoes you could wear all day, while Xero Shoes are meant for physical activities.
If you value the warranty or really want the foot strap, the Xero Shoes Forza Trainers will be a good choice. For everyone else, the low cost and high quality make Feiyues the clear winner.
You can read more in our Xero Shoes Forza Trainer review.
| Feiyue FE LO 1920 | Xero Shoes Forza Trainer | |
| Price | $35 | $130 |
| Weight | Not specified | 8.7 oz (men’s size 9) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 0mm | 0mm |
| Men’s shoe colorways | 25 options | Black, White/Blue Sapphire, Micro Gray/Red, Frost Gray, |
| Women’s shoe colorways | 25 options | Black/Asphalt, Elderberry/Fig, Frost Gray, White/Scuba Blue |
| Features | Ripple sole plate, lightweight upper, removable insole | Midfoot strap, molded sidewall, grippy tread, moisture-wicking |
Customer Experience
Feiyue offers a 30-day return policy, as long as the shoes are unworn and still in their original packaging. The company will cover return shipping, but you’ll need to request a return from the website so they can email you a shipping label.
If you need to reach customer support, you can do so via the live chat on the Feiyue website or submit a message through the contact form, but there’s no phone number or email address listed.
For the overall customer experience, which includes a generous return policy with free return shipping, the Feiyues earn a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating.
Ordering the Feiyue FE LO 1920
You can purchase the shoes directly from Feiyue, and receive free shipping to the contiguous United States on all orders over $50. The shoes ship in a non-woven tote bag that can be used for other purposes, which is nice to see.
The shoes are also sold on Amazon, but at the time of writing, they’re not available with Amazon Prime’s free shipping, so we’d suggest ordering from Feiyue directly to make sure you’re getting a verified, authentic product.
Customer Reviews
On the Feiyue website, there are over 1,100 reviews with an average rating of 4.8, and they have a 4.4 rating on Amazon with over 1,000 reviews.
Most reviewers love the comfort and style, saying the shoes are extremely comfortable once broken in. A few negative reviews mention they run small, which is why the website recommends ordering up a size if you’re in between.
Final Verdict of Our Feiyue FE LO 1920 Review
For $35, you’re not going to find a better pair of lifting shoes. Sure, they may not be the best shoes for runners, or those who want a heel lift, but for everyone else, these are fantastic shoes, especially for the price point.
Coop had this to say about his overall experience after seven years of wearing Feiyues:
“I’ve had white, black, and a red pair. I liked them so much that I bought them for my kids. I absolutely love these shoes, especially for the price. I’ve had so many friends buy them and enjoy them after my recommendation. For $35, I think they’re a steal.”
Full Rating
Feiyue FE LO 1920
The Feiyue FE LO 1920 is a lightweight, minimalist shoe that was originally designed for martial artists, but can work for nearly any type of training. This is a very durable shoe for most kinds of lifting, and is priced to fit any budget.
Product Brand: Feiyue
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 35.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
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Feiyue FE LO 1920: FAQs
Why is Feiyue famous?
According to the Feiyue website, the shoes were first introduced in the 1920s and originally intended to be martial arts shoes. They quickly gained popularity among Shaolin Monks and Kung Fu masters, and continue to be worn by martial artists to this day.
What does Feiyue mean in English?
Feiyue is the Chinese word for “Flying Forward,” and was named so to represent the way these shoes can boost both the body and mind.
What are the benefits of Feiyue shoes?
Not only are Feiyue shoes very affordable and comfortable, but the flat surface means they work well for fitness activities and they’re comfortable enough to wear for just about anything. The rubber sole provides extra traction, and the removable insole allows you to customize your fit as needed.
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