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If you’re all about athleisure (for women or mens fashion) you’ll be pleased to know that new lululemon shoes dropped recently. In this lululemon Cityverse sneaker review, we’ll cover how these casual sneakers feel and perform with unique 3D-molded support. You’ll also get our take on the aesthetics and if these sneakers are worth dropping $138. Let’s dive in.
We Walked More Than a Mile in These Shoes
Our expert product testers have ordered, tried on, and worked out in over 70 different shoes. We’ve tested everything from the best deadlifting shoes to the best running shoes for high arches and everything in between. Plus, our testers are nearly as diversified as our shoe lineup and include CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, certified personal trainers, gym owners, marathon runners, and Olympic athletes.
When we test shoes, we’re looking at a variety of factors including appearance, construction, stability, and comfort. Our testers are tasked with scoring eight different categories on a 1-to-5 scale, following a specific rubric outlined in our testing methodology.
lululemon Cityverse
Lululemon Cityverse Sneaker
Product Highlights
- Men’s and women’s sizing
- Casual or lifestyle shoe
- Comes with two lace options
- Synthetic leather upper
Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-day comfort
- Fashionable design
- Half sizes available
- 30-day return policy in any condition
Cons
- Wide feet recommended to size up
- Minimal traction outsole
- Limited colorways
- Not designed for lifting
Bottom Line
The lululemon Cityverse Sneakers provide all-day comfort with cushioning that molds to your foot. The toe box is fairly narrow and folks with wider feet should size up.
A Quick Look at the lululemon Cityverse Sneakers
You may know lululemon for its yoga pants and fashion-forward athleisure, but the brand also has an entire lineup of running shoes and casual footwear that competes with top brands like Nike and adidas.
Before You Buy
- The Cityverse sneakers come in both women’s and men’s shoe sizes.
- It’s recommended to size up if you have wide feet (most half sizes are available).
- The brand offers a 30-day trial that allows you to return shoes online or in-store in any condition.
Are the lululemon Cityverse Sneakers Worth It?
When our testers evaluate price and value, there are a few considerations at play including what it’s designed for (running, CrossFit, cycling, golf, etc.), the durability of the shoe and how long it will hold up, and if it offers a comparable price to similar shoes on the market.
Essentially, the value of a shoe (and if it’s worth your hard-earned money) is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The lululemon Cityverse sneaker retails for $138, which is similar to many sport-specific shoes we’ve tested for our best running shoes and best CrossFit shoes roundups.
These are a casual shoe (versus sport-specific) and are truly comfortable, which makes them great for all-day wear. What our tester got hung up on is the fact they get dirty fast and are difficult to clean and maintain.
So while they have high functionality for everyday wear, our tester is concerned about longevity. Overall, the lululemon Cityverse sneakers earn a 4-out-of-5-star rating for value.
Great for:
- Molded support and cushioning
- Casual shoes
- Minimalist fashion
Not recommended for:
- Wide feet
- Running or lifting
- Easy cleaning
lululemon Cityverse Sneakers Specs
| Price | $138 |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 5 mm |
| Size range | 5-12 women’s; 7-14 men’s |
| Color options | 4 for women; 2 for men |
| Upper | Synthetic leather upper |
| Outsole | High abrasion rubber |
| Warranty | 30-day trial period |
Wearing the lululemon Cityverse Sneakers
Members of our team of expert product testers have worn and worked out in the lululemon Chargefeel and Blissfeel shoes. The Cityverse sneaker is one of our first experiences with a casual shoe not specifically designed for training or sports. Overall, our tester found these shoes comfortable but not practical as a training shoe (of any type, really).
If you’re curious about what shoes to wear for which types of workout, be sure to check out our in-depth training shoe guide.
Appearance and Design
The Cityverse shoe is a minimalist-style shoe featuring a classic sneaker silhouette. The lululemon shoes may even feel reminiscent of skateboarding shoes or classic Vans. We don’t recommend purchasing these shoes for working out or sports. The Cityverse sneakers are a casual shoe for daily wear, running errands, and walking around town.
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Our tester wasn’t the biggest fan of the overall aesthetics but says Cityverse could add some flair to a casual outfit. They ordered and wore the all-white sneakers and noted that lululemon men’s dark gray (aka Traverse Gray) may be a better option for everyday wear and long-term use because the all-white shoes scuffed up easily.
Here is what you can expect for color options for men and women’s shoes:
Women’s colorways:
- Juicy Peach
- Precocious Pink
- White
- Jade Whisper
Men’s colorways:
- Traverse Gray
- White
Construction and Durability
The Cityverse sneakers earn a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating for construction and durability. Our testers found that the upper materials scuff up easily and the leather grain makes it hard to wipe clean.
Additionally, lululemon’s website provides limited specs on the Cityverse sneakers, which makes it difficult to make a fair judgment on durability before buying. The brand offers virtual appointments with product experts so I called lululemon and got a few more details on the Cityverse sneakers from Grace, a lululemon product expert.
Over the phone I found out the heel drop is 5 millimeters, the outsole is made from high-abrasion rubber, and the upper is made from grainy and flat-grain leather. It’s worth mentioning that our product tester believes the upper is made from a synthetic leather material, which is likely why it’s so difficult to wipe or wash away dirt.
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Adjustments and Comfort
When our testers review a pair of shoes for comfort, we know it’s pretty subjective. However, we wear shoes for long durations and move through a variety of activities. We’re also testing for adjustment mechanisms (like laces or velcro straps) and whether a pair of shoes is ideal for wide or narrow feet. The Cityverse sneakers earn a 4-star rating for comfort and adjustments with similar comfort to the shoes we discuss in our lululemon Blissfeel 2 review.
In my chat with Grace, the lululemon product expert, I didn’t find out about specific materials used in the insoles, but I can tell you that the Cityverse offers plenty of cushioning. One of our expert product testers even says the insoles are rather squishy and springy. Our tester also notes that after a few hours of wearing the Cityverse, the insoles molded to the shape of their feet, which is what lululemon calls “3D-molded support.”
Grace said she owns (and was wearing at the time of our call) a pair of Cityverse women’s sneakers and mentioned that the shoes were designed to morph to the unique structure of the male and female foot, respectively.
It’s also worth mentioning that the brand recommends sizing up for wide feet. Our tester reported the toe box is not super narrow, but it’s very average and not ideal for wide feet or folks with bunions. The Cityverse comes with an additional set of shoe laces in contrasting colors.
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lululemon Cityverse Sneakers vs NOBULL Rec Trainer
NOBULL Rec Trainer
NOBULL Rec Trainer
Product Highlights
- Training and everyday shoes
- Roomy toe box
- Seamless knit upper material
- Herringbone outsole pattern
- Reflective NOBULL branding
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stylish vintage sneaker design
- 4 colorways
- Large size range
Cons
- Neutral colors only
- Not for folks with a zero-drop preference
Bottom Line
The NOBULL Rec Trainers are lightweight, breathable, and versatile. You’ll have the roomy toe box and minimal heel-to-toe-drop NOBULL is known for with a sneaker design reminiscent of classic Chuck Taylors and Vans. these Rec Trainers offer
The lululemon Cityverse sneaker may compare to many other casual shoes on the market, but from the 70+ shoes we’ve tested, we think the Cityverse sneakers best compare to the shoes we feature in our NOBULL Rec Trainer review.
Both pairs of shoes are simple in appearance and offer a minimal heel-to-toe drop. The toe box is roomier on the NOBULL shoes and the knit upper is a bit easier to keep clean in our experience. Plus, the NOBULL shoes can be used for weight training or daily wear making them a bit more versatile than the lululemon Cityverse.
RELATED: NOBULL Apparel Reviews
| Lululemon Cityverse | NOBULL Rec Trainer | |
| Price | $138 | $119 |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 5 mm | 4 mm |
| Size range | 5-12 women’s; 7-14 men’s | Men’s 8-16; Women’s 5-11 |
| Color options | 4 for women; 2 for men | 8 |
| Upper | Synthetic leather upper | Seamless knit |
| Outsole | High abrasion rubber | EVA |
| Warranty | 30-day trial period | 1 year |
Customer Experience
Our GGR expert product testers have had great customer service experience with lululemon, and this time was no different. Our tester ordered the Cityverse men’s sneaker and reported they arrived quickly in a well-packaged and branded box.
I was also impressed with the customer service from the product expert team and speaking with Grace on the phone. I listened to a quick menu and was connected with Grace in under a minute. The contact page on the lululemon website offers a wide range of options including email, video chat, and text (through Apple messages).
Plus, lululemon offers a 30-day return policy in any condition—online or in-store. The website also states that shoe returns that are only lightly worn will be resold on the lululemon Like New store. Overall, lululemon earns a 5-star rating for customer experience.
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Customer Reviews
The lululemon Cityverse sneakers have a 4.1-out-of-5-star average rating on the website for both men’s and women’s sneakers. While there were not a ton of negative reviews, most of the negative comments centered around how quickly the shoes got dirty and how difficult it is to clean the upper material.
There is also a ton of commentary on the Cityverse sneakers on TikTok and Reddit with a lot of users saying the shoes look and feel cheap.
Final Verdict of Our lululemon Cityverse Sneaker Review
The lululemon Cityverse sneakers are a casual shoe that won’t work for everyone. From our experience, we don’t recommend these shoes for folks who want tons of versatility in the type of activities you can do in one pair of shoes. We also don’t recommend these for training, as the Cityverse sneakers are best for casual wear around town.
If you’re on the hunt for a simple-looking shoe that offers cushioning, the Cityverse sneakers with 3D-molded support might be totally up your alley. Keep in mind the all-white sneakers scuff and show wear easily, so another color option may suit you if that’s a concern.
Full Rating
Lululemon Cityverse Sneakers
The lululemon Cityverse Sneakers provide all-day comfort with cushioning that molds to your foot. The toe box is fairly narrow and folks with wider feet should size up.
Product Brand: Lululemon
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 138
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.8
lululemon Cityverse Sneaker Review: FAQs
Do Lululemon sneakers run big or small?
From our GGR hands-on testing experience, lululemon shoes are true to size but don’t offer a ton of room for wider feet. This is true for our experience with the new Cityverse shoe, Blissfeel (running shoe), Strongfeel (weight training shoe), and Chargefeel (cross-training shoe).
Where does lululemon make their shoes?
Most lululemon apparel, footwear, and accessories are supplied and manufactured overseas in countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Columbia.
Should I size up in Lululemon shoes?
If you have wide feet, lululemon recommends sizing up. Half sizes are available on the lululemon website.
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