Tag: nortiv 8

Let’s test out NORTIV 8’s Cloud Harmony Athleisure Sneakers

See how they run.

The Cloud Harmony Women’s Athleisure sneakers have a sleeker profile than the other NORTIV 8 shoe I tried out, the Cloud Walk. NORTIV 8 describes the Cloud Harmony as “tennis sneakers” and recommends them for walking, commuting, light workouts, running, and going to the gym. So, I treated the Cloud Harmony as more of an all-around shoe rather than a serious running shoe. Here’s how they held up.

I first tried out the Cloud Harmony at the gym. Less bulky than many running shoes, these sneakers were good for boot camp classes and activities like box jumps and agility ladders. For workouts like these, bigger shoes can become a tripping hazard. Thankfully, the Cloud Harmony sneakers keep you nimble while still providing enough cushioning for jumps.

A black and white sneaker.
Photo courtesy of NORTIV 8

How do they handle a run? For me, the shoes performed well on a four-mile park excursion, even with some wet pavement and a little mud. Still, the treads are a bit shallow, so these probably won’t be 400-mile shoes. On longer runs, I’d opt for something more substantial.

A pair of purple and pink sneakers.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

As for aesthetics, the Cloud Harmony comes in four colors: black, white, mint green, and purple. The latter two are good choices if you like a sneaker rainbow in your closet. The mint design has a purple heel and white sole. I have the purple design, which features a hot pink sole. Perfect for spring, as I feel like an Easter egg when I wear them.

Side and back views on a pair of mint, white, and purple sneakers.
Photo courtesy of NORTIV 8

Animal lovers will appreciate that this sneaker is made from all vegan materials. It uses an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) midsole, a common midsole material. Mesh uppers let your feet breathe, and the rubber outsole helps these shoes grip the pavement. The Cloud Harmony also boasts a supportive insole and a reinforced heel for added protection and stability.

A purple and pink NORTIV 8 Cloud Harmony Athleisure Sneaker.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

NORTIV 8 is based in New Jersey and prides itself on making quality gear at reasonable prices. At $59.99, these sneakers aren’t super cheap, but they are less costly than many running brands.

Writer received a free sample from NORTIV 8 for review.

Here’s what runners can expect from NORTIV 8’s Cloud Walk sneakers

It’s time for a test run.

NORTIV 8 advertises the Cloud Walk as an athleisure sneaker suitable for road running, dog walking, gym going, bike commuting, or just wearing around town. I tried out a pair, and here’s what I found.

First, the basics. The Cloud Walk comes in three colors for men and six for women. Most are in the black/white/gray family, except for the women’s choices of pink and mint green-pink. I requested a pair in the striking and unusual mint green-pink color option. The shoes are pink in the front and ombre their way to mint green in the back, with matching green laces.

A pair of pink and mint green running shoes.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

At the gym, my trainer said it looked like I’d stepped in bubble gum. I interpreted this as a good thing; I’m not a fan of boring workout shoes. The sneakers also feature toes and heels reinforced with metallic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film for added durability. It adds an aesthetically pleasing touch, making the toes glow like rose gold. People who avoid products with animal ingredients will be happy to know that the Cloud Walk sneakers are made from synthetic materials.

So, how do the Cloud Walk sneakers perform? The shoes manage to be pretty lightweight while remaining cushy and supportive. The midsole has more than an inch of shock absorption. They also have breathable mesh uppers and well-padded heels for those of us prone to heel striking. I took them running in the park on a rainy day, and they performed well as far as traction.

A pair of Nortiv8 Cloud Walk sneakers in black and blue.
Cloud Walk sneakers in the more restrained but still attractive black/blue combination. / Photo courtesy of Nortiv 8

NORTIV 8 describes itself as an outdoorsy brand making quality gear at a low price point. The U.S.-based company offers hiking boots, sneakers, military tactical boots, sandals, and water shoes, all at reasonable prices. At $45.99, the Cloud Walk is a lower-priced running shoe than many leading brands. For runners on a budget, NORTIV 8 is a brand to keep in mind. Plus, the company offers a student discount, making vegan-friendly running shoes even more accessible.

Nortiv 8 provided Outdoors Wire with a product sample for review.