Reebok Guide 3.0 Fully Reviewed & Compared

Despite being referred to as a road shoe by some, the Reebok Guide 3.0 has a significant amount of tread on it; implying an environment that would be more fitting for a trail runner. Just like most parts of this shoe, the outsole has three different elements.

The outsole is made with a unique material called Piston Tech. This is a thorough lug system meant for extraordinary traction no matter what terrain you are in. In addition to grip, the Piston Tech outsole provides a slight level of responsiveness that could be beneficial to the runner. The heel has a material called CRTek, which contributes to the Reebok Guide 3.0’s durability and responsiveness. Finally, the BRTek in the forefoot provides runners with cushioning, as well as enhanced traction.

Just like the outsole, the Reebok Guide 3.0’s midsole consists of three FoamFusion materials. Starting with the forefoot, this section is made with R52 material that adds responsiveness and cushioning to the area. Next is the T48 foam, located in the midfoot. T48 was created to latch onto the arch and help overpronators while running. The heel has the C43 foam material – a durable cushioned platform that protects the heel from the ground.

The upper unit was engineered to keep the feet comfortable, regardless of what environment you are running in. Primarily made with mesh, the Reebok Guide 3.0 provides exceptional airflow for a dry foot. Reebok’s SmoothFuse technology is used to protect the runner’s feet from any discomfort. After running for a few miles, you will begin to notice the three different mesh materials working together to offer you a high-quality running experience.

Although it is designated as a road runner, the Reebok Guide 3.0 has several characteristics that can benefit runners on a trail surface. In result, this shoe is bound to have a heavier weight to it compared to some of the top rated lightweight running shoes.

The men’s version of this shoe weighs in at 9.9 ounces, whereas the women’s version is approximately 8 ounces. While these weights are slightly high, Reebok is sacrificing weight for other qualities, such as traction, protection, and comfort. The size of the shoe has been noticed by plenty of testers, who claim that the increased size takes away from the shoe’s overall speed.

Don’t let the bulky size fool you; the Reebok Guide 3.0’s upper allows a high amount of airflow throughout the interior of the shoe. The mesh material is lightweight and thin so you can run during some of the summer’s hottest days without the worry of soaking your socks or your feet feeling hot and uncomfortable. You’re bound to gather sweat within your shoe when you’re participating in different activities such as mountain climbing, or taking hikes, so wearing a breathable shoe is crucial.

Certain characteristics of the Reebok Guide 3.0’s upper contribute to the shoe’s overall comfort. Reebok’s SmoothFuse technology is a seamless material that is made of smooth fabrics, offering a comfortable fit. No more chafing due to uncomfortable stitching! In addition, the low cut design allows for a wider range of motion for the ankle area so runners don’t feel so restricted.
The R52 offers a high quality cushioning that keeps the forefoot comfortable whether the wearer is walking or running.
The C43 foam in the heel also offers a layer of cushioning that is used to help with underfoot protection.

One issue some people had with the fit of the shoe is that it ran wide. Select testers felt as though the standard version of the shoe is way too wide for their feet. Granted, their feet might be naturally narrow, but this might be an indication that those with average sized feet might have issues fitting these running shoes comfortably.

The Reebok Guide 3.0 has a unique look to it that screams out to the rest of the world around you. The Reebok triangle logo is branded across the heel at an angle, as well as the names of the select technologies applied to the shoe at their respective locations. It has been mentioned that the sole of this shoe has been split up into three different sections, and Reebok has helped make that more evident by applying a different color to each section in most of their color schemes.

The most commonly seen colorways from the One Guide 3.0 are: Red Rush/Neon Cherry/Black/Semi Solar Yellow/White, Steel/Tin Grey/Coal/Alloy/Blue Sport, and Red/Steel Grey. In both the red and blue colorways, the sole sports a white forefoot, a red or grey midfoot, and a black heel; acknowledging the three different materials used. As far as the look is concerned, the Reebok Guide 3.0 looks bulky in comparison to some of the most popular running shoes available. Runners who appreciate lightweight material may be turned off by this fit.

Durability is imperative for a shoe built like the Guide 3.0. A high number of testers have claimed that the outsole of this shoe is extremely durable; allowing them to run as many miles as they want for as long as they want, without worrying about wearing down the material. Great news for heel strikers: the CRTek in the heel is a durable rubber that helps the outsole avoid abrasion that may happen when you use the shoe often, especially in unstable conditions.

One of the most thorough qualities of this running shoe is the protection it provides runners with. In addition to offering durability, the thick CRTek protects the heel from shock that occurs during the running cycle. By offering a thick shield underneath the foot, the CRTek keeps the underfoot protected. Another part of the heel that protects the foot is the C43 foam. This durable cushioning absorbs the body weight of the runner and eliminates shock. The Seamless SmoothFuse technology in the upper also protects certain parts of the foot, by avoiding blisters that are commonly caused by constant rubbing between the fabric and the foot.

Reebok’s exclusive technology in the One Guide 3.0 contains a fair amount of responsiveness, especially in the forefoot and heel. Starting with the Piston Tech outsole, this technology helps the runner bounce to their next step. The BRTek used in the forefoot also has some responsiveness, but slightly softer than what is in the rest of the outsole. This technology offers easier toe-off during the running cycle. Overall, while the responsiveness is noticeably present in this shoe, there are parts that lack it. Testers believe that the midsole lacks responsiveness as well as cushioning.

With the amount of arch support present in the Reebok Guide 3.0, runners can almost immediately realize that this shoe is a stability shoe. Runners with an average arch that consider themselves to be overpronators will be able to take advantage of the benefits that the One Guide 3.0 has to offer. The T48 in the midsole is the best example of how the shoe offers support to the runner’s foot because it adds an additional arch element that can help those who have a flatter foot than normal.

In all technicality, the Reebok Guide 3.0 was made for the road. Based off of the aggressive lugs on the outsole, it is a safe bet that runners can successfully use this shoe on off-road terrain as well. The versatility of this shoe will definitely be a big plus for interested runners.

Not only will you be able to run throughout different road surfaces, but you will also be able to use the Reebok Guide 3.0 for running in the woods, mountainous terrain, and uphill as well. Runners from various running backgrounds are likely to be attracted to this shoe, based off of the fact that you can use it in over a handful of different surroundings.

From what you get from the Reebok Guide 3.0, the price range is quite affordable. The original retail price was barely over $100, and interested runners can find the shoe out for less than that, depending on what size they are looking for. Runners can find similar shoes that cost significantly more money depending on the brand. Since this shoe has great qualities of both road and trail shoes, it essentially has much more value than buying one shoe or the other. Most shoes in this category are sold at well over this amount, mostly at the $100-$200 range.

Reliable traction is another quality of the Reebok Guide 3.0 that puts it over the edge.

The outsole has something called Piston Tech, which is a lug system that provides an ultimate level of traction. These aggressive lugs allow the runner to grip onto rougher surfaces and stay balanced throughout their run.

Another part of the outsole that has good quality traction is the forefoot. This part of the shoe has the BRTek material, which is used for responsiveness but creates excellent traction too. After observing the bottom of the Guide 3.0, it goes without saying that the large lugs used on this shoe take up a majority of the shoe’s size. Yes, you can use these on a smooth, flat surface, but they will excel better on rougher terrain.

Flexibility is present when it comes to Guide 3.0, mostly in the upper. The Seamless SmoothFuse is made with a light, thin fabric that helps the shoe bend in a natural form. Besides that, the shoe lacks flexibility. The midsole and outsole are so thick, that it is extremely difficult for runners to move their feet in natural and/or awkward positions that may be demanded from different terrain.

Being a stability shoe, the Reebok Guide 3.0 is a great option for overpronators. The upper hosts a material called Adaptive NanoWaeave; which straps the foot within the shoe. Now, runners won’t have to be hindered by the feeling of their foot moving around within the shoe.

The external TPU counter at the heel also contributes to the shoe’s stability by effectively locking the heel in place. The T48 foam in the midsole is another source of stability within this shoe. It was designed to cradle the arch area to provide a more balanced running motion without any discomfort.

Runners will be able to identify the Reebok Guide 3.0 as a heel striking shoe based off of its heel-to-toe drop. Both men and women will be working with a 12-millimeter drop, as the heel height is at about 30 millimeters, and the forefoot height at 18 millimeters. Luckily the heel is designed to take on a substantial amount of impact, causing heel strikers to embrace the design of the shoe.

• Three different materials within FoamFusion midsole
• Superior traction
• Very durable
• Breathable mesh upper
• Reasonable price

Everything seems to come in three’s for the third version of the Reebok One Guide. On top of that, it seems as though this shoe has the best qualities of both trail shoes and road shoes. With the aggressive lugs, high quality cushioning, and exclusive technologies applied to the shoe, it is well worth the value it is currently listed at.

The versatile platform offered by the One Guide 3.0 will provide runners with a diverse set of material that will help them give their full effort no matter what type of environment they are running in. The low cut design encourages ankle mobility and broadens the environment in which you can use the shoe. Regardless of your preferred running environment, the Reebok Guide 3.0 is built to last and keep the wearer’s feet dry and comfortable at all times!