I ran 108 times this year for a total of 541.1 miles, and like most of my fellow runners, I have a few loyal sneaker brands. Hoka, Brooks, New Balance—these are my go-to running companions for training and recovery days. But Arlo? Its luxe athleisure suits and leggings are my favorite casual wear, but the brand has never made it into my game day wardrobe.
So when I heard that the brand was launching its first line of all-terrain running shoes, appropriately called the Alo Runner ($185), I knew I had to see if they lived up to the hype. Unlike its predecessor, the Alo Recovery Mode sneaker ($185), the Alo Runner is designed specifically for, you guessed it, runners. At first, I was skeptical that this beloved sportswear brand would be able to offer anything other than a beautiful street-style shoe, let alone something that could be used successfully on all terrains. To do this, I tested the Alo Runners on trails, treadmills, and roads. As a long-time Alo fan, I’m excited to add this new sneaker to my running shoe rotation.
Alo Runner — $185.00
size: 3.5M/5W-15.5M-17W | color: 2 | Heel-to-toe drop: 11mm
- Very stylish and comfortable
- versatile
- Performs well on cross-country, road and treadmill
- light
- Breathability in different climates
- Available in various sizes
- Impressive traction
- Machine washable
- lack some flexibility
- Size runs large – order half size down
- Not as supportive as other distance running shoes – better suited for shorter distances
first impression
When I first saw and tried on this shoe, I was at the launch of the shoe at the Alo headquarters in Beverly Hills. The Alo representative immediately suggested that I size up because the sneakers were “on the small side.” (She was right. I usually wear a size 6, but a 6.5 fits better.) When she pulled them out, I was impressed with how chic they were. Today, most running shoes have thick athletic soles, sometimes in trendy colors. But the Alo Runner is lightweight and super stylish. True to Alo’s aesthetic, it comes in two simple colors: white and black. I chose white on white, which looks great for a stride or as a casual addition to an athleisure outfit.
How does Alo Runner perform?
I tested the Alo Runner on three different types of terrain and on different types of runs to see how I performed real Work with.
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road
I do most of my running on the road, including Alo Runners workouts. But my first road trip with Alo Runners was the Hot Girl Walk, and I loved how breathable they were. It was 90 degrees in Los Angeles that day, but my feet stayed cool as we strutted a mile and a half.
When I started road running, I would do long jogs, recovery runs, and speed workouts with Alo Runners. They stick with it every time. Since the shoes are lighter, I find them particularly suitable for interval training where I alternate between different speeds and intensities. Whenever I had to go uphill, I felt there was plenty of support in the heel; the significant drop from heel to toe was also very helpful in propelling me forward.
trace
I completed a cross-country half marathon in these shoes. Some background: It happened in Georgia, and I had to do 13 one-mile loops to reach my goal distance. I ran one foot in front of the other on brown-green grass, red dirt, and some scattered gray rocks. I’ve made great progress with runners that I know can stand up to a half marathon. On the trails and in the wet conditions of Georgia, the breathability and traction of these shoes are truly outstanding. It even rained lightly for about 20 minutes at one point, and while it definitely stained my bright white shoes, I still felt safe enough with every step and didn’t slip once.
Speaking of mud, Alo Runners are machine washable. mine is real They were pretty dirty after the run, so they weren’t sparkling after the wash, but they were definitely cleaner than before the wash. If you know you’ll be using your running shoes on the trails, I recommend choosing black to hide dirt and keep them looking clean.
treadmill
I’m more of a road runner than a trail runner or a treadmill girl. However, I wanted to really test the “all-terrain” marketing, so I laced up my Alo Runners and jumped on the treadmill. It was one of my fastest miles in weeks. I was mad about something that day, so I won’t attribute my speed to the Alo Runner, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say these shoes keep up. Plus, they felt so comfortable on my feet (which means a lot considering I already ran six miles in them that day).
final thoughts
All in all, I have a lot of good things to say about the Alo Runner. It’s easy to design and looks great without compromising performance. It can also be driven on trails, treadmills, or roads, so it lives up to its all-terrain credentials.
That said, I think these shoes are a good choice for those who run shorter distances rather than long distance races. Please don’t take this to mean that this sneaker didn’t perform well during my half marathon – it did. But I have to admit, my Hoka and New Balance sneakers give me more support. After running about 50 miles exclusively in these sneakers, my knees hurt a little. But they’re great for short runs, speed workouts, and leisurely jogs.
As the brand’s first entry into performance sneakers, this runner believes the Alo Runner is on par with other great sneakers. (Say it three times quickly…)
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