fitness gear reviews

Whether you're out on the streets or shaking it up in dance class, the new Reebok Dance UR Lead Mid shoes ($85) make a bold statement with their midcut reach and vibrant hues.

This retro design from Reebok satisfies the demand for a dance-specific sneaker: breathable, cushioned, and lightweight, they feel like a supportive second skin. After wearing the Reebok Dance UR Lead Mids in both Zumba and POUND classes, I found them to be perfect for a high-impact aerobic dance workout. Jumping, shaking, and stomping in both these classes, I wasn't held back once by the shoes — a problem I regularly have when wearing traditional running shoes during a dance workout.

As opposed to running shoes which are made for the front-to-back motion of running and not so great for the side-to-side dance movements, the thin sole and tread pattern on the bottom are designed to move in all directions, freeing up the feet, and helping you feel more agile. The shoes allowed for plenty of easy pivoting, and I was able to slide across the floor with the right amount of traction and control. Running shoes can be tough on ankles in dance classes, but the high-top-inspired ankle reach, extra cushioning, and two Velcro straps across the top of the shoe also helped to stabilize the ankle without limiting mobility. As a big fan of going barefoot whenever possible, I found these kicks to be surprisingly comfortable and flexible.

From the first time I laced up, I was impressed with their feel and design and received a ton of questions, compliments, and double takes from fellow classmates. While the shoes are a little bulky to transport in a gym bag, the experience in class is well worth the hassle. If you're a Zumba enthusiast who has been looking for the right shoes, investing in this wild pair from Reebok will pay off. The Reebok Dance UR Lead Mids are available in four color schemes that you can check out here.

If you suffer from sliding around on a mat during Pilates or yoga or prefer not to be barefoot during a barre class, then Nike's Studio Wrap Pack ($110) may be your answer to this problem.

The Studio Wrap Pack consists of three parts: the wrap portion that fits around the foot and ribbons (both pictured above) and a pair of slip-on flats that can be worn with or without the other parts of the Studio Wrap system. While it was a little confusing at first to wrap the ribbon correctly, once I managed to put them on, the sock-like wrap portion was quite comfortable. The stretchy fabric and open design offered a full range of flexibility for my feet and ankles. The ribbons were designed to give support to both the ankle and arch of the foot, but I didn't necessarily feel like they did this in a particularly effective way. But they did spark a lot of questions from admirers, both at the gym and at the yoga studio.

As someone who loves to go barefoot whenever possible, I found the wraps to be a little cumbersome during the yoga and aerobic dance classes I tested them out in. The wraps certainly provided traction when it came to floor choreography off the mat, but they moved around my feet during the more active parts of a mat workout.

While some yoga newbies swear by socks with grips, I worry that they won't learn about building up the foot strength that comes naturally with a well-designed yoga practice. When it came to dance class, I had a full range of motion and was able to move across the floor without any worry. But since the wraps didn't offer a great deal of cushion for the soles of my feet, they just felt a little unnecessary the whole time. My favorite part of the pack might just be the elegant studio flats; these simple, cozy ballet slippers held up on the streets during my city commute, and they were comfortable enough to run errands in after class.

I appreciate that the Nike Studio Wraps offer an open, breathable design; even with the extra coverage and support, your toes are exposed and easily able to connect with the mat. The socks aren't supportive enough for a class that calls for traditional sneakers or running shoes, but as for the "better-than-barefoot" and "flattering foot" experience they promise, the Nike Studio Wraps deliver.

San Francisco has a seemingly endless supply of parks and trails, so when Merrell sent its newest pair of trail-running minimalist shoes I was happy to give them a try. After a few weeks running outdoors in the new Mix Master Move Glide shoes ($95), I can say that I wholeheartedly love them. If you're an outdoor runner or hiker who can't wait for the snow to melt to get out and enjoy the trails, here's why you'll love these lightweight trail-running shoes.

After my first run in the shoes, I was surprised at how lightweight they felt. The mostly mesh upper makes the shoe pretty light; the women's pair clocks in at 14 ounces. And while I love minimalist shoes, I'm by no means a barefoot runner, so I was worried that the shoes wouldn't offer me enough support while I navigated uneven terrain. Luckily, I was wrong: even when I made a misstep and stumbled on a rocky piece of trail, I never felt out of control. Not only do the soles offer good grip and traction, but my feet always felt secure in them; the hard heel back and plastic lacing overlay gives some structure to the mesh exterior, and the 4-mm drop from heel to ball was designed to give absorb impact. Since I'm not used to barefoot-style shoes, I left the removable insole in, and felt that the shoes offered enough cushioning during all except my longer runs; at six miles I felt like the balls of my feet could use a little more cushioning, but it didn't hamper my comfort too much.

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If you love to stay hydrated but hate trying to clean the bottom of your water bottle, the man behind The Square ($40) feels your pain and came up with a simple solution.

While out on a bike ride, founder Dave Mayer went to fill up his water bottle but found what he describes as "what looked like a science experiment gone wrong" at the bottom. Mayer decided to design a bottle of his own that unscrews at both the top and bottom.

I've become accustomed to chasing my water bottle around the gym or a yoga studio as it rolls away when accidentally knocked over, but because of The Square's design, this problem is taken out of the equation. And the days of spilling over a bottle with a slightly open lid are over; both of the BPA-free plastic caps make an audible lock so you know they're secure. The sleek shape also makes it simple to tuck into a bag securely. The only gripe is that it costs a whopping $40, a significant increase from the other bottles I've purchased in the past, and it also only holds 20 ounces, a little less water than I'm accustomed to having on hand. But if you're really concerned about your water bottle getting squeaky clean — or you hate the sound of a bottle being hit over in Savasana — I'd definitely give The Square a try. Since I've tested it out, it's had a permanent home on my desk at work.