Customer Reviews Ryka Influence

Was looking for a shoe with good support since I overpronate and I like variety when I go to the gym -- treadmill, weights, Zumba. Unfortunately, while these felt nicely cushioned, when I walked I felt the upper part of the sneaker bend and hit the tops of my feet. I know that doesn't explain it well, but it's not a comfortable feeling. I also didn't feel the stability I was looking for and these will go back.

I am looking for a shoe to wear for Body&Soul fitness classes which involves part high impact aerobics & part resistance training (though I usually remove my shoes for the resistance training - I hate hot feet & I'm formerly trained in ballet so I like to challenge my feet by going bare when not engaging in high impact activity). I have moderate pronation issues and wear custom orthotics. So I need something with cushioning and flexibility in the forefoot & rear-foot, but support in the mid-foot. (A side note: I am a PT by profession & find that if you truly need arch support you need orthotics and cannot rely on any shoe to give you the support that you need. So I would change "moderate arch support" to say "good midfoot stability"). The latter is what I liked about this shoe (Ryka's n-gage design) in addition to what seems to be good lateral support for side to side movements. But there is not enough cushioning for the high impact moves, nor is there enough room in the toe box for anything on you toes. Thus, after just 20 min of use my toes were going numb. We don't do much twirling so I cannot attest to this shoe's performance on that. I usually wear a 6.5 with average width in workout/walking/hiking shoes. These fit fine length wise. I really hoped that this shoe would work, it has a very sleek look and isn't too outrageous in color (I purchased the teal/silver). I even returned one pair & bought another in hopes that it was just a fluke that the toe box was restrictive. But as other customers have mentioned the toe box is a problem. The upper material is very stiff & compresses the top of the toe box when pushing off - which seemed ok when walking around the house but, as mentioned above, became a toe-numbing problem during full fledged workout/aerobics. I'm finding it very difficult to find a well cushioned shoe with good mid foot support (as far as I can tell this is the only "training/dance" shoe Ryka makes with the n-gage midfoot design) and that provides lateral stability. At this point I've tried 7 different models/styles of shoes and have yet to find what I need. Unfortunately the Ryka Influence did not make the cut. These shoes are going back.

I am sadly returning this shoe. It fits beautifullly but I bought it for Zumba and dancing and the bottom is so sticky that there is no "swivel". The shoe just sticks to the floor. If you feel the disk on the bottom, it is the same material as the rest of the bottom. It's supposed to be a slick harder material. I'll be trying something else.

I used to love, love, love Ryka shoes....but the toe box stinks on this style and the former one I bought and gave away! And its not like I have big toes. Seriously. They are comfortable beyond belief except for the Toe Box. I bought these as the reviews said they had a wide toe box. My big toes on both feet hurt just walking around the house and I sized up a full size. Unless you have really narrow feet, don't buy these. I''m stuck with them as I wore them outside. :(

Toe box too low

I also purchased the Ryka Devotion shoe and I love it (but be careful, there is a good Devotion shoe and a flimsy one). This shoe was a good size smaller than the Devotion and offered none of the awesome comfort. I need a lot of cushioning due to arthritis in my knees. I do NOT recommend these. I wonder what is up with Ryka. Some shoes are fantastic and some are useless.

Within 6 weeks of active indoor only use, the sole was peeling off the bottom of the shoe. They were comfortable and cute but they don't hold up, and for the price, they should. I carry and change shoes once I get to the gym to protect the pivot points, etc., There was no reason for this type of product failure. Save your money and buy something else. I have owned 2 other pairs of dance sneakers and have never had this happen!

Very comfortable shoe. But I've worn it out after several years. Re-ordering the same thing!

Love Ryka shoes & these fit like a dream. Great for a narrow foot.

Very good for me