I moved to Los Angeles almost nine years ago, and quickly discovered one crucial thing: Angelenos wear athleisure ev-ery-where. And I’m not talking hikes and errand runs; Here, it’s even acceptable to wear comfy attire to dine at five-star restaurants. The secret to keep the look from dipping into territory that’s too casual? A super fashionable pair of sneakers.
Of course, I had to find a few pairs of sneakers to up my casual wardrobe game. In the past year, I’ve seen the same three letters pop up over and over—APL. The acronym, in case you aren’t familiar (because I definitely wasn’t), stands for Athletic Propulsion Labs. My eyes alighted on the brand’s color-blocked Techloom Bliss ($220) slip-on sneakers months ago, spurring me to purchase them and see if they were as comfortable as so many celebs (like Kourtney Kardashian and Oprah) have made them out to be. And thank goodness for that, because they’ve quickly become my favorite sneakers for everything from daily walks to long travel days.
About the APL Techloom Bliss Sneakers
For starters, these slip-on sneakers are incredibly lightweight. They’re only 6.8 ounces, making them the brand’s lightest running shoes to date. Even though they’re slip-ons, they’re actually designed for running, thanks to an 8mm drop from the heel to the forefoot. (I personally don’t run in them, since a bad ankle break years back relegated me to a lifetime of wearing more comfortable shoes.)
APL TechLoom Bliss — $220.00
Available sizes: 5-11, in half sizes
Materials: High-elastic TechLoom upper, Propelium midsole, rubber outsole
Colors: 86
- Slip-on style
- Machine-washable
- Available in a wide variety of sizes and colors
- No break-in period
- Made from 100% vegan materials
- Expensive
- Prices/availability may vary based on color and sizes
The upper is crafted in a seamless TechLoom knit that moves with you, complete with a custom-milled satin elastic strap across the top that helps keep the shoes in place. The midsoles are made of a special, streamlined material called Propelium, which breaks down less quickly than the foam that fills most shock-absorbent shoes, and the rubber outsole has a forefoot crash pad for better shock absorption. Plus, they’re designed for quick ingress and egress (the brand’s fancy way of saying slipping on and off).
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In case you like buying in multiples, APL’s got you covered there, too. These sneakers come in a whopping 86 different color combinations! Pink, blue, silver, black, animal print—the sky’s the limit. The shoes are 100 percent vegan, and they’re even machine washable, so you can just toss them in for a quick clean after runs and hikes.
My honest review of APL’s Techloom Bliss sneakers
If you’re thinking that spending $220 on a pair of sneakers sounds excessive, don’t worry—I was right there with you before I tried them for myself. If I’m being honest, I actually bought them in a kid’s size 4 and saved $100—I’m a size 6, so I’m lucky enough to be able to do that. However, I fell in love with them so immediately and wholeheartedly that I fully endorse the expensive price tag.
While many colors caught my eye, I eventually settled on the Anthracite/Beach/White color blocked style, since it was neutral enough to complement most of my clothes. I unboxed them, oohed and ahhed, and slipped them on my feet. More oohs and ahhs instantly commenced since the seamless fit felt like a hug for my feet. The real test came, though, when I took them out for my daily two-mile walk.
When I arrived home, I discovered that my feet felt as good as they had before I’d set out (maybe even better?). There was no break-in period at all—I experienced zero blisters and pain, and my ankle felt very supported. While other sneakers tend to rub off the skin on my toes or heels, my feet stayed in prime condition throughout multiple miles.
These slip-on sneakers are incredibly cushy and comfortable even when walking up hills and on uneven ground. I’ve since trekked multiple miles around Los Angeles wearing them, and have even worn them on flights to Cleveland and Las Vegas. Each time has not only made my feet feel blissful beyond belief, but they’ve garnered tons of compliments, too. In fact, I walked into my mom’s house on a recent trip home to Ohio with them on my feet and the first words out of her mouth were, “I love your shoes!” (I mean, hello to you, too, Mom.)
Final thoughts
I haven’t been able to stop wearing these slip-on sneakers since I bought them, which basically means the cost per wear has gone way down in only six months. I’m not the only one singing their praises, either. “I love these shoes,” writes one reviewer who owns them in two colors. “They’re so comfortable to wear all day.” Another reviewer claims they’re “super comfortable from day one—no breaking in, blisters, or raw heels. Perfect for travel or going through security when you’re in and out of shoes, all while looking stylish and comfortable.”
While the APL Techloom Bliss sneakers certainly aren’t cheap, they are absolutely worth the investment. They’re so soft and supportive, and they mold perfectly to my feet while the knit fabric lets them breathe. Plus, I can wear them out to fancy restaurants and on long plane rides with the same casual-meets-cool flair. My only problem is that now I want to buy at least 10 more pairs. I should do it, right? (Right!)
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