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Thinking about scooping some shoes from APL but not sure if it’s going to be worth it? Let me enlighten you. I own a bunch of different APL sneakers and will tell you the good and bad about them all, and which ones are my favorite.

APL Video Review

What is APL?

APL, or Athletic Propulsion Labs, is a footwear brand started by Adam and Ryan Goldston in March 2009. Adam and Ryan were athletes at USC who built a shoe that was actually banned by the NBA because the performance was like a cheat code for athletes, pretty impressive if you ask me. From there, they decided to be leaders in the world of luxury performance footwear, and I think they most certainly did that. You can buy them through their site, but they’re also sold at a lot of high-end retail locations. Their shoes are super attractive but come with a fairly high price tag.

What I Tested?

I haven’t tried every pair of APL sneakers, but I’ve got a nice collection going. Here’s a quick breakdown on each shoe and what I like and dislike about them.

• Men’s Joggers
• Men’s TechLoom Zipline
• Men’s Nostalgia ’87
• APL HySpeed
• Men’s TechLoom Wave
• Men’s Euphoria

APL Product Reviews

APL Men’s Joggers Review

These are currently my go-to sneakers. I have been wearing the APL Joggers on repeat this summer and going into the fall. They are very comfortable but also incredibly stylish, which I love. I get so many compliments on these sneakers, and they complete all of my outfits. Great with a pair of jeans and a heavyweight tee and hat, which is kind of my go-to look right now. You can obviously wear them with sweatpants or joggers too. I’ve got these bad boys in white with a gum sole, but I loved them so much I had to get a second pair in the Beach / Alabaster / Ivory color, which was one of my favorite summer shoes for 2025.

APL Men’s TechLoom Zipline

The TechLoom Zipline is probably my most versatile pair. These can be worn to the gym and for running, but they’re also great for travel, going out, and everything in between. I always bring these on quick trips when I don’t want to pack a bunch of shoes. I’ve worn them to football games, meetings with clients, and to the gym. Plus, they are so, so comfortable, probably the most comfortable shoes I own. Love, love, love these.

Men’s Nostalgia ’87

Chunky sneakers are in right now, and these are my top choice when I’m looking for that chunky sneaker look. These things are super throwback retro. I got the ivory and greige color and love them. Throw on a pair of straight-fit or baggy jeans and a shirt jacket for a simple but trendy, stylish look.

APL HySpeed

These things are soooooo hype. When I’m going for a streetwear look, these are my go-to. For $495 though, these babies are the most costly on the list, so I do everything I can to treat them well. I only bust these out for special occasions, like if I’m getting dinner with one of the NFL athletes I work with or if I’m going to a really exclusive event where athletes and other influencers are wearing street style as the norm. They’re super comfy too, and the parchment colorway I think is sick af. The price is pretty wild in my eyes, so if you don’t got it like that, you might want to stick with the Joggers or the Ziplines which are more versatile.

Men’s TechLoom Wave

So I’ve obviously been glazing APL pretty hard at this point, so coming back to earth with this one. Of all the APL shoes I own, these are the ones I wear the least. It’s not that they’re bad by any means, they’re just very low cut and the design to me isn’t the most flattering for outfits other than running fits, in my opinion. That said, they are a solid pair of running shoes, which is what they’re designed for. They’re very light and snug and have a firm sole that gives good support. I like how the laces tuck under the lip of the shoe for a clean look and keep the laces snug and out of the way when running. Good shoes but just in comparison to the others, they end up on the bottom of the list for me.

Men’s Euphoria

This is one of the newest pairs in my collection and one of their most recent releases. These are like a combo of the Zipline and TechLoom Wave for me. They’re super comfy and great for workouts, but also stylish enough to wear out and about. These are a very well-crafted pair of shoes.

Conclusion, Are APL Sneakers Worth Buying?

So overall, here’s the story with APL: they are very expensive in my eyes, so if you have the money, go for it, because all their stuff is awesome. They are absolutely worth it. You’ll get a ton of compliments, you’ll be swaggy, they look sick, comfy, durable, they’re legit. That said, if you’re on a budget, you probably want to stick to one or two pairs. If you’re only going with one pair, I’d say the TechLoom Zipline is the best bang for your buck and the most versatile. The second pair you should get is the Joggers, they’re an awesome lifestyle pair that works for many occasions and outfits. I’d go with any of the white or ivory colorways for versatility. Pro tip: get them waterproofed. You can buy some product yourself or go to DSW and they’ll do it for like $8. With how much you’re spending here, I’d definitely recommend doing that. Also, another big pro tip would be to head over to our APL discount codes page to find the best price.

APL Shoes FAQs

Do APL shoes run true to size?

From my experience all of their stuff runs true to size. I wear size 10 and got everything in size 10 and it all fits me perfectly.

Are APL Shoes good for running?

I think the TechLoom Wave, TechLoom Zipline, and Euphoria are all great running shoes. Very comfortable and supportive in my opinion. That said, I’m not running marathons or anything like that, so if you’re doing a lot of long-distance runs, I’ll be honest, I’m not going to be able to provide the best feedback on that. Also, I don’t like running outside too much in these because they’re so nice and stylish, I try not to get them too beat up or dirty.

How do you clean APL shoes?

Well, I start off by trying not to get them very dirty lol. But when I do, it’s pretty simple. I just take a wet paper towel or sometimes even a wet wipe and give them a quick rub around the outside of the sole, then dab any areas that got scuffed or dirty just to remove the dirt. That’s about it, keep it simple.