The Ryka Kinetic Training Shoe is a great, lightweight shoe for all your favorite cross-training activities. Made exclusively for women, this shoe will help you get fit in comfort and style.
This post is sponsored by Ryka.
Welcome to another great Fit & Fashionable Friday and a lovely holiday weekend! Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a new-to-me shoe company: Ryka.
I first discovered Ryka while browsing through all the booths at the IDEA World Fitness Convention Expo. Annmarie and I were drawn in by these cushy sandals and ended up chatting with their VP of Licensing and Marketing for a good half hour. He told us all about the company, which I was surprised to learn has been around for over 25 years! How had I never heard of them before? Here’s a little background on Ryka:
- Ryka is an athletic footwear company that designs products exclusively for women.
- Everything they create is designed by women, so they really consider how the shape of a woman’s foot, her muscle movement and skeletal structure differ from that of a man and what women want out of a performance shoe.
- They are all about female empowerment and women supporting women. How cool is that?!
I left with a wealth of knowledge, we exchanged business cards and a few weeks later, a gorgeous pair of Ryka Kinetics arrived at my doorstep! I immediately put them on and gave them a go during some cross-training workouts. Allow me to share the results!
THE LOOK
Love. The Aqua/Ink Blue/Mint color scheme is right up my alley. Blue isn’t my favorite color, but somehow, almost all of my sneakers end up being in this color family, and I dig it.
THE FIT
Since these shoes are designed for women, they have a narrower heel and a roomier toe box. I like my shoes to be a bit wider in the toe, so this is perfect. They also have just the right amount of cushioning. Unfortunately, the shoes seem to run a wee bit small as my big toe was hitting the front of the shoe, so I’d suggest going half a size larger than you usually do.
THE FUNCTION
These shoes have great traction! I did a kickboxing workout in them and despite all the jumping and kicking, my feet didn’t slip around on the wood floors of my apartment. The bottom of the shoes are built for moving around quiet a bit and even have a special pivot point.
Ryka has an awesome variety of shoes – from pairs built for cross training (like these) to running shoes, walking shoes and casual everyday shoes. I still have my eye on those cushy sandals. I think they’ll come in handy after I run 48.6 miles in January! They are on sale right now…
And now it’s time to add your fit & fashionable posts to the link up! Remember, anything fitness or fashion related (or both!) is fair game. Check out the full link up rules here and be sure to visit some of the other linker uppers.
Let’s Chat:
Have you heard of Ryka?
Do most of your shoes end up being a certain color?
Should I buy those sandals?
Never heard of Ryka! I’m looking for nice, comfy sandals so I might have to check them out!
Michelle recently posted…Summer Shrimp Salad
The sandals looks amazing!
Big surprise… most of my shoes end up pink… but sometimes I try to shake it up 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Clean Eating & Vegetarian Recipes for Labor Day
Love pink, too! 🙂 I have a lot of pink tops, but no pink shoes… yet!
I really like the looks of these! I do not wear my running shoes for cross training and I need a new pair. How do you think the sizing is? thanks for the linkup
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…5 Fall Races To Run
They run a little small. I could use a half size bigger than usual (8.5 vs an 8).
I seriously adore the color of these shoes, they definitely scream your name! Ps. We need to invest in their cushy sandals!
Annmarie recently posted…Foodie Friday: Berry Beetiful Smoothie Bowl
yes we do!
I haven’t ventured outside a mostly white shoe.
Cassi recently posted…Super Heroine Fitness Week 5
Oh I love my colors!
Nice review! I have never heard of this company either but I like the fact that they design shoes for women’s feet! I am checking out those sandals!!!!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Be a Planner with Stitch Fix!
I want the sandals so bad! I should just bite the bullet and get them!
I love the color of these. I first heard of these shoes by Kelly Ripa back in the day. It’s cool that they’ve evolved so much.
Ivanna recently posted…How to Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals
So funny! I hope they’re making a come back!
This brand is new to me as well. I’m looking for a new pair of running shoes. Maybe I’ll check these out 🙂 Thanks for the thorough review!
Amanda recently posted…13.1 Things No One Told You About Training for a Half Marathon
No problem! I haven’t tried their running shoes, but I’m sure they’re great.
I love the look of these. I’m in desperate need for some cross training shoes.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…FYI Friday – The Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with Negative Body Image
They’re cute, huh?!
I’m looking for a new running shoe actually! Love the glam and hardcore look of Nikes, but I think they aren’t the best for my foot/ the runs I’m trying to improve on. Will definitely check Ryka out thanks Nicole 🙂
I love the look of Nikes, too, but they’re too narrow for me 🙁
Great review lady! I love the color of these too! I usually end up with pink! I need some cross-training shoes as well, and need a lot of support in the arch and ankle. I will have to check these and the sandals out.
Thanks for the linkup! 🙂
Angelena Marie recently posted…Wild Workout Wednesday + September Goals & AM Fit Girls + Killer Abs Workout
I think they have some good pink ones. 🙂
I think you need those sandals (you’re welcome).
A lot of my fitness stuff is pink or turquoise ’cause I’m one of those moms who doesn’t buy much for themselves so most of my gear were gifts my daughter picked out. Her favorite color has switched from pink to turquoise so that’s what I have:-)
Kristen recently posted…Fitness Friday- Slow and Steady
haha I do! I’d take colorful gifts any time 🙂
I remember Ryka being a thing in the 90s..looks like they’re having a comeback!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…7 things about me and #7day stretch #LiveinPrana Instagram Challenge
I keep hearing that! I hope so 🙂
I definitely missed that booth! Such pretty shoes and how cool that they are all designed by women. Thank you for sharing more about this brand!
Those sandals drew me in haha. I love the message they are trying to spread.
These are super cute!! I’ve never heard of this brand before either, and I like to think I’m fairly knowledgeable in the running shoe world 😉 That pivot point looks super interesting too!
Ariana recently posted…5 Tips for Endurance Athletes on a Plant-Based Diet [Guest Post]
It’s pretty cool. I didn’t slip around at all.
Great review! I have tried Ryka in the past but they just don’t work for me with running, I would try them for cross training.
I haven’t tried their running shoes, but these are pretty good – a little small but otherwise good.
I only recently found out about them too! and was also surprised that they have been around for so long. These shoes are cute!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…I Ran 17 Miles!
Yea I had no idea they’ve been around for so long!
I really like the look of them!
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More recently posted…She’s a Senior!
Thanks, Shay!
Hey Nicole, these are cute. I wore Ryka’s exclusively when I first started working out. Loved them. You are right, they do seem to run a bit smaller.
oh neat! Do you still use them?
I’ve never heard of Ryka before. These shoes look awesome!
Lara recently posted…Fitness Friday: Booty Blastin’ Workout
I hadn’t either, but apparently they’ve been around forever and were huge in the 90s! Making a comeback! haha
I’ve never heard of this brand before. Thanks for introducing me!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon Training Log – Week 18
No problem! I hope you check them out 🙂
I only recently found out about them too! and was also surprised that they have been around for so long. These shoes are cute!
Randall Richards recently posted…12 Top Best Shoes for Kickboxing (2019 UPDATED)