NOBULL’s Journey 2 is a Versatile Everyday Trainer that Pairs Performance and Casual Appeal
The NOBULL Journey 2 offers blends a high-performing midsole and comfortable upper with stylish flair.
The NOBULL Journey 2 blends a high-performing midsole and comfortable upper with stylish flair.
We’re at an interesting time in the running shoe world, in which the latest crop of shoes not only are made to run well but also to have a casual look and vibe meant to draw mainstream appeal.
The NOBULL Journey 2 is a prime example of a shoe that nails both.
Running shoes have been the everyday shoe of choice for Americans for years—that’s evident in what the majority of people can be seen wearing in an airport, in a mall, at the grocery store—but as running and running shoes have both surged in popularity since the end of the Covid pandemic, brands are leaning into both top-tier performance materials but also sleek silhouettes and lifestyle-driven colorways. It’s a dual-pronged approach that has given high-performing running shoes a broader aesthetic appeal that fits seamlessly into everyday style.
The Journey 2 blends everything you’d expect from a versatile, high-mileage training shoe—a comfortable fit, with responsive cushioning, stability and durability—with the clean lines and sharp aesthetics of an everyday casual shoe.
The bottom line? After a decade in the footwear business during which it’s become known for its shoes made for the gym and casual wear, NOBULL has delivered its best running shoe yet. It’s built with a comfort-first approach, but it equally combines performance and style in this vast overhaul from the original Journey running shoe.
What’s New: The NOBULL Journey 2 represents a clear shift from the original edition of the Journey with a more comfort-first, lifestyle-friendly design and a softer, more cushioned, performance-oriented ride. It adds an upgraded engineered knit upper, improved step-in feel, a Molded OrthOlite sockliner, and gusseted tongue interior/bootie construction for an enhanced fit and feel. The softer, more dynamic compression molded EVA midsole, TPU heel clip and sculpted sidewalls all contribute to a more stable ride.
Price: $150 $120 (On sale this week for 20 percent off!)
Approximate Weights: 8.9 oz (women’s 8); 10.6 oz. (men’s 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm; 33.5mm (heel), 27.5mm (forefoot)
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Journey 2 fits true to size, but with a narrow/medium interior volume. There is a somewhat snug feeling in tip of the toe box, but the soft, pliable upper keeps the shape of the forefoot from being uncomfortable. (You might consider going a half-size up.) The step-in feel is plush, thanks to the fully gusseted padded tongue and lacing system cinching down smoothly and comfortably without any pinch points.
The ride is moderately soft, very smooth and surprisingly stable. The compression molded EVA midsole has enough softness to allow the Journey 2 to easily roll from heel to toe, but, also a bit of vibrant energy return as you roll to the toe-off portion of a stride. And thanks to the shoe’s wide footprint and the shape of the midsole, it also has enough structure to keep you from rolling inward.
Kyle: “NOBULL nails it with the Journey 2. The brand takes athletes out of the gym and onto the trail with their first real running shoe release. Out of the box, you can tell that this shoe has what it takes to handle more than walks and jogs around the neighborhood. For starters, they bulked up the midsole with plush foam that reminds me of a few of my favorite everyday trainers from HOKA or Brooks. The fit and feel back it up. The upper is a breathable knit that feels sock-like when you slip in. When you start striding, you notice solid support in the heel and sockliner, giving you confidence on every step. After a few runs, The Journey 2 is definitely making it into my spring shoe rotation.
Brian: “I really think this shoe can compete with the best everyday training shoes on the market. If you’ve been training in recent versions of the Nike Pegasus, Brooks Ghost, Hoka Clifton or Saucony Ride, you might be surprised at how good the NOBULL Journey 2 fits, feels and rides.”
Why It’s Great: It’s great because it’s a do-everything everyday trainer that could be the only shoe in your quiver if you’re training for a 5K to a marathon. The midsole straddles the line between semi-soft and semi-firm, allowing it to provide optimal shock absorption and a bit of springy energy return in every stride. It doesn’t have the overwhelming pop of some modern training shoes, but for an unplated everyday trainer it definitely contributes to your forward momentum.
Brian: “I found the Journey 2 to be extremely comfortable and also versatile enough to be an everyday training ideal for the rigors half-marathon and marathon training. While its sweet spot is definitely in the Zone 2-Zone 3 pace zones, it’s much more than a comfy cruiser. I put the hammer down and ran these shoes at tempo pace and they responded smoothly and effortlessly.”
Why You’ll Love It: The Journey 2 is extremely comfortable and it also has an aesthetic charm with mainstream style, a combination that makes it appealing as both a legitimate marathon training model and a casual lifestyle shoe. There have been many brands that have tried to do both (Allbirds, Veja, Hoka, On) but hitting the modern measure of casual style is tough. NOBULL has a decade of refining its lifestyle vibe and now has hit the performance running details.
Kyle: “Like NOBULL’s other footwear models, the Journey 2 is stylish and versatile enough to slip on for a visit to the coffee shop or for a casual dinner after a workout. (Just be careful if you get the all-white model. Tough to keep those looking fresh!)
Why You Might Not Like It: If you’re looking for a higher-performing running shoe, you might not appreciate the modest energy return from the Journey 2 midsole.
Pros: The mesh upper is very accommodating and extremely breathable. Plus, aside from the great fit, comfort, and performance of the Journey 2, it’s available in eight colorways for men and nine for women.
Kyle: “A little touch I’ve appreciated is the light reflectors on the heel and laces. If you’re a night or sunrise runner, you’ll take all the illumination you can get.”
Cons: It weighs a tiny bit more than some everyday trainers and lacks some of the hyper-responsive energy return of others.
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