While On Earth Rhythm Runner Review: No bench player here

Introduction to the While On Earth Rhythm Runner

BRADY: This isn’t my first rodeo with a While On Earth shoe. In fact, it’s my second rodeo. Earlier this year, I had the chance to review the brand’s Move Trainer and noted that the lifting shoe would be best paired with a dedicated running shoe.

Well, now we have that pairing, and the brand led by NFL running back Christian McCaffrey is officially in the open field. Does its first true daily trainer, the Rhythm Runner, get the start, or will it be sitting on the bench?

What we like about the While On Earth Rhythm Runner

BRADY: Aside from a pair of slides and a high-top leather trainer, the Move Trainer and Rhythm Runner are the two shoes available from While On Earth. I appreciate that there aren’t any conflicting products here, so from a consumer perspective, purchasing from the brand is simple: for lifting, you have the Move Trainer; for running, you have the Rhythm Runner.

Unlike its sibling with upwards of 16 colorways, the Rhythm Runner has only three colorways, and they’re all pretty sleek. My colorway is the all-white version, which I always like, and makes for a shoe I’d wear casually (though let’s be real, I’m typically wearing a “barefoot” shoe day-to-day).

The biggest win for the Rhythm Runner has to be the fit. Though it’s not a traditionally anatomical toe box like an Altra, I had no blisters or hot spots on my runs in my typical US M10. I could throw this into a rotation without compromising the skin on my toes, which is a big plus for me. The upper is simple and comfortable, though there are some elements there that I might touch on in the next section.

On the run, the Rhythm Runner has a pronounced rocker, which makes sense given its 10mm drop. That’s definitely higher than I’m used to, but I didn’t mind it and felt like I was moving through my stride efficiently. As I write this, I am returning to running after a month off with rhabdomyolysis, so all of my runs are easy (slog) runs at the moment. Still, I looked forward to my runs in the Rhythm Runner, but I was also just happy to be running, so that could be either a meaningful anecdote or a complete placebo — take your pick.

The high drop and 36.5mm of stack height in the heel of the relatively cushioned supercritical EVA underfoot made for what I can only describe as a pretty good ride akin to a standard daily trainer — think Brooks Ghost or equivalent.

What we don’t like about the While On Earth Rhythm Runner

BRADY: If you’ve read any of our reviews before, you’ll notice I left out a key part of the shoe: the outsole. While On Earth certainly didn’t leave it out on the Rhythm Runner, though, because there is a ton of thick rubber coverage. On their site, they note that the shoe can be used for turf workouts and sled sessions, as well as running, which helps narrow the audience to “hybrid” folks, but the clear tradeoff with so much rubber is that it makes the trainer heavier.

Also, my US M10.5 came in at 11.11 ounces, which makes it heavier than other gym-focused daily trainers I could pick up, like the $150 Adidas Dropset Pro I’m currently testing.

The outsole isn’t the only source of weight, either; there are some pretty hefty details around the heel and toe of the upper that feel slightly unnecessary and only add to the overall weight. The tongue comes up a little high and also has some leather elements that could be replaced with durable mesh to keep weight down without sacrificing comfort or ride quality.

I’ve run in shoes (albeit in different training categories) such as the 361 Miro Nude 2, which takes weight so seriously that it doesn’t even include an insole. While a daily trainer doesn’t need to go that hard, I think the opposite is true here — everything adds weight, and I don’t need a thick suede logo on the heel if it means the shoe will weigh more than the competition.

Final thoughts on the While On Earth Rhythm Runner

BRADY: The Rhythm Runner is a daily trainer that will last for many miles and cross-training sessions due to its quality construction from the upper to the outsole. Although it might be a bit heavier, I don’t think it’s meant for long runs, so I think it’s a pretty normal tradeoff if you’re using it for what it’s intended to do. Due to the pretty aggressive drop and rocker shape, I actually didn’t notice the weight too much. I only used it for midweek runs of up to 5 miles, so if you’re wearing this for 10-mile runs and beyond, it might be more noticeable.

Overall, I’ve been pretty pleased with the combo that While On Earth offers. At $160 for the Rhythm Runner, you’re in line with other daily trainers like the aforementioned Brooks Ghost or Nike Vomero, but you know you’re getting a bulletproof, attractive shoe that’s more accommodating in the toe box. Nothing about it is “Earth” shattering, but if you’re looking for a daily trainer that can also handle heavy sled pushes, this could be a good pick that supports a newer brand.

You can pick up the While On Earth Rhythm Runner for $160 from While On Earth by using the buttons below.