Lems ZENSPEED+ Review: A Foot-Shaped Road Shoe That Doesn't Stop at the Pavement
We ran over 100 miles in this 5 mm drop, wide-toe-box shoe on roads, gravel, and dirt across Colorado and Utah.
October 7, 2026
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Our verdict
The Lems ZENSPEED+ is a comfortable and lightweight road running shoe that applies Lems' natural foot-shape principles to running.
Like other Lems shoes, they put your foot in a more natural position while you run. They come in two widths, have a wide toe box, and a 5 mm heel-to-toe drop. The midsole feels responsive, yet grounded, with a full-coverage rubber outsole that grips better than most road running shoes.
I tested the ZENSPEED+ while running on pavement, gravel, and dirt roads in Colorado and Utah during the summer and early fall. I’ve put over 100 miles on them so far, in conditions ranging from hot, dry summer afternoons in Denver to cooler 50-degree fall mornings in Moab and Escalante, Utah. I’ve worn them on purely pavement runs and longer runs that start on pavement but lead to dirt roads and smooth singletrack trails. These aren’t a trail shoe or even a “gravel” shoe, but they work well on a variety of surfaces, as long as you aren’t trying to get too rowdy. They’re also a great option for everyday wear, walking, travel, light hiking, and gym use.
The ZENSPEED+ are extremely comfortable everyday running shoes. They have a cork insole that’s very comfortable and grips the bottom of your feet better than foam insoles, even if your feet are sweaty. After using this cork footbed, I honestly wish every insole was like this.
The ZENSPEED+ aren't high-tech, and they don't try to be, but that’s why I like them so much. They aren't the fastest, and they don't have the most cushion. But they’ll be plenty fast for everyday training runs, long runs, and speed workouts, and the responsive EVA and PEBA midsole gives plenty of cushion and energy return as you stride.
Lems ZENSPEED+
Men's
Women's
The biggest downside is that these shoes aren’t for everyone. If you prefer max-cushion, bouncy running shoes, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a shoe with a rocker that makes you feel like you’re floating on clouds down the road, these are not the shoes for that. I don’t see this as a downside, because a shoe that encourages a more natural stride matters for building and maintaining overall foot strength, among other benefits. However, that might not be how you feel about running shoes. Fortunately, we have guides to women’s running shoes and road running shoes for men if you’re looking for a different style.
If you're looking for an all-around running shoe that bucks many modern, maximalist running-shoe trends, I think the Lems ZENSPEED+ is a great option.
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Lems ZENSPEED+ Road Running Shoes specifications
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 31-26 mm
Lugs: 0 mm
Upper: Engineered Mesh
Midsole: EVA & 10% PEBA ZENCELL Midsole
Outsole: 3.5 mm super-light floating rubber
Weight (pair): 1 lb, 2.8 oz (men’s); 14.8 oz (women's)
Comparison table
| RUNNING SHOE | MSRP | WEIGHT (MEN'S) | WEIGHT (WOMEN'S) | CUSHION | STABILITY | DROP | STACK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lems ZENSPEED+ Men's Women's |
$175 | 1 lb, 2.8 oz | 14.8 oz | Moderate | Neutral | 5 mm | 31 - 26 mm |
| Altra Experience Flow 3 Men's Women's |
$145 | 1 lb, 2.0 oz | 15.0 oz | Moderate | Neutral | 4 mm | 32 - 28 mm |
| HOKA Mach 7 Men's Women's |
$145 | 1 lb, 0.7 oz | 14.3 oz | Moderate | Neutral | 5 mm | 37 - 32 mm (men's), 36 - 31 mm (women's) |
| Altra Torin 9 Men's Women's |
$160 | 1 lb, 3.6 oz | 1 lb, 0.1 oz | Moderate | Neutral | 0 mm | 28 mm |
Best for
Everyday training runs
Long-distance running
Runners who prefer a mid or lower heel-to-toe drop
Mixed pavement and gravel runs
Walking
Working out
What we liked
Lightweight
Comfortable
Wide toe box and natural foot shape
Cork insole prevents your foot from sliding
Springy midsole that still feels natural
What could be better
Not the best for rough dirt roads
Some might not love the look
Needs transition time if you are accustomed to highly cushioned running shoes
How we tested
I tested the Lems ZENSPEED+ while running on paved roads, dirt roads, gravel roads, and smooth singletrack trails in Colorado and Utah during the summer and early fall. I also wore them while walking around, working out, and during daily life.
I tested the Lems ZENSPEED+ while running in Denver, Colorado, in the summertime. There, I wore them in temperatures ranging from 50 to 100 degrees, on paved roads, sidewalks, and bike paths, and on dirt trails through city parks. I also wore them on dirt and paved roads in Colorado’s Arkansas Valley, near Leadville, Buena Vista, and Salida. Those runs were mostly on dirt roads, with paved highways when needed. I also used them in southern Utah, near Escalante and Moab, on paved roads and dirt roads.
Over three months of testing, I ran over 100 miles in these shoes. Most of my running was in dry conditions, but I occasionally ran on wet pavement and dirt surfaces. I also tested the ZENSPEED+ alongside several other road running shoes and gravel running shoes.
Performance in the field
Fit and Comfort
The ZENSPEED+ running shoes are comfortable right out of the box. When I received my test pair, I put them on to check the fit, then immediately went on an 8-mile run with no issues.
I tested them in size 10 wide, and they don’t feel too loose or sloppy through the midfoot. I typically wear a men’s size 9.5, but I’ve worn other Lems shoes in size 10.
If you're trying Lems shoes for the first time, pay attention to the width options. The ZENSPEED+ comes in D width, similar to the original Lems wide fit, and a narrower B width, which Lems calls medium. I find the wide size feels similar to the Altra Torin or Altra Timp—wider through the toe box but narrower through the midfoot and heel than the Altra Lone Peak. I expect the B width version fits similarly to the women’s version of these shoes, too.
The heel cup locks the back of my foot in place. And the roomy toe box prevents my toes from rubbing against each other during long, hot runs. The longest run I’ve completed with these shoes is 15 miles, and I’ve had no issues with discomfort or chafing.
They have a cork insole that is more comfortable than the insoles in most running shoes. It feels firmer than the soft foam insole commonly found in running shoes, yet still provides enough cushioning without feeling mushy. This insole grips the bottom of your foot better than a typical insole with a knit surface. The cork doesn’t get slippery as your feet sweat, and it doesn’t seem to stink as much as some insoles do either.
Fit in Toe Box
The ZENSPEED+ has a wide toe box. It isn’t so wide that your foot slides around, but it is wide enough for your toes to splay naturally. They don’t have quite as wide a toe box as the Altra Lone Peak or Olympus, but they feel about as wide as the Altra Torin 8, for reference.
Fit in Midfoot
The midfoot fits my wider-than-average foot well, without so much room that my foot slides around, but also not too tight.
The laces attach to the engineered mesh upper. The tongue attaches to the midsole with elastic strips that wrap around your midfoot. I find I don’t have to tighten these shoes as much as I’d expect, and they still hold my foot in place.
Fit in Heel Cup
The ZENSPEED+ have a padded ankle collar and heel cup that keeps your heel locked in place. They have a second set of eyelets for the heel-lock lacing technique, but I find these shoes hold my heel in place without any special lacing patterns.
Midsole and Cushioning
The ZENSPEED+ has 31 mm of stack in the heel and 26 mm in the forefoot, with a 5 mm drop. You might think of Lems as a zero-drop shoe brand, but they intentionally designed these shoes with a 5 mm drop so they’re more approachable for average runners.
The midsole uses 90% EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) and 10% PEBA (Polyether Block Amide). EVA is the foam most commonly used in running shoe midsoles, and PEBA, common in “super shoes,” adds extra bounce.
The cork insole provides a subtle amount of extra cushioning as well. Much like a Birkenstock sandal, which has a cork midsole, the cork insole in the ZENSPEED+ will conform to your foot over time, making it more comfortable as they break in.
This foam combination feels responsive yet grounded. It's not a soft, bouncy midsole, and it doesn't have the most cushion. But it’s very comfortable and has a lot more bounce than a minimalist shoe.
Level of cushioning compared to other road shoes
Compared to other trail and road running shoes, the ZENSPEED+ has average cushioning. They have about as much cushion as low-stack models, such as the Altra Experience Flow 3 (32-28 mm) and Altra Torin 8 (30 mm zero drop).
They're much less cushioned than shoes with 37+ mm of stack height, such as the HOKA Clifton 10 (42-34 mm men’s) or the On Cloudsurfer (37-28 mm). They also have less heel-to-toe drop than these models.
Impact absorption and energy return
The ZENSPEED+ midsole absorbs impact while providing a quick, snappy return. They have less heel-to-toe drop than many road running shoes, but the extra 5 mm of heel cushioning is enough to cushion your footfall if you strike with your heel first.
These shoes don’t feel mushy or like you’re running on a cloud. The midsole feels firm and light on impact, yet provides a subtle, predictable bounce that keeps your feet moving forward as you push off the ground.
On longer runs over pavement, they provide enough cushion for most people. However, newbie runners or those accustomed to higher-stack shoes, such as the HOKA Clifton or On Cloudsurfer, should gradually increase the distance they run in the ZENSPEED+ so their feet can adjust to the lower stack and cushion. The ZENSPEED+ is a great option to add to a running shoe rotation, but the medium cushion and lower stack height might take some getting used to.
Stability
The ZENSPEED+ are very stable. I’ve run in these shoes on pavement, gravel, and dirt surfaces. They feel firm and planted on the ground beneath you, even when that ground is uneven. They aren’t as grippy as a trail shoe designed for off-road use, but they feel much more stable than many road running shoes do on off-camber ground.
As an aside, in the running shoe world, a “stability shoe” is designed to support the foot and reduce excessive inward rolling, known as overpronation. The ZENSPEED+ isn't a stability shoe in that sense—it’s a neutral shoe.
Support
The ZENSPEED+ is a neutral support shoe. It isn’t designed to prevent overpronation, but it provides more support than a minimalist shoe.
Arch support
It has a minimal cork insole that provides subtle arch support, and the contoured midsole supports your arch. Overall, this shoe doesn’t provide as much arch support as some running shoes because it allows natural foot flexion.
Lateral Support
The ZENSPEED+ has excellent lateral support. The mesh upper and comfortable laces keep your foot firmly in position as you push off to either side.
Some running shoes feel like they're about to tip over during sharp lateral movements, but the ZENSPEED+ sits lower to the ground, with an upper that keeps your foot in place. This makes them ideal for workouts, speed work with sharp cuts, and other activities that don’t involve simply running forward.
Ride
The ZENSPEED+ has a grounded, smooth, and responsive ride. I like how these shoes feel compared to many road-oriented running and gravel shoes. They have just enough cushion to pad your footfall without feeling like they have too much, so you can still feel the ground, unlike many max-cushion shoes. Groundfeel is helpful in maintaining traction because it helps your feet know when they need to grip firmer on uneven pavement or loose gravel. They have a smooth rocker profile, which isn’t nearly as extreme as the MetaRocker found on HOKA running shoes, for instance.
They’re not as bouncy as some shoes, such as the HOKA Clifton. But they feel slightly softer than the Altra EgoMax midsole found on the Torin 8. But the ZENSPEED+ doesn’t feel too soft, either. They compress subtly with every footfall, and rebound predictably as the subtle rocker rolls your foot forward and you push off.
Outsole, Grip, and Traction
The ZENSPEED+ has a full-coverage outsole made from a 3.5 mm strip of injected rubber. It provides better grip than most road running shoes. It's not quite grippy enough for rough trails, but I like how it grips on dirt roads.
The outsole has an arrow-shaped tread pointing toward the front of the shoe. This tread grips surprisingly well on dirt, gravel, and wet pavement. I’ve taken these shoes on a fair amount of smooth, hard-packed dirt roads and trails, and they aren’t as grippy as a trail shoe with deep lugs, but they’re about as grippy as a gravel running shoe.
Performance on various terrains
These shoes shine on road runs that mix pavement and gravel. They're less at home on super-rough dirt roads, where the outsole and midsole aren't as protective or as grippy as in a true trail shoe. However, they’re well suited for longer runs where you don’t know exactly what the road surface will be like.
I’ve used the ZENSPEED+ on pavement, sidewalks, smooth gravel, rocky dirt roads, and hard-packed dirt surfaces with some sandy patches. They work well for all these types of roads.
Wet and dry conditions
The ZENSPEED+ performs well in wet and dry conditions. The full-coverage rubber outsole grips well on dry pavement and hard-packed dirt, and the shoes feel solid when changing direction quickly. I’ve mostly used them in dry, summertime conditions in Colorado and Utah, but I’ve never slipped on patches of wet pavement, either.
Versatility
The ZENSPEED+ is a road shoe that can do so much more than just roads. They're definitely more road-oriented than an off-road shoe, but they work well for running out your front door and onto far-out dirt roads. They’re also a great option for everyday wear, walking, travel, light hiking, and gym use.
Responsiveness
The midsole feels responsive without feeling mushy. The 10% PEBA adds extra bounce without making it feel unnatural. The ZENSPEED+ isn't built to be the fastest shoe on the road, but it’s lightweight, and the midsole feels firm with a subtle energy return as you push off.
Warmth
The ZENSPEED+ has a breathable mesh upper that won’t keep your feet warm in cold weather. If you plan to use these in cold weather, consider thicker socks or check out some other tips for winter running.
Break-in Time
I pulled these shoes out of the box, put them on to check the fit, and then immediately went on an 8-mile run over pavement and dirt. They’re very comfortable right out of the box, and I had no issues on that first run or on any subsequent runs or walks. However, if you aren’t accustomed to running shoes with a lower stack height and less cushion, you may want to ease into them gradually by starting with shorter runs and alternating with your old pair of running shoes.
Upper and Breathability
The ZENSPEED+ shoes are very breathable. I’ve worn them in temperatures up to 100 degrees, and they’ve never caused my feet to overheat. I’ve also had no issues with hotspots or blisters, even when running in very hot conditions.
Durability and Longevity
So far, I've run over 100 miles on roads of all sorts in these shoes. The upper shows no signs of tearing or abrasion, the midsole still feels like new, and the outsole shows no premature wear.
Midsole durability
After 100+ miles, the midsole still feels as good as new. I would expect this midsole to last at least as long as other running shoes with an EVA midsole. For reference, most running shoe midsoles last about 300 to 500 miles, depending on the terrain and other factors.
Also, the ZENSPEED+ has no exposed midsole foam on the tread, which prevents rocks or other sharp objects underfoot from tearing the midsole and shortening the shoes' longevity.
Wear and tear in upper materials
The engineered mesh upper feels durable enough for road running conditions. If you start using these on rocky trails, they might not last as long, though. For what it’s worth, I’ve worn my pair on a fair amount of rocky singletrack trails, and they’re still going strong.
They have TPU reinforcement around the toe box, and these overlays wrap along the base of the upper and around the heel as well. This helps protect the mesh upper in higher wear areas. So far, the uppers on my test pair of the ZENSPEED+ have no tears or abrasions.
Outsole longevity
The full-coverage rubber outsole is firm, so it won’t wear out as quickly as some other rubber types. Also, because there is more rubber on the outsole, it distributes wear over a larger area, increasing longevity.
Price and Value
At $175 per pair, the ZENSPEED+ is priced about at par with other running shoes. But if you’re looking for a mid-drop road-running shoe that’s versatile across different terrain types, I think this is a good value.
Sustainability/Ethical company
Lems partners with several organizations that strive to create a better planet. They have several fully vegan shoes and are working to incorporate recycled material into every shoe.
They contribute funds to The Conservation Alliance, which works to preserve natural areas and public lands throughout North America. They partner with Happy Returns to offer an environmentally friendly way to ship returns using shipping totes and a box-free return program. They also donate shoes to Soles4Souls, giving their shoes a second life for those most in need. Lems donates unused pairs to this organization and encourages the Lems community to donate to this impactful nonprofit as well.
Features
Multiple Widths Available
The ZENSPEED+ comes in a wide width, similar to the original Lems wide fit, and a medium width, similar to their Trailhead shoe. They’re available in men’s sizes 4.5 through 15 and women’s sizes 6 through 12, in both widths.
Volume
The ZENSPEED+ fits like most other Lems shoes, such as the Lems Kourt. I typically wear a men’s size 9.5, but I wear a size 10 wide in the ZENSPEED+.
Weight
The ZENSPEED+ weighs 9.4 oz in men's size 10 and 7.4 oz in women's size 8.
Stack Height and Drop
The ZENSPEED+ has a stack height of 31 mm in the heel and 26 mm in the forefoot, for a 5 mm heel-to-toe drop.
ZENCELL EVA/PEBA Midsole
The midsole is made with 90% EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and 10% PEBA (polyether block amide). EVA is the same midsole foam material commonly used in running shoes. PEBA foam is commonly used in "super shoes" and provides extra bounce.
Full-Coverage Injected Rubber Outsole
The outsole uses a full-coverage 3.5 mm strip of injected rubber.
Engineered Mesh Upper
The ZENSPEED+ upper uses engineered mesh for comfort and breathability.
Cork Insole
It has a minimal cork insole that's comfortable and doesn’t get slippery when it’s wet from foot sweat.
Padded Heel Collar
The ZENSPEED+ features a structured, padded heel collar to lock your heel in place.
Reflective Material
The Lems logo is reflective, and the engineered mesh upper reflects light, too. If you’ll be running in the dark, check out our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide for additional safety gear.
Who should buy the Lems ZENSPEED+?
Buy if
Buy the Lems ZENSPEED+ if you want a comfortable all-around running shoe with a wide toe box and mid-drop that can handle mixed surfaces, especially runs that start on pavement and continue onto gravel or dirt roads.
Skip if
Skip the Lems ZENSPEED+ if you want the fastest, bounciest, or most cushioned shoe, or if you need a shoe for rough dirt roads or technical trails.
Where to buy the Lems ZENSPEED+
The Lems ZENSPEED+ road running shoes are available on the Lems website.
Lems
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. In addition, it may make it easier if you need to submit a warranty return due to a defect.
Returns and advice on where to buy
In general, for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a retailer that offers easy or free returns. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. If your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
FAQ
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No. It has a 5 mm drop (31 heel amd 26 mm toe stack height).
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The Lems ZENSPEED+ comes in both medium and wide widths.
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I normally wear a men's 9.5, and I wear a 10 wide in the ZENSPEED+, and a 10 in other Lems.
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Yes, you can run on smooth gravel and dirt roads in the ZENSPEED+, but not on rough or technical trails.
Similar road running shoes
Lems ZENSPEED+ vs. Altra Experience Flow 3
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 4 mm
Stack Height: 32-28 mm
Lugs: 0 mm
Weight (pair): 1 lb, 2 oz (men’s), 15.0 oz (women’s)
The Altra Experience Flow 3 is a comfortable road running shoe with a wide toe box, similar to the ZENSPEED+. If you’re familiar with Altra shoes, these look and feel very similar to the Altra Torin, but the Experience Flow has a 4 mm heel-to-toe drop. This is about the same as the ZENSPEED+’s 5 mm drop.
The Experience Flow (32-28 mm) has slightly more cushion than the ZENSPEED+ (31-26 mm). I find the Experience Flow 3 midsole slightly firmer than the ZENSPEED+, and the ZENSPEED+ feels snappier at push-off. Neither shoe's midsole feels nearly as bouncy as a max-cushion running shoe, though. The Experience Flow 3 costs $30 less than the ZENSPEED+.
If you’re looking for a quicker-feeling shoe, go with the ZENSPEED+, but the Experience Flow is pretty similar overall and costs less.
Altra Experience Flow 3
Men's
Women's
Lems ZENSPEED+ vs. HOKA Mach 7
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 36.8-31.8 (men’s), 35.6-30.6 (women’s)
Lugs: 0 mm
Weight (pair): 1 lb 0.7 oz (men’s), 14.3 oz (women’s)
The HOKA Mach 7 is our favorite overall road-running shoe in our men’s running shoes guide. The Mach 7 is lighter than the ZENSPEED+ and has a more pronounced rocker profile that causes your foot to roll forward with every stride. The Mach 7 (37-32 mm) also has significantly more cushion than the ZENSPEED+ (31-26 mm), but these shoes have the same heel-to-toe drop.
The Mach 7 has a narrower toe box than the ZENSPEED+ and also has less rubber on the outsole. This makes the Mach 7 lighter, but it won’t last as long as the ZENSPEED+. The Mach 7 also costs $30 less than the ZENSPEED+.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the HOKA Mach 7 road running shoes.
HOKA Mach 7
Men's
Women's
Lems ZENSPEED+ vs. Altra Torin 9
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 0 mm
Stack Height: 28 mm
Lugs: 0 mm
Weight (pair): 1 lb, 3.6 oz (men’s), 1 lb, 0.1 oz (women’s)
The Altra Torin 9 is a zero-drop road running shoe if you want a natural, foot-shaped shoe like the ZENSPEED+ but without any heel-to-toe drop. The Torin 9 has 28 mm of stack across the entire shoe, compared to the ZENSPEED+, which has more cushion in the heel (31 mm) but less in the forefoot (26 mm). The Torin 9 has a new P35X dual-density foam midsole that’s firmer on the outside and softer on the inside.
In practice, this feels similar to the ZENSPEED+ midsole, with subtle differences. The Torin 9 also costs $15 less than the ZENSPEED+. If you want a zero-drop road running shoe, go with the Torin. If you want a mid- to low-drop shoe, then go with the ZENSPEED+.
Altra Torin 9
Men's
Women's
Why you should trust us / About the author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He's been a runner since childhood, when he ran five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling. Sam tests men’s running shoes for Treeline Review and wrote the men’s Trail Running Shoes, Road Running Shoes, and Gravel Running Shoes guides.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs across Colorado and the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, the Hayduke Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in trail running shoes.
You can read more about Sam on his author page, website, or Instagram.
