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- These APL TechLoom Phantom sneakers are just one
style from APL that has been all over social media for quite some time, which is how I first found out about them. - Celebrities and
fitness stars seem to love APL. SoulCycle even collaborated with them on a branded pair. At $165, they're not overwhelmingly expensive or inaccessible, but they aren't cheap, either. - I was sent a pair by the brand over two years ago and have been wearing them ever since. They're incredibly comfortable and stylish enough to wear in and out of the gym. Here's why they're worth the hype.
I'll be the first to admit that I spend way too much time on Instagram. But the hours I dedicate to mindlessly swiping through stories or scrolling through photos aren't always for naught. Sometimes my time spent on social media ends up leading me to new trends, products, or styles I wouldn't have otherwise found.
Most recently, I noticed APL sneakers getting a lot of attention — on Instagram, yes, but also in magazines, gyms, and the streets of NYC. I decided to investigate.
Well, by investigate, I mean go through a rabbit hole of APL hashtags on Instagram, Kardashian and fitness blogger social media accounts, and street-style photos. What I found was only proof of my suspicion that APL's
Founded in 2009 by twins and former college athletes Adam and Ryan Goldston, APL (which stands for Athletic Propulsion Labs) set out to create sneakers that combined high performance standards with sleek design. The first style they ever launched was a basketball shoe that ended up being banned from the NBA for the 2010-2011 season because its proprietary technology was literally too effective at helping athletes jump higher.
Sign me up, because I can't even jump high enough to reach the cereal off the top shelf at the grocery store.
After seeing their newer styles everywhere, I tried out a pair of one of their classic styles called the TechLoom Phantoms because they seem to be the most basic and prolific at the time (they've since released a lot of new styles). I wanted to get a sense of whether or not these sneakers were as comfortable and easy to fall in love with as other cult-favorites, Allbirds being the most obvious.
Turns out the Kardashians (and Business Insider's resident former college athlete and APL fan Emily Matis) weren't wrong about these sneakers, which can be worn both in and out of the gym.
Similar to Nike and Adidas' performance textiles, the TechLoom part of the sneakers refers to the woven knit upper — a material that keeps your foot securely in its place whether you're walking around Manhattan or going for a run. I found these sneakers to be cushy, bouncy, comfortable, and flexible with just enough arch support in the footbed. I now opt for them over my Adidas and my Nikes for both casual and more active wear.
The TechLoom Phantoms cost $165 (women's sizes here, men's sizes here) and come in mostly neutral colorways. (Hot tip: I almost always see them on sale at Zappos.)
If you're really in it for the fashion, APL also makes the Phantom sneaker with a calf hair upper instead of TechLoom — including leopard- and zebra-print pairs that you'll either love or hate (for the record, I love them). There are a few additional styles, none of which I personally tested, but all of which I presume are incredibly comfortable considering that they use the same technology in the sole.
The bottom line
If you're interested in switching up your sneaker game or discovering a comfortable gym shoe beyond the usuals, I highly recommend APL. I've been wearing my pair for over two years and they've held up exceptionally well — especially considering that the ones I got are white.
Instagram fame and street cred aside, these shoes are seriously comfortable and pretty affordable, too.