There’s something almost poetic about walking across the pristine turf of the Varanasi International Cricket Stadium. Located on the banks of the holy Ganges, the stadium is a modern architectural marvel that juxtaposes ancient cultural roots with cutting-edge athleticism. While most would associate the venue with the thwack of cricket bats and the roar of the crowd, I had something different in mind.
I laced up a fresh pair of Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX MAX shoes and set out to test them in one of India’s most iconic venues. Why a cricket stadium, you ask? Because the stadium’s smooth walking tracks, synthetic turf, and concrete pathways offer a variable terrain ideal for putting a walking shoe through its paces. And what better way to blend performance testing with a bit of regional flavor than to do it in a city as vibrant and historic as Varanasi?
First Impressions: Built for Comfort, Not Flash
The Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX MAX doesn’t scream for attention. It’s a sober, mature-looking shoe with a full leather upper that feels more at home in a formal office than a sports arena. But don’t let appearances fool you, this shoe is built for function.
The leather upper is clean and uniform, and although it lacks in breathability, it compensates with durability. The shoe fits true to size, and the memory foam insole immediately cradles your foot like a well-worn recliner. I wore the standard D width, and it provided a snug yet forgiving fit with no hotspots.
Walking out onto the stadium’s outer concrete track, I immediately noticed the shoe’s unique DMX MAX cushioning system. With each step, air shifts between chambers underfoot, providing a distinct bounce-less but smooth ride. It’s a peculiar sensation at first, like walking on a firm air mattress, but it soon becomes second nature.
Cushioning & Support: DMX MAX Does the Heavy Lifting
One of the hallmarks of this shoe is the DMX MAX cushioning system. Reebok’s proprietary technology uses interconnected air pods that push air from heel to toe as you walk. Unlike foam-based midsoles that compress and rebound, the DMX MAX offers a more stable, grounded feel.
During my laps around the stadium, I took note of how the shoe handled transitions. The heel-to-toe rocker design made for incredibly smooth strides. I never felt a jarring impact, even during brisk-paced walks. The high 41.1 mm heel stack and 30.3 mm forefoot stack provided ample buffer between my feet and the ground, effectively absorbing shocks from the concrete and turf alike.
When I switched to the grass turf inside the stadium, the shoe’s firm platform kept my gait stable. It’s not squishy or overly soft, a good thing for those who walk long hours. The midsole firmness measured at 36.5 HA, which is on the firmer side, but the dual-chamber air system balances it well.
Technical Specifications Table
For accuracy and reliability, all technical info is sourced instantly from the official websites of Reebok’s.
| Specification | Measurement/Rating |
|---|---|
| Heel Stack Height | 41.1 mm |
| Forefoot Stack Height | 30.3 mm |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10.8 mm |
| Midsole Softness (HA) | 36.5 HA |
| Weight | 387g (13.7 oz) |
| Insole Thickness | 7.1 mm |
| Outsole Hardness | 90.0 HC |
| Flexibility (Force to Bend) | 26.8N |
| Breathability Score | 1/5 |
| Torsional Rigidity | 5/5 |
| Heel Counter Stiffness | 3/5 |
| Toebox Width | 71.0 mm |
| Fit | True to size, Medium width |
| Heel Traction Coefficient | 0.46 |
| Outsole Thickness | 3.5 mm |
| Toebox Durability | 4/5 |
| Heel Padding Durability | 4/5 |
| Removable Insole | Yes |
Stability and Fit: A Tale of Two Halves
The Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX MAX is a paradox when it comes to stability. The shoe features excellent torsional rigidity and heel support. The internal heel counter is robust, giving you a locked-in feeling especially during sharp turns or pivoting on the balls of your feet.
But, and this is a big but, the sole is rounded both laterally and longitudinally. This means the shoe doesn’t offer a flat base. On uneven surfaces, such as the slightly sloped edges of the cricket field, this design made me feel a tad unstable. If you have mobility issues or require a broader base for support, this might not be the shoe for you.
That said, for everyday urban walking or traversing smooth stadium paths, the rocker design worked in favor of energy-efficient strides. I could feel my foot rolling naturally from heel to toe with minimal muscular fatigue.
Durability and Traction: Built to Last
I was thoroughly impressed with the shoe’s durability. The leather upper barely creased after a full day of wear, and both the toebox and heel padding performed exceptionally in abrasion tests. On the synthetic turf of the stadium, I simulated about 8,000 steps, mimicking a long city walk. No signs of wear were visible.
The outsole is camouflaged in a white-on-white design but don’t underestimate it. With a hardness of 90.0 HC and a thickness of 3.5 mm, the rubber compound is built to last. Even when I deliberately scraped the heel against the gritty surface of the outer stadium path, the shoe held its ground.
Traction is another area where this shoe punches above its weight. The coefficient of friction measured at 0.46 is on par with much more expensive models, offering solid grip on both dry and wet surfaces. I even walked across a freshly watered patch of grass and never felt a slip coming.
Breathability: A Warm Interior
Here’s the Achilles’ heel of this otherwise solid performer, ventilation. The leather upper, while durable and classy, is a heat trap. Varanasi was a blistering 35°C on the test day, and my feet were sweating profusely by the end of the first hour.
Even though the toebox has some perforations, they’re blocked by the inner lining, rendering them decorative at best. The tongue is made of mesh but doesn’t do much to aid airflow. I’d rate this shoe suitable only for cooler climates or indoor use. For summer city walks, you might want to consider a more breathable alternative.
Overall Comfort: All-Day Wearability
Despite the breathability issue, overall comfort remains one of the shoe’s strongest suits. The MemoryTech insole contours to your foot within minutes and the thick 12 mm tongue padding ensures there are no lace bites or pressure points.
After 5 hours of continuous walking, including stairs, ramps, turf, and concrete, my feet felt surprisingly fresh. No hotspots, no blisters, and no sore arches. I can confidently say that this shoe is ideal for people who are on their feet all day, teachers, retail workers, or even avid tourists.
Final Thoughts: Worth Every Rupee
At ₹7290, the Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX MAX is a budget-friendly powerhouse. It’s not flashy, it’s not ultralight, and it’s certainly not breathable. But it excels in the areas that matter most: comfort, durability, and support.
Testing it at the Varanasi International Cricket Stadium brought out the best and worst in the shoe, but overall, it met my expectations, and then some. If you’re looking for a reliable walking shoe that can double for casual office wear and weekend wanderings, this is a solid pick.
Just remember to leave them at home when the mercury rises.
Conclusion: A Walk Worth Taking
Would I recommend the Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX MAX? Absolutely, but with caveats. It’s a perfect companion for colder climates, long working hours, and anyone who values comfort and durability above all. Just don’t expect it to keep your feet cool in the Varanasi summer.
Walking across the sacred city’s state-of-the-art cricket stadium in these shoes was a unique experience, blending modern engineering with traditional surroundings. And much like Varanasi itself, the Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX MAX is a blend of the old and the new, classic leather charm with next-gen cushioning technology.
That’s a walk I’d gladly take again.
