NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers Review: Lifestyle Footwear for Work, Play, and Travel

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It’s rare these days to find things that live up to the hype. But every once in a while, you get surprised. NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers not only met but exceeded my expectations, thanks to their emphasis on design, performance, and construction. More than just a walking shoe, NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers are a great all-around athletic and lifestyle sneaker for exercise, travel, work, play, and more. Perfect for busy, action-packed lives. Let’s get into the review so you can see what makes this a serious contender in a world of competitive counterparts.

So what’s so special about NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers?

The first thing you need to know about NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers is that they bear the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. Shoes that promote good foot health should be the leading concern when searching for sneakers that can withstand a variety of conditions and scenarios.

People often compare these lifestyle sneakers to HOKAs, and with good reason. If you’re familiar with HOKA, you’ll know they are one of the leading brands in the performance athletic footwear market, but they come with a hefty price tag. Like HOKA, NORTIV 8 has made features like cushioning, absorption, and comfort top priorities, but at a fraction of the price. This translates to a shoe you can wear all day that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re at work, walking the dog, running errands, exercising, or travelling, this shoe will make light work of long distances and long days.

Here are some of the most impressive features of the NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers:

Cushioning

NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers have a thick, flexible EVA foam midsole. This soft, high-bounce midsole absorbs up to 46 joules of shock, far exceeding the minimum safety requirement of 20 joules. For the everyday wearer, this means a shoe you can count on to reduce impact on feet, knees, joints, and bones, ‌thereby preventing injuries. Reduced stress and fatigue on the body equate to long-term comfort.

Breathable materials

If you’re wearing shoes all day, whether it’s on a 12-hour flight or a 12-hour workday, you want your feet to stay cool and comfortable. NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers delivers on both points. The lightweight mesh upper, paired with a sweat-wicking insole, provides both breathability and flexibility to help keep feet cool and dry, even after a heavy gym session or long airport delays.

Solid Construction

Protection and safety were obvious considerations in the building of these shoes. A grippy rubber outsole wards off slips, while TPU film adds impact protection, strength, and flexibility. The thick rocker outsole curves to create a rolling motion when walking, helping absorb impact.

Budget

At a fraction of the price of high-end competitors, NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneaker comes out a winner. The price point fits most budgets, and for a versatile shoe that performs in and out of the gym, it can’t be beat.

Selection

The shoes come in a wide variety of colours, so no matter your taste or aesthetic, you can find a pair that suits you. Sizing is fairly broad. For women, the shoes are available in sizes 6-11, with half sizes up to and including size 9. Sizing for men is 7.5-13 (half sizes available up to and including 11.5). Men’s sizes are also available in wide options.

About NORTIV 8

NORTIV 8 began in 2016, specializing in hiking and mountain-climbing footwear, and has since expanded its offerings to include a wide variety of shoe types. Their goal is clear: to make “shoes that are equal parts beautiful, functional, comfortable, and affordable”.

They’ve built their reputation on making reliable footwear for those who want to wander, adventure, and get the most out of life, providing all-season footwear that covers a range of activities.

The NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneaker was released in the summer of 2024. Since then, it’s quickly gained momentum, taking the athletic footwear world by storm. The positive reviews continue to pour in for this relatively recent addition to the lifestyle footwear market.

The brand seems determined to leave a mark in this market, and its dedication to making shoes from high-grade materials that not only perform but also fit everyone’s budget is getting noticed.

NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers: First Impressions to Final Thoughts

This was my first experience with NORTIV 8 brand shoes, and I can guarantee it won’t be my last. Out of the box, the shoes looked stylish and felt light in my hands. I chose grey with a white sole—a simple yet classic combo that pairs well with many outfits. And each shoe weighs just 233.4 gm, slightly more than half a pound.

Even more impressive was the way they felt when I put them on. They were true to size, neither tight nor snug, and felt light on my feet. The 40 mm (1.5 inches) stack height made me feel elevated, yet I also felt incredibly supported.

As I previously mentioned, one of the most standout features of the shoes is the cushioning. It gives you the sensation of walking on a cloud. Everyone talks about it, and many shoes promise it. But until you’ve stepped into a pair of NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat shoes, you won’t understand it.

I used the shoes for my workouts, treadmill runs, and long walks, and they delivered. Sometimes running on the treadmill can feel like a slog, but with these shoes, it felt effortless. I was amazed to find my half-hour run went by in a flash. And better yet, my legs and knees still felt strong and fresh. I could have kept running, but enough was enough.

I’ve been an active person for most of my life. I’ve hiked mountains, walked endless trails, run countless kilometres, and put my time in at the gym. And as someone who likes to travel, I’ve endured long lineups, explored dozens of cities on foot, adventured in the most unlikely places, and travelled all day. I often take a couple of different athletic shoes for different needs on a trip. But I already know that for my upcoming vacation, a South-American cruise, these will be the only sneakers I’ll need. I feel confident they can easily take me from busy airports to sun-filled day excursions, from my early morning workouts to late-night walks on the deck.

If you love to travel but hate the idea of bringing multiple pairs of shoes to cover all your vacation needs, these shoes provide an excellent alternative.

NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers at-a-Glance Summary

To be honest, I don’t have any cons with these shoes, but a few points to consider if you’re interested in the NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers.

Pros

• Lightweight: great for packing in your suitcase on your next trip or for all-day wear.
• Superior cushioning: essential protection for knees, feet, and joints, whether you’re vacationing or working.
• Anti-slip: provides confidence when engaging in activities in and out of the gym.
• Price point: performance and functionality on a budget means reliable shoes at affordable prices.
• Supportive: carries the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Considerations

• The cushioning of the NORTIV 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before and takes some time to get used to. But once you do, you won’t be able to imagine yourself wearing anything else. You’ll reach for them time and time again.
• While these shoes can take you many places and allow you to do many things, they should not be used in place of appropriate footwear for extreme, intensive, or professional activities.
• I haven’t had the shoes long enough to discuss durability, but many online reviews rave about their long-term wear and resilience.

It was a pleasure to review these shoes, and I would highly recommend them to fellow travellers, gym enthusiasts, long-distance walkers, and anyone looking for functional, comfortable shoes. I’ve already recommended them to some friends and family.

Photos and product samples for testing and review are courtesy of NORTIV 8. All opinions are entirely those of the author.

For other travel gear and clothing reviews, check out these articles:

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• Peak Design Tech Pouch Review – Easy Access Travel Gear
• Ultra-Lite Packable Down versus Omni-Heat Columbia Jacket