Are Kate Middleton’s New Favorite lululemon Sneakers Worth the $138 Price Tag? I Tested Them

As co-host of the Royally Obsessed podcast, I’m no stranger to the thrill of copying Kate Middleton’s impeccable royal style. But it can be a challenge to do so. Some items, like her Zara earrings, tend to sell out quick, while others, like custom Alexander McQueen pieces, are simply out of our “commoner” budgets.

But that’s where a white sneaker—like her beloved Supergas—comes in. It’s attainable, more affordable and something I can guarantee I’ll get a lot of wear out of. (Just look at the many ways to pair one with a dress.)

Based on all this, you can only imagine my delight when, just this month, Kate stepped out for a rugby event (she’s patron!) donning a brand-new signature sneaker: lululemon’s Chargefeel Low Women’s Workout Shoe in white.

The price tag? A not-insignificant-for-sneakers $138. How they look paired with her navy track pants, light blue T-shirt and high ponytail? Sporty and chic. Still, are they worth the investment? Here’s my honest review.

The lululemonChargefeel debuted last year and is designed specifically for women’s feet, combining data from both foot scans and wear testing to zero in a style that delivers on appearance and best-in-class support. As a sneaker, it saw pretty immediate success, so much so that the Chargefeel now comes in two different heights—mid (priced at $148) and low (the latter being the style chosen by the Princess of Wales). Additional details: The shoe comes in seven different colorways and a size range that spans from 5 to 12. In other words, it’s already made its mark within the lululemon collection and range.

Keep in mind that while, yes, Kate wore the Chargefeel in white, that particular colorway is currently sold out. (The brand says online product gets refreshed weekly or there’s always the option to phone your local store.)

As a result, the style I tested was polar ice/light sage/ripened raspberry, with the main tone being sage. (The raspberry mention nods only to the logo as it appears on the tongue of this shoe.) I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how neutral this tone feels—also, the how supported my arch and ankle felt upon first try-on. (Let’s just say it’s the kind of shoe that makes you instantly look down upon your current pair.) They also felt bouncy? Lightweight? I ordered my typical size (7.5) and they were a perfect fit with an ankle sock. (Note: Per the website, it suggests going up a half a size if your feet are wide.)

The shoe is marketed as best for running and training, which is why I took it for a very light jog around the neighborhood as part of my test drive. (I’m just getting my groove back on the running front, TBH.) I also wore it during my weekly tennis class (I play once a week with a group of mom friends) and, although it’s not the use case it’s marketed for, there is plenty of running in the sport. (Floor grip is also required given the quick back-and-forth sprints to hit the ball.)

I was impressed—mainly due to the weight of the shoe and how springy it made my step. The shoe is enhanced with something called “dual density cushioning,” and I noticed a difference, that’s for sure. I’ll admit that the word “low” in the branding made me think that my ankle would be wobbling about as I ran, played tennis and power walked to school drop-off and pickup. That wasn’t the case at all. My foot felt completely secure and properly positioned sans blisters—a win.

In my week of testing, the shoe stayed fairly pristine, stain-wise, even as I navigated dirty New York City streets. Still, I might make the effort to change in and out of this shoe between workout sessions (for example, wear a walking shoe over to my tennis lesson, then change into the Chargefeel upon arrival) given the price and the fact that the recommended cleaning technique is to hand wash or spot clean. (Just look at Kate’s pair!)

As for Kate’s royal endorsement, I fully support the Princess of Wales adding the Chargefeel to her rotation. It’s sleek and feminine, but also exceptionally functional and great for low-impact athletics. Am I already ogling the pink hue as a secondary style? Absolutely.