Our verdict

The existence of the The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold only proves that even classic models truly deserve a spotlight. This rendition gives the iconic silhouette of the Club C 85 a next-level vintage appeal, which Reebok fans will surely appreciate. Beyond its on-point style that goes with virtually everything are reliable comfort, Reebok-approved build quality, and superb fit. The The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold also comes with an affordable price tag.

Reebok Training 1 4 zip in black Pros

  • Flexible and comfy
  • Generously padded
  • Lightweight
  • Durable toebox
  • Fine quality finish
  • Extremely stable
  • Allen Iverson in the Reebok Answer V White Red
  • Old-school wonder
  • Versatile
  • Reebok Question Mid "Iverson Classic" Releasing To The Public
  • Budget-friendly

Reebok Training 1 4 zip in black Cons

  • Short-term support
  • Firm midsole
  • Creases easily
  • Lacks airflow

Audience verdict

92
Great!

Who should buy

The Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold is a low-top sneaker with a traditional lace-up closure and classic design based on the iconic Reebok Club C 85 that we recommend to:

  • Reebok Cardi B x Wmns V2 'Whisper Blue'.
  • Those in the market for lightweight trainers with a tennis shoe silhouette 
  • Anyone who wants a flaunt-worthy Reebok pair that costs less than most.

Кросівки шкіряні reebok easytone оригінал розмір 42-43

If you're someone who walks and stands pretty much all day, trade the The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold for Reebok LT low-top Court sneakers Bianco which is perfect for prolonged use.

The C 85 Vintage develops unsightly creases in its upper over time. We recommend the Adidas Samba as a suede alternative that will remain crisp and crease-free longer. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold ilhjlew

Breathability

To test the breathability of the C 85 Vintage, we pumped the shoe full of smoke for ten seconds. As we can clearly see, the perforated section below the laces only lets out little wisps while most of the smoke escapes in a thin stream but steady through the C 85 Vintage's tongue. This performance earns the shoe a 2 out of 5 for breathability which isn't out of the ordinary for a leather sneaker. 

The Puma RS-X, on the other hand, is a much airier alternative that is better suited to warm weather. 

As expected, the only part of the C 85 Vintage that allows any light to shine through when inspecting a backlit cross-section of the shoe is its porous tongue. 

Even under the microscope, we can see that the C 85 Vintage's upper is made of solid leather with some perforations that seem to be more form than function. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold lmer

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Breathability
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 2
Average 2.9
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

We torched the C 85 Vintage like a creme brulee in order to test the quality of its leather upper. Rather than melting away from the flame, the upper merely gets scorched. So far so good. After scratching at the burnt bit with our awl to see how easily it gets damaged, we determined that the C 85 vintage's upper is made of genuine leather. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Real leather

Toebox durability

Firing up the Dremel to 5K RPM, we went hell for leather on the C 85 Vintage's toebox to test its durability. 

After grinding away for a gruelling twelve seconds, the Dremel barely did any real damage to the C 85 Vintage. The toebox was merely left with an unsightly scuff that earns it a very respectable durability score of 4 out of 5. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Toebox durability
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 4
Average 3.8
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The heel padding didn't hold up nearly as well against our Dremel. The abrasive element made quick work of the cosy lining and quickly ripped into the soft padding within the four-second test. 

The result is a crater that's almost deep enough to accommodate the first segment of our index burgundy. This leads us to give the C 85 Vintage a sub-par heel padding durability score of 1 out of 5. As such, we expect to see some wear and tear at the heel collar after a few hundred miles of use, especially if used frequently without socks. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Heel padding durability
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 1
Average 3.4
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Pressing our durometer against the C 85 Vintage's outsole yields a marginally harder-than-average reading of 86.2 HC. This usually denotes a good mix of grip and durability. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Outsole hardness
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 86.2 HC
Average 85.2 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
90.5 HC

Outsole durability

For its final appearance, we cranked up the Dremel to 10K RPM and set it against the C 85 Vintage's outsole with 3.2N of force. The tool undeviatingly kicks up a flurry of rubber dust that continues throughout the twenty-two-second test. 

Using a tyre tread gauge, we found that we had shorn off 0.8 mm of material from the C 85 Vintage's outsole. This is slightly less than the average sneaker loses in this test, making the C 85 Vintage marginally more durable. We therefore expect this kick to last at least 400 miles before any major signs of wear and tear on the outsole. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Outsole durability
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 0.8 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Reebok Training 1 4 zip in black | Outsole thickness

The C 85 Vintage's outsole isn't quite as robust as the average sneaker's at only 4 mm thick according to our caliper measurements. However, this gives us no cause for concern regarding the shoe's longevity as our Dremel ground off less than a quarter of the total rubber when simulating extreme wear and tear. By skimping on rubber, Reebok manages to keep unnecessary weight off the shoe. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Outsole thickness
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 4.0 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
3.4 mm
Outsole thickness
12.5 mm

Weight

Which brings us to the weigh-in. Tipping our scale at only 12 oz (339g), the C 85 Vintage is significantly lighter than the average sneaker. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Weight
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 11.96 oz (339g)
Average 14.22 oz (403g)
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
8.54 oz (242g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

The C 85 Vintage is a low-profile shoe with a heel stack that's only 23.2 mm thick. This is much lower than our current lab average which gives us a lot of ground feel during our tests in the field while still providing some level of impact dampening. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold jkjlf

However, the C 85 Vintage isn't cushioned enough to support very long walks as the repeated impacts will eventually strain our heels. For a retro kick with more protective foam at the heel that keeps our feet fresh all day, check out the New Balance 550 instead. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Heel stack
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 23.2 mm
Average 30.0 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
18.2 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

The stack is just a low at the forefoot, measuring only 14.7 m according to our caliper. This offers a very basic level of impact dampening but keeps us feeling very grounded and stable on our feet. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Forefoot stack
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 14.7 mm
Average 18.9 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

The offset in the C 85 Vintage's stack measurements isn't quite as steep as the average at 8.5 mm. This offers a more natural and parallel-to-the-ground ride while still providing the smooth transitions of an elevated heel. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Drop

When it comes to trainers, the drop height is more of a matter of preference than anything. There isn't any particular advantage to Cardi heel drops unless it's with regard to running. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 8.5 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
6.7 mm
Drop
22.6 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

We pressed our durometer against the C 85 Vintage's midsole foam and got a very firm reading of 37.3 HA.

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold jhhjk

This is much harder than our current lab average and further explains why this shoe isn't well-suited for long walks. The New Balance 9060 offers a much softer ride for those who move around a lot over the course of the day. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 37.3 HA
Average 29.5 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 43 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
60.0 HA

Insole thickness

The insole is 5.1 mm thick which is just shy of our current lab average. This provides adequate arch support and a nicely padded surface that complements the shoe's midsole cushioning. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Insole thickness
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 5.1 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
14.2 mm

Reebok Training 1 4 zip in black | Stability

Lateral stability test

With its aforementioned low stack, the C 85 Vintage is extremely grounded and stable. There wasn't even a hint of rolling as we shifted our weight from side to side in the shoe. As such, we didn't experience any issues with balance while testing this shoe. 

Torsional rigidity

The C 85 Vintage put up a mild amount of resistance as we bent and twisted it our hands, leading us to give it a middle-of-the-road torsional rigidity score of 3 out of 5. This gives the shoe that supportive underfoot sensation as it mitigates any excessive lateral movements in our gait while still feeling pretty comfortable and natural. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 3
Average 3.5
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter is also moderately stiff, earning another 3 out of 5 in our subjective evaluations. This in conjunction with the shape of the heel cup allows the C 85 Vintage to securely hold our foot in place without putting too much pressure on our heels or tendons. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Zapatilla running hombre reebok energylux 2.0

Using our calliper, we measured the C 85 Vintage's midsole to be 105.2 mm wide at the forefoot which is a little narrower than our current lab average. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold khhjk

With the shoe being so balanced, this doesn't affect its stability but rather contributes to the shoe's nimble and lightweight feel. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 105.2 mm
Average 108.9 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
100.0 mm
Zapatilla running hombre reebok energylux 2.0
121.0 mm

Midsole width in the heel

This narrow motif continues at the heel which is only 77.3 mm wide according to our caliper measurements. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Midsole width in the heel
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 77.3 mm
Average 83.3 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
69.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

Further adding to the shoe's natural and agile ride is just how flexible it is. With only 17.3N of force required to bend the shoe 90 degrees in our stiffness test, the C 85 Vintage is significantly more pliable than the average sneaker. 

This means that the C 85 Vintage is able to bend along with our foot with relative ease, making it feel extremely comfortable during testing. On the other hand, however, this bendiness is the culprit when it comes to all those creases that form on the leather upper, reminding us of the relentless marching of time. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Stiffness
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 17.3N
Average 24.1N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
5.8N
Stiffness
60.5N

Grip / Traction

The criss-cross apple sauce tread beginning on the C 85 Vintage's outsole provided us with great traction over a variety of surfaces while testing. Only wet grass and slick cobblestones proved to be a little too slippery for this sneaker. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold kjev

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

Using our calliper to measure the C 85 Vintage's toebox at its widest point reveals it to be on par with our current lab average at 97.5 mm thick. This should be roomy enough to comfortably accommodate most foot shapes except for those that are very broad. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold kj kj

The New Balance 530 brand new with original box Reebok Road Supreme 3.0 A GW005 Cblack Purgry Sollim. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 97.5 mm
Average 99.1 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
91.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
107.7 mm

reebok workout plus mu chalk rad red rrue grey

The C 85 Vintage tapers to 69.8 mm wide in the area around the big toe according to our caliper measurements. This is quite a bit narrower than average and doesn't give us much room to splay out in this shoe. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold reebok workout plus mu chalk rad red rrue grey
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 69.8 mm
Average 74.9 mm
Compared to 52 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
63.7 mm
reebok workout plus mu chalk rad red rrue grey
83.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue is non-gusseted, though we didn't experience any issue with it slipping during testing thanks to how robust and wide it is which helped keep it in place. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Tongue: gusset type
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold None

Comfort

Tongue padding

On that note, we measured the C 85 Vintage's chunky tongue to be a whopping 10.1 mm thick. This is much more padded than our current lab average and provides a luxurious level of comfort across the instep without any hint of lace bite not matter how tight we tie them. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Tongue padding
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold 10.1 mm
Average 9.1 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Reebok Classic Leather sneakers in oatmeal
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
38.4 mm

Removable insole

The insole isn't glued in so it can easily be replaced with custom orthotics if extra arch support is required. 

Reebok The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Removable insole
Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

The C 85 Vintage doesn't feature any reflective elements for added nighttime visibility. 

Test results
The Amber Rose x Reebok Freestyle Muva Fuka in Merlot Rose Gold No