The Best CrossFit Shoes
Running, jumping, rope climbing and few others are the all favorite crossFit exercises. Our team has reviewed many crossFit-training shoes to determine which one is best of CrossFit Shoes.
In testing shoes, we tested the following properties of shoes;
- Functionality: Does it provide good squat support for the crossFit?
- Durability: Can it be used in climbing ropes without tearing?
- Breathability: Can those dogs Breathe on hot summer days in an un air-conditioned box?
These shoes are tested at different types of feet which include narrow, wide, and flat feet. These are tested in power lifting sessions, runs and jump by our team to conclude recommendations for the very best.
8 Best CrossFit Shoes
- Best CrossFit Shoe Overall: Reebok Nano X4
- Most Versatile Shoe: NOBULL Outwork Shoe
- Best Value CrossFit Shoe: Nike Metcon 9
- Best Budget CrossFit Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars
- Best CrossFit Shoes for Running: Nike Free Metcon 4
Best CrossFit Shoe Overall: Reebok Nano X4
| Product Highlights 1. Flexweave woven upper textile to give best breathability 2. Lift and Run chassis in the sole with Floatride Energy Foam cushioning 3. 7 mm heel drop for supporting toe 4. Available in multiple colorways for both men and women 5. Durable material that’s built to last 6. Best for CrossFit workouts or any type of strength training 7.Not ideal for long runs |
| Pros 1. Stable, supportive heel and cushioned sole 2. Long-lasting and durable 3. Stylish enough to wear in and out of the gym 4. Versatile enough for nearly any kind of training in the gym Cons 1. Sizing runs small, and many have to order half a size up 2. Not cushioned enough for long-distance running |
Most Versatile Shoe: NOBULL Outwork Shoe
| PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS 1. It has 4mm heel-to-toe. 2. A great Stylish look. 3. Versatile 4. It has a great durability. 5. Great for CrossFit workouts. |
| Pros 1. It performs well across a variety of exercises 2. It has a great stylish look. 3. Durable 4. Several height levels Cons 1. These are too much expensive. 2. Takes a while to break in 3. 4mm heel-to-toe-drop may not be good for some movements (such as squats) |
Best Value CrossFit Shoe: Nike Metcon 9
| Product Highlights 1. Versatile, durable training shoe for tough workout 2. Meant for CrossFit workouts and training 3. Larger Hyperlift crash pad 4. 11 colorways available at launch so you can choose one of them. |
| Pros 1. Versatile training shoe 2. Rope guard wrap-around 3. Rigid heel great for stability 4. Multiple colorways to choose from 6. Lace locking system High-traction outsole Cons 1. Not great for running or WODs with longer run intervals 2. Few of people may find them too tough or rigid in use 3. Too much expensive at $150 a pair |
Best Budget CrossFit Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars
| Product Highlights 1. It has sturdy rubber outsole 2. Minimal heel-to-toe drop 3. Minimalist design 4. Budget-friendly ( can be affordable ) 5. Lace closure mechanism |
| Pros 1. Flat heel is perfect for deadlifts also called a deadlift shoes. 2. Can get them in low-tops and high-tops 3.Minimal midfoot cushioning won’t flex under heavy lifts Cons 1. Minimal heel-to-toe drop won’t help with back squats 2. Narrow through the midfoot range so it can cause problem for someone 3. Canvas construction isn’t highly durable |
Best CrossFit Shoes for Running: Nike Free Metcon 4
| Product Highlights 1. It has a great foot hug 2. Light in weight make it comfortable 3. It has a strong grip 4. Stable 5.Priced around $120 |
| Pros 1. Hugs the foot like a sock 2. Lightweight with a grippy outsole 3. Provides stability for CrossFit workouts 4. Priced around $120 so, it’s affordable Cons 1. Very narrow shoe so sometime cause fitting problem 2. Not easy to put on 3. May not stand up to rope climbs |
How We Tested and Picked the Best CrossFit Shoes
The shoes we picked to test could all be considered great for CrossFit and general training. Granted, some of the shoes we tested simply won’t work for certain people either due to the looks or fit, but our picks should work for the majority of people. After some deliberation, we narrowed down our specifications to the following list of features ordered in no particular order.
Overall Construction
The shoes we recommend are some of the best available and are often priced as such. They should be constructed with high-end materials and last a minimum of 6 months under heavy training conditions. We assessed factors specific to CrossFit, such as:
- Do they provide support on squats?
- Is there a rope guard to keep the shoe from falling apart on rope climbs?
- Can you use this for running, jumping, and lifting weights?
Value
We know that some of the best CrossFit shoes sit around $150. Look, we like paying for quality, as long as quality is there. The price of the shoe should be in alignment with its performance. If a shoe costs $150 but performs just as well as a $100 shoe without any outstanding features, then it has poor value.
Appearance
We understand that this is a subjective quality and as such, it plays a small part in which shoes we chose. Rather than basing it solely on our views of the shoes, we also took the opinions of others as to which are the most aesthetically pleasing. We also factor in your ability to choose from a number of colorway options.
Fit
There are a few things we look for with fit. The first is that the shoe comes in a wide enough array of sizes to accommodate most people. Shoes mostly fit depending on the dimensions of your feet, so, we tried to choose shoes that fit the widest range of people. All of our top picks can be used by those with thin or wide feet and combine a locked-down feel with great comfort.
We also reported back on if the shoes fit true to size. You’ll often find that you need to size up or down half a size.
Comfort
If you train as much as we do, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in these shoes. They should be comfortable both during training, runs, and after training.
Versatility
A CrossFit shoe should not just work well in the gym doing burpees and squats, but also outside of it as well. This includes short-distance runs as well as dragging and pushing sleds as well as ruck marches.
Special Features
As CrossFit evolves, so should the specialization of the shoes designed for the task. Obviously, CrossFit hits a wide range of movements, so the shoes will always be more for generalized training. However, things like heel clips and rope guards are important to keep the shoe performing well.
During testing, we performed various workouts: long, short, and in between. We squatted, deadlifted, box jumped, wall-balled (is that a word?) clean and jerked, snatched, ran, and did many other movements that might be included in your CrossFit WODs.
We did heavy lifting as well as EMOMs, AMRAPS, and lots of metcons. We requested the opinion of many different people including a couple of CrossFit Games Athletes without shoe sponsors (to avoid biases.)
Best CrossFit Shoes FAQs
Can you run in CrossFit shoes?
Yes, the best CrossFit shoes are designed for all kinds of exercise: lifting, running, jumping. Some have great lug soles for gripping the ground during runs, some have an extremely flexible forefoot, some, like the Nike Free Metcon 4, is literally a combination of a running shoe and a shoe made for lifting weights.
What makes a good CrossFit shoe?
A good CrossFit shoe is one you can use to run, jump, climb ropes and lift weights. A more rigid sole is great for weightlifting, an elevated heel (even slight) is ideal for squatting, a flexible forefoot makes for good running and jumping, and a reinforced sole and heel is ideal for durability.
Are CrossFit shoes worth it?
Here’s the thing: You can grab a pair of Asics or New Balance shoes and hit the box. It’s doable and possible and people all over the world do CrossFit in shoes that aren’t your typical “CrossFit shoes.” Shoot, some people do it barefoot!
However, having the right shoes for the sport can help you feel better, and, in turn, perform better. An elevated heel and an appropriate amount of cushioning assist in the breadth of movements we do in CrossFit. Also, some shoes just can’t stand up to the sport and will literally fall apart. I recommend investing in a comfortable, durable pair of shoes if you plan on exercising often.
What makes a good cross training shoe?
The key features to look for in a good cross training shoe are flexibility in the midsole, to allow for easy and quick movements in different directions, good grip, durable as they receive heavy wear and tear, breathable upper, lightweight, and even cushioning throughout.
