CrossFit is a tough workout. If you’ve spent more than a few minutes in your local franchise’s gym, then you know that it’s pretty intense and the programming is designed for you to work hard.
However, that also means that your feet can take a beating in the process if you don’t have the right footwear. That’s why CrossFit-specific shoes were designed for the experience.
But which are the best CrossFit shoes if you have bunions? Keep reading because we’re about to reveal our top picks for cross-training shoes so that you can out perform your gym buddies while keeping your poor bunions pain-free.
Table of Contents
In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick!
Quick Rankings
| Rank | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Reebok CrossFit Nano 9.0 |
| Check Price |
| #2 |  Reebok Legacy Lifter |
| Check Price |
| #3 |  New Balance 20v7 Minimus |
| Check Price |
| #4 |  F-Lite 235 V3 Cross Trainers |
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| #5 |  NOBULL Trainers |
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| #6 |  Altra HIIT XT |
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| #7 |  Inov-8 F-Lite 260 Knit Cross Trainers |
Check Price | |
How We Compared CrossFit Shoes
Toe Box Width
One of the most important aspects of shoes that support feet with bunions is a nice wide toe box. Since bunions form at the base of your toes, you need to make sure that your shoes provide enough room for comfort. That’s why sticking with shoes designed with a wider area near the front is going to help you stay pain free.
Comfort
This almost goes without saying, but your CrossFit shoes have be comfortable. There are plenty of other things you can base your buying decisions on, but if comfort is the last thing you consider, then you’re doing it wrong.
And just because a famous athlete like Mat Fraser endorses a certain shoe, that doesn’t mean it’s right for you and your situation. Try to keep hype and celebrity marketing pressure at bay when you finally make a purchase because you really need to focus on the best cross trainers to improve pronation and your natural gait during high intensity movements.
Lockdown
Lockdown is really just a fancy word that refers to the “snugness” of the shoe. It also incorporates how stable the shoe feels connecting with the floor.
Ideally, you want a CrossFit shoe to feel tight on your feet. If there’s too much room in your shoe, the friction can cause discomfort to your bunions. That’s why adequate lockdown makes a cross training shoe feel almost like a second skin.
1. Reebok CrossFit Nano 9.0
First on our list are the Reebok CrossFit Nano 9.0 shoes and if you’ve been shopping around for awhile, then you’ve most likely seen them mentioned before. They’re pretty popular considering the CrossFit community was a major influence in the design of these gym sneakers.
Where these shoes really shine is in their comfort. Users from multiple websites have reported these to be some of the most comfortable workout sneakers they own.
Additionally, they have a nice wide toe box. When you’re making quick moves from rope climbs to the rowing machine, you want plenty of room in the front to avoid friction on your bunions.
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Roomy in the toe box
- High stability
- Highly versatile
Cons:
- Some users report needing time to “break-in”
2. Reebok Legacy Lifter
Cross-training involves a multitude of different activities and weight-lifting is one of them. However, not all generic workout sneakers can give you an edge during heavy compound lifts. That’s why if you want a shoe that provides performance benefits specifically for weight-training, then the Reebok Legacy Lifters are a very good option.
Not to be too boastful, but apparently U.S. weightlifting competitor CJ Cummings had some influence in the design of the lack and cyan version that you can find on Amazon. But the real reason they appear on this list is because of how wide they are in comparison to other lifting shoes.
Plus, the overlapping straps provide a nice and tight lockdown. This will keep friction to a minimum on the sides of your toes.
Pros
- Great for heavy weightlifting
- Wider than most lifting sneakers
- Lockdown prevents slippage
Cons
- Not suited for running
- Some have reported defective lace holes
3. New Balance 20v7 Minimus Cross Trainer
Minimal design tennis shoes have become increasingly popular so we wanted to make sure and provide a suitable option. That’s why you’ll find the New Balance 20v7 Minimus Cross Trainers on this list.
These shoes are cushioned very well which will come in handy during sprints and box jumps. Additionally, the welded seams prevent chafing which can occur during workouts.
What’s also neat is the asymmetrical shaped collar. This actually gives you more of a natural fit in comparison to other minimalistic shoes.
Pros:
- Plenty of cushioning for minimalist shoes
- Neat color pattern and design
- Natural feel
Cons:
- Buyers have reported small sizing
4. Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3
Out of all the Inov-8 brand CrossFit shoes, the F-Lite 235 V2 model is the most popular. However, the V3 model does have some additional benefits over the V2 that make it a great option for a pain-free workout if you have bunions.
They have a very natural feel thanks to the 4 mm drop from heel to toe. This makes them versatile and comfortable through all sorts of activities including lifting, jumping, and running.
Also adding to the comfort of the Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 shoes are the nice wide toe box. A number of users reported that having enough room for their toes made wearing these shoes a great experience overall.
Pros
- Feel very natural
- Toe box is roomy
- Great grip on the floor
Cons
- Some have reported these shoes being hard to clean
- Not suitable for running long distances
5. NOBULL Trainers
NOBULL doesn’t have a huge variety of training shoes, but their Standard Trainers are definitely their most popular sneakers. What makes these shoes so top notch is the fact that they adapt to all of your typical CrossFit movements while staying comfortable and snug.
Users have reported that these shoes are very airy and that’s due to the seamless, one-piece SuperFabic on the upper. This construction and fabric makes the shoes very durable, breathable, and abrasion resistant.
These shoes also have a nice, wide toe box for comfort. Plus, they’re very solid on the outside and have a protected front that won’t allow friction near your toe knuckles.
Pros
- High quality material
- Extremely versatile shoes
- Very comfortable
CrossFit Nano Cons
- Narrow in the midfoot
- Not suitable for running long distances
6. Altra HIIT XT
Altra is a brand that’s not as well known in the CrossFit community, but don’t cut yourself short by not giving them a chance. They can design and construct extremely high-quality cross-training shoes and the Altra HIIT XT Sneakers are certainly a viable option if you’re worried about your bunions during training.
The toe box is nice and wide… so that’s a good start for these workout sneakers. Plus, they have killer traction and grip on the bottom that makes rope climbing a breeze.
That is if you have the upper body strength lol
And many reviewers have reported that these shoes are so totally comfortable that you won’t want to wear anything else. Plus, the designs are pretty stylish that you might consider these for your everyday tennis shoes.
Pros
- Zero drop makes them very stable
- Grip is good
- Wide toe box
Cons
- Break-in period required
- Narrow through the midfoot
7. Inov-8 F-Lite 260 Knit
Roominess is the main word that I would use to describe the Inov-8 F-Lite 260 Cross Trainers. When Inov-8 was designing their shoes, they must have wanted to provide a wider model for those that can’t squeeze into most narrow workout shoes.
Something that isn’t considered much in cross-training shoes is the heel support. Inov-8 put some major thought into the external heel cage of these shoes so they really hug your heel and prevent slippage.
The grip is excellent like most of the Inov-8 models, but the flexibility in these shoes is pretty great too. Because of this short sprints are made to be comfortable, and even power cleans and other dynamic lifts feel natural when you get up on your toes.
Pros
- Comfortable on wide feet
- External heel cage hugs the heel
- Strong grip
Cons
- Extra heel-to-toe drop may be an adjustment
- Not for running specific WODs
Wrapping Up the Best CrossFit Shoes for Bunions
| Category | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Reebok CrossFit Nano 9.0 | Check Price |
| Best for Weightlifting | Reebok Legacy Lifter | Check Price |
| Best Minimal Design | New Balance 20v7 Minimus | Check Price |
It’s clear to see that there are a number of shoe options available for you if you’re worried about your bunions. You don’t have to sit on the sidelines while your friends hit the workouts hard. And even though we formed a list of our top 9 picks, here are the 3 sneaker models that we recommend above all.
Our top pick are Reebok CrossFit Nano 9.0 Shoes because of how versatile and comfortable they are. If you’re looking for a dedicated weightlifting shoe, then you can’t go wrong with the Reebok Legacy Lifters. And if a minimal shoe with a very natural feel is more your jam, then the New Balance 20v7 Minimus Cross Trainers can be a great option.
But if you’re looking for our “best of the best”, then make sure you check out our highly-researched list of the top shoes for CrossFit workouts.
