Buying the right pair of shoes for CrossFit is so important because they not only help you get the most out of your workouts, but they also help you avoid injury. One of the greatest CrossFit shoe companies out there is NOBULL, and today I’m going to talk about the seven best NOBULL CrossFit shoes for 2020.
Table of Contents
In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick!
Standard Trainer
- Great material and construction
- Works well for both weightlifting and running
- Super comfortable
How We Compared NOBULL Cross Training Shoes
When you’re comparing all the NOBULL shoes available in the brand’s catalog, it can be a little overwhelming. What should you look for? What specs are good?
Well, we did a lot of the work for you and think we know the most important aspects of these sneakers that can give you an edge in your CrossFit workouts. Here they are based on our selections:
Paying Attention to Durability
When taking a look at each sneaker, we wanted to make sure our picks were the most durable. CrossFit is a pretty brutal way of training and it’s not uncommon for gym members to go through multiple pairs of sneakers over the course of a year. We made sure to consider this annoying factor when making shoe picks.
Are They Comfortable?
“I want to wear uncomfortable shoes!” … said nobody ever. Regardless if you’re shopping for casual sneakers or high-priced cross trainers, you need to make sure they’re comfy and make working out enjoyable over multiple sessions.
Supportive and Stable
Shoe stability has different requirements from one physical activity to the next, but it’s important to pay attention to the right things when it comes to CrossFit. If you’re swinging around heavy barbells and constantly slamming back down to the floor during plyometric movements, then your shoes need to provide support to the balls of your feet, heels, and even your ankles.
Quick Rankings
| Rank | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |   Standard Trainers |
| Check Price |
| #2 |   High Top Trainers |
| Check Price |
| #3 |  Lifter |
| Check Price |
| #4 |  Graphite Knit Runner |
| Check Price |
| #5 |  Mid Trainers |
| Check Price |
| #6 |  Ripstop Runners |
| Check Price |
| #7 |  Leather Runners |
Check Price | |
1. Standard Trainer
One of NOBULL’s best sellers, the Standard Trainer is an all-in-one CrossFit shoe that is pretty great for lifting, running, sliding, and climbing. These shoes are lightweight and breathable, have a stiff sole, and good shoes for narrow feet.
The upper of the men’s trainer features a seamless one-piece construction with their patented SuperFabric, which is a material that is extremely durable and breathable, not to mention abrasion resistant.
There are also SuperFabric guard plates on the mesh base layer and an outsole lug pattern that gives you the right blend of flexibility, traction, and support both indoors and outdoors.
The perforated microsuede tongue is breathable, and the shoes also feature a molded, anatomical sockliner and a medial rope grip. The heel to toe drop on the fog heather trainer is only 4 mm, which is just about what you want with a CrossFit shoe. And, the wide toe box is nice and roomy for lifting.
I do want to mention that the stiff sole may not work for long-distance running, as some people have complained of foot pain after a long run. Because of this, these may not be the best CrossFit shoes for pronation.
Pros:
- Great material and construction
- Works well for both weightlifting and running
- Super comfortable
Cons:
- Narrow (no wides)
- Not for long distance running
2. High Top Trainer
Just like their regular trainer, the High-Top Trainer is for hard work. The high-cut collar provides padding and a secure fit, which makes them good for movement in all directions.
The upper features their patented SuperFabric, which is an extremely durable, breathable, and abrasion resistant material. And, just like the regular trainer, the SuperFabric guard plates on top of the flexible mesh base give you a decent amount of flexibility, traction, and support.
This shoe has the NOBULL outsole lug pattern, making them well suited for both indoor and outdoor training, and they come with a medial rope grip, a molded, anatomical sockliner, and a 4 mm heel to toe drop.
These shoes work well for running and lifting, so all you need is one pair of shoes for your CrossFit WOD. And FYI, this shoe comes in multiple colors, I just chose the Fog Heather because it is a best seller.
A bit difficult to put on. Besides that they’re great all around, extremely comfortable, sturdy, and look amazing when on feet.
Jonathan D. on the NOBULL website.
Pros:
- Great material and construction
- Suitable for both running and weightlifting
- High top gives extra ankle support
Cons:
- Might be difficult to put on
3. Lifter
If you want to buy a pair of NOBULL sneakers exclusively for weightlifting, then you are in luck. The handmade NOBULL Lifter gives a nod to tradition and a focus on quality, as the shoe features leather and other premium sourced materials. These shoes are built to last, and they will allow you to lift heavy and often.
The leather in the NOBULL Lifter is hand-selected, top grain material that is embedded with natural oils, making it exceptionally strong and durable with a rich texture.
The Lifter has a stacked leather heel with individually cut layers that are bonded, waxed, finished, and buffed to reveal the natural grains. According to NOBULL, each one of the heels in their Lifters takes a craftsman two to three hours of handwork.
There is an 18.5 mm heel to toe drop in these shoes, and they feature a molded, removable sockliner.
This review from the NOBULL website pretty much says it all:
I traveled to NYC for a charity event, so of course I had to make my way to the NoBull store. The staff educated me on the manufacturing process that goes into these lifters and just by trying them on you could tell an immediate difference compared to what I have worn in the past. Yes the price tag is higher, but you get what you pay for.
These lifters not only give the stability for Oly lifts but the flexibility that I actually did burpees in them. I won’t lie that I have an issue with buying too many shoes, but even my wife who does not lift talked me into spending the extra money on these (she said they looked nice). This is another example of a small company putting time and effort into a product versus the other lifters produced by the check mark or striped logos in mass production.
We actually wrote a more detailed NOBULL Lifters review that you can check out so you can see if these weightlifting shoes are actually worth the money.
Pros
- Handcrafted, high-quality
- Made for weightlifting
Cons
- Sizing might be off
4. Graphite Knit Runner
If you like to wear a shoe specifically for running when your WOD takes you away from weightlifting, then the Graphite Knit Runner is a good choice. This shoe features a lightweight, breathable, stretch knit upper that is extremely flexible. And, like the trainer, the knit runner also has the outsole lug pattern for multi-environment usage.
The Graphite Knit Runner from NOBULL features reflective laces for visibility, and a removable molded anatomical sockliner.
This shoe is made for running, as it only weighs 10.6 ounces and has a 10 mm heel to toe drop with a higher durometer medial post. The lightweight midsole is constructed from Phylon, which gives you extra comfort and durability.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable
- Reflective laces for visibility
- Great quality for a good price
- True to size
Cons
- May not hold the foot well when making lateral movements
- Narrow (no wides)
5. Mid Trainers
The NOBULL Trainers come in low, mid, and high-top, and they also come in a variety of colors and different materials. They’re pretty versatile sneakers – no matter which style you choose – because you can run, climb, and lift in them with few problems.
Just like the high tops and low tops, the upper of the Mid Trainers is made from their patented SuperFabric, which is a very durable and breathable fabric to put into a CrossFit shoe.
The mid-cut collar on these shoes gives you padding and a secure fit, which makes moving in any direction pretty nice. These shoes feature a medial rope grip, a 4 mm heel to toe drop, and a molded, anatomical sockliner. And, they come with two pairs of laces.
Pros
- Great material and construction
- Works well for both weightlifting and running
- Super comfortable
CrossFit Nano Cons
- Narrow (no wides)
6. Ripstop Runner
The NOBULL Ripstop Runner is made from a lightweight, breathable, perforated polyester ripstop material that can handle any of the work you put in. The upper gives you a secure fit, no matter which way you are moving.
Of course, these shoes have the signature lug pattern that NOBULL shoes are known for, which make them suitable for both indoors and outdoors.
These shoes feature a 10 mm heel to toe drop, reflective laces, and a molded anatomical sockliner, plus a midsole constructed of Phylon, which gives you a lot of durability and cushioning.
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Excellent durability and flexibility
Cons
- Narrow and tall, which might not work for sprints
7. Leather Runner
If you have wide, flat feet, and are looking for a comfortable running shoe, then I would definitely try the NOBULL Leather Runner. Even though they are made from leather, these runners are supportive and breathable.
Don’t be fooled by their design because the NOBULL Leather Runner can handle whatever you throw their way.The upper has their signature one-piece construction, and the bottom of the Leather Runners have their outsole lug pattern, and that means you wear them both inside and outside and still get solid performance.
These shoes are lightweight, and the Phylon midsole gives you amazing cushion and durability. The Leather Runner feature a higher durometer medial post, the heel to toe drop is 10mm, and they weigh 12.35 ounces.
I’m an ultra runner and high school administrator. I was looking for a comfortable work shoe. The shoes by far exceeded my expectations. I walk about 5-10 miles a day at work. Feet feel great after work and are ready for my evening runs.
David C., NOBULL reviewer
Pros
- Good runner for wide, flat feet
- Extremely comfortable
Cons
- May feel stiff at first
Bonus: NOBULL Slides
For a great shoe to wear to and from the gym, you may want to check out the NOBULL slides.
These shoes are pretty comfortable, and the lightweight contoured foam footbed gives you some nice support. These shoes are made from durable materials that are designed to dry quickly after your workout.
So, if you’re like me and have socks that are soaking wet after a hard workout, these are very nice to slide on before you head out of the box.
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Good shoe for going to and from the box
Cons
- Price
Top Picks for the Best NOBULL CrossFit Shoes
| Category | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Standard Trainers | Check Price |
| Best Ankle Support | High Top Trainers | Check Price |
| Best for Weightlifting | Lifter | Check Price |
For my money, the NOBULL Standard Trainers are great shoes. They work well for running, weightlifting, and everything in between, so you don’t need different shoes for different exercises.
If you need a little more ankle support during your workouts, I’d recommend the High Top Trainers. The higher shoes have better stability and won’t let your ankles fold in as easily.
However, if you do prefer to wear specific shoes for weightlifting and running, NOBULL has got you covered there, too. Their Lifters are top of the line, and hand-crafted in a way that you won’t find from a larger brand.
I will concede that the running shoes are all about personal preference. While their running shoes are super comfortable and lightweight, some hardcore runners don’t like them because they are tall and narrow.
However, others say they are the best running shoes you can buy. So, be careful with the running shoes, but when it comes to the trainers and lifters, you absolutely can’t go wrong.
Plus, all of the NOBULL shoes comes in numerous colors, and you can get the trainers made with their patented SuperFabric, canvas, or leather.
Yes, NOBULL shoes are more on the “premium” side, but you definitely get what you pay for with any of their shoes. They are high quality shoes that are durable, flexible, lightweight, and breathable. NOBULL shoes are definitely worth the investment, but if you’re looking for more variety you can check out our much larger list of exercise footwear for CrossFit that spans multiple brands and styles.
