There are a
lot of CrossFit shoes out there. Some are built primarily for lifting, some are better for running, some are designed to survive rope climbs, and some try to do all of it reasonably well.
The truth is, there isn't one perfect CrossFit shoe for everyone. Your foot shape, training style, preferences, and even the workouts you enjoy most can all influence what works best for you.
So instead of giving you one definitive answer, we asked the Fortitude coaches what shoes they actually wear—and, more importantly,
why.
Liv Kroll, CF-L2, NCC Candidate, IFC-PCC Candidate
When I started CrossFit in 2016, I was convinced that the fitter you wanted to be, the more shoes you needed to own. Reebok Nanos, Nike Metcons, NOBULL Trainers…you name it, I probably owned it at some point.
My collection definitely made me one of the best-dressed athletes in the gym, but not necessarily the best athlete. Turns out, like most things in CrossFit,
quality beats quantity every time. One or two pairs that fit you well will take you much farther than a closet full of options. Plus, your wallet will thank you.
I'm currently wearing the
Born Primitive Savage 1s, and they check a lot of boxes for me: a wide toe box, a stable platform, and a grippy instep for rope climbs. Unfortunately, they've worn out faster than I would have hoped—my first pair made it about a year.
After putting plenty of miles and burpees on just about every major CrossFit shoe, my top recommendation is the
Reebok Nano.
The Nanos are the OG CrossFit shoe. Reebok was the title sponsor of the CrossFit Games beginning in 2011, and the Nano became one of the most recognizable training shoes in the sport.
The Nanos have always given me that same combination of stability and comfort, with durability that has held up better than many of the shoes I've tried. At this point, there are more than a dozen generations and variations of the Nano, but my old
Nano 10s lasted over five years and were still kickin' when I finally chose to retire them. Pun absolutely intended.
At the end of the day, shoes are personal, and what works for me might not work for you. But if you're looking for one place to start, I'd lace up a pair of Reebok Nanos.
They're not currently in my closet, but they'll definitely make a comeback soon!
Brian England, CF-L2, PN1-NC
My favorite shoes are from Flux Footwear.
When I first started at Fortitude, I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a severe case of plantar fasciitis. I went through a lot of different shoes during those months of rehab.
If you haven't researched barefoot shoes, be prepared for a
plethora of options. I didn't try them all, but none of them ever felt quite right.
Flux got the shape right for me: roomy up front where your toes need to spread, but snug through the heel so your foot isn't sliding around. That sounds like a small thing until you've worn shoes that get it wrong.
They're flat from heel to toe, flexible, and light, so you actually feel the ground instead of being propped up on top of it. The insole has a bunch of little nubs that feel like a low-key foot massage all day.
I've got their original trainer, the
Adapt Trainer, and their
Adapt Runner. The trainers handle everything from workdays to the gym, while the runners hold up for real mileage without beating up my feet.
Oh, and they last a long time. My first pair was well over two years old before I decided it was time for a fresh pair.
At this point, I don't reach for much else.
Lauren Hafner, CF-L2, HSN Coach
Like a lot of athletes new to CrossFit, I started my journey in running shoes. I was a collegiate runner and wore almost exclusively the Mizuno Wave Rider, usually in whatever bright, fun color I could find on sale.
I learned pretty quickly that running shoes aren't necessarily built for the demands of CrossFit. The wider, cushioned heel that feels great while running can give you the wobbles when you're trying to snatch or clean.
So I invested in my first pair of training shoes.
My OG CrossFit Shoe: Nike Metcon 3
Throughout my running career, I was always a big fan of Nike running apparel, so my first pair of trainers had to be the
Nike Metcon 3. And yes, they were a fun color—they were mint.
The Metcon 3 was very flat with a relatively firm sole, which made it awesome for lifting and strength work. But that same firm, flat platform wasn't nearly as forgiving for running and jumping, and the toe box was genuinely narrow.
I almost always ended up with foot cramps after big box-jump workouts and would peel them off my feet while lying on the floor after the WOD.
And yet, I wore those shoes for more than four years.
The Wide-Toe-Box Era: Altra Solstice XT, Reebok Nano X2 & Born Primitive Savage 1
In case you didn't know, Walter introduced me to CrossFit when we met in 2017.
By the time we got married and started thinking about opening a gym, Walter—and his PT expertise—had thoroughly convinced me of the importance of giving my toes room to spread. He was concerned I was headed toward bunions and gnarled toes, so I gave away all of my Metcons and started a two-year journey to find my favorite wide-toe-box training shoe.
First up was the
Altra Solstice XT. I loved this shoe. It had an extremely roomy toe box, a relatively flat platform that worked well for lifting, and enough flexibility to make running and jumping feel good. I loved them so much that I bought a second pair to wear at my restaurant job because my feet stayed comfortable through an 8+ hour shift.
The downside? They wore out
fast. And when a shoe doesn't make it through a year, the price tag starts to feel a lot less reasonable.
Next came the
Reebok Nano X2. Reebok was still closely associated with CrossFit at the time, so I decided to give the Nanos a try. The X2 had fun colors, a roomy toe box, stability, and flexibility. I was all about it. These are great shoes for lifting. They're flat, but flexible enough for the explosive movements that make up CrossFit. They're also durable—I’ve had my latest pair for five years and they're still going.
The downside is running. Short runs are fine, but once you're getting into longer intervals, the flat platform starts to feel pretty unforgiving. I don't reach for these often anymore unless it's a lifting-focused day. But because of that roomy toe box and their durability, they're still a favorite for coaching days—they’re also mint and blue.
While rocking the X2s, I was determined to find a good all-around trainer with a wide toe box. So when Born Primitive released the
Savage 1s, I jumped on the Black Friday sale.
The Savage 1s were a pretty good compromise. The toe box was comfortable enough, and they felt good for running, jumping, and cycling a barbell. Unfortunately, mine wore out in about a year, and the fit started to feel loose no matter how many times I tightened the laces throughout the day. They became my yard-work shoes.
My All-Around CrossFit Shoe: NOBULL Outwork Edge
While I have five different CrossFit training shoes on my shoe rack, the one I reach for most is the
NOBULL Outwork Edge.
For me, this is the closest thing I've found to an all-around CrossFit shoe. It's stable enough for lifting, but has more cushioning than the really flat trainers I've worn in the past, which makes jumping and running more comfortable. It's also built to handle rope climbs and the general wear and tear that comes with years of training. NOBULL describes the Edge as a flat, low-to-the-ground shoe with a more impact-protective design than the original Outwork.
The downside? They're pretty stiff when you first get them and take a little while to break in. And while they have more cushioning than some of my other trainers, anything over about 800 meters still feels like I'm pounding pavement.
Oh, and they don't come in hot pink anymore. Which is honestly a design flaw.
Walter Hafner, DPT, CF-L3, USAW-L1
I've tried quite a few different pairs of shoes over the years of doing CrossFit, and I've found that different shoes work better depending on the type of training I'm doing.
Altra Solstice XT
One of my favorites early on was the
Altra Solstice XT. It has a great wide toe box, a wide overall fit, and is decent for lifting thanks to the zero heel drop and relatively low amount of cushioning.
It was a particularly good gym shoe for workouts that favored running. I liked this shoe a lot, but I felt like the tread wore down faster than I would have liked. I also don't think it would hold up particularly well to frequent rope climbs.
Reebok Nano 2.0
I've tried newer models of the Reebok Nanos and didn't love the way they fit my feet. More recently, I picked up a pair of
Reebok Nano 2.0s, which seem to be a great shoe for lifting and decent for running.
My only beef with this shoe is the sizing. I had to go up a half size, and I honestly think I need to go up another half size. My current pair is a little too snug on my right foot, so it's harder for me to give a thorough assessment of the shoe at this point.
I also haven't tried rope climbs with these shoes yet.
NOBULL Outwork Trainer
My favorite more rigid shoe for lifting and rope climbs is the
NOBULL Outwork Trainer.
This shoe has a more rigid sole, making it great for feeling stable and strong during lifts and box jumps. The grippy texture on the top of the shoe makes it
the best shoe I've found for rope climbs.
The more rigid sole does have a downside: it's less comfortable for longer runs. I tend to keep using these shoes when the running distance is 400 meters or less per round. However, if there are rope climbs, I'm using the NOBULLs regardless of the run distance or volume. :)
One downside is that the NOBULLs don't have a particularly wide toe box, so they're not as comfortable for wearing all day.
Vibram FiveFingers
If I'm looking for a truly barefoot feel during running workouts, I'll occasionally bust out my old
Vibram FiveFingers.
If you want a truly barefoot training experience but still want a little protection for your feet, the FiveFingers are a great option. They can work well for running if you're already accustomed to barefoot running. If you're not, you'll definitely want to ease into using them.
They aren't great for wall walks, and I wouldn't recommend them for rope climbs.
There are a million models and options, but the KSOs have been just fine for me.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite
Everyone at the gym probably sees me wearing the
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV more than anything else. I really like these shoes for most training days.
There's very little padding—if any. This is a barefoot shoe, so if you know you need more cushioning or support, these probably aren't for you.
What I like is how light they are, the wide toe box, and the snug heel. These shoes truly feel like they're just a part of your feet.
They aren't great for rope climbs, and I don't love how they feel when I'm trying to sprint. For some reason, my feet tend to slap the ground harder than they do when I'm sprinting in the Vibram FiveFingers.
Otherwise, they're fine for shorter runs at the gym. If you're heading outside onto the gravel for the 800-meter loop, though, you'll want to watch for rocks because you're definitely going to feel them.
I also love that these shoes look semi-professional, so I can go from training to treating patients without having to change shoes…although maybe I should if they're sweaty. Haha.
They've held up incredibly well. The pair I have is due to be replaced, but I bought them about a year and a half ago and they still look surprisingly good.
Running Shoes
If it's a purely running workout, I'll bust out some regular running shoes. I'll also occasionally use running shoes for workouts with longer runs and fewer technical movements paired with the running.
I currently use
Topo Mtn Racer 2s for road running. This shoe pairs well with my
Topo Ultraventure shoes for longer ultra runs—the fit feels very similar between the two.
The Mtn Racers have a nice wide toe box while still providing a snug heel, which is a combination I really like in a running shoe.
Olympic Weightlifting Shoes
While none of our coaches currently wear Olympic weightlifting shoes, or “lifters,” they're worth mentioning if you're serious about Olympic weightlifting.
Lifters are specialty shoes designed specifically to help you maximize your performance in movements like the snatch and clean & jerk. They have an extremely rigid sole and an elevated heel, which can reduce the ankle mobility demands of getting into a deep squat position. The rigid platform also gives you a very stable base to push against when lifting heavy weights.
The tradeoff?
They're specialty shoes.
They're fantastic for Olympic weightlifting, but generally aren't very practical for everything else you might do in a CrossFit workout. Running, box jumps, burpees, and most other movements are better suited to a more versatile training shoe.
Do You Need Lifters for Olympic Lifting?
Walter's personal take is that you don't necessarily need to wear lifters every time you do Olympic weightlifting.
One of the things we love about CrossFit is that we're not just training for the gym—we're training our bodies to be capable and resilient for whatever life throws at us. We don't wear weightlifting shoes all day, every day, so there can be value in occasionally challenging your ankle mobility, balance, and stability while lifting in a regular training shoe.
That doesn't mean lifters aren't useful.
If you're competing in Olympic weightlifting or trying to maximize your lifts to their absolute potential, lifters are a valuable tool. The elevated heel and rigid sole can change the mechanics of the lift and make it easier for some athletes to achieve the positions required for heavier lifts.
For the rest of us, though, they're a specialty tool rather than a requirement. A good training shoe that allows you to move well can be more than enough for the Olympic lifting you'll encounter in a typical CrossFit program.
So, What CrossFit Shoes Should You Wear?
After trying more shoes than we probably care to admit, our biggest takeaway is this:
There isn't a single best CrossFit shoe. There's a best shoe for
you.
If you spend most of your time lifting, you may prefer a flatter, more rigid shoe. If you love running workouts, you'll probably want more cushioning and flexibility. If you have wider feet, a roomy toe box may be one of your highest priorities. And if you're doing a little bit of everything—which is kind of the whole point of CrossFit—you'll probably want to find the best compromise between stability, comfort, flexibility, and durability.
You also don't have to own five pairs of shoes. (Although, as Liv and Lauren have demonstrated, that certainly doesn't mean you
can't.)
Start with how
your feet feel, then think about how you actually train. The best CrossFit shoe is the one that fits your foot, lets you move well, and makes you feel confident taking on whatever shows up on the whiteboard.
