Worn, Tested, Proven: Trainers Show You How to Find The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

It’s no secret that Reebok and Nike dominate the CrossFit shoe space. Reebok sort of burst onto the scene with the Nanos, and the Nano 2 was perhaps one of the most popular models. Then the Nano sort of tanked around the 4s and 5s, but I’m here to say: the X4s may be the best Nano yet.

Previously, the Nano X1s, X2s, and X3s topped our guide to the best CrossFit shoes, but our team has been more than pleased with the new release. While I generally am not a big fan of the direction training shoes are going in—it seems most manufacturers are heading toward “more” shoe and I prefer minimalist shoes—our other product testers were stoked about the support and stability offered by the X4.

Lindsay Scheele, certified personal trainer and lead reviewer of Garage Gym Reviews Everything, said the shoes feel more stable than her X3s (which are still in great condition, and we expect the X4s to be just as durable).

“They offer a 7mm drop which is great for the majority of us who tend to land with our heel first while running, offering better support,” she says, rating the stability a 5 out of 5. “They almost remind me of Nike Metcons, but with a wider toe box.”

The cushioning, Lindsay adds, gets a 3 out of 5. “There are way more cushioned shoes out there, but for a cross-training shoe I feel like they were perfect,” she says.

Ultimately, we think this is the best all-around CrossFit shoe because it truly exemplifies CrossFit as a concept—in other words, it’s supremely versatile. Lindsay wore the X4s for everything from traditional WODs to long runs to everyday errands, and while these shoes of course aren’t a superstar in any single arena, they perform decently in all things functional fitness. (And that’s exactly what we want to see from CrossFit shoes.)

Lindsay recommends ordering a half size up from what you normally wear. “I found this to be true with all Reebok shoes,” she says. “I typically wear a 7, but when I ordered the 7’s on other shoes, they fit, but felt just a little snug.”

Read our full Reebok Nano X4 review, or get a sneak peek at the new Nano X5 in our Reebok Nano X5 first look.

In my experience, you’re either in or out on the look and feel of the NOBULL Outwork. Originally know as NOBULL Trainers, the shoe left our team a little divided, actually, because I really like the look of the shoe; but Kate Meier, our head of content and longtime CrossFitter, was indifferent. That’s why we chose this for our most versatile pick, however, because if you like the look of the shoe, you can essentially wear it anywhere.

Okay, but you didn’t come here for the best-looking shoe (or did you?); I assume you want to know how it performs. I was pretty surprised, to be honest. When you first put them on, that very small 4-millimeter heel-to-toe drop makes the shoe feel almost uncomfortable.

However, once you start moving, you don’t notice it at all. In fact, the shoe moves and breathes incredibly well across the breadth of CrossFit exercises. Kate herself said she was pleasantly surprised at how well they performed across two dozen workouts. There is a mesh upper as well, which keeps the shoe breathable.

“The harder bottom gives you a good platform for squats, but it’s still flexible enough to get through running,” Kate says, awarding it a 4.5 out of 5 for adjustability and ergonomics.

In March 2021, the CrossFit Games announced NOBULL as its title sponsor. Let’s be honest, though, NOBULL was climbing the popularity ranks among CrossFitters well before then. The brand locked down big names like Tia Clair Toomey, Katrin Davidsdottir and Alex Smith and just watched the sales pile up.

The Outwork comes in several height levels: low, mid and high. They started with a very utilitarian look to them–solid color, no contouring, plain white sole, with essentially just the words “NOBULL” on them. However, over the years, the brand has expanded its line substantially to include more designs and patterns, both on the shoe and on the sole.

The biggest downside is the cost. Even the most basic Outwork is about $120, and it feels to me like you’re essentially paying for the name “NOBULL.” But, since these can double as your workout shoes and your out-on-the-town shoes, it might be a good investment. (P.S. Here’s how to get a NOBULL discount code.)

For more, check out my full NOBULL Outwork shoe review.

Anthony O’Reilly, performance editor for GGR and a certified personal trainer, said his feet felt like they were “nailed to the ground” while wearing the Nike Metcon 9. In our opinion, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why these shoes are so great for CrossFit.

I think Nike saw what Reebok was doing with the Nano and said, “Hold my beer.” And then came the Metcon, which, in my opinion, gets better with every iteration. In fact, I would have put the Metcon 9 as my top pick, but, as Nike shoes do, it runs a little narrow, so it may not be the best fit for most people.

That said, I don’t have a wide foot, so I don’t need a wider shoe. I wear my Nike Metcon 9s a lot: for box jumps, cardio, deadlifts, and basically anything else that would require cross training shoes.

RELATED: Best Deadlift Shoes

So, here’s why I like them: First, the Metcon 9s have what all the other Metcons have, which is a firm, stable heel ideal for squats, and a cushioned foam forefoot in the midsole that makes it ideal for plyometrics and running. In fact, Anthony says they’re better for running than his Metcon 8s, earning them a 4.5 out of 5 for versatility.

The all-rubber outsole is hardcore. As anyone who does CrossFit and uses CrossFit equipment knows, you need a hard bottom to withstand climbing ropes. Similar to the Nike Metcon 3 shoes, the Nike Metcon 9 has an extremely breathable upper. The large perforations in the material truly do make a difference, especially when I’m working out in hot conditions.

Nike gets away with charging $160 or more because simply put, people will pay it. If you don’t mind investing that kind of money in a cross-trainer, then this is definitely the way to go. Also, Nike has one of the best return policies I’ve ever seen. The brand gives you 60 days to try out the shoe and will let you return them for any reason you want.

Read our full Nike Metcon 9 review.

We’re serious, the iconic Converse Chucks are one of the best cross-training shoes you can buy for under $100, whether you get the high-tops or low-tops (people who need more ankle stabilization should go with high-top Chucks).

Chucks are flat, so they’re great for deadlifts, flexible, and have a grippy rubber tread. We have several people on our team who tell us that these are their go-to shoes for deadlifting.

Additionally, the canvas fabric is breathable, which is ideal for when you’re working out in a hot box. Also, the wide toe box gives you plenty of wiggle room.

To be clear, we wouldn’t recommend extended cardio workouts in these shoes, but you can do a quick burst if needed. These should primarily be used on the weightlifting platform for moves that require a flat foot (the Chucks have no heel-to-toe drop) and a great connection with the ground. Squats are not recommended as that move requires an elevated heel.

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And unlike many of the best training shoes, Chucks can be worn everywhere. They are stylish and can be paired with just about any type of outfit. Also, they come in a wider size range option than any other shoes on our list.

You can learn more in our Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star review.

So, here’s what happened: Nike took the Free running shoe and the Metcon training shoe and they had a baby. And you got the Free Metcon, specifically the Free Metcon 4, which we tested.

This is a great blend of both shoes. You get the “foot hug” feeling that the Free running shoe offered, but still have that stability that the Metcon has always provided. In testing, we found that the Free Metcon 4 moves really well with the foot when running, especially on the best treadmills. It weighs 11.2 ounces, so it’s not quite as light as a straight up running shoe, but it’s not as heavy as the more CrossFit-specific shoes are.

The Free Metcon 4 has a lot of features that cater to CrossFitters: a wide heel that is great for squatting movements, webbing along the midfoot that forms to your feet for support on agility movements, and a flexible forefoot for running. The bottom tread is incredibly grippy and feels great when doing any kind of running or jumping.

Kate Meier, GGR head of content and longtime CrossFitter, points out that the Free Metcon 4 runs small. If you have a very narrow foot, you may get away with sticking to your actual size. Otherwise, going up half a size may give you a little more room. These are supposed to fit snugly, but you also don’t need to lose any toenails.

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“if you get the right size, and you like foot hugs, you’ll probably love this shoe,” Kate says, awarding the adjustability and ergonomics a 4 out of 5.

Lastly, this is a great shoe for running workouts, but the outsoles might not withstand rope climbs.

Check out my full Nike Free Metcon 4 review.

CrossFit basically re-introduced weightlifting to the world because people who would have never otherwise heard of movements like the snatch or the clean were suddenly doing them in daily WODs. Professional weightlifters wear shoes specifically designed to handle those kinds of lifts, and from time to time, as a CrossFitter, you might prefer to have a shoe that’s even more stable than your typical cross trainer.

That’s where weightlifting shoes come in, and I really like the Reebok Lifter PR III for CrossFitters who want to wear a lifting shoe in a metcon. To be honest, we haven’t personally worn the third iteration of these shoes, though we’ve tested out both of its predecessors and were more than thrilled with them. Looking at the third Lifter PR III’s specs and customer reviews, we’re confident in recommending these shoes.

The Reebok Lifter PRs are, most noticeably, a more flexible training shoe, but still one of the most high-quality weightlifting shoes I think I have ever seen or used. They have a full textile upper, which keeps your feet cool, and a really flexible forefoot which is ideal in a workout where you have to do more than a squatting movement. All of this while still keeping a 15 mm heel drop, giving you a bit of elevation that is ideal for moving below parallel.

These are priced at around $100, depending on the style you want. Now, I’d recommend these for people who want weightlifting shoes that can be worn in a metcon. I don’t think these are the best outright weightlifting shoes because the soles don’t give you quite the feedback that most weightlifters would want from a shoe. However, they certainly got the job done for us in workouts that featured snatches and squat cleans.

For more information, check out our in-depth Reebok Lifter PR III review.

People with wider feet typically have a tough time finding specialty shoes that not only fit well, but also help with performance. Just ask GGR fitness writer and product tester Anthony O’Reilly, who wears a size 15 shoe. For people who fall into that category, we recommend the INOV-8 F-Lite G 300.

Product tester Caroline Lubinsky, a CrossFit L-1 trainer, wore these for nearly a dozen workouts, including runs, HIIT, and CrossFit—she gave them a 4.5 out of 5 for adjustability and ergonomics, saying “I love that there isn’t a break in period for them. However, I do wish the laces would tie tighter because I have a narrow foot and wanted to make the shoes tighter.”

“They were especially good for quick runs,” she continues. “They felt surprisingly light. Also, these shoes are usable for lifts, but you need to keep in mind that they aren’t the overall best choice for Olympic lifting.”

In addition to being a bit wider than most CrossFit shoes, the INOV-8 F-Lite G 300 has cushioning similar to our top pick, the Reebok Nano X4, and comes with additional shock absorption. It’s also great for those looking for additional arch support, and those looking for a shoe that has little to no break-in period.

As far as their performance goes, the G 300s have a breathable upper and they’re durable due to the infused graphene outsole.

Read my full Inov-8-F-Lite-G-300 review.

Let’s face it: You can snatch in your Metcons all you want, but you won’t get the same type of foot feedback from them that you would get from a true weightlifting shoe. However, you’re a CrossFitter, and you might not want to spend an arm and a leg on the best weightlifting shoes.

The Do-Win Classic Lifter is a great place to start when looking for a budget-friendly shoe that supports weightlifting movements. It’s priced around $130–yes, less than your Metcons–and still provides the support you want from a weightlifting shoe. That’s nice when considering all the gear we buy as CrossFitters.

With around a 20-millimeter heel-to-toe drop, the Do-Win Classic meets the standard for these types of elevated heel shoes. The higher heel height of weightlifting shoes or heel wedges allows lifters less torso lean in squats and generate more plantarflexion than running shoes or barefoot shoes, which was seen in a 2021 review¹.

“The toe box is wider than, say, the Nike Romaleos, which is great for people who need to feel their piggies move,” says Kate Meier, GGR head of content and competitive weightlifter.

Kate awarded the a 4 out of 5 for stability and the outsole. “The grip on the bottom is really good,” she says. “No sliding around whatsoever.”

Also, these shoes are just dripping in style. They have a compressed leather heel that makes it look like you’re lifting on wood. The upper is a combination of suede and mesh that comes in black, red, and royal blue.

Rogue recommends dropping half a size when purchasing, though Kate actually found these to fit either true to size or even a little small. Also, you’re going to get what you pay for: While people who wear the Do-Win Classic love the shoe, there are reports of them falling apart after a year or so.

Read my full in-depth Do-Win Classic Lifter review.