Worn, Tested, Proven: Trainers Show You How to Find The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2025

The Reebok Nano X5 comes in a unisex model (with men’s and women’s sizing) and a women’s model. The unisex shoe comes in six different colorways, and the women’s shoe comes in seven colorways. Both are stylish, earning 4 out of 5 stars for style and design.

However, Ben did offer a warning for those who care about their style, saying, “The Nano X5s do come with longer laces than are typical, so that can give your tied shoes a goofy bunny-eared look if you’re not careful.”

Another small callout is the $10 price difference for colored profiles of the Nanos. The black and white colorways cost $140, and any of the colorways with a splash of color will cost you $150 in total.

Overall, these are highly versatile and comfortable shoes, and we recommend them for any CrossFit athletes looking to upgrade their shoe collection.

To learn more, be sure to read Ben’s full Reebok Nano 5 review.

In my experience, you’re either in or out on the look and feel of the NOBULL Outwork. Originally knowm 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, and gave the shoe a 4 out of 5 for appearance.

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, and are well worth every penny.

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.

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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.

These shoes are also built to last. Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, has been using his Metcon 9s regularly for over a year, and they still look brand new with no signs of wear and tear. For durability, these earn 4.5 out of 5.

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 due to the thin insole that keeps your foot firmly planted on the ground. We give stability a 4 out of 5.

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.

One small concern is durability, as the canvas material can eventually wear down over time. However, they still last quite a long time, and for the low cost, we think the durability is still worthy of 4 out of 5 stars.

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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 6.

While we haven’t tested the Free Metcon 6 yet, we have tested the Free Metcon 4, as well as the most recent Metcons, the Nike Metcon 9. As the Free Metcon 6 is an upgrade of the previous model we’ve tested, we’d expect most of features we love to remain the same, if not better.

The Free Metcon 6 is a versatile shoe that can be used for a variety of activities. 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.

For more, 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.

The first thing our tester noticed is how the responsive cushionign felt in the PR 3s, which earn 4 out of 5 stars for stability and performance. She said, “I feel springy, but I don’t think that’d be good for heavy loads.”

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. The durability and construction earn 4 out of 5 stars.

Our tester also found the PR 3s to be a bit light, although she adds that it’s not a bad thing. “It just took a bit of getting used to.”

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.

Caroline also gave these shoes 4 out of 5 stars for appearance. She said, “I’m someone who is a real fan of fun colors and patterns so I was thrilled to see the black and white that looks reminiscent of cow print. My only gripe looks wise is that they look kinda funny with no show socks that have a cushioned back. The cushioned part sticks up over the shoes in a weird way that I’ve never seen with any of my other sneakers.”

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.

Our one callout is the durability, which earns 3 out of 5. Some users report the heels can begin to separate with heavy usage, so if you’re going to be performing Olympic lifting frequently throughout the week, you may need to replace these sooner than you’d like.

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.