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The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Despite its intense reputation, CrossFit is a sport that’s accessible for people of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels. Get ready for the WOD with the best CrossFit shoes of 2024.

testing the best crossfit shoesAffiliate Managing Editor Billy Brown (right) completing box jumps; (photo/Ali Michelle Photography)
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CrossFit athletes know no two days are alike. The sport asks a lot of you — and your shoes. With activities ranging from heavy deadlifts and Olympic weightlifting to gymnastics and distance running, it’s no surprise that finding the best CrossFit shoes can be a challenge.

We researched and tested the most popular CrossFit & cross-training shoes on the market — shoes you can run, jump, lift, row, ride, climb, carry, and rage in. Our lead tester, Paul Mandell, is an experienced CrossFit coach who puts each shoe through its paces as he demonstrates exercises and techniques to classes and clients on a daily basis. Our Affiliate Managing Editor, Billy Brown, is a CFL2 CrossFit coach and competitive powerlifter who has burned through hundreds of shoes over the course of his career.

They evaluate each model to highlight its specific strengths and shortcomings and make recommendations based on the versatile needs of folks who are exclusively doing CrossFit, as well as those who are practicing stricter lifts and conditioning. After much sweat, some blood, and maybe a few tears, we are proud to present our list of the best CrossFit shoes for 2024.

Check out our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide and Frequently Asked Questions sections for helpful tips, and have a look at our Comparison Chart to steer your decision-making.

Editor’s Note: For our March 26, 2024 update, we added several notable new shoes, including the Born Primitive Savage 1, a lightweight all-around performer that earned our top nod, the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, which is a high-profile performer, and the lifting-friendly Reebok Nano X4.

The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024


Best Overall CrossFit Shoes

Born Primitive Savage 1

Specs

  • Best for Folks who want one shoe to rule them all
  • Drop 4mm
  • Width Wide
  • Weight 250g
  • Bonus Dual-density midsole provides stability on lifts and flexibility on runs
Product Badge The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Breathable
  • Stable
  • Good runner
  • Good lifter

Cons

  • Short laces and tongue
Best Value CrossFit Shoes

Nike Free Metcon 5

Specs

  • Best For Crossfitters
  • Drop 4mm
  • Width Wide
  • Weight 298 g
  • Bonus Significantly stylish
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Stylish
  • Good support

Cons

  • Not a great runner
Runner-Up CrossFit Shoes

GORUCK Ballistic Trainer

Specs

  • Best for Athletes who want a no-frills, do-it-all shoe
  • Drop 8 mm
  • Width Medium
  • Weight 305g
  • Bonus Subdued styling makes these shoes look as good outside the gym as they do in it
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Stable platform for lifting
  • 8mm heel drop is ideal for weightlifting
  • Sole is flexible enough to run comfortably
  • Shows almost zero wear after months of testing

Cons

  • Requires a short break-in period
  • Not the lightest option on the market
Best CrossFit Shoes for Workout of the Day

TYR CXT-1 Trainer

Specs

  • Best for Athletes who want a breathable, comfortable, and stylish cross trainer for everyday gym use
  • Drop 9 mm
  • Width Medium
  • Weight 350g
  • Bonus Met-Cradle climbs ropes exceptionally well. Mesh upper is super breathable and very comfortable
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Flexible
  • 9mm heel drop is ideal for weightlifting
  • Excellent breathability
  • Great stability & Traction

Cons

  • Larger heel can catch on double-unders
Best Everyday CrossFit Shoes

Reebok Nano X4

Specs

  • Best for CrossFit athletes that skew towards lifting
  • Drop 7 mm
  • Width Medium/High
  • Weight 12 oz.
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Firm midsole provides stability on lifts
  • Breathable Flexweave upper
  • Higher ankle cuff and tongue gusset create a secure fit

Cons

  • Not the best running shoe
  • Laces may be too short for athletes with wider feet
Best Barefoot-Style CrossFit Shoes

Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III

Specs

  • Best For Folks interested in a minimalist trainer
  • Drop
  • Width Wide
  • Weight 238g
  • Bonus Vegan construction
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Well constructed
  • Lightweight
  • Wide
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Not suitable for big lifts
  • Require a transition period for running
Best of the Rest

NOBULL Trainer +

Specs

  • Best for People who want a super-durable CrossFit shoe capable of lifting big weights
  • Drop 4mm
  • Width Medium/Wide
  • Weight 373g
  • Bonus Superfabric upper will have you wearing these shoes to the gym for years
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Stylish
  • Excellent lifter
  • Good shock absorption

Cons

  • Stiff
  • Long break-in period
  • Not a good runner

adidas AdiPower Weightlifting 2

Specs

  • Best for Olympic weightlifting, workouts that have heavy cleans and no running, like the King Kong WOD: three rounds of one deadlift (455 lbs.), two muscle-ups, three cleans (250 lbs.), and four handstand pushups.
  • Drop 20 mm
  • Width Narrow/Medium
  • Weight 17.1 oz.
  • Bonus A Velcro strap over the midfoot locks down the laces and provides added midfoot stability
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Excellent Olympic lifting performance
  • New upper breathes well

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Only for Olympic lifting

NOBULL Trainer

Specs

  • Best for Athletes who want a shoe that will survive years of abuse
  • Drop 4 mm
  • Width Medium
  • Weight 12.7 oz.
  • Bonus Understated styling makes them work as everyday shoes as well
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Super durable
  • Stable
  • Highly versatile

Cons

  • Minimal cushioning
  • Break-in period is long

New Balance Minimus TR

Specs

  • Drop 0 mm
  • Width Low/Narrow
  • Weight 8.1 oz.
  • Best for People with a narrow foot looking for a minimal shoe
The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2024

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Glove-like fit
  • Integrated tongue

Cons

  • Narrow/low volume
  • Runs small

CrossFit Shoe Comparison Chart

CrossFit ShoesPriceDropWidthWeight
Born Primitive Savage 1
$1404 mmWide8.8 oz.
Nike Free Metcon 5
$1204 mmNarrow10.5 oz.
GORUCK BallisticTrainer$1408 mmMedium10.8 oz.
TYR CXT-1 Trainer
$1409 mmMedium12.3 oz.
Reebok Nano X4
$1407 mmMedium/Wide12 oz.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
$170ZeroWide8.4 oz.
NOBULL Trainer +$1394 mmMedium/Wide13.1 oz
NOBULL Trainer$1294 mmMedium12.7 oz.
Adidas AdiPower Weightlifting 2$18920 mmNarrow/Medium17.1 oz
New Balance Minimus TR$130ZeroNarrow8.1 oz
A CrossFit shoe needs to be versatile for a variety of workouts involving running and jumping. Those looking for a more classic lifting shoe should check out the NOBULL Do/Win shown here; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

How We Test CrossFit Shoes

Authors Billy Brown and Paul Mandell sought out the top footwear for CrossFit endeavors and put each pair of shoes through rigorous testing. Shoes are evaluated over the course of several months via rope climbing, box jumping, pushing sleds, and a variety of lifts.

Paul Mandell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and coach based in Bishop, California. Currently, he coaches Gen Pop and CrossFit classes out of Bishop CrossFit. Paul has a master’s in Exercise Science and has taught CrossFit and strength and conditioning classes to beginners and seasoned athletes for over five years.

Through coaching and his own training, Paul is able to put each shoe through the wringer. Paul also brings his expertise to our treadmills guide. Co-author Billy Brown is a marathon runner, powerlifter, and frequent contributor to GearJunkie’s fitness equipment buyer’s guides.

Each season, we update this guide with new models as they become available to ensure our readers have the best, most up-to-date information.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a CrossFit Shoe

Cushioning & Heel Drop

Cushioning and heel drop are two of the most important factors in choosing a shoe for CrossFit. It’s also the first thing you notice when you put a pair on.

As far as cushioning goes, there’s a delicate balance to maintain. Too little cushioning can be wildly painful during high-impact movements. Unless you’re used to barefoot shoes, these movements can give your feet a beating on long runs.

DSC07288
The F-Lite 260 has 8mm of heel drop; (photo/Matt Bento)

Too much cushioning, however, can lead to a loss of power and responsiveness, especially during weightlifting. Most CrossFit shoes strike a balance between cushion and support, with some leaning toward one end or the other.

Heel drop refers to how high the heel is off the ground versus how high the toe is. For CrossFit, 4 mm seems to be the sweet spot. It strikes the perfect balance between cushioning on runs and balance on lifts.

Sticky tread and a good fit are just as important as straight arms to get those sleds moving; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Rigid Sole

A rigid sole, particularly in the heel, is ideal for Olympic lifting. A soft sole’s cushioning will absorb the power that an athlete produces in their leg drive during explosive movements.

Nike’s Romaleo or adidas AdiPower have hard plastic or noncompressive TPU sole material for explosive lifts. This is one of the biggest differences between CrossFit Shoes and running shoes.

DSC07305
Several models have grippy side walls for efficient rope climbing; (photo/Matt Bento)

Wide Toebox

Wide toeboxes are a matter of preference. Athletes with wider feet will appreciate the way that a wider toebox allows the toes to splay out.

Athletes with narrow feet will feel like their feet aren’t getting any sidewall support. When you buy online, make sure the company has a good return policy. When they arrive, try them on immediately to make sure they’re a good fit.

Lateral Support

Lateral support is especially important for athletes with previous ankle injuries or who tend to roll their ankles. Shoes utilize different designs to combat this.

Nike’s Metcon line and Reebok’s Nano line sport slightly wider outsoles for a wider base. And NOBULL’s mid-top shoe provides additional support for the ankle.

Durability

CrossFit is as hard on the shoes as it is on the athlete (maybe more so). We’ve seen every failure that a shoe can experience, from delaminating materials to a sole literally breaking in half.

DSC07281
A good CrossFit shoe needs to have enough cushioning to minimize impact from jumps while not having so much cushioning that it detracts from explosive lift power; (photo/Matt Bento)

By far the most common failure is a sidewall blowout. From lateral pressure on the sidewalls to abrasion from rope climbs, shoes’ sidewalls take a lot of abuse. Many shoemakers add TPU reinforcement on the sidewalls to shield the foot from this type of wear.


FAQ

What is the best CrossFit shoe?

The best CrossFit shoes for both men and women will vary by individual. The best cross trainer will be as versatile as the sport of CrossFit itself. The best shoes in the sport will allow you to run, climb, jump, lift, and squat with relative ease.

Can you run in CrossFit shoes?

Yes, you can. The best CrossFit shoes are made to accommodate a variety of sports, including running.

How are CrossFit shoes supposed to fit?

CrossFit shoes should fit just like a regular shoe; snug enough to provide support without compressing the foot.

Can you wear CrossFit shoes every day?

You absolutely can. Many athletes use some of the better-looking CrossFit shoes as their everyday walking-around shoes. We know athletes who would buy multiple pairs: one for the gym, and another pair for everyday use.

The Nike Metcon line — What’s all the hype about?

Nike and Reebok were early adopters of CrossFit with Nike’s Metcon Line and Reebok’s Nanos. Initially, Reebok skewed closer to the lifting side with its harder midsole. This worked well for lifting weights but was less comfortable during gymnastics and run-heavy WODs. Nike made a big splash by erring on the run side being a running shoe with a softer midsole material.

DSC07301
The Nike Metcon in action; (photo/Matt Bento)

CrossFitters loved this, as well as the wide toebox. Over the years, Nike and Reebok refined both of their lines, striking a better balance between running and lifting.

As CrossFit grew, Nanos and Metcons became more visible in the public eye as the CrossFit games became televised. Now the two brands are synonymous with the sport, with other brands carving their names out in the space.

Should I wear socks with my CrossFit shoes?

Yes. We recommend taller socks, as this also protects your shins during bar moves like deadlifts and snatches. It’s also a nice extra layer during rope climbs.

How often should I replace my CrossFit shoes?

Normally, we’d suggest that you replace your shoes when they wear out or blow out. However, you should expect to get at least a few years out of each pair before they become unusable. And with new styles and designs coming out every year, you’ll be buying shoes before they do.

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