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 that 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. He evaluates each model to highlight its specific strengths and shortcomings and makes his 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 2023.
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 September 13th,2023 update, we tested the most recent version of the Nike Metcon along with NOBULL’s Trainer +, which proves itself a solid all-rounder, and after some careful consideration, we chose the Inov-8 F-Lite G300 to be the new best overall CrossFit shoe.
The Best Crossfit Shoes of 2023
- Best Overall Crossfit Shoes: Inov-8 F-Lite G300
- Best Value Crossfit Shoes: Rogue Do-Win Classic Lifters
- Runner-up Best Overall Crossfit Shoes: Inov-8 F-LITE 260 V2 Knitted
- Best Crossfit Shoes for Workout of the Day: Reebok Nano X3
- Best Every Day Crossfit Shoes: Nike Metcon 9
- Best Barefoot Style Crossfit Shoes: Inov–8 Bare-XF 210 V2
Inov-8 F-lite G300
Specs
- Best For Folks who want one shoe to rule them all
- Drop 6mm
- Width Wide
- Weight 300g
- Bonus Foot cage keeps your food from sliding fore/aft or laterally while you run, jump, cut, or lift.

Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Stable
- Good Runner
- Good Lifter
Cons
- Not a dedicated running or lifting shoe
Rogue/Do-Win Classic Lifters
Specs
- Best for Olympic weightlifting. Heavy Strength training
- Drop 19 mm
- Width Narrow
- Weight 22.3 oz
- Bonus Super competitive price. Old school style

Pros
- Excellent value
- Solid lifting performance
Cons
- Poor quality laces
- Some durability issues
- Only for olympic lifting
Inov-8 F-LITE 260 V2 Knitted
Specs
- Best for Athletes who want a light, breathable, comfortable, and protective cross trainer for everyday gym use
- Drop 8 mm
- Width Medium
- Weight 9.17oz
- Bonus Met-Cradle climbs ropes exceptionally well. Mesh upper is super breathable and very comfortable

Pros
- Flexible
- Lightweight
- Excellent breathability
- Great stability & Traction
Cons
- Not the best choice for heavy lifts
Nike Metcon 9
Specs
- Best For MetCon Die-hards looking for a good CrossFit-specific shoe
- Drop N/A
- Width Medium/Wide
- Weight 424g
- Bonus Stylish and comfortable

Pros
- Wider Toebox
- Improved rope guard
- Expanded hyperlift plate improves stability
Cons
- Expensive
- Okay at basically everything, truly great at nothing
Inov-8 Bare-XF 210 V2
Specs
- Best for Athletes who want a lightweight, barefoot feel during workouts
- Drop Zero
- Width Wide
- Weight 7.5oz
- Bonus Each pair includes a 3mm cushioned insert for athletes who occasionally want a touch of cushioning

Pros
- Extremely flexible
- Minimalist glove-like feel
Cons
- Less durable than others
- Zero drop shoes may not be appropriate for everyone
Reebok Nano x3
Pros
- Recycled materials
- Nice mesh weave upper
- Highly breathable
Cons
- Not the best running shoe
- Not suitable for truly heavy lifting
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

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 pounds), two muscle-ups, three cleans (250 pounds), and four handstand pushups.
- Drop 20 mm
- Width Narrow/Medium
- Weight 17.1oz
- Bonus A Velcro strap over the midfoot locks down the laces and provides added midfoot stability

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 12.7oz
- Bonus Understated styling makes them work as everyday shoes as well

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

Pros
- Stylish
- Glove-like fit
- Integrated tongue
Cons
- Narrow/low volume
- Runs small
Crossfit Shoes Comparison Chart
CrossFit Shoes | Price | Drop | Width | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Inov-8 F-Lite G300 | $155 | 6 mm | Wide | 10.5 oz. |
Rogue Do-Win Classic Lifters | $130 | 19 mm | Narrow | 22.3 oz. |
Inov-8 F-LITE 260 V2 Knitted | $140 | 8 mm | Medium | 9.2 oz. |
Reebok Nano X3 | $130 | 7 mm | Medium | 10.2 oz. |
Nike Metcon 9 | $150 | Medium/Wide | 14.9 oz. | |
Inov–8 Bare-XF 210 V2 | $120 | Zero | Wide | 7.5 oz. |
NOBULL Trainer + | $139 | 4 mm | Medium/Wide | 13.1 oz |
NOBULL Trainer | $129 | 4 mm | Medium | 12.7 oz. |
Adidas AdiPower Weightlifting 2 | $200 | 20 mm | Narrow/Medium | 17.1 oz |
New Balance Minimus TR | $140 | Zero | Narrow | 8.1 oz |

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.

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.

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 non-compressive TPU sole material for explosive lifts. This is one of the biggest differences between CrossFit Shoes and running shoes.

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.

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
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.
Yes, you can. The best CrossFit shoes are made to accommodate a variety of sports, including running.
CrossFit shoes should fit just like a regular shoe; snug enough to provide support without compressing the foot.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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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