The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2023

Our reviewers are pretty big fans of Inov-8 shoes. The F-lite 260 V2 took home the “best of” award for CrossFit shoes last season because it excelled at all things CrossFit while being one of the lightest and most comfortable shoes on our list. We’re happy to report that the F-Lite G 300 continues Inov-8’s track record of providing well-made, comfortable, high-performance training shoes. 

The F-lite G300 ($155) features a super breathable mesh upper with a wide toe box, and a wrap-around “upper cage” for support. Initially, we thought the plastic cage around the midfoot might pose some comfort issues, but like Inov-8 claims, it just helps keep our feet in the right spot in the shoe while we are working out. The G300 slips onto your foot easily, and although the laces are a bit on the short side, finding the right fit is super easy. The graphene sole provides excellent traction and at 300g, the G300 feels light on the foot. 

These shoes run very well for an all-around training shoe — heads and shoulders above the Metcon 9, Nano X3, or the Trainer+, and while they aren’t a full-on running shoe, we think most folks will be more than happy running 200-800m intervals in them for their WOD’s.

It would be easy to assume that the tradeoff for the G300’s running performance would be its lifting abilities, but that would be a bad assumption. The G300 is a much better lifter than both the Metcon and the Nano X3, and might even have the Trainer+ beat. Unless you are in an Olympic-specific cycle or training for a powerlifting meet, it’s doubtful that you would want or need another shoe because these shoes just work for everything. The 6mm drop gives you just enough heel rise, while the ETPU sole provides plenty of cushion without collapsing under load. That cage we mentioned earlier keeps your foot from sliding laterally, and the wide toe box allows for toe-splay as you move. 

Our lead tester found himself wearing these shoes on the gym floor more than any other shoe, both for his own training as well as while coaching. The G300 is super comfortable and it excels in just about every situation you can think of. Are they a full-fledged lifter? Certainly not. Nor are they a bonafide runner. But if you just want one pair of shoes that you can do any workout in, anytime, while looking and feeling good — the Inov-8 F-light G300 is your shoe.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Do-Win classic lifters ($130) are almost exactly the same as the classic lifters offered by Pendlay/Do-Win back in the day. Revamped with new materials and colorways, these shoes offer almost the same performance as the original. For the price, they offer a tremendous value for anyone just getting into weightlifting or someone who’s still on the fence.

With a stacked leather heel and TPU sole, the classic lifter offers excellent stability and grip. Two hook and loop midfoot straps perform just the way they should, keeping your foot secure in the shoe and pinning the laces out of the way. The suede/mesh upper allows adequate airflow and ventilation during your session, and the color (ours are blue) pops, setting you apart from the rest of the gym.

At first glance, these shoes appear to be somewhat of a unicorn — attractive, functional, and competitively priced… Caveat Emptor! Users have complained that the rogue/do-win lifters aren’t as durable as they should be, specifically citing issues with the heel coming unglued. While our tester has yet to experience any longevity issues, the glued and stacked leather heel does present a potential weak spot in the shoes’ construction.

Many purchasers also complain that this shoe runs small and slightly narrow, and suggest ordering ½ a size up. Indeed, our tester (size 11) found this shoe to be a fairly snug fit. Additionally, our tester did not care for the laces, having found them too long and easily frayed by the velcro straps.

The Rogue/DO-Win Classic lifters are a great lifting shoe with a few minor issues, but at a very competitive price and with big style points, it might just be enough for some folks to pull the trigger and pick up a pair for themselves.

Avid Crossfitters might recognize the name Scott Panchick. A former competitive CrossFit athlete turned coach, Panchick took his time and experience at the games and used it to help design the F-lite 260 V2 ($140).

As one of the lightest and most comfortable shoes tested, the F-lite 260 v2 scores big points for breathability and cushioning while maintaining ample support and performance. The 8mm drop elevates the heel just enough to keep lifters in the sweet spot without feeling like you are wearing full-blown lifting shoes.

While this shoe wouldn’t be my first choice for olympic lifting or properly heavy sets, squats, presses, jumps, and sleds all feel great in the F-lite 260 (Those looking for a better weightlifting shoe should check out the Rogue/Do-Win Classic Lifter).

The V2 sports a new “Met-Cradle ” in the midfoot to protect and assist in rope climbs. This feature actually outperforms similar features on the Metcon 8 and Nano x3 despite looking and feeling substantially less bulky. The low bulk factor keeps this shoe feeling light and responsive, while the Met-Cradle and Toe Bumper give wearers peace of mind that their feet are protected.

While Inov8 describes this shoe as being even wider for a more comfortable fit, I would argue that they could have, and maybe should have gone even wider. With a slightly wider than average foot, the base of my 5th metatarsal protruded  (albeit less than 1/2cm) over the footbed, and during cutting and jumping moves the base of my big toe easily slid outside the footbed.

Because the F-light 260 is so comfortable and flexible, sliding around didn’t lead to any pain or hotspots, however, I do worry about the longevity of the shoe as a result of its width & mesh upper (I often bust through mesh shoes at the pinky toe). Folks with average-width feet will be very happy with this shoe, but those of us with wider feet might be better served with another shoe.

Overall, the Inov8 F-lite 260 V2 Knitted is a strong contender for the best CrossFit shoe of 2023. Those in the market for a new gym shoe should strongly consider it.

When we reviewed the MetCon 8 we were left wondering whether the upgrade over the 7 would be worth it, and our tester at least, did not find significant enough changes to warrant dropping 160 bones on the latest and greatest Metcon. The newest iteration, the Metcon 9 ($150), does have some significant changes to its styling, fit, and function, but the question still remains — is it worth the upgrade?

This latest model is a big, boxy shoe. The sole from the midfoot back is reasonably stiff and totally flat, making it a good candidate for a lifter. From the ball of the foot forward the Metcon 9 features a softer flex and a slight curve to allow for more comfortable roll when running. Mercifully, the toebox is substantially wider than the Metcon 8 — big props to Nike there.

The rope wrap returns for this model, bigger and more protective than before, and the hyperlift plate in the heel has been expanded to create a better, more secure lifting platform. Nike claims the MetCon 9 is more breathable, more durable, and more comfortable than ever. They don’t list the drop on their website and a reasonably thorough web search turned up empty on that particular spec. The Metcon 8 has a 4mm drop, and we’ll hazard a guess that the 9 is somewhere between zero drop and 4mm. 

So how does this shoe perform in the weight room? The short answer is, about the same as the last Metcon. It’s an okay runner for short-running WODs. You can squat, lunge, deadlift, do burpees, wall balls, and jump rope in the MetCon 9, and you’ll do so in relative comfort. The problem with this shoe is that as soon as you try to do anything technical, heavy, or both, the performance starts to fold up.

The Metcon 9 truly is a jack of all trades, but also a master of none — which is precisely what makes it a great CrossFit shoe. If you are the kind of person who just wants to knock out your after-work WOD in comfort and style then the MetCon 9 is worth considering — if you need a new shoe that is. If you’re interested in refining your Olympic skills, PR’ing in one of the big three, or find yourself running a lot, you’re likely looking at the wrong shoe for your needs. 

Early on in CrossFit, there was a wave of athletes who wanted to lift as naturally as possible, so they worked with training shoes that had the least amount of material between their feet and the ground. Remember those Vibram Five Finger shoes?

The trend has moved away from shoes with no cushion, but there is something to be said for having a good feel for the terrain beneath your feet. Luckily, you don’t have to wear foot gloves to achieve that feeling thanks to U.K.-based footwear company inov-8, whose Bare-XF 210 V2 ($110) is the latest iteration of its barefoot shoe.

The Bare-XF sports a completely flexible sole — we’ve rolled the shoe up like a cinnamon roll during testing — allowing your foot to move and flex naturally during complex movement.

The tacky rubber outsole is grippy on boxes and lifting platforms, and is only 3mm thick, allowing the sole maximum flexibility and keeping your feet close to the ground. Male and female testers noted that the shoe felt like wearing a sock, only with more protection.

Early versions of the shoe were notoriously fragile. We had a pair rip in half after a few months of use. But inov-8 has solved that problem with a more durable outsole and a flexible plastic cage covering the upper, which provides excellent protection from rope abrasion. Our current pair has been in rotation for months without any signs of wear.

Reebok has refreshed and updated the newest version of the Nano, the x3 ($140), and we’re big fans. Previously, our testers felt the Nano x2 was a bit too narrow and too stiff for running. We’re happy to report that our tester found the Nano x3 to be just a smidge wider, and consequently much more comfortable.

As for its running capabilities, the consensus seems to be that the x3 runs significantly better than the x2, but our tester tends to disagree — finding the x3 to run about the same as the x2. We attribute this to the stiff sole/heel needed for lifting, which doesn’t allow the shoe to flex enough for a comfortable roll off the big toe, and diminishes forward propulsion. 

Happily, however, some of the bulk seems to have gone away while retaining all of the stability that the Nano line is praised for. These shoes feel light on the foot and offer heaps of support for lifting-based WODS. The X3 retains the same 7mm drop as the x2, as well as the Ropepro rubber on the instep for rope climbs. We also like the mesh upper, which allows for excellent breathability (an essential factor as we transition into the spring and summer months). 

Ultimately, we find the X3 to be an excellent shoe for cross-fitters. We’re especially pleased with the changes to accommodate wider feet, and pleasantly surprised that Reebok has managed to keep the stability and breathability we’ve come to appreciate in previous versions.

As far as the running performance goes, it seems unlikely that you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to having one shoe for such a wide range of exercise programming. The x3 is a passable runner, and for folks who bias their gym sessions towards lifting, we doubt they’ll notice or care very much. Those of you looking for a CrossFit shoe that runs better should look to the Nike Metcon 8.

The last time we reviewed a NoBull shoe it scored well in durability, stability, and versatility. The newest version of NOBULL’s crosstraining shoe, the Trainer+, retains all these features while beefing up the shock absorption and dialing up the durability even further.

The Trainer+ ($139) is a great no-frills cross-trainer perfect for the after-work CrossFit crowd. One of our complaints about the previous model was the lack of cushioning. We’re happy to report that NoBull added a little more heft to the EVA midsole for improved cushioning and widened the toebox just a smidge. Our tester skews towards a wider shoe, and this change definitely scores the Trainer+ a few more points in the fit category as far as he’s concerned.

Like the previous iteration, the Trainer+ also features a 4mm drop. The outsole has also been reworked to improve traction in a variety of conditions by way of a herringbone lug pattern through the entire sole. The Superfabric upper is incredibly abrasion resistant and breaths very well. This is the kind of shoe you can truly beat the hell out of and expect it to keep performing day after day. 

As far as weight room performance goes, the Trainer+ lands in the upper middle of the field. It’s a stiff shoe that provides a solid platform and support for lifting and good cushioning for jumping and plyo-based (jumping) workouts. It lifts considerably better than the MetCon 9 but doesn’t run anywhere near as well, and that really says something because the Metcon 9 doesn’t run well to begin with. This is not a running shoe. It’s far too stiff and much too flat. Some other reviews of the Trainer+ mention that it has a lengthy break-in period — and we’d have to agree. We’ve had this shoe in testing for a few weeks now and it’s finally starting to soften up. It is possible that after a proper break-in, the Trainer+ will be more comfortable to run in, but at the time of this review, we’re going to stick it firmly in the lifting-focused and non-running WOD category.  

We were impressed by the craftsmanship, fit, style, and performance of the Trainer+. This shoe just feels well-made, and we’re confident that it’ll last significantly longer than most other gym shoes. If you value high-quality shoes that stand up well to abuse in the weight room, like lifting heavy weights, and don’t care too much for running, the Trainer+ just might be the shoe for you.

Weightlifting shoes (aka “lifters”) are exactly what they sound like. They are great for movements like clean and jerks, snatches, and squats, but they offer zero shock absorption.

This means that they aren’t ideal for much else. The unforgiving stiffness of the heel feels brutal if you try to run with them. It can also damage the heel’s integrity. That said, weightlifting is a major part of CrossFit. You can lift with a regular shoe, but most athletes have a pair of lifters in their gym bags.

The AdiPower series holds a special place in the hearts of many lifters. For this iteration, Adidas has completely reworked the AdiPower weightlifting shoe with its AdiPower Weightlifting 2 shoe ($200). A previously hard, rigid plastic heel has been replaced with a smoother sidewall made of non-compressive TPU (plastic). This prevents loss of power and provides plenty of support under heavy loads.

The most noticeable difference in performance with the AdiPower 2 is the upper. Adidas replaced the solid upper with a woven textile upper for more ventilation and breathability. It also provides a bit more sidewall stretch to let your foot expand under load.

NOBULL’s Trainer ($129) is pricey, but the shoes are so durable that you may never need to buy another pair. Firstly, the shoe features a one-piece upper, so there are fewer weak points in the shoe. That one piece is made of SuperFabric, made by applying a layer of protective guard plates to a fabric.

These guard plates are basically tiny pieces of hard plastic. The plastic acts as a shield over the fabric, making it resistant without sacrificing breathability or flexibility. This also gives the shoes a distinct dot pattern.

The low-profile lugs on the outsole provide both traction and a stable platform, while the firm midsole provides ample support during heavy lifts (though some athletes find them clunky on runs).

NOBULL takes pride in being an understated company. Its shoes are solid, stable, and durable, without any of the extra bells and whistles. They may not be flashy, but they’ll get the job done — and they’ll do it for years without showing any wear.

The New Balance Minimus TR ($140) is one of the more stylish shoes of this round’s additions. Multiple folks at our tester’s gym commented on their appearance during testing. Looks can be deceiving, however, as our tester had some trouble getting along with this shoe. 

Normally a size 11, our reviewer literally could not get his foot into the shoe due to its small sizing and extremely narrow toebox. After sizing up to a 12, he was able to slip his foot in with reasonable comfort but still had issues with the width. The fit caused some substantial toe overlap and one of his toenails cut into/rubbed the others even after clipping and rounding off — not ideal. Potential buyers should be sure that they need a narrow shoe before purchasing, and definitely consider sizing up. 

We are generally big fans of zero-drop shoes, especially those with good stability and traction like the Minimus TR. The minimus is an excellent deadlift shoe because of its 0 mm drop and excellent floor contact, but users with limited ankle mobility may notice issues in their squat depth with this shoe — especially if coming from a shoe with more drop. 

One of the cool features about this shoe is the integrated tongue, making the Minimus a good option for wearing without socks. Also a great functional fitness shoe, our tester really enjoyed his kettlebell workouts in them.

The Minimus TR makes a decent runner, though it’s worth noting that folks not used to running in zero drop or minimalist shoes should exercise caution and gradually build up to running more than a mile or two at a time. Lightweight and highly breathable, with great traction and excellent style, the Minimus would make an awesome transition shoe for narrow-footed folks interested in a zero-drop or minimalist shoe. Those of you who need a wider CrossFit shoe might be interested in the Inov8 F-lite 260 or the NanoX3.