The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2023

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.

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.

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 Nike Metcon line has developed a cult following among cross-fitters, and for good reason — they’re an excellent CrossFit shoe. We tested the newest version, the Metcon 8, ($160) for this guide. 

Right off the bat, our tester noticed that these shoes are significantly softer than others on the list, like the Nano X3. This may or may not be of consequence, depending on your preferences in the gym. The Metcon 8 is a surprisingly good runner for a CrossFit shoe, likely because of its flexibility.

This definitely comes at a cost though. Our tester found this shoe to be a pretty good lifter, but noted that it lacks some stability compared to other shoes on this list. Most notably, we felt that the Metcon 8 didn’t offer enough support for deadlifts and power cleans, as the heel feels soft. And even though the drop is only 4mm, the shoe doesn’t feel like it puts you in a great starting position (i.e. too forward) for either.  

Additionally, much about the Metcon 8 remains unchanged from the previous version, leading us to wonder if it’s worth the upgrade over the Metcon 7. At $160 this shoe is one of the most expensive shoes on the list and doesn’t seem to bring much new to the table. The rope guard and lace lock return (we’re big fans) and the colorways are different.

The toebox and drop remain the same, traction is excellent, and stability is sufficient for pretty much anything but your heaviest SBD and Olympic lifts. We like to think of the MetCon 8 as the decathlete of CrossFit shoes — pretty dang good at a lot of things, but not truly great at any one thing in particular.

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.

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.

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.

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.