22 Best CrossFit Shoes for Training Workouts in 2020

Having the right pair of shoes when you’re doing a grueling CrossFit workout is essential because they’re a tool that’ll help you get the most of your workout, while also helping you avoid injury.

Because CrossFit features weightlifting, functional movements, and gymnastics, you might need different shoes for different workouts. The perfect shoe for a weight lifting day isn’t necessarily the same thing you need for functional training exercises and running. Obviously, your CrossFit shoe game is up to you. But, just keep in mind that one size doesn’t necessarily fit all.

Things to Look For When Buying CrossFit Shoes For Training Workouts

When you’re shopping for CrossFit shoes, there are a few details you want to look for. This is also the criteria we used to evaluate each of these shoes.

Solid Hard Soles

First, hard soles are essential for heavy lifting to help you stay planted, and they are also essential for proper stability when you are rock climbing or jumping rope.

If you’re wearing running shoes on weightlifting days, chances are you won’t lift as much as you would with hard sole shoes because running shoes absorb shock, which is the power in your feet. Hard sole shoes will help you propel weight in your lifts by returning that power in your feet instead of absorbing it.

Grounding

Another thing to remember when you are looking for gym sneakers is lockdown, which helps you keep your feet on the floor and your feet securely in your shoes.

Flexibility & Impact Resistance

For functional training like box jumping, ladder moves, agility moves, and jumping or climbing rope, you want a shoe with flexibility. Additional flexibility allows you to reduce the effect of impact on your feet when constantly slamming back down to the floor during plyometrics.

Functional Durability

Another important feature for functional training is durability because you can destroy your shoes doing high intensity movements if they aren’t durable enough. You want to make sure that your shoes can endure the test of time over repeated workouts so you don’t spend all your money on new shoes.

Toe Box Width

It’s important to be mindful of the toe box width so you can get the right shoe to match your feet. There’s typically a nice balance to be struck between having enough room for comfort, but tight enough that the shoes feel stable on your feet.

Toe Rise

The heel to toe rise should be only as tall as it needs to be, which means you are looking for a relatively flat sole for stability and proper weight distribution. In weightlifting shoes specifically, you’ll find a raised heel helps your balance during heavy compound lifts, but for most other activities, a flatter sole is better.

Grip

Finally, a good grip is essential when working out in the box. Getting shoes without adequate grip has you running the risk that you’ll slip and create unnecessary injuries.

Now that you know the details to look for – and what I considered when I created this list – here are the 23 best CrossFit shoes for training workouts. No matter if you’re looking for the best CrossFit shoes for men, women, or kids – or if you have a certain brand or design in mind – the perfect CrossFit shoes for you are on this list.

Best CrossFit Shoes for Men – Nike Men’s Metcon 5 Training Shoe

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Despite Reebok having an exclusive contract, giving them the license to use “CrossFit” in their name, we found the Nike Metcon 5 Training Shoe to be the best CrossFit shoes for men to improve their WODs and set new PRs.

This sneaker was clearly designed with a hardcore CrossFitter in mind.

First, you should feel well-supported and stable thanks to the 10% firmer heel making your overhead presses and deadlifts feel firm and grounded. Alternatively, the forefoot is softer, improving explosive power and making these a viable option if you forget your running shoes.

Another great feature of these shoes is the grip. In the high-wear areas like the toes, there’s reinforced rubber that’s very sticky that should definitely increase the life of these sneakers. Similar, the rubber midsole grip is great for fast and furious rope climbs.

And the TPU heel clip is a nice addition to this model. Not only will it improve stability when you’re on your feet, but it prevents irritating dragging when your feet are propped up against a wall during handstand push-ups.

Best CrossFit Shoes for Women – Nike Women’s Free Metcon 2 Amp Fitness Shoes

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For women that want a CrossFit sneakers built for varying intensity, the Nike Women’s Free Metcon 2 Amp Fitness Shoe are a great option.

One thing you’ll notice right away is how snug the fit is. The enhanced foam sole creates a sock-like fit that feels very stable during forward, backward, and lateral movements. This really helps during agility and speed drills.

Another thing that’s great about this shoe is the grip. The sticky rubber midsole is helpful for rope climbs and the outsole is reinforced in high-wear areas to increase the overall lifespan of this CrossFit shoe.

Additionally, this has good heel support, it’s lightweight, and has good air flow as the WOD begins to heat up.

The only con is this shoe may be a little too wide for people with narrow feet. But if you need more room, this model has plenty.

Looking for more female options? Check out our list of the best women’s CrossFit shoes!

Best Kids CrossFit Shoes – Reebok Kids Nano 9 Cross Trainer

You just can’t go wrong with the Reebok Crossfit Nano, no matter if you are a man, woman, or child. This shoe gives kids the same outstanding training support and foot protection as the adult sizes.

The Reebok Kids’ Nano 9 has been revamped for a performance fit that’s breathable and secure, and this shoe nimbly handles everything from rope-climbing WODs to games of tag with all-out flexibility.

But if you’re still not sure, you can check out our other top WOD sneakers for children to see all of your options.

Best Reebok CrossFit Shoes – Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 8.0 Flexweave Sneaker

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CrossFitters just can’t get enough of these shoes, and the reviews prove it. Just about everyone raves about the performance of the Reebok Men’s CrossFit Nano 8.0, as well as their comfortable build. No matter if you are doing plyometrics, sprints, or runs, these shoes are made for CrossFit.

These shoes give you the solid stability with their minimal drop outsole, and the wide toe box helps you keep your movements powerful. The flexweave upper gives you all the flexibility, durability, and security you need for ultimate CrossFit performance – especially with explosive structural lifts like cleans and snatches.

I considered selecting these for the “Best CrossFit Shoes For Men” because they are just as good as the NOBULL. Really, it just comes down to personal comfort and preference. However, these are very roomy sneakers that have a little more space in the toe box.

Best Nike CrossFit Shoes – Nike Metcon 4 XD

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This is the one of the latest versions of the popular Nike Metcon training shoe, and this time they bring the tech with the synthetic 3D printed upper, Flywire cables in the lacing system, and “sticky” rubber at the forefoot and outsole will give you a killer grip.

The Haptic print on the Nike Metcon 4 XD provides durability and stability, while the Flywire technology delivers that locked-down fit. The drop-in midsole provides a stable fit and feel, the TPU heel counter provides stability for lateral movements like side lunges and shuttle drills, and the Tri-star pattern helps provide traction for multidirectional movement.

Fun fact, if you’re looking for camo CrossFit shoes, there’s a dessert moss pattern that might intrigue you. They also have red, white, and blue pattern for your next 4th of July celebration over at the Rogue site.

And even though is is a top pick as far as Nike shoes go, you can check out our “best of Nike” for CrossFit specifically right here.

Best Adidas CrossFit Shoes – Adidas Alphabounce

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These versatile shoes were made for running or cross-training, which means the Adidas Alphabounce Shoes are built for speed workouts on the track or for training in the gym. The sock-like mesh upper has areas of support and stretch for confident multidirectional movement. And, the flexible cushioning with a springy feel gives you optimal comfort.

Weight training, running, and jumping are no match for these sweet kicks. That’s also why they’re at the top of the list of the best Adidas cross-training sneakers. Plus, they work well as comfortable tennis shoes for every day use or exercise that isn’t quite as strenuous.

Best Under Armour CrossFit Shoes – Under Armour TriBase Reign

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Under Armour doesn’t play around when it comes to making products for tough sports, and these won’t disappoint. While the Under Armour Tribase Reign shoes are designed for weightlifting, you can use them for other CrossFit exercises. The upper is lightweight, keeps the shoe breathable, and the rubber sole is solid.

The TriBase technology gives three contact points with the ground, creating a lot of support when lifting heavy weights. And another bonus is the Micro G foam midsole that’s really comfortable and cushioned.

And if you’re interested in seeing the OTHER Under Armour shoes that are great for CrossFit you can check out this list.

Best CrossFit Running Shoes – Adidas Ultraboost 19

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The Ultraboost 19 reboots key performance technologies from the regular Ultraboost model, to give your cardio workouts confidence and energy. The Primeknit 360 upper has a second-skin fit and is built with motion-weave technology for adaptive stretch and support to enhance movement. There is also dual-density cushioning that delivers medial support and an energized ride, so the more energy you give, the more energy you get.

A whopping 97 percent of the hundreds of reviews for this high-performance neutral running shoe give it five stars on the Adidas website, and they come in just about every color combination you can think of.

The Adidas Ultraboost 19 delivers unrivaled comfort and energy return, and the second-skin fit follows the shape of your foot to reduce pressure points. There is also a fitcounter molded heel counter to provide a natural fit that allows optimal movement of the Achilles, and the torsion spring is integrated in the midsole to provide support during landing and propulsion at toe-off.

Did you know we evaluated a whole list of workout sneakers just for running? You can discover our recommendations in our rundown of CrossFit running shoes.

Best Inov 8 CrossFit Shoes – Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V2

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This is Inov-8’s update to the 235, which were one of the most popular shoes in CrossFit when they came out in 2014. While this version is very similar to the 235, the V2 does it’s own thing, with a zero toe-to-heel drop, and the extra-grippy Rope-tec soles are exactly what you need for rope climbs.

The F-Lite 235 V2 shoes offer supreme stability, thanks to the Powerheel technology, and the new heel lock construction is what you want when you’re lifting weights. The secure fit adapts to your natural movement, and the meta-flex technology gives you optimal multi-directional flexibility.

Inov-8 claims they were the first brand to make a shoe for the box, and they claim that this version is about as close to perfection as you can get. Still the lightest. Still the most efficient and natural. With power and strength to withstand whatever you throw at them.

The benefits of these shoes are pretty remarkable and that’s why they actually land at the top of our exclusive list of Inov-8 training sneakers.

Best Asics CrossFit Shoes – ASICS Men’s Gel-Quantum 180 TR Cross-Trainer Shoe

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Asics injected their training footwear design with the dna of their running shoe technology to create the innovative Gel-Quantum 180 TR model. This shoe was made to not just meet, but surpass the needs of anyone looking to perform a variety of running and cross-training exercises.

The solyte midsole material accompanies the signature gel technology for maximum cushioning and protection to outlast even the most enduring workouts on a variety of surfaces. No-sew materials line the uppers forefoot with ideal breath-ability and security to keep the foot stable and balanced during strenuous or rapid movements.

Asics high abrasion rubber is in critical areas of the outsole for exceptional durability, and the Trusstic system reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe. The rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning systems reduce shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement on multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.

If you’re interested in more awesome sneakers made by this brand, be sure to check out our list of the 13 best ASICS CrossFit shoes so you know all your options.

Best New Balance CrossFit Shoes – New Balance Men’s 20v7 Minimus Cross Trainer

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The upper of this shoe is seamless, and is constructed with nylon-infused yarn that forms a barrier around the foot for superior protection and lateral support as you complete your CrossFit workout. There is also a mono mesh window to help with ventilation, and the asymmetrical shaped collar gives a more natural fit.

The New Balance 20v7 Minimus Cross Trainers are great for strength training because of the awesome traction from the one-piece Vibram outsole, and they are perfect for lightweight support. While they aren’t strictly a weightlifting shoe, the minimal drop (only 4mm) will support you during lifts, and its cushioning provides support during sprints and box jumps. Or even at-home workouts like Insanity or P90x3 or something with calisthenics.

Weighing only 6.5 ounces, the sneakers won’t ever slow you down, either. Plus, you don’t have to wear socks because the welded seams prevent chafing which is great for bunions and other foot problems. These cross trainers are also odor resistant, so the other CrossFitters in your box won’t be scared off by any nasty smells.

Best Brooks CrossFit Shoes – Brooks Beast 18

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The successor to the Brooks Beast ’16 (which is also a fantastic shoe), the Brooks Beast 18 is a running shoe built for wear and tear with a combination of reinforced stability and cushioning. The redesigned upper is made up of breathable mesh and lightweight synthetic materials that hug the foot for a glove-like feel. The moisture-managing element mesh upper and sockliner technology will keep your feet feeling cool and fresh.

These shoes have a padded tongue and collar for added comfort, and the soft fabric lining supplies a great next-to-foot feel. The full-length Brooks DNA midsole adapts to your stride for custom cushioning and stability, and the Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB) delivers maximum control. And, the Omega Flex Grooves allow for more natural forefoot movement and fluidity.

And if you’re a fan of Brooks, maybe you should check out our full list of the best Brooks CrossFit shoes to see the top choices for your next WOD.

Best Puma CrossFit Shoes – PUMA Ignite Flash Evoknit

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These classic Puma shoes are extremely comfortable and stylish, and they are also lightweight, breathable, and durable.

The PUMA Ignite Flash Evoknit has a knit upper for breathability and comfort, and the cell-like cushioning technology provides optimum comfort.

The slip-on design on these shoes give a snug fit, and the heel cage increases stability, support, and motion control. The rubber outsole gives you the grip and durability you need for extended CrossFit workouts that last an hour or so.

Best No Bull CrossFit Shoes – NOBULL Men’s Training Shoes

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These lightweight, breathable, and flexible shoes will allow you to run, climb, slide, grind, and lift. The upper on the NOBULL Men’s Trainers features a seamless one-piece construction of SuperFabric, which is an extremely durable, breathable, and abrasion-resistant material. And, the SuperFabric guard plates on the flexible mesh base layer create a 360 degree shield on those rope climbs.

The outsole lug pattern was designed for multi-environment usage, and allows for an easy transition between indoor and outdoor with the right blend of flexibility, traction, and support. And these shoes have high carbon lateral and medial guards for added protection on the sidewalls.

These shoes are really considered the underdogs in the line of various CrossFit shoe brands. Still they’ve garnered a lot of support. That’s why we included them in our list of top Rogue CrossFit shoes. and NOBULL CrossFit shoes.

Best Merrell CrossFit Shoes – Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 4 3D

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Merrell’s Vapor Glove 4 3D will take you from the track to your box to the weights—and will never compromise on comfort or fit. These shoes have a zero millimeter drop from heel to toe, which makes it perfect for nailing those deadlifts by keeping your stance stable, secure, and low to the ground.

The breathable mesh upper wraps to your foot like a thin glove, yet still provides lateral and medial support for the rest of your training.

Best High Top CrossFit Shoes – NOBULL High-Top Trainer

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These are extremely comfortable shoes, and they just might be the best looking “gym” shoes you will ever wear. The NOBULL High-Top Trainers are functional multi-purpose shoes that look pretty cool. But, they don’t just look good. These shoes are also lightweight and durable, and will feel like an extension of your feet.

The grip on these shoes can’t be beat, and the material is durable and perfect for putting in hard work. The high-cut collar provides padding and a secure fit making these sneakers better for ankle support. And the upper features SuperFabric, an extremely breathable and abrasion resistant material.

The outsole lug pattern was designed for multi-environment usage, allowing for an easy transition between indoor and outdoor with the right blend of flexibility, traction and support. These shoes also feature high carbon lateral and medial guards for added protection on sidewalls.

This footwear has a 4mm heel to toe drop, a medial rope grip, and a molded, anatomical sockliner. They also come with two pairs of laces.

Best Wide CrossFit Shoes – Nike Metcon 4 Mens Cross Training Shoes

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The NIKE Metcon 4 was specifically designed for cross training and weight lifting. If your WOD features short runs, heavy lifting, jumping, pushing or pulling, the metcon is perfect, especially if you have wide feet. The shoe has a stable flat base, is ideal for lifting, and has a multi-direction grip for traction in all directions.

The upper features haptic print to give you better stability and durability, and the flywire technology creates that secure lockdown fit you need for lateral moves. The drop-in midsole design gives you a nice, secure fit, while the mesh on the heel and ankle keeps the shoe light and breathable.

To minimize drag, the shoe features a low-profile heel clip that rolls up the lateral and medial sides. The construction is solid, and the shoes are well-cushioned.

According to the reviews, the NIKE Metcon 4 performs well for all CrossFit activities, and they are also extremely comfortable and supportive sneakers. The large, flat, firm sole gives awesome stability and balance when you are performing movements like squats.

Best CrossFit Shoes for Narrow Feet – NOBULL Men’s Training Shoes

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NOBULL trainers come out on top in multiple categories and they might be the best overall. These shoes have a lot of fans because of the stiff sole and narrow build, making them perfect sneakers for a smaller foot. These lightweight, breathable, and flexible shoes will allow you to run, climb, slide, grind, and lift more easily at your next CrossFit class.

The top part of the NOBULL Men’s Trainers features a seamless one-piece construction of SuperFabric, which is an extremely durable, breathable, and abrasion-resistant material.

The outsole lug pattern was designed for multi-environment usage, and allows for an easy transition between indoor and outdoor with the right blend of flexibility, traction, and support. And, the flat, stable base of the shoe makes them perfect for heavy lifting.

Best Minimalist CrossFit Shoes – WHITIN Men’s Cross-Trainer | Barefoot & Minimalist Shoe

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The anatomical shape of this shoe gives you natural comfort, and the zero drop from heel to toe gives you that perfect natural stride and ergonomic running posture to prevent putting pressure on your muscles and joints. These are definitely low profile workout sneakers that have been well-designed.

This is the shoe you want when you are running, doing obstacles races, or when you are performing any exercise that require speed and agility like circuit training. And, the wide toe box gives you better grip, balance, and leverage when you are running or performing squats.

You’ll find the WHITIN Men’s Cross Trainers are pretty durable in a variety of terrains like mud and gravel and you shouldn’t experience your feet getting sore at the end of even a pretty lengthy run.

Plus, if you were the shoes in some dirty environments, they clean up easily.

Best Zero Drop Crossfit Shoes – Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V2

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The F-Lite 235 V2’s were the top selection for the Inov-8 brand, but they’re also a superior pick if you’re considering a shoe for the zero drop.

Having a flat-soled shoes allows you to feel more “grounded” and perform each movement with stability and precision. These won’t be great for certain heavy lifting movements, but rope-climbing, running, sprints, sled drags, and other dynamic movements will become much easier with a pair of these babies.

Similarly, we almost made a pick from shoes by Altra. They have a very small market share, but produce high-quality flat-soled shoes that are very comfy and perform well.

Best CrossFit Shoes for High Arches – Brooks Men’s Launch 6

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When you have high arches, a CrossFit workout that features running, rock climbing, and jumping, can cause some serious problems if you don’t wear the right shoes. When you have high arches, your feet tend to be more rigid and less flexible, and that can make physical activity extremely painful.

The right pair of shoes for a CrossFitter with high arches need to have stability in the midsole. And, I recommend – based on reviews – the Brooks Men’s Launch 6 which feature a rubber sole, a 10mm differential, and 3D Fit Print upper technology with a stretch and structure that will give anyone with high arches a better fit and feel.

If comfortable shoes that serve your arches is your top priority, check out our list of the best shoes by arch support for a broader selection of styles and brands.

The single-piece air mesh fabric upper has an internal bootie that will give you a secure, yet comfortable fit with optimal breathability and flexibility. This shoe also has a soft fabric lining and a removable footbed, plus a full-length Cushsole midsole compound which utilizes an insole boar.

This is a running shoe that works well for CrossFit activities that require speed and agility, but I would recommend a different shoe for strength training.

Most Comfortable CrossFit Shoes – Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 8.0 Flexweave Sneaker

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CrossFitters just can’t get enough of these shoes, and the reviews prove it. Just about everyone raves about the performance of the Reebok Men’s CrossFit Nano 8.0 Flexweave, as well as their comfortable build. No matter if you are doing plyometrics, sprints, or runs, these shoes are perfect and made for CrossFit.

These shoes give you the ultimate stability with their minimal drop outsole, and the wide toe box helps you keep your movements powerful. The flexweave upper gives you all the flexibility, durability, and security you need for ultimate CrossFit performance – especially with explosive structural lifts like cleans and snatches.

Best Workout Shoes Summary

With the explosion of CrossFit in the fitness world over the past few years, shoe companies have gotten smart and started to design shoes made to handle both running and weightlifting, and everything in between.

There are a few companies who stand out from the rest – No Bull, Reebok, and Nike. But, depending on what you’re looking for, there are other options out there from great brands including Brooks, Champion, and Inov-8 for example.

I can’t stress enough how important shoes are when you’re entering the world of CrossFit. Not only are they important for comfort when you’re killing it in your WOD, but they need to be durable because of what you’re putting them through on a regular basis, and they need to be designed in such a way that will help you perform your best on each exercise.

Of course, CrossFit requires some daring moves that can cause some serious injuries if you don’t have the right shoes, so you want to make sure that the grip is strong and the shoe is flexible enough for endurance.

There are dozens of other options out there to choose from. I focused mostly on cross trainers that will work for both running and weightlifting, so you only have to invest in one pair to start with. But, there are great shoes out there designed for just weightlifting or just running, so if you really want to start dropping some cash on CrossFit shoes, you can start buying shoes based on your WODs, instead of going with the same pair for every workout.

Whatever you decide, just make sure you have the right shoes to get the most out of each and every WOD. And, it doesn’t hurt that they look good and make your fellow CrossFitters a little bit jealous.

You can find our final picks below.

Best Training Shoes for XFit