9 Best Inov-8 CrossFit Shoes for 2021 [Reviews]

Inov-8 boasts producing some of the very first shoes targeted specifically for men and women who regularly practice CrossFit back in 2014. Since then, their popularity has grown tremendously. So if you’re looking for a high quality pair of shoes for you next WOD, we’ve made our own reviews and comparisons to bring you this list of the best Inov-8 shoes for your next CrossFit workout.

In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick!

Quick Rankings

How to Compare CrossFit Shoes

Picking a pair of reliable CrossFit shoes can be overwhelming at first if you don’t know what to look for. Here’s a quick rundown of the characteristics we evaluate in these types of cross training shoes.

Grip

With exercises that require a lot of quick movements, grip is a high priority. Shoes that don’t provide much traction can not only hurt your performance but leave you just… hurt.

You’ll find that different types of CrossFit shoe models vary the treads based on the buyer’s intentions. You’ll need to think about your own preferences and where you want to place your training emphasis whether that’s improvement on a rope climb, or having extra stability during deadlifts.

Toe Box Width

I probably don’t need to go into too much detail on this one. I think we’ve all experienced a pair of shoes that didn’t quite have enough room for our toes and it drove us insane.

Well, when it comes to workout shoes, having enough room in the toe box is pretty important. All that quick activity can cause painful blisters or even make your toes bend in odd ways. That’s why we like to review this feature and make sure that adequate toe box width is on point.

Comfort

Your shoes have to be comfortable, right?! This kind of goes without saying, but comfort is a top priority when choosing fitness sneakers.

Sure, you can buy a pair of shoes that has all the features and benefits of your favorite professional CrossFitter like Rich Froning, but if they make you scream in agony when you’re outside the box, then you have a major problem.

Weight Distribution

Not every pair of shoes is going to distribute your weight the same way when you wear them. Some have a little more lift in the heel while others are pretty darn flat.

This is important because the heel to toe drop creates leverage that affects balance and stability during certain activities. It’s a lot about personal preference, but you should think about how crucial it is for you to have a flat-soled CrossFit shoe as opposed to something with a slightly elevated heel.

1. Inov-8 Mens F-Lite 245 Cross Training Shoes

If the barefoot-style CrossFit shoes by Inov-8 don’t do it for you, the Inov-8 Men’s F-Lite 245 Cross Training Shoes will give you a slightly better alternative: That standard running shoe feel. 

Like any CrossFit shoe worth buying, the 245 boasts an incredibly sticky outsole that rides up into the midsection (ROPE-TEC). Your performance during rope climbs, agility ladders, sled pushes, and burpees no longer has to come down to the traction or grip in your shoes. 

And when it looks like a 1600m run or sets of heavy squats snuck themselves into your WOD, the immense comfort and lightweight feel that this shoe provides will have your back. These sneakers weigh in at just over 8.5 ounces (each) with a wider-than-usual toe box to give you a wide, natural base while lifting and the freedom to let loose on the track. 

It’s breathable, snug, and a true all-purpose shoe. Plus, the all-white version looks pretty sleek if you can keep ’em clean.

2. Inov-8 Men’s Fastlift 335 Weight-Lifting Shoe

Unlike most of the shoes on this list, the Inov-8 Men’s Fastlift 335 Weight-Lifting shoe is less suitable for overall cross training, and more suited for… weight-lifting. You’ll find they have all the common features of a typical lifting shoe plus a few bonuses that only Inov-8 delivers.

Unlike cross-training shoes, they have a solid, raised heel that adds to stability and makes them some of the best shoes for barbell training. For example, if you’ve been doing squats in minimalist shoes and you switch to these, you should find the transition to be pretty smooth as long as you push through your heels.

I like the nylon on the upper of the shoe because they really withstand a beating. And like most weight-lifting shoes, they have a lockdown strap that really adds to stability and keep them tight to your feet.

Of course, if you’re considering a more overall cross-training shoe, I wouldn’t pick these. These are strictly for weight-lifting and would be challenging to wear for any other purpose.

3. Inov-8 Men’s/Women’s F-Lite 230 Minimalist Cross Trainers

Even though Inov-8 sneakers are typically designed to be “minimal”, they created the Inov-8 Unisex F-Lite 230 Minimalist Cross-Trainer to make a stronger push in this direction. There are a few features that distinguish this model compared to others in the Inov-8 review lineup though.

First of all, the heel drop is slightly less at 3mm. This helps you feel tighter to the ground and gives a more comfortable running experience and stable grip when doing heavy lifts.

Secondly, these shoes can take a beating thanks to their graphene outsole. The material is pretty darn strong, but also flexible so you don’t have to worry about them getting torn up too badly.

Additionally, Inov-8 decided to design a single shoe model that accommodates both men and women. This definitely makes shoe shopping a little easier!

Finally, these sneakers are pretty flexible for quick movements of any variety. You could be climbing a rope one minute or doing box jumps another. They’re able to support your foot nicely and provide decent comfort.

4. Inov-8 Men’s F-Lite 235 V3 Cross Trainers

So the 235 V2 is probably the most popular shoe in the Inov-8 lineup, but the Inov-8 Mens’ F-Lite 235 V3 Cross Trainers claim to be “Ultimate Supernatural Cross Training Shoes”. Uh, let’s calm down. We’re just talking about shoes. Either way, they’re still a strong option from the shoe brand.

These shoes have a 4mm drop making them feel more natural during most CrossFit movements. Whether it’s running, jumping, or lifting, the decline increases the functionality of these sneakers.

It does have a wider toe box which is always a bonus. A few verified buyers on the Inov-8 website agree that the extra definitely makes them feel more comfortable.

Similar to the V2 model, they have a rope guard through the midsole that makes them killer on rope climbs. And the toe bumper in the front provides good protection during burpees and box jumps.

5. Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite 260 Cross Trainers

If you have wider feet, you might want to consider the Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite 260 Cross Trainers. The comfort and roominess in these shoes makes them a solid option for those that are picky about CrossFit shoes and need a little more room.

We also like the support in the heel. The external heel cage really hugs the back of your foot and prevents your feet from sliding around when lifting.

Like most Inov-8 models, the grip on the bottom of these shoes is excellent. You should do well on sprints, box jumps, and especially rope climbs since it has the ROPE-TEC built into the midsole that really latches onto those rope fibers.

They’re also pretty flexible. Rolling through the foot during sprints or even slightly longer distance runs shouldn’t be an issue. And getting up on your toes in the middle of hang cleans or other lifts feels pretty natural too.

6. Inov-8 Men’s Bare XF-210 V2 Sneakers

I really like the minimal design of these shoes and if you’re into that same look, consider the Inov-8 Men’s Bare XF-210 V2 Sneakers. The’re designed for “speed training” so really, they can handle a typical CrossFit workout easily.

These shoes have really been stripped back and you’ll find them really hugging the ground. So they’re killer for an entire gym session (even lifting) even though they don’t have a lot of bells and whistles.

They still have the patented rope-tec like the F-Lite 235 series so latching onto a rope during climbs is much easier. And they do have a decent toe bumper in the front as added protection to your precious toesies.

However, because these shoes are so stripped back and minimal, I wouldn’t say these are good CrossFit shoes for long distance runs. They should mainly be used for cross training, HIIT training, or anything else with quick, short sprints.

7. Inov-8 Men’s F-Lite 250 Cross-Trainer Shoe

The Inov-8 Men’s F-Lite 250 Cross-Trainer Shoe has a slightly higher heel-to-toe differential than most of their models. At 8mm, they might take some time to adjust to, but overall they’re very solid shoes that server cross training well.

These gym sneakers do supply some great speed and power because of how dense the heel is. You really feel secure taking off for a jump or a sprint and shouldn’t have to worry about your foot sliding around inside.

The cushioning inside provides good shock absorption that helps during runs and plyometric activities. But again, the dense heel helps lifting performance so these are pretty versatile shoes overall.

8. Inov-8 Women’s All Train 215 Cross-Trainers

Here’s another decent all-around cross-training shoe that also comes in a variety of really cool colors. The Inov-8 Women’s All Train 215 Cross-Trainers are stable, comfortable, and designed very well for fast movements and quick adjustments on a gym floor.

Compared to other Inov-8 models that feature a zero drop heel, these give a comfortable elevation without adding much weight to the shoes. A zero drop makes them very useful on certain lifts like deadlifts and cleans from the floor. That’s sometimes a concern since too many “shoe features” can actually make them feel heavier.

They do fit a little small at times. You might find your toes crammed up against the front, but it shouldn’t be an issue to get a 1/2 size larger since they’re still very tight on your feet.

9. Inov-8 Mens’ F-Lite 275 Cross Trainers

Last on our list, but definitely not least, are the Inov-8 Men’s F-Lite 275 Cross Trainers. These are pretty versatile shoes, but they actually have more of an emphasis on weight-lifting than anything else.

Unlike most cross-trainers, they have a lockdown strap like standard weight-lifting shoes. These come standard on lifting shoes like the Fastlift or Adidas Adipowers, but it’s rare to see this on a cross-training sneaker.

These also have the dense powerheel like the F-Lite 250s so they’re strong and stable during lifts. Plus, they have the popular rope-tec grip that makes them killer for rope climbs.

Wrapping Up Our Reviews of the Best Inov-8 CrossFit Shoes

As you can see, Inov-8 has quite a selection of cross-training shoes that deliver different benefits to your training. They have dedicated weight-lifting shoes, sneakers with running emphasis, and more versatile cross-trainers if you require something that’s more of a “jack-of-all-trades” design.

Out of these 9 shoes we reviewed, the F-Lite 245 Shoes were our best overall because of how versatile they are. For WODs that feature more weight-lifting movements, we recommend the FastLift 335s for added stability. Finally, if you’re looking for a minimalist shoe, you can’t go wrong with the F-Lite 230 Minimalist Cross Trainers.

Each shoe offers a lot of benefits and features, but you really won’t know which will be right for you until you… try them on! And remember that every shoe will fit differently for each person, so try to cater to your personal preferences and make a choice based on comfort overall.

9 Best Inov-8 CrossFit Shoes

1. Inov-8 F-Lite 245
2. Inov-8 Fastlift 335
3. Inov-8 F-Lite 230
4. Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3
5. Inov-8 F-Lite 260
6. Inov-8 Bare XF-210 V2
7. Inov-8 F-Lite 250
8. Inov-8 All Train 215
9. Inov-8 F-Lite 275