Best Shoes for Crossfit
6 of the Best Shoes for CrossFit
The CrossFit craze shows no sign of slowing down! There are now more than 13,000 gyms offering CrossFit programs in more than 120 countries around the world. Globally, there are about 4 million people regularly performing CrossFit workouts, a number that is rapidly increasing each year.
CrossFit is often described as a “cult” because of how addictive it is! It is no surprise that people become addicted to it, because it is such an exhilarating way to exercise. It is also extremely effective at burning fat because of the many different full body exercises that CrossFit routines include.
If you are hooked on CrossFit, you are probably interested in improving your performance as much as possible. One essential piece of equipment you will require to perform well is a good pair of shoes. This guide will share some tips for choosing a CrossFit shoe, then share the 6 best shoes for CrossFit. Let’s get started!
Tips for choosing a pair of CrossFit shoes
Having a great pair of shoes can make a dramatic difference to your CrossFit workouts. You will have a solid platform to stand on, improving how you handle weights, run and jump. If you are just getting started with CrossFit, a pair of high-quality running shoes might suffice. However, if you are really keen to do well, you should purchase a pair of shoes specifically designed for CrossFit. Here are a few tips for choosing a shoe that is perfect for CrossFit:
Consider using a shoe with less drop
The “drop” of a shoe is the difference in height between the forefoot and the heel of the shoe. It is sometimes called the shoe’s “offset” or “ramp angle”. If a shoe has a drop of 0 millimeters, the heel of the shoe is the same height as the forefoot.
Traditionally, running shoes have a drop around the 10 millimeter mark. This has been widely accepted as the right drop for running comfortably. However, because CrossFit involves many types of activities, athletes usually obtain better results with a lower drop. Some CrossFit devotes will only use shoes with less than 4 mm drop. This allows them to quickly transitioning between performing a clean and jerk, to climbing a wall, to performing box jumps.
Choose a shoe that is lightweight
Because CrossFit involves running and activities like box jumping, it really helps to have a shoe that is quite lightweight. Look for shoes that are light while retaining a high level of durability.
Look for shoes with a hard sole
Having a stable platform is crucial when you are performing CrossFit. You do’t want to be lifting weights or performing burpees with shoes that have a squishy sole. That will increase the risk of a slip or fall.
Using shoes with a harder sole will help to keep your feet stable on the ground — regardless of the load that you are carrying. You will also be able to distribute your weight across the entire sole, which is useful when pushing large objects, rowing or cycling.
Consider shoes with tread on the insole
Rope climbs are one of the toughest exercises in CrossFit! If you have not mastered legless rope climbs, consider purchasing shoes that have tread on the insole. This will help you gain some additional traction with your feet as you climb.
Choose a shoe with a very durable outer
CrossFit is a very demanding form of exercise that involves a lot of sudden movements. Performing box jumps, squats, rope climbs, and skipping ropes can really punish your shoes, so look for products with a durable outer. The best shoes for CrossFit will have a “cage” around the shoe’s mid-foot or a very well-built upper. This helps to protect the shoe when performing rope climbs and other exercises.
Do you need a breathable shoe?
You work up a sweat very quickly during a CrossFit routine! If you are in a particularly warm environment, consider shoes with a permeable outer that helps our feet remain cool. Conversely, if you exercise outdoors and often run in the wet, purchase a shoe with a seal outer.
Best Shoes for CrossFit
These shoes are well-made, affordable, and are guaranteed to improve your CrossFit performance! Let’s check them out.
Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 4.0 Training Shoe | PUMA Men’s Tazon 6 Fracture FM Cross-Trainer Shoe | New Balance Men’s MX20v3 Minimus Cross-Training Shoe | Reebok Women’s Crossfit Nano 5.0 Training Shoe | Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite 235 Cross-Training Shoe | Nike Women’s Metcon 2 Training Shoe |
Materials: Synthetic upper and rubber sole | Materials: Faux-Leather upper with rubber sole | Materials: Synthetic/Mesh upper with synthetic sole | Materials: Synthetic/Mesh upper with synthetic sole | Materials: Synthetic/Mesh upper with synthetic sole | Materials: Synthetic upper with rubber sole |
Weight: 10 ounces | Weight: 12 ounces | Weight: 9.4 ounces | Weight: 8 ounces | Weight: 8.5 ounces | Weight: 8.5 ounces |
Heel drop: 4mm | Heel drop: 4mm | Heel drop: 4mm | Heel drop: 3mm | Heel drop: 3mm | Heel drop: 3mm |
Colors: 18 color combinations available | Colors: 5 color combinations | Colors: 3 color combinations | Colors: 28 color combinations | Colors: 6 color combinations | Colors: 18 color combinations |
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- Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 4.0 Training Shoe
- Materials: Synthetic upper and rubber sole
- Weight: 10 ounces
- Heel drop: 4mm
- Colors: 18 color combinations available
- Check Price
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- PUMA Men’s Tazon 6 Fracture FM Cross-Trainer Shoe
- Materials: Faux-Leather upper with rubber sole
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Heel drop: 4mm
- Colors: 5 color combinations
- Check Price
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- New Balance Men’s MX20v3 Minimus Cross-Training Shoe
- Materials: Synthetic/Mesh upper with synthetic sole
- Weight: 9.4 ounces
- Heel drop: 4mm
- Colors: 3 color combinations
- Check Price
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- Reebok Women’s Crossfit Nano 5.0 Training Shoe
- Materials: Synthetic/Mesh upper with synthetic sole
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Heel drop: 3mm
- Colors: 28 color combinations
- Check Price
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- Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite 235 Cross-Training Shoe
- Materials: Synthetic/Mesh upper with synthetic sole
- Weight: 8.5 ounces
- Heel drop: 3mm
- Colors: 6 color combinations
- Check Price
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- Nike Women’s Metcon 2 Training Shoe
- Materials: Synthetic upper with rubber sole
- Weight: 8.5 ounces
- Heel drop: 3mm
- Colors: 18 color combinations
- Check Price
Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 4.0 Training Shoe (Mens)
The Reebok Men’s CrossFit Nano 4.0 has been designed for CrossFit from the ground up! It is a very durable shoe that is packed with useful features perfect for CrossFit. The open weave mesh app has Reebok’s Duracage protective overlay, which gives the shoe excellent breathability and a high level of durability.
This shoe has Rebook’s RopePro protection system, which provides additional traction for climbing ropes and protects the shoe. The 4 millimeter drop is perfect for CrossFit and the rubber sole provides excellent traction. Weighing just 10 ounces, it is also fairly lightweight. The interior of the shoe has a textile lining and cushioned footbed, which make it exceptionally comfortable. It is available in 18 different styles, with some very eye-catching designs. A high-quality shoe perfect for intense workouts.
PUMA Men’s Tazon 6 Fracture FM Cross-Trainer Shoe
These prime training shoes are very well-suited for Crossfit activities, featuring ideal design and materials to accommodate such more effectively.
A purely synthetic leather upper gives this pair of shoes a nice, smooth appearance to compliment your workout clothing choices. The dark range of colors these shoes come in can also help with matching a wide variety of outfit colors.
Stable cushioning in the sole of each shoe keeps your feet from feeling the brunt of impacts and staves off potential injuries without getting in the way with any unnatural feel in the fit. These Tazon 6 shoes provide a relatively lightweight and natural fit for your feet to adapt to changing, dynamic activities quickly.
Some reviewers report these shoes being very easy to clean thanks to the chosen material as well as being a bit tight when they are first used, but otherwise stretching to better accommodate your feet within a few days of wearing them.
New Balance Men’s MX20v3 Minimus Cross-Training Shoe (Mens)
This is another minimalist shoe designed for CrossFit athletes who want to improve their performance. New Balance has clearly focused on delivering a shoe that is light and durable. It uses a synthetic/mesh upper that is highly breathable and perfect for athletes exercising in hot conditions. The Vibram sole provides excellent traction and works well for all CrossFit-related activities. It provides the stability necessary to perform squats, sprints and box jumps.
The REVLite midsole helps to make the shoe more comfortable and the odor-reducing microbial treatment helps with hygiene. There are no stitches on the upper of these shoes, which helps with their durability and stability. The 4 millimeter heel drop is ideal for CrossFit.
Reebok Women’s Crossfit Nano 5.0 Training Shoe (Women’s)
This is another excellent CrossFit shoe from Reebok. The CrossFit Nano 5.0 has exceptional durability and is packed with features. The upper is made from an incredibly durable kevlar material which provides excellent support during lateral movement. This shoe has been specifically designed for women’s feet and has a contoured heal for additional cushioning.
The NanoShell midsole even provides more support during the sudden movements common in CrossFit. It is a thermoplastic polyurethane shell that is exceptionally tough. The Nano 5.0 is available in 28 different color combinations, ranging from the beautiful seafoam green through to the eye-catching neon cherry.
Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite 235 Cross-Training Shoe
The F-Lite 235 Cross-Training shoe has been designed to be a versatile shoe that can be used for everything from jogging through to intense CrossFit workouts. It features Innov-8’s “Rope-Tec” technology, which protects the shoes while climbing ropes and provides additional traction. There is a strong focus on stability, with the inclusion of a very dense heel unit and multi-directional outsole.
This shoe also has a toe bumper, which reduces compression on your toes when performing burpees or pushups. The F-Lite 235 features a breathable textile upper and high-quality rubber sole. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a well-made and versatile CrossFit shoe.
Nike Women’s Metcon 2 Training Shoe
This cross-training shoe is ideal for many different activities, including heavy lifting, running, climbs, and flexibility work — which makes it ideal for CrossFit! These shoes are incredible well-made, with a perforated textile upper and thick rubber sole. The sole has a textured in-step which is perfect for rope climbing.
The high-density foam midsole provides excellent durability and stability for those sudden movements common in CrossFit. The Metcon 2 incorporates Flywire mid-foot technology to further improve foot stability, which is particularly using for weight lifting. These shoes also have a zero-drag heel which has been specifically added for hand-stand pushups.
We hope you enjoyed reading 6 Best Shoes For CrossFit! Make sure you check out the best shoes for spartan races.