Once I began CrossFit in 2015, it solely took a couple of week for me to develop an unhealthy obsession with searching for one of the best CrossFit sneakers. Regardless that the NOBULL model launched in that very same yr, I didn’t purchase my first pair of their trainers till 2019. Having put them by lots of of exercises since then, I’m well-equipped to ship this NOBULL sneakers assessment.

Primarily based on feedback I used to listen to on the field the place I began my CrossFit journey, and from the suggestions I’ve collected from different Breaking Muscle employees members, one factor is obvious: NOBULL trainers could be fairly controversial. Under, I’ll discover why that is and focus on the sneakers’ advantages, drawbacks, key options, and who they’re finest suited to.

Key Takeaways

• The NOBULL trainers retail for round $129 to $149, relying on which colorway you select. 
• The SuperFabric expertise used for the higher is sturdy, however breathability could also be a problem — one thing to contemplate in case you dwell and prepare in a scorching local weather.
• NOBULL trainers match true to measurement, although the toe field runs slim.

NOBULL Trainers

3.8

• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
• Weight: 11 ounces (Males’s 9 / Ladies’s 10.5)
• Materials: SuperFabric®
• Width: Broad

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NOBULL Footwear Professionals

• NOBULL sneakers are available in numerous colours and prints. If you wish to stand out within the fitness center or like sporting color-coordinated fitness center apparel, you need to be capable of discover a colorway that fits your type.
• They’re sturdy. I nonetheless have the primary pair of NOBULL trainers I purchased in 2019, and so they don’t look a lot completely different now than after I first took them out of the field.
• The lug-patterned outsole offers quite a lot of traction whether or not you’re coaching indoors or open air.

NOBULL Footwear Cons

• The trainers aren’t good for working or numerous leaping because of the lack of cushioning, poor arch help, and minimal forefoot flexibility.
• Whereas their value level of round $129 to $149 is on par with different CrossFit sneakers, different manufacturers usually provide gross sales and reductions. NOBULL sneakers are hardly ever on sale, which is usually a disadvantage for budget-conscious CrossFitters.
• The SuperFabric® materials used for the higher could be stiff, and the trainers might take just a few weeks to interrupt in.

NOBULL Footwear Ranking

At Breaking Muscle, we’ve examined dozens of coaching sneakers, together with the most recent fashions of  CrossFit-specific sneakers, just like the Nike Metcons and Reebok Nanos. I personally have additionally purchased and educated in a minimum of 20 completely different CrossFit sneakers all through the years. Right here’s how the NOBULL trainers scored after we put them by our proprietary issue methodology system.

NOBULL Footwear Overview

NOBULL sneakers are supposed to be a considerably minimalist, back-to-basics kind of coaching shoe. They’re designed to resist rope climbs, burpees, handstand push-ups, powerlifting actions, Olympic weightlifting actions, and the rest your exercise of the day (WOD) has in retailer.

Nonetheless, they are often fairly polarizing. Some CrossFitters declare NOBULL trainers are essentially the most snug sneakers they’ve ever worn. Others declare the sneakers lack design ingenuity and don’t carry out in addition to different well-known sneakers, just like the Nike Metcons.

Whereas NOBULL has launched new shoe fashions through the years — as an illustration, the Rec Trainers and the NOBULL runners — the unique trainers haven’t modified a lot. The NOBULL Coach+ got here out in 2022 with some enhancements over the unique coach, which I’ll focus on within the comparability part in a while. However generally, NOBULL hasn’t strayed too removed from the design of their authentic trainers.

Who Are NOBULL Footwear Good For?

• The general stability of the shoe and the rigidity of the flat sole could make NOBULL trainers good for athletes who focus totally on power coaching.
• In our expertise, NOBULL trainers don’t have a brilliant extensive toe field, so they’re extra appropriate for athletes with slim toes.

Who Are NOBULL Footwear Not Good For?

• Due to the laborious backside, lack of arch help, and minimal cushioning, the NOBULL trainers might not be appropriate for anybody who desires a cushty sneaker they’ll put on all day.
• Athletes preferring to put on heeled weightlifting sneakers for squats will doubtless not benefit from the four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop on the NOBULL trainers. (Be aware, nonetheless, that NOBULL sells weightlifting sneakers with 17.5- and 18.5-millimeter heel-to-toe drops.)

NOBULL Footwear In-Depth Evaluate

Look

The design of the NOBULL trainers is one factor that makes them so controversial. Some folks love the minimalist aesthetic whereas others think about it fairly fundamental and uninspired. I’m a part of the latter camp — I don’t essentially assume that NOBULL has completed something groundbreaking or distinctive with its coach.

Nonetheless, NOBULL makes up for this by providing their sneakers in distinctive colours and prints. For instance, as of this writing, the ladies’s sneakers can be found in enjoyable colorways, corresponding to neon blue, vivid pink camo, a number of floral patterns, and highlighter yellow. Should you favor extra understated footwear, you possibly can go for strong colours, like black, grey, or navy.

I don’t like my fitness center sneakers to be too flashy, however I don’t need them to be too boring, both. Once I purchased my first pair of NOBULL trainers, I selected a grey higher with a blue, pink, and purple patterned sole and matching laces. I like that this colorway has a small pop of colour that retains them from being too drab with out being so vivid which you could spot me from a mile away after I put on them.

The NOBULL trainers even have one of many largest alternatives of prints and colours I’ve seen in any fitness center sneaker, not to mention a CrossFit shoe. You possibly can even get them in excessive tops, just like the Converse Chuck Taylors. They get a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars for aesthetics from this CrossFit shoe junkie.

RELATED: Is CrossFit Unhealthy for You?

Supplies

NOBULL sneakers are made with SuperFabric® expertise. NOBULL takes regular mesh cloth and applies tiny guard plates to it, leading to a fabric that’s extremely immune to abrasions. I’m not at all times mild with how I deal with my sneakers, however my NOBULL trainers hardly have any scuff marks or imperfections on them.

Nonetheless, the SuperFabric® materials isn’t very breathable. I admire this within the winter after I’m coaching in my chilly storage as a result of it helps hold my toes heat. However I don’t notably benefit from the lack of breathability in the summertime as a result of it makes my toes overly scorching and sweaty. The suede tongue has holes for air flow, however I don’t assume they do a lot.

The fabric can also be stiff. I nonetheless need to loosen the shoelaces almost all the way in which to get the sneakers on, and I’ve had the trainers for 4 years now. Due to the fabric’s stiffness and minimal breathability, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Outsole

NOBULL trainers have a flat, secure carbon rubber outsole with a grippy lug sample and a strengthened sidewall. The sneakers don’t slide round simply after I’m lifting on the rubber fitness center flooring in my storage, and on the uncommon events that I’ve worn them for out of doors runs, I haven’t felt like I used to be going to slide.

The bottoms have much less traction now than after I first acquired the sneakers, however the outsoles haven’t worn down as shortly as lots of my different cross-training sneakers. I gave the outsole 4.3 out of 5 stars for that reason.

Midsole

The midsole incorporates a light-weight foam materials that doesn’t compress. This can be a nice characteristic once you’re lifting heavy weights, as you need your sneakers that can assist you really feel balanced and secure. Nonetheless, it’s a disadvantage for sprints, leaping, and different high-impact actions as a result of the midsole isn’t very shock-absorbing or responsive (which means it doesn’t provide a lot power switch when your toes hit the bottom). I solely scored the midsole 3 out of 5 stars as a result of, as I’ll focus on under, the shoe’s minimal midsole limits its versatility.

Heel-to-Toe Drop

NOBULL trainers have a four-millimeter heel-to-doe drop. The low heel-to-toe drop makes it excellent for heavy lifts as a result of it retains you extra balanced and secure. In truth, the NOBULL trainers are my go-to sneakers for days after I’m solely doing power coaching.

I give them 4.2 stars for the heel-to-toe drop, nonetheless, as a result of I favor a heeled lifting shoe for heavy squats. I’m 5’8 and have lengthy legs, and a better heel-to-toe drop makes it simpler for me to squat under parallel.

That stated, I do assume they’re a superb shoe for lifters preferring squatting in a flatter shoe. They only don’t work for me for many barbell squat variations.

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Versatility

Relating to versatility, I solely give NOBULL trainers a 3 out of 5. They’re purported to be all-purpose sneakers which are good for working, leaping, and lifting weights. Nonetheless, in my expertise, they don’t work effectively for something high-impact.

I’ve lengthy since given up on sporting them for any exercises that embrace quite a lot of working (even brief distances), field jumps, or double-unders. I solely put on them for my strict power coaching days, when my CrossFit WODs name for principally static actions, or after I’m utilizing a low-impact cardio machine like a rower or train bike. I’ve flat toes and have had a number of foot and ankle accidents. For prime-impact actions, I attain for sneakers with extra cushioning and arch help.

I wouldn’t even advocate sporting the NOBULL trainers for working errands or strolling round city. I’ve tried sporting them whereas strolling by a shopping center and whereas strolling my canine, and my toes ached for hours afterward. Should you’re in search of a shoe that may double as a exercise shoe and a leisure, a NOBULL pair of sneakers might not lower it.

Value

NOBULL trainers value between $129 and $149, relying on which type and colorway you select. I give them 4 out of 5 stars for the fee. Regardless that the worth tag could appear excessive, I don’t fault NOBULL for it an excessive amount of. It’s laborious to search out CrossFit sneakers which are less expensive except you’re fortunate sufficient to get them on sale.

Sturdiness

The NOBULL trainers get 4 out of 5 stars from me for sturdiness. I’ve had my first pair since 2019, and so they look almost the identical now as they did once they arrived at my doorstep. The one cause I knocked off some extent is that I prepare at residence in a cramped storage fitness center with a low ceiling and 0 empty wall area, so I don’t have room for issues like rope climbs and handstand push-ups. I can’t give the sneakers an ideal rating for sturdiness since I haven’t actually put them by a whole take a look at.

NOBULL Coach Buyer Critiques

The NOBULL ladies’s trainers have over 19,500 critiques on the model’s web site, with nearly all of clients ranking them 5 out of 5 stars. Consumers reward the trainers for his or her stability, extensive colour choice, and true-to-size match. Those that left damaging critiques state the sneakers aren’t breathable and take a very long time to interrupt in.

NOBULL Coach vs. NOBULL Coach+

The NOBULL Coach+ boasts a thicker EVA midsole and a extra cushioned heel cup. I haven’t personally examined the NOBULL Coach+, however a Breaking Muscle product tester who wore them stated these up to date options could be each good and dangerous. As an illustration, the thicker midsole and elevated cushioning provide extra shock-absorbing capabilities for working and leaping however make the sneakers really feel much less secure when lifting heavy weights.

One other new characteristic on the NOBULL Coach+ is the herringbone-patterned outsole. Whereas I by no means had an issue with slippage when sporting the unique coach, the brand new outsole is designed to offer even larger traction. The Coach+ additionally has a bigger toe bumper and a sturdier sidewall guard for enhanced sturdiness. The SuperFabric materials has carried over from the unique coach to the Coach+.

The Coach+ prices round $139 to $149, although some colorways are priced even larger at about $169. Yow will discover some colorways within the authentic coach for cheaper, however generally, the costs of the 2 variations are about the identical.

NOBULL Coach+

3.5

• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
• Weight: 13.13 ounces (Males’s 9 / Ladies’s 10.5)
• Materials: SuperFabric®
• Width: Broad

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NOBULL Trainers vs. Nike Metcons

Up till just a few months in the past after I purchased my first pair of TYR CXT-1 trainers, the Nike Metcons have been my go-to sneakers for all of my CrossFit exercises. I haven’t tried the Metcon 8s or 9s — I nonetheless have two pairs of Nike Metcon 6s that I rotate by generally. I additionally used to personal a pair of Metcon 2s and a pair of Nike Metcon Flyknits (which it seems like Nike now not makes). I just about wore each of them into the bottom as a result of I liked them a lot. Suffice it to say, I might typically advocate the Metcons over the NOBULL trainers any day.

Just like the NOBULL trainers, the Nike Metcons have a four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop. They aren’t overly cushioned, so I’m nonetheless in a position to push towards the ground when doing heavy static lifts like squats and deadlifts. Whereas I don’t take pleasure in doing any leaping actions in my NOBULL trainers, I can tolerate them within the Nike Metcons. 

The Nike sneakers aren’t one of the best for working lengthy distances as a result of the laborious plastic heel could be uncomfortable (particularly in case you heel strike, which I are likely to do after I get fatigued). However total, I discover the Metcons extra snug than the NOBULL sneakers.

At round $150, the Metcons value about the identical as or barely greater than the NOBULL trainers (relying on which colour you get). Nike tends to run gross sales on their sneakers now and again, although. If value is a figuring out issue for you, it could be worthwhile to maintain a watch out for gross sales and go for a pair of Metcons.

Nike Metcon 8

4.2

• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
• Weight: 12.5 ounces (measurement 10)
• Materials: Light-weight mesh with textured overlays
• Width: Impartial to extensive

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NOBULL Trainers vs. Reebok Nano

I’ve by no means actually liked any of the Reebok Nano’s I’ve tried, however I haven’t hated them, both. I’ve truly discovered Nano’s to be extra snug for working than the NOBULL trainers. They’re springier and extra responsive and due to this fact additionally higher for field jumps, double-unders, and different high-impact actions.

Nonetheless, I don’t really feel as secure lifting near-maximal hundreds within the Nanos as I do within the NOBULL trainers. I solely attain for my Nanos after I’m lifting at round 70 to 75 p.c of my one-rep maxes or doing CrossFit WODs with quite a lot of working or cardio machine work.

The Nano X3s have a seven-millimeter heel-to-toe drop, which is three millimeters greater than the NOBULL trainers. Primarily based on the suggestions I’ve obtained from different Breaking Muscle employees members, the Nano X3s are extra breathable.

The Nano X3s value round $140 to $150, about the identical because the NOBULL trainers. However in case you want a extra cushioned CrossFit shoe, the Nanos could also be a more sensible choice.

Reebok Nano X3

4.0

• Heel-to-toe drop: Seven millimeters
• Weight: 12 ounces (unisex measurement 9)
• Materials: Artificial and textile higher
• Width: Excellent for extensive toes

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Remaining Ideas: Are the NOBULL Trainers Price It?

Whether or not you’re a health fanatic or a aggressive CrossFit athlete, the NOBULL trainers could be value it. Perceive, nonetheless, that they could not work for every type of workout routines, relying in your foot anatomy and the way a lot help you want in a cross-training shoe. They are often uncomfortable for high-impact actions as a result of their rigidity and minimal cushioning, however they’re excellent for heavy weightlifting as a result of they provide a secure platform and mean you can nonetheless really feel related to the bottom.

Earlier than shelling out a minimum of $129, think about the kind of actions you do most frequently in your CrossFit WODs. Should you do quite a lot of heavy barbell biking or machine work, the NOBULL trainers could also be a good selection. However in case you wish to program quite a lot of working, field jumps, and double-unders in your WODs, you could wish to think about a shoe that shall be extra snug for these actions.

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