Thinking it’s about time you jumped on the Crossfit bandwagon? Well, that decision is long overdue. Crossfit is the new way for people to shed pounds, get fit, work on their cardio and build some muscle. Everything you ever wanted in a workout. And what do you need to get started? A nice and comfortable pair of shoes that can withstand the demanding nature of the workout. Luckily for you, most of the sportswear and apparel companies have noted the spike and interest in Crossfit and a great deal of them have reacted by making shoes that are precisely meant for Crossfit. However, as you would expect, not all options out there would work well for you.
You have to know the kinds of shoes that are perfect for your fit and more importantly, what to look for in the best Crossfit shoes. Because of the diverse nature of this method of workout, you have to keep your feet comfortable and mobile. It helps to reduce injuries and improve your tolerance levels. Which is why without a doubt, you will need to invest in a good pair of Crossfit shoes. To help you with making the right decision when it comes to the most vital part of you joining Crossfit or even replacing your current pair, here are some Crossfit shoe reviews that should make the process much easier. If you are interested in a more niche guide, check out our crossfit shoes for women article here.
New Balance Men’s MX797v2 Cross Training Shoe
It is not always that the biggest brands will have the best items. This Crossfit shoe from New Balance is living proof of that. While it might not have the best aesthetics (Nike has tied that down) it does have a great collection of features that make it a must have and among the best Crossfit shoes there is.
Features include a synthetic and mesh upper part of the shoe. This makes it lighter, durable and more comfortable while the mesh feature allows for adequate aeration hence more comfortable with reduced sweating of the fit. The sole is made out of rubber and has a unique non-marking feature. While most argue that this reduces grip, in actual sense, it makes the shoe friendlier for a wide variety of floors. Including Hardwood floors. Hence you can finally take your Crossfit training anywhere. Even indoors.
The Revlite midsole offers comfort and better adaptation of the foot while the QUIX technology allows the shoe to have better traction even without the markings on the sole. It is worth noting that the shoe is only 258grams. Hence lightweight nature is a feature that you can’t afford to overlook especially when it comes to Crossfit.
Meant for quick cuts and better side-to-side movement, this shoe offers diverse benefits among which include the improved traction for running, its lightweight nature and the breathability that is offered by the mesh upper material. However, you should not that some of the areas are glued rather than stitched. But, this has been done using industrial grade glue which makes it very firm. All you have to do is avoid constant contact with water and the shoe should hold for pretty long.
Click here to check the New Balance Men’s MX797v2 on Amazon
Puma Tazon 5 Cross-Training Shoe
Typically, you would not expect Puma to make good shoes for training. But, it’s a different world and most companies are re-inventing themselves and Puma found a way to come up with the best shoe for Crossfit.
The collection of features starts off with a synthetic upper material that offers the shoe flexibility and durability. The sole is made out of rubber which also adds to the flexibility, traction and makes it much easier for you to break in to the shoe.
While there is no question about the comfort of the shoe, questions about control have been addressed by the lace-up cross-training design that also features a form strip on the outer side. This makes the shoe comfortable even when the laces have been done tightly. You get more control without making it uncomfortable for yourself. On the other hand, you also have a perforated detailing that allows for circulation of air and a breathable EcoOrthoLite sock liner as well for even better aeration.
The midsole is well cushioned to absorb shock and provide better comfort and for better stability even when you’re on the move, the shoe also comes with a TPU shank. Everything you would need in a shoe built to conquer the world of Crossfit is right here. All you have to do is take it. It might be in an unlikely brand, but worthy either way.
The benefits are as eminent as the features. You have a great shoe with loads of comfort and it also happens to be superbly lightweight. Definitely a shoe that Crossfit lovers can see themselves wearing. It also has a very unique look to it. However, the shoe is slightly wider than necessary. While this offers you better grip and stability, it does come with a couple of extra pounds and makes the shoes slightly chunky. Other than that, you have a pair of one of the best Crossfit shoes on the market.
Click here to check Puma Tazon 5 on Amazon
ASICS Men’s GEL-Fortius TR 2 Training Shoes
A more relatable brand to most Crossfitters with a more pragmatic shoe. The Asics Men’s Gel-Fortius is the perfect shoe for those that want a dull colored product that will save them from constant cleaning or in the least something that does not take away the attention from the real work at hand.
The synthetic material used on the upper part of the shoe allows for flexibility and durability and you also get plenty of breathability. Needless to mention this also makes cleaning much easier. You also get a rubber sole for better grip. The rubber sole is not distributed throughout the sole. It is only relegated to the pressure points. It helps to reduce the weight of the shoe without compromising its ability to deliver proper traction to the user.
To keep the shoe in place and culture a movement where the shoe and the foot move as one, the Asics lace-up training shoe has a rubberized toe cap. This also works as a protection layer in case something falls on your foot. You also have a looped heel pull. This makes wearing the shoe much easier and for the sake of breathability, you also have mesh underlays that provide you with the best possible aeration for odor and sweat control.
One of the greatest benefits the shoe has to offer is the durability. This is characterized by a double stitched quarter panel brace. The mesh and rubber sole also hold-up pretty well to father time. While the comfort might not be as great as some of the other designs, it is something that you can definitely live with. On the downside, you might have to put up with the lengthy break in time. But that is about as bad as it gets. Once you settle in, the shoe works pretty amazing.
Click here to see the ASICS Men’s GEL-Fortius TR 2 on Amazon
Reebok Crossfit Nano 4.0 Training Shoe
Considering how vocal Reebok has been about Crossfit, it would be virtual unimaginable for them not to have a shoe that fits the bill. They have gone as far as shooting commercials and it’s only fair that one of their better designs and made shoes makes the cut. The Reebok Nano 4.0 is definitely one for the books and one that most formidable Crossfit shoes that you can come across.
While you might not have a whole lot of features working for the shoe, the ones it has do a great job of setting the Nano 4.0 head and shoulder above the rest. The snug fit is one of the best features that ensures comfort. The Kevlar Aramid fiber that is used for the mesh fiber offers a durable material for the shoe. If it is any help, this is the same material that is synonymous with bulletproof vests so you get an idea on the kind of durability you get. Ultimately, even with the rubber sole, it is relatively easy to forget that you’re wearing these shoes because of their lightweight nature.
You get a snug fit, light enough shoes to sprint around but sturdy and durable enough so you get value for your money. Reebok definitely did a good job on these.
As for the benefits, because of the design the shoe adopts, it has an outstanding impact reduction especially when one is running. This means that it makes it easier on your knees and ankles and hence when less shock is passed through the joints, you can practice for longer without making them weak.
However, there is some slight tightness at the fore of the shoe because of the toe box. The room is more rigid which might feel somewhat uncomfortable for the first few wear but your foot eventually gets used to it.
Click here to check Reebok Crossfit Nano 4.0 on Amazon
Nike Men’s Free Trainer 5.0 V6 Training Shoe
It would not be a list of the best Crossfit shoes if Nike did not make the list. You have to face it. They have among the best looking Crossfit shoes. Not only do they have mind boggling designs, they also happen to have some pretty sturdy shoes. One of those happens to be the Nike Trainer 5.0 V6 training shoes.
For those that take confidence in the number of features that any product has to offer, then this would be a great shoe for you. Not only are the features diverse, they also happen to be very functional. They start off with the mesh material that offers flexibility for the shoe and durability without the added weight that comes with natural materials like leather.
The sole is made from rubber. Other the rubber sole. The great design the shoe features does not end with the upper part. The sole also has a great design and also great distribution of fortified rubber. It offers improved traction and durability in the most critical areas. The hexagonal sectioned sole is also quite attractive to the eye. Generally speaking, if you’re the attention lover, you will be getting a lot with this pair of Crossfit trainers.
Other than the feature filled sole, these Nike trainers also have a state of the art lace system. It is what Nike calls the Flywire system. While the shoe is quite comfortable, the flywire technology helps to add control to comfort by wrapping up the foot and locking it in place. This allows for more drastic and dynamic lateral movements with a reduced chance of injury which is definitely some great news for all fitness enthusiasts that dread having to deal with an injury.
The midsole has been intentionally made low-profile. But, it is also durable enough to double up as an outsole ensuring that you’re able to continue using the shoe even when the sectionalized rubber runs out. The sock liner also has some impressive additions as well among them being the minimal and molded design meant to resemble the curvature of the foot. This offers better comfort to the shoe without the irritation that comes with doing the laces too tight.
For reduced impact, the anatomical heel is rounded to roll with the ground and reduce the level of impact. This also adds a great sense of appeal to the shoe other than the functional addition of the rounded heel.
There is a great diversity of features that this Nike Trainer has to offer. This is the first benefit. Others include the comfort the shoe has to offer, it offers excellent arch support, reduce impact design and it is made from highly durable material. It is an all-round shoe with great support and definitely a perfect fit for crossfitters.
The only downside is that it has a single coral gray color scheme. The other colors do vary but for the sole, you have to work with that. But you have to agree that this is a very small setback compared to huge benefits you get.
Click here to check Nike Men’s Free Trainer 5.0 V6 on Amazon
Conclusion
While Crossfit is a great way to get back your fitness and perhaps your health, you also have to consider the toll it might take on your feet. Which is why you have to have a good pair of trainers that will not only offer your feet the comfort it needs but it will also reduce the impact associated with the sport. You have some great shoes to pick from and the reviews should shine a light on the ones that are better suited for you.
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