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The best CrossFit shoes of 2024 that you can run, lift, jump and climb in
By Rachael Green,
1 day ago
Nike
No two days are alike when you're doing CrossFit. The high-intensity training program can have you doing deadlifts one day and running a 10k the next. It's a great way to develop just about every aspect of fitness from cardio conditioning and endurance to strength and coordination. But that also means CrossFit is just as demanding on your shoes as it is on you.
Most experts will tell you that the best running shoe is probably the worst weightlifting shoe -- and vice versa. So, how do you even pick a single shoe to wear through every workout session of your CrossFit training? You turn to CBS Sports Essentials, of course. We've rounded up the absolute best CrossFit shoes that manage to strike that optimum balance of support and stability so you can run, climb, lift , row and more in the same pair of shoes. These jack-of-all-trades shoes from Nike , Reebok, Adidas and other leading brands really can do it all.
Best CrossFit shoe overall: Reebok Nano X4
Reebok
The Reebok Nano line was the first shoe built specifically for CrossFit, and it's remained the dominant player in that niche over multiple generations of increasingly better models. The latest in the line is the Reebok Nano X4, pictured here. It's durable, supportive, stable, grippy, and great at absorbing impact.
Often, when a shoe is designed to be a jack-of-all-trades like a CrossFit shoe, you can tell that it's a master of none. For each type of workout, it'll feel a little lacking compared to a shoe that was specialized for that specific kind of movement. With the Reebok Nano X4, that's not the case.
When lifting, the heel cup cradles your heel to give you the stability you need. That feature, in turn, allows the shoe to have a somewhat softer, more responsive midsole than a typical lifting-oriented shoe so it won't feel too stiff while running. So runners will appreciate the Floatride Energy foam that's responsive enough to counteract the relative bulkiness of the shoe. That same foam will also help cushion the impact on jumps.
It still might not be your first choice for a long-distance run -- for that, we'd recommend the Hoka Clifton 9. But the Reebok Nano X4 nails that balanced design you need to move seamlessly through a wide variety of workouts without feeling like your shoes are lacking in some way.
Get a pair of the tailored-to-crossfit shoes from Reebok for $140.
Top features of the Reebok Nano X4:
The Reebok Nano is the original CrossFit shoe and the X4 is the latest, most advanced edition yet.
Ventilation panels in the upper add breathability, which allows the rest of the upper to be more snug and stabilizing to hold your foot in place without overheating.
The full rubber outsole grips gym floors and wraps around ropes so you can move with confidence.
A heel cup and firm upper hold your foot in place so you can plant during lifts.
The Floatride Energy foam midsole absorbs shock and makes these CrossFit shoes a little livelier during short runs.
Nike might be known for its running shoes , but the brand also makes a great selection of trainers and weightlifting shoes. The Nike Metcon 9, in particular, is one of the most popular gym shoes on the market. Built to handle everything from deadlifts to rope climbing to cardio.
For lifting, these Nike shoes feature a wide Hyperlift plate in the heel to provide stability and support under heavy loads. The toe box is designed with a stretchy, breathable fabric that molds to your foot while still providing enough stretch to let your toes spread out while doing squats or deadlifts. For climbing, the rubber rope wrap adds durability and grip so you can nail down that foot clamp.
For running and other cardio, you have just enough flexibility along with cushioning in the forefoot to burst into sprints. With that said, the design does favor lifting, climbing and jumping more than running so if you're running anything longer than a mile, you might want to switch to a better Nike running shoe.
Get a pair of Nike Metcon 9 trainers for $150.
Top features of the Nike Metcon 9:
The breathable and flexible chain-link mesh stretches just enough to let your foot and ankle move naturally.
The rubber sidewalls and support braces in the heel and midfoot keep you stable while you're lifting.
The rubber tread on the outsole offers traction for stability during dynamic exercises like lunges or rope climbing.
A 4mm heel-to-toe drop is low enough to feel stable without completely losing the support of a standard training shoe.
The relative stiffness and flatness needed for lifting in a CrossFit shoe can generally make for a shoe that doesn't exactly feel great for all-day wear. Since they aren't meant for all-day wear, that's usually not a problem. But if you want to have your cake and eat it, too, then the Nobull Impact is a great choice.
By cake, we mean cushioning. A thick layer of EVA foam in the midsole is balanced out by a low 4mm heel-to-toe drop to make for a shoe that maximizes shock absorption without feeling squishy. You'll notice the difference during box jumps, burpees and other high-impact workouts. You'll also appreciate that added cushioning if you have flat feet, plantar fasciitis or otherwise need a little extra support from your shoes.
While it's not squishy like most thick-cushioned shoes, that thicker layer of foam does take away from ground contact. It's still firm and flat enough for moderate weightlifting, but we'd recommend swapping these for another shoe during deadlifts.
With that in mind, this shoe is still a great CrossFit shoe. The reinforced carbon rubber outsole and abrasion-resistant upper make these grippy enough for the gym floor yet durable enough for outdoor workouts. Meanwhile, the shoes are comfortable and breathable enough that you'll actually want to wear them from beginning to end for every training session.
Get a pair of Nobull Impact CrossFit shoes for $139.
Top features of the Nobull Impact:
A thick yet firm EVA foam midsole melts away impact while remaining stable enough for moderate weightlifting .
The carbon rubber outsole with herringbone pattern traction handles gym floors, ropes and outdoors without slipping or wearing thin.
Padding in the heel, collar and tongue add to the comfort of this shoe.
The SuperFabric upper is both rip-resistant and breathable.
Adidas is one of our favorite brands for budget-friendly shoes with features and designs that can hold their own in a room full of top-tier athletic shoes. So if you're a CrossFit newbie or even a pro that just prefers to keep their training costs down, the Adidas Amplimove is a great balance of price and performance.
With a regular retail price of just $70, the Adidas Amplimove is almost half the price of many of the other CrossFit shoes on this list. But it still packs a ton of durability and versatility into that price point.
The zoned TPU overlays provide support for lateral movement without bulking up the rest of the shoe. The sculpted EVA foam midsole absorbs shock during jumps and other high-impact workouts while still being stiff enough to feel stable during lifts. The upper is breathable and flexible enough for more dynamic movements and cardio.
Overall, it's lightweight and supportive during cardio while being stable and grippy enough for lifting. It's not as specialized as some of the other shoes on this list, but there's enough here to keep you progressing on your CrossFit journey.
Top features of the Adidas Amplimove:
Zoned TPU overlays in the forefoot and midfoot limit side-to-side movement to keep you stable during lateral movements.
The sculpted EVA foam midsole is shock-absorbing enough for high-impact workouts, yet firm enough for lifting.
The seamless mesh upper is breathable yet snug.
A multidirectional rubber outsole provides reliable traction on gym floors.
Best zero-drop CrossFit shoe: New Balance Minimus TR v2
New Balance
A zero-drop or flat-sole shoe, the New Balance Minimus TR v2 can be a game changer for navigating more complex moves like snatches, cleans and jerks since your foot has better ground contact. The idea behind a zero-drop shoe is that it allows you to keep your weight over your heels rather than your toes, which can feel more secure and give you more flexibility to handle complex moves.
That's what makes the New Balance Minimum TR v2 a solid CrossFit shoe. It gives you that zero drop stability along with a firmer foam that provides cushioning but doesn't compress so much that it impacts your form during lifts.
It's also a lightweight and flexible shoe, with a breathable upper that fits more like a glove than a shoe. Pair that with the FuelCell foam in the midsole and you have a dynamic shoe with just enough responsiveness to handle short cardio sessions.
Get the minimalist CrossFit shoe directly from New Balance for as low as $102 (reduced from $120).
Top features of the New Balance Minimus TR v2:
The zero-millimeter heel-to-drop is the best choice for achieving a solid, stable form during complex moves.
The flexible, breathable upper provides a snug yet stretchy fit -- more like a glove than a shoe.
The lightweight, minimalist shoe gives you a barefoot feel that offers great contact with the ground (or rope).
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