Greatest CrossFit Sneakers of 2023

How We Test CrossFit Shoes

Authors Billy Brown and Paul Mandell sought out the top footwear for CrossFit endeavors and put each pair of shoes through rigorous testing. Shoes are evaluated over the course of several months via rope climbing, box jumping, pushing sleds, and a variety of lifts.

Paul Mandell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and coach based in Bishop, California. Currently, he coaches Gen Pop and CrossFit classes out of Bishop CrossFit. Paul has a master’s in Exercise Science and has taught CrossFit and strength and conditioning classes to beginners and seasoned athletes for over five years. Through coaching and his own training, Paul is able to put each shoe through the wringer. Paul also brings his expertise to our treadmills guide. Co-author Billy Brown is a marathon runner, powerlifter, and frequent contributor to GearJunkie’s fitness equipment buyer’s guides.

Each season we update this guide with new models as they become available to ensure our readers have the best, most up-to-date information.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a CrossFit Shoe

Cushioning & Heel Drop

Cushioning and heel drop are two of the most important factors in choosing a shoe for CrossFit. It’s also the first thing you notice when you put a pair on.

As far as cushioning goes, there’s a delicate balance to maintain. Too little cushioning can be wildly painful during high-impact movements. Unless you’re used to barefoot shoes, these movements can give your feet a beating on long runs.

Too much cushioning, however, can lead to a loss of power and responsiveness, especially during weightlifting. Most CrossFit shoes strike a balance between cushion and support, with some leaning toward one end or the other.

Heel drop refers to how high the heel is off the ground versus how high the toe is. For CrossFit, 4 mm seems to be the sweet spot. It strikes the perfect balance between cushioning on runs and balance on lifts.

Rigid Sole

A rigid sole, particularly in the heel, is ideal for Olympic lifting. A soft sole’s cushioning will absorb the power that an athlete produces in their leg drive during explosive movements.

Nike’s Romaleo or Adidas AdiPower have hard plastic or non-compressive TPU sole material for explosive lifts. This is one of the biggest differences between CrossFit Shoes and running shoes.

Wide Toebox

Wide toeboxes are a matter of preference. Athletes with wider feet will appreciate the way that a wider toebox allows the toes to splay out.

Athletes with narrow feet will feel like their feet aren’t getting any sidewall support. When you buy online, make sure the company has a good return policy. When they arrive, try them on immediately to make sure they’re a good fit.

Lateral Support

Lateral support is especially important for athletes with previous ankle injuries or who tend to roll their ankles. Shoes utilize different designs to combat this.

Nike’s Metcon line and Reebok’s Nano line sport slightly wider outsoles for a wider base. And NOBULL’s mid-top shoe provides additional support for the ankle.

Durability

CrossFit is as hard on the shoes as it is on the athlete (maybe more so). We’ve seen every failure that a shoe can experience, from delaminating materials to a sole literally breaking in half.

By far the most common failure is a sidewall blowout. From lateral pressure on the sidewalls to abrasion from rope climbs, shoes’ sidewalls take a lot of abuse. Many shoemakers add TPU reinforcement on the sidewalls to shield the foot from this type of wear.

FAQ

The best CrossFit shoes for both men and women will vary by individual. The best cross trainer will be as versatile as the sport of CrossFit itself. The best shoes in the sport will allow you to run, climb, jump, lift, and squat with relative ease.

Yes, you can. The best CrossFit shoes are made to accommodate a variety of sports, including running.

CrossFit shoes should fit just like a regular shoe; snug enough to provide support without compressing the foot.

You absolutely can. Many athletes use some of the better-looking CrossFit shoes as their everyday walking-around shoes. We know athletes who would buy multiple pairs: one for the gym, and another pair for everyday use.

Nike and Reebok were early adopters of CrossFit with Nike’s Metcon Line and Reebok’s Nanos. Initially, Reebok skewed closer to the lifting side with its harder midsole. This worked well for lifting weights but was less comfortable during gymnastics and run-heavy WODs. Nike made a big splash by erring on the run side being a running shoe with a softer midsole material.

CrossFitters loved this, as well as the wide toebox. Over the years, Nike and Reebok refined both of their lines, striking a better balance between running and lifting.

As CrossFit grew, Nanos and Metcons became more visible in the public eye as the CrossFit games became televised. Now the two brands are synonymous with the sport, with other brands carving their names out in the space.

Yes. We recommend taller socks, as this also protects your shins during bar moves like deadlifts and snatches. It’s also a nice extra layer during rope climbs.

Normally, we’d suggest that you replace your shoes when they wear out or blow out. However, you should expect to get at least a few years out of each pair before they become unusable. And with new styles and designs coming out every year, you’ll be buying shoes before they do.