Best Crossfit Shoes for Men to Live Up To Expectations

by jacky chou
Updated on

The best Crossfit shoes for men are crucial for any man practicing Crossfit because they will help optimize your fitness. After all, Crossfit training involves a lot of high-intensity interval training. Therefore, the type of cross-trainer shoe you choose will determine how successful your fitness will be while undertaking activities in cross-training like running or weightlifting, and the best Crossfit shoes for men will be versatile enough to support all cross-training activities.

When looking for the best Crossfit shoes for men, your primary focus should be getting a functional fitness training shoe that can offer impressive cushioning while still being flexible enough for snappy movements. However, with many training shoes in the market claiming to be Crossfit capable shoes, we have narrowed them down to the best ones with their pros and cons. We have also included a buying guide to help you know what factors to look out for when shopping.

1. Reebok Nano X1

Reebok Men's Nano X1 Cross Trainer, Black/Night Black/Rubber Gum, 6
  • Versatile Workout Shoes: Workout the way you want - these combination training and running shoes enable you to jump, climb, and even throw the barbell around with complete confidence
  • Soft & Durable Upper: These iconic training sneakers for men feature a Flexweave knit upper that's breathable yet durable, with integrated support for multidirectional movement
  • Stabilizing Foot Support: Enhanced with a shock-absorbing EVA foam midsole, these men’s athletics shoes are ideal for high-intensity workouts, crossfit, cardio, lifting, climbing, and running
  • Built For Speed: The sleek shape and ultra-stylish design of these lightweight workout shoes for men helps you crush your workout goals and feel good about what you're wearing too

Reebok Nano X1 is one of the top best Crossfit shoes for men that ensure you rock your workouts of the day, and it features a wide base and a lightweight heel clip, and a minimum low to heel design. These Nano X features guarantee maximum stability for heavy lifting days. It also has a super-responsive EVA foam midsole that offers extra protection during heel strikes and allows a smooth cadence when running. In addition, the Nano X also has a tightly knit upper that ensures your feet stay cool and comfortable no matter your workouts' intensity. It is versatile as it can be used for weight training, running, or strength training.

Reebok Nano X1 is constructed with a rubber outsole with strategically placed grooves that boost your grip when standing still or moving in multiple directions. The Nano X cross trainer also has a wide toe box and a heel cup that provides extra stability. In addition, the rubber sole rises halfway through the shoe's body, which adds lateral stability, ensuring force from the leg drive goes to the floor on either side.

  • Pros
  • The base is supportive enough for strength training
  • The Reebok Nano offers a perfect balance between stability and cushioning
  • Responsive cushioning ideal for cardio bursts
  • Extra cushion on the tongue and around the ankle cuff
  • The cross trainer has a heightened durability
  • EVA midsole
  • Extra stability for lateral movements
  • Cons
  • The price is different according to the edition or color scheme.

2. Nike Metcon 6

Nike Metcon 6 is Nike's signature training shoe that offers maximum breathability, and it is very versatile and can transition from running to lifting seamlessly. The men's trainer features a firm heel that can resist compression, and with optional hyper lift inserts, you can easily manage heavy lifting. Also, you won't have sweaty feet no matter the intensity because of the impressive upper airflow. Also, compared to the Nike Free Metcon 3, this Crossfit shoe comes with a rope guard and a hard plastic point on each heel's end, and with a flexible forefoot and a springy heel cushion, Nike Metcon 6 makes a great choice.

Nike Metcon 6 trainers offer excellent grip, thanks to the sole directional traction design. They also come with a TPU heel clip to ensure it's more stable and a collapsible heel that allows you to slide into the training shoe without untying it. However, these trainers are not as lightweight as other training shoes on the list, and also, the outsole doesn't compress as much and will be stable under heavyweight.

  • Pros
  • Enhanced breathability
  • Flexible forefoot and firm heel support
  • It is a stable trainer for Crossfit workouts
  • All mesh upper meaning maximum airflow
  • Additional resistance thanks to the heel rubber sticking and a collapsible heel
  • The men's durable shoe has a construction that handles rope climbs easily
  • A hard plastic point on each heel's end
  • It won't compress under heavyweight
  • Cons
  • Plush forefoot meaning there is less snap

3. New Balance Minimus Prevail

New Balance Men's Minimus Prevail V1 Cross Trainer, White/Black, 7
  • REVlite midsole
  • Vibram outsole
  • Knit upper infused with TPU fibers
  • Asymmetrical, anatomical collar offers support and comfort for ankles

New Balance Minimus Prevail shoes for Crossfit are a perfect performance balance and look with a minimalistic design. This New Balance men's shoe features a drop-in midsole made from the New Balance’s lightweight Revlite foam, and it is snappy and thin and paired with a flat Vibram outsole for a comfortable and grounded feel in your trainer. The Vibram sole is constructed with low treads that maximize stability, especially on lateral movements and lifting. When paired with the thin midsole, it offers a tactile feel of the underfoot and sufficient support.

New Balance Prevail features a durable upper knit made of perforated mesh infused with TPU fibers that give it a daily look and boost durability and ventilation. Also, the wraparound sole adds durability and traction on rope climbs, and it is among the most lightweight, durable pairs you will find for Crossfit training.

  • Pros
  • The men's pair has a slim low profile
  • Snappy and lightweight midsole
  • Low tread for maximum stability
  • Super breathable and supportive to your foot
  • Upper infused with TPU fibers
  • Cons
  • Narrow toe box

4. Inov-8 F-Lite G 300

Inov-8 Men's F-Lite G 300 - Cross Trainer Shoes - Grey/Blue - 7
  • SOCK-LIKE FIT – Comfort, ease and support all rolled into one sock-like liner, so these cross-training sneakers can be used for almost any workout.
  • GRAPHENE POWERHEEL – Providing a stable lifting foundation so you can weightlift with confidence.
  • ROPE TEC – Giving you 360° midfoot protection from rope climb abrasion, great for varied workout and HIIT sessions.
  • GRAPHENE OUTSOLE – A super grippy outsole providing insane grip & durability using the wonder material graphene. Perfect for your cross-training workouts.
  • KNITTED UPPER – A fully-engineered knit material provides free movement with ultimate breathability.

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is a pair that feels more like a running shoe but delivers a performance of a trainer with a midsole and an outsole that is infused with Graphene adding stability, durability, and maximum grip for lifting. The midsole also extends to the shoe's sides and extends into a semi-rigid TPU guard that extends to the laces, and with an engineered upper in the forefoot, airflow moves through the forefoot comfortably.

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 has a responsive cushioning that provides extra comfort for jumping and performing other high-intensity workouts. In addition, a 6mm heel-to-toe drop maximizes the support more than other cross-training footwear. The training shoe also has an integrated tongue that gives the shoe an inner sock feel, making the shoe comfortable, and you don't need the laces.

  • Pros
  • Built-in stability
  • The men's pair comes with a well-cushioned footbed
  • Semi-rigid TPU guard
  • Durable thanks to the ripstop covering the heel
  • Graphene rubber outsole for maximum grip
  • The laces are not necessary
  • Cons
  • A more stacked midsole

5. WHITIN Men's Cross-Trainer | Barefoot & Minimalist Shoe

WHITIN Men's Trail Running Shoes Minimalist Barefoot Five Fingers Wide Toe Box Size 8.5 Gym Workout...
  • Anatomical shape provides natural comfort.
  • Adaptive materials and minimalist construction.
  • Zero drop from heel to toe for a natural stride.
  • Our vegan friendly footwear uses 0% animal products.
  • It is true to size, please order your normal size.

WHITIN Men's Cross-Trainer is a durable cross-training shoe that features a tight-fit anatomical shape provides natural comfort. The shoe isn't made up of any animal product, but out of fully vegan friendly material. The trainer has guard plates that shield the fabric making it resistant without minimizing the flexibility or breathability and giving the training shoe a distinct dot pattern. In addition, the trainers have a rugged construction which might be less flexible in the beginning but very comfortable once you break-in.

Whitin Men's Cross-Trainers feature a grippy, flexible rubber sole patterned for multi-directional movements and a zero drop from heel-to-toe that makes the shoe transition from any weight to running with a lot of ease. The outer sole design maximizes traction and makes sure the shoe has full stablity.

  • Pros
  • Grippy and durable sole construction
  • Anatomical style
  • Ample support
  • Vegan friendly footwear
  • Cons
  • Doesn't come in half-sizes

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Crossfit Shoes for Men

1. Cushioning and Heel Drop

These are two of the most crucial factors to check when choosing a Crossfit shoe, and they are also the first things you will notice immediately you put on any cross-training shoes. When it comes to cushioning, you need to maintain a balance because minimum cushioning can be painful when doing high-impact movements. Still, if you are used to barefoot shoes, the movements can help your feet long runs. Additionally, too much can cause a loss of responsiveness and power, especially when weightlifting, and therefore, your Crossfit shoes should balance between support and cushion. Still, some shoes will lean in one end more than the other.

For the heel drop, it's how high the heel is off the ground against how high the toe is, and minimum heel-to-toe drop is the best, unlike for running footwear. For the ideal Crossfit shoes, the sweet spot seems to be around 0mm to 4mm, and this helps achieve a balance between a balance on lifts and cushioning during runs. Apart from the drop, some of the cross-training shoes come with an exterior strap that boosts stability by snugging your feet down and dialing the shoe fit to your liking.

2. Materials

When it comes to cross-training shoes, the uppers often take a beating making the type of material you should use an important factor to consider along with the laces, heels, and midsoles. The best training shoe should have more TPU in its heel vs. EVA foam, which tends to offer stability, making it ideal for weightlifting. When it comes to materials, each company uses its proprietary materials. People's preferences may differ, so you will have to try on shoes or get some reviews from friends who have different cross-training shoes.

3. Durability

Crossfit training is hard on the athletes, and it's also hard on the shoes, which means shoes can experience a lot of failure during this activity. Notably, some durability features come with CrossFit shoes that you should look out for. Some of these features include a thick toe cap that will protect the toe area during weighted planks, pushups, or burpees, a rope guard that shields the midfoot from any rope burn with a great rope grip, and also a sturdy heel counter that will protect the ankle-end and heel part of your Crossfit shoes from abrasions and ensures the rear is firm throughout your training session.

Some of these durability features may not be present in running shoes because running footwear usually has a breathable upper.

4. Grip

You should check this factor out before making your purchase because some Crossfit shoes feature a tacky rubber outsole that may make you feel like you are planted on the platform, and this is the last thing you may want when performing some activities like shooting a squat PR. The Cross trainer shoes that come with a firm grip should also feature a good forefoot space, and the extra room is beneficial for splaying out your toes evenly and distributing your weight evenly. Also, the best trainers with a good grip will ensure an athlete gets the proper hip and knee alignment through the heavy lifts.

The best trainers should have rigid soles that will offer stability when dead-lifting, squatting, cleaning, or snatching, and this will mean Crossfit shoes will not be the best for running. The rigid construction in the best shoes for Crossfit ought to be lightweight enough to handle warm-up and workouts, but they are not the best for longer runs, especially outside.

5. Wide Toe Box

This factor of a wide toe box is more of a preference matter for athletes who have wider feet because the wide toe boxes allow their toes to splay out. However, it's unnecessary for athletes with narrow feet as they will not feel like their feet are getting sidewall support. In addition, a wide toe area enables an athlete to be stable because the weight distributes evenly throughout the foot. Still, space might be more harmful to people with narrow feet, especially when on downhill trails.

Before making your purchase online, ensure the retailer you are buying from has a good return policy if you feel the toe area is too large and when you should immediately try on your shoes when they get to you to ensure you are getting a good fit.

6. Lateral Support

This is an important factor, especially for athletes who tend to roll their ankles or have previous ankle injuries. Most cross-training shoes use different designs and features to offer maximum lateral support. For example, some cross-training footwear will feature a wider outsole to give a wider base, and some will have a NOBULL mid-top shoe to guarantee additional ankle support.

7. Flexibility

Because cross-training features strength training and cardio as one of the main components of Crossfit, you should ensure you check how much your training shoe will be able to give. A flexible training shoe will allow you to move naturally through your strides, and while stiff pairs may be the best for dead-lifting, they are not ideal for movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you wear cross-training shoes every day?

Yes and No. You can choose to wear them every day, but the construction of Crossfit shoes is not intended for everyday use, and also, the shoes might be too costly to wear daily. Notably, some athletes use their fancy-looking trainers as their everyday walking shoes, and some buy multiple pairs to wear, one to the gym and one pair for daily use.

2. What Is the Best CrossFit Shoe for men?

The men's Crossfit shoes will differ and vary according to an individual. However, the best choice should offer your maximum versatility, flexibility, durability, and stability and allow you to perform rope climbs, box jumps, squats, runs, lifting, and running. According to our review, the best choice is the Reebok Nano X1, and we have listed above. the reasons why Reebok Nano X1 should be your top choice. 

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