The 11 Best Crossfit Shoes for Men and Women 2022

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The 11 Best Crossfit Shoes for Men and Women 2022

“Take off those shoes!” was the Drill-Sergeant-like command from my coach. I was startled – so far the running shoes I wore had served me well, so why should I take them off now?

He quickly told me that today’s workout was going to be “front squats for load” and he explained that doing any weightlifting-like exercises in my cushioned running shoes wasn´t any good.

“It´s better to do these exercises barefoot than wearing your running shoes…” he added.

This was about four years ago, during my early phase of Crossfitting so to speak.

Up to that point, I hadn´t wasted a single thought on which shoes to wear during Crossfit workouts, and the discussion about the right Crossfit shoe that ensued after this particular workout showed how much the proper training shoes help to perform better when doing Crossfit.

So, do you Crossfit? If so, you might know already that finding the best CrossFit shoes is essential.

A good pair of CrossFit shoes should be versatile enough to handle a variety of activities, including running, jumping, weightlifting, and rope climbing to name just a few.

They must also be made out of a light material that is preferably breathable, but also durable enough to withstand the intense demands of Crossfit workouts.

So let us discuss what makes a good shoe for Crossfit and list eleven models that have been proven to be the best CrossFit shoes available.

How have they proven to be the best Crossfit shoes available?

Well – we tested and compared them. We wore them for a wide variety of different workouts over a time span of over two months to see how they performed.

This is what we found out…

Our ranking – starting with the best

      1. RAD One
      2. GORUCK Ballistic Trainers
      3. Nike Metcon8
      4. Inov8 FLite G300
      5. Victos Core2
      6. Strike Mvmnt Haze Trainer
      7. NoBull Trainer+
      8. Reebok Nano X2
      9. Under Armour TriBase Reign4
      10. Adidas Performance Dropset Trainer
      11. Puma Fuse
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The 11 Best Crossfit Shoes 2022 tested

R.A.D. One

RAD One

Facts

      • Brand & Model: RAD / RAD One
      • available in 5 different color combinations
      • males & females wear the same RAD One versions
      • weight: 12.7oz / 360grams
      • heel to toe drop: 6mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
RAD One
RAD One
$150

What RAD says about its RAD One

The R.A.D® ONE is an all-round training shoe that’s good at everything, and ready for anything.”

Rad One says that their cross-training shoes are cushioned of plyometrics, stabilized for lifting, durable for rope-climbs, light-weight for gymnastics, tuned for competitions, and comfortable enough to wear every day.

They further extend that these training shoes are not only good a training session but also for everyday wear.

What we say about it

We found them – the best Crossfit shoes! Coming from a company that is relatively new to the market and has a responsible and sustainable company policy.

The RAD One is one good-looking shoe! A true cross-training shoe with an element of elegant understatement and perfect functionality!

If you want to wear Crossfit shoes every day apart from cross-training, the RAD One is the way to go!

Once you put these training shoes on you immediately feel comfortable and confident.

They have a nice, wide toe box, a perfectly designed heel area, a perfect sole with a rubber outsole that comes around and up the sides, back, and front of the shoes.

The same sole has a herringbone tread pattern that seems to suck itself to the ground resulting in excellent traction in all directions.

The cushioning of the sole is exactly on point: just right for running and superstable for lifting weights.

Although the sole’s beak extends a little beyond the heel cup it doesn´t get in the way during handstand push-ups at all.

The rope has a superior grip during rope climbs and the RAD One didn´t show any signs of wear and tear after two months.

All these results combined with RAD’s responsible and sustainable company policy elevate the Rad One into the Olymp of best Crossfit shoes!

Get your pair of RAD Ones

WINNER
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GORUCK Ballistic Trainers

GORUCK Ballistic Trainers

Facts

      • Brand & Model: GORUCK Ballistic Trainers
      • available in 13 different color combinations (low version taken into account only)
      • weight: 14.4oz / 408grams
      • heel to toe drop: 8mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
GORUCK Ballistic Trainers
GORUCK Ballistic Trainers
$125

What GORUCK says about their Ballistic Trainers

Holy crap, what an advertising text on the GORUCK website! Let us try to pick the most important sequences…:

The upper material of the forefoot is made out of one piece with extra-breathable areas.

The rest of the upper material consists of super-durable Cordura. This same Codura material is also responsible for protection during rope climbs.

An anatomically formed heel area gives stability and extra lace eyelets give you the opportunity to additionally lock your laces for lifting if needed.

An extra wide toe box and a special PU-insert to support all three arches of your feet add to comfort.

An 8mm heel-to-toe drop was added to make lifting and carrying weights over distance more comfortable.

The sole was designed to be softer in the forefoot area and a little stiffer in the midfoot and heel area.

The one-piece rubber outsole is made of three different compounds to cater for cushioning in the forefoot area, grip in the midsole for rope climbs, and stiffness in the rear for lifting.

What we say about it

Opening the box revealed good-looking, nearly elegant Crossfit shoes made out of very durable Cordura. A very good first impression!

When tried on for the first time, the 8mm heel-to-toe drop was positively recognizable.

The feel is super comfortable and one can imagine wearing these shoes on a long hike just as well as on any HIIT training.

The promised wide toe area is a great feature during weightlifting giving you a very stable and confident feeling.

The sole has a superior grip on any surface and felt very nice even on longer runs.

Climbing ropes was a breeze with the Ballistic Trainers – the rock climbing compound that is used in that area of the sole that counts for rope climbing proved to be an excellent choice.

Plyo exercises also felt absolutely nice.

For all lifters with a little less mobility in their ankles, the Ballistic Trainers are the way to go. The 8mm heel drop was so nice to have that it is rather hard to find the right words for it.

The durability of these Crossfit shoes is top notch! Definitely the best in this test.

Combined with the price the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers are an absolutely great pick for any dedicated athlete!

Get your pair of the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers

TOUGHEST
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Nike Metcon 8

Nike Metcon8 MF

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Nike Metcon 8 MF
      • available in six different colors (customizable)
      • special editions available
      • male & female Metcon versions are available
      • weight: 12.4oz / 352grams
      • heel to toe drop: 4mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Nike Metcon8 MF
Nike Metcon8
$130

What Nike says about its Metcon

Nike´s Metcon product line shows a standard shoe that can also be customized in its appearance and there are special versions out there, honoring well-known Crossfit athletes – male and female alike.

The Nike Metcon 8 is advertised to have a “comfortable, cushioned base that feels springy when you kick into high gear for cardio and sprints” (source: Nike.com).

Further on the Nike Metcon is equipped with dedicated rubber wraps around the arch to support rope climbs and a wide heel area for extra stability when lifting weights.

The same heel area is still designed to flex which makes the Nike Metcon also good for cardio and sprints.

Additional shoe features of the Nike Metcon, according to their website include:

      • Lightweight mesh with textured overlays in high-wear areas helps keep your foot cool without sacrificing durability.
      • Tab locks down the laces with a hook-and-loop closure to help keep them out of the way.
      • Handstand clip at the heel helps minimise drag during wall exercises.
      • Flywire cables integrate with the laces to secure your midfoot.
      • Grooves in the sole let your forefoot bend naturally.

What we say about it

We tested the “Nike Metcon 8 MF” – MF standing for Matt Fraser, a legendary Crossfit athlete and multiple winner of the Crossfit games.

We find the design of this particular model extremely appealing, but taste is subjective.

What you could tell was that Nike did everything right with Metcon 8. They really listened to development inputs that obviously have been given to them by active athletes.

Nike’s metcon line has evolved with every new model and the Nike Metcon 8 is definitely the top-of-the-line model.

After two months of testing, this shoe showed no flaws whatsoever and can be considered to be one of the best Crossfit shoes that are available right now.

The wear and tear were less than expected – we thought the toe-tip would suffer a little more when exposed to a lot of burpee-workouts as the sole wraps around on the tip only halfway up.

It turned out that our fears were unfounded – the toe wrap is absolutely sufficient.

One could argue that the Nike Metcon 8 is not really a lightweight shoe, but for Crossfit shoes, lightweight is not always the way to go. Especially when sturdiness and durability are compromised by lightweight construction.

The sole of the Nike Metcon feels great – they seem to have hit the sweet spot between stability and cushioning. Even longer runs (if you consider runs in Crossfit workouts to be long) felt comfortable – well at least the shoes felt comfortable 😉

The advertised “handstand clip” on the back of the Nike Metcon is a really nicely designed feature as the shoe slides easily up and down wooden and concrete walls during handstand push-ups.

Even rope climbs felt good with this Crossfit shoe – the rope showed no slippage at all and the shoe is definitely sturdy enough to handle rope climbs for many workouts to come.

Another very nice feature is the tab that locks the shoe laces in place. No tangling around of shoe laces during rope jumps!

Some other models come with laces so long that they get in the way of the jump rope when it passes under the shoes…

All in all the Nike Metcon 8 is one of the best shoes – for some THE best Crossfit shoe – on the market.

Get your pair of the Nike Metcon8

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Inov 8 F Lite G 300

Inov8 FLite G300

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Inov 8 F Lite G 300
      • available in eight different color combinations for men and three for women (sorry ladies!)
      • male & female F-lite versions are available
      • weight: 10.5oz / 300grams
      • heel to toe drop: 6mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Inov8 FLite G300
INOV8 FLITE G300
$160

What Inov8 says about their F Lite G 300

The Inov8 founder Wayne Edy repurchased his own company from Descente and now continues to produce high-quality workout shoes for us.

On their website the Inov 8 F Lite G 300 is praised to be the “toughest and most versatile cross-training & fitness shoe to date“. Inov 8 calls Graphene the world’s toughest material which seems not to be far-fetched, resulting in “Graphene-enhanced rubber for the world’s toughest grip“.

A “Graphene powerheel” shall provide extra lifting support, “rope-tec protection” helps climbing ropes and a lightweight upper provides breathability.

What we say about it

While unpacking the Inov8 F-Lite G300, one guy said: ”Well, that is a no-bullshit shoe!” And he was absolutely right – this training shoe looks like, well – it´s a shoe! 

At first sight, it would rather qualify as a sporty sneaker, especially when you choose a more colorful option. 

We had the black version with the tan/brown sole. 

So, if you go for fancy looks or some extra features you won´t find much extravaganza here. 

However, once you put the Inov 8 F Lite on, you immediately get a very comfortable yet stable and robust feeling.

It has got a wider toe box and a perfectly formed heel area which gives you a confident feeling while lifting.

The heel-to-toe drop on this Crossfit shoe measures 6mm. This might also explain the very comfortable feel while weightlifting.

The materials used really feel high quality and give you a very solid first impression.

This impression was held over the whole test period. There was nothing that could harm this training shoe in any way.

The outside material provides excellent grip for rope climbs, the toe area is designed in a way that provides enough protection against damage, and the sole is good enough for running but even better for weight lifting.

If you are looking for a robust, comfortable Crossfit shoe that doesn´t need any fancy add-ons to be really good then the Inov 8 F Lite is definitely a good choice.

Get your pair of the FLITE G300

Victos Core2

Victos Core2

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Victos Core2
      • available in 8 different color combinations
      • only made for males?
      • weight: 10.8oz / 306grams
      • heel to toe drop: 4mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Victos Core2
VICTOS CORE2
$120

What Victos says about the Core2

What we get from the Victos website is that these training shoes have been designed and developed by US veterans and they are designed for working out and heavy daily use.

They are made out of breathable upper mesh combined with a synthetic leader for durability.

The sole is made to provide traction, cushioning, and stability while the forefoot gives enough room for a stable stand.

Their one-year warranty for workmanship and material should also be mentioned.

What we say about it

The aspect that these training shoes have been designed and developed by US veterans is a fact that we find appealing because there is no argument about military people knowing how to produce rugged durable products that can take a beating!

You can tell right from the get-go that you would need several tanks running over these shoes to put some wear and tear onto them.

The fit is comfortable and you can feel the slight difference in design that has been made compared to the older Core. The Core2 now sits a little tighter around your forefoot which gives you an even more stable feeling during heavy lifts.

Victos has applied the golden spot for weightlifting with a 4mm toe drop and during heavy lifting the Core2 showed a solid performance.

Running was a pleasant experience as well. Victos has done a great job of designing a sole that feels good in all areas.

We just felt very little slippage on dry industrial concrete floors during sled pulls and pushes, but we are whining on a high level here.

Plyometric exercises also felt really good wearing the Core2 as the shoe gives you great stability in any direction and we also felt very confident during rope climbs.

The Victos Core2 definitely is one of the more appealing cross-training shoes out there compared to other more popular Crossfit shoes.

For outdoor training, we would choose the Victos Core2 any time over other Crossfit shoes. One can feel the experience that has gone into the development of this product.

This is maybe the best combination of a great cross-training shoe and the best everyday shoe in our test!

Get your pair of the Core2

STRIKE MVMNT Haze Trainer

Strike MVMNT Haze Trainer

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Strike Mvmnt Haze Trainer
      • available in 20 different color combinations
      • male & female versions available
      • weight: 11.2oz / 318grams
      • heel to toe drop: 4mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Strike MVMNT Haze Trainer
STRKE MVMNT Haze Trainer
$150

What Strike Mvmnt says about its Haze Trainer

Strike Mvmnt points out the versatility of their Haze Trainer right away.

They also advertise their training shoes to be extra light with an appealing design while retaining great flexibility and running comfort.

While being very versatile “…the Haze is ready for heavy lifts, high-impact workouts, and brisk 5-km runs” they say.

The heel has been designed to provide extra surface contact for more stability.

The Haze Trainer has elevated sidewalls for protection during rope climbs and also to provide torsional rigidity.

A custom-molded footbed enhances lateral stability.

What we say about it

Strike Mvmnt said it themselves: this is an allrounder! This is also what you can feel as a first impression.

However, that is not a bad thing – the Haze Trainer is an excellent cross-training shoe and still performs really nicely when worn on an everyday basis or during travel.

These Crossfit shoes showed great durability during our test. After two months of testing, they showed only minimal signs of usage.

We expected the shoe’s upper material to get damaged quite quickly as it is rather on the lightweight side.

We were completely wrong with our assumptions.

The sole also proved to be very comfortable during runs and it is stable during heavy lifting with a heel drop of 4mm. It also has great traction indoors as well as outdoors.

The stability during lateral movements is great as well which makes it also great for agility workouts.

It is hard to find anything that we could complain about. The Haze Trainers are for sure some of the best cross-training shoes you can buy.

Get your pair of the Haze Trainer

NoBull Trainer+

NoBull Trainer+

Facts

      • Brand & Model: NoBull Trainer+
      • available in 20+ (!) different color combinations for men and women
      • a super flashy and colorful “Unicorn” line appears on Nov 10th 2022
      • male & female Trainer+ versions are available
      • weight: 12.9oz / 366grams
      • heel to toe drop: 4mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
NoBull Trainer+
NoBull Trainer+
$149

What NoBull says about its Trainer+

The NoBull advertising department has come up with a huge list of overwhelming specs to describe this Crossfit shoe.

We´ll try to condense it all down to a few sentences:

The upper material is extremely durable, has a lot of grip, and has built-in “guard plates” meant to protect your feet during rope climbs and abrasion – and even excuses!

The midsole has a cushioning task whereas the outsole is brought up very high around the sides with an extra-high toe bumper. The herringbone tread pattern on the sole provides an outstanding grip.

An integrated and protected lace system that provides support in all directions.

The shoe has a breathable and extra cushioned tongue.

And: there is a reflective NoBull Logo on this cross-training shoe.

What we say about it

NoBull has raised to become the official Crossfit Games partner and sponsor. So one could say, NoBull sells the official Crossfit shoe.

All NoBull products are well thought out and of nice quality – this includes their Crossfit shoes.

Regarding design, the NoBull Trainer+ can easily pass as a daily wearable shoe as well. It has a decently humble design and looks “upper class”. That is for the regular line – it’s a whole different story for its “Unicorn Edition”! Extra colorful is an understatement – decide for yourself…

The NoBull Trainer+ provides a good overall fit, with a very comfortable toe box and a little looseness around the heels. Maybe that comes due to its heel cup being a little less cushioned compared to other competitors.

The sole really wraps itself around the shoe and up on the sides and provides excellent grip for rope climbs.

The “toe bumper” is a great feature as the sole really extends up on the tip of the shoe and not only protects the tip but also provides extra grip.

Talking about grip: the sole material and also the tread pattern give you a feeling as if this Crossfit shoe was glued to the ground!

There was no slippage at all during sled pulls or sled push exercises. The same can be said for sprints.

The lateral stability is excellent in this shoe which makes it perfect for all plyometric exercises. Box jumps were a blast wearing this training shoe!

We recognized that the sole does not extend at all beyond the heel cup. This made the NoBull Trainer+ also extremely comfortable when used for handstand push-ups leaned on a wall.

The protected lace system really tucks all laces out of the way and prevents anything from tangling around.

The only slight downturn we discovered was that the sole felt a little bit too soft during really heavy lifts. Maybe that was only a very subjective feeling, but it was mentioned by several testers independently.

Overall the NoBull Trainer+ is an excellent Crossfit shoe! It has you covered for nearly the whole range of challenges that might appear during Crossfit workouts without making big compromises in any areas.

Get your pair of the NoBull Trainer+

Reebok Nano X2

Reebok Nano X2

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Reebok Nano X2
      • available in six different colors
      • male & female Nano X2 versions available
      • weight: 10oz / 283grams
      • heel to toe drop: 7mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Reebok Nano X2
Reebok Nano X2
$108

What Reebok says about its Nano X2

Reebok tells us that the Nano X2 shoe is a really versatile shoe, meaning you could go for a run one day and perform Crossfit training the next day.

They have applied a durable upper material and added their Floatride Energy Foam for slight but just enough cushioning to the front area of their sole on the Nano X2.

For rope climbing, the Nano X2 boasts extra ROPEPRO+ edges on the outside.

What we say about it

Reebok sort of had reserved the rights to use the name “Crossfit” which gave them a little bit of an unfair advantage over other brands who were not allowed to use the Crossfit branding on their Crossfit shoes.

So all the others chose to call their products “cross-training shoes” – just so that you know why only Reebok uses the name Crossfit extensively.

Reebok has stopped its cooperation with CrossFit recently.

Reebok with the Nano series was among the first manufacturers that produced Crossfit-specific shoes.

The first version was targeted at the Crossfit athlete, but we got the feeling that Reebok now decided to target a wider range of customers with the Nano X2.

The reason why we say so is based on a few details:

      • the sole has a little too much cushioning. It feels a little like a running shoe already
      • the upper material looks rather lightweight and showed serious wear and tear after a few rope climbing workouts
      • the sole also displayed a few rips and cracks due to rope climbs

All that said, the Nano X2 is an extremely comfortable shoe – especially for people with wider feet.

It is lightweight, has a snug fit, and the breathable upper material also adds to the overall comfortable feeling.

The versatility that Reebok advertises is definitely true – this shoe does qualify as a Crossfit training shoe and can be used for other sports as well. With a 7mm toe drop, the Nano X2 gives you quite an elevated heel. For our less flexible testers, this was convenient although most athletes will choose a lower heel drop.

It could also be used as an everyday shoe.

The versatility however comes with a grain of salt: the hardcore Crossfitter might not be willing to make compromises on their training shoes.

Get your pair of the Nano X2

Under Armour TriBase Reign4

Under Armour TriBase4

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Under Armour TriBase Reign4
      • available in 9 different color combinations for men and 4 for women
      • male & female TriBase versions available
      • weight: 11oz / 312grams
      • heel to toe drop: 2mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Under Armour TriBase4
Under Armour TriBase Reign4
$120

What Under Armour says about its TriBase

Under Armour describes this training shoe as lightweight workout shoes with a breathable mesh upper material, and a heel area that provides extra stability and comfort.

The sole has a “Micro G” midsole and is split into different areas to support traction and flexibility.

The TriBase design promotes natural motion and flexibility while maximizing ground contact.

Under Armour advertises the very low 2mm heel drop with greater feel and power transfer.

What we say about it

The Under Armour TriBase is our design award winner! Really – this Crossfit shoe looks good and we believe that there should be nobody who wouldn´t find a fitting color combination for his or her needs.

When it comes to functionality we got the feeling that one can recognize Under Armour is a company that caters to a lot of different sports.

That means that Under Armour produces a good to very good product with a great design studio behind it, but it is definitely not specialized to a certain target group.

At least that is our feeling…

The Under Armour cross-training shoes are very good mainstream products at an average price.

Once you try the Reign 4 on you have a well-cushioned pair of training shoes on your feet that provide a solid standing.

The very low heel-to-toe drop of only 2mm gave our less flexible testers a slightly uncomfortable feeling during really low squats.

The sole provided medium to good traction for rope pulls and sled pushes and it was also all right during rope climbs.

The sole’s “beak” extends a little out of the heel area and could be felt during handstand push-ups.

Running with the Reign 4 is a comfortable experience as the mentioned midsole is soft enough for cushioning purposes.

The Under Armour Reign4 is a good Crossfit shoe that strikes with design. The Crossfit beginner and Crossfit average athlete have a good product at hand with these cross-training shoes.

Get your pair of the TriBase Reign4

Adidas Performance Dropset Trainer

Adidas Dropset Trainer

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Adidas Performance Dropset Trainer
      • available in 6 different color combinations
      • male & female versions available
      • weight: 12.9oz / 366grams
      • heel to toe drop: 6mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Adidas Dropset Trainer
Adidas Dropset Trainer
$130

What Adidas says about their Dropset Trainer

Adidas claims to have built this shoe especially for tough workouts.

The sole is designed with a softer forefoot for extra comfort and a firmer heel for improved weightlifting support.

The upper part of the Dropset is made out of 50% recycled material to help our environment.

This is about all the information one can gather from the official Adidas website. So we had to find out more ourselves…

What we say about it

The Dropset Trainers are the first cross-training shoes from Adidas.

And – well – what should we say – the Dropset Trainer is an infant compared to its competitors.

Adidas still has some distance to go in order to catch up with other companies but given the fact that this was their first serious try to enter the market for Crossfit shoes, it is a respectable outcome.

Once unpacked we found that the upper mesh material of these cross-training shoes has a solid feeling to it.

Adidas did a good job in constructing a very durable shoe. The Dropset still looks nice after the test period.

Regarding looks: The Adidas Dropset is a sporty-looking shoe and definitely sticks out from your overall appearance when worn as a daily shoe. It is just not as stealth as – let´s say – a RAD One for example.

When used as cross-training shoes, the Adidas Dropsets do a great job for the recreational, occasional Crossfitter.

The sole wraps all around and up on the shoe’s sides and it gives you a good stable feeling in the heel and midfoot area. It also has more softness in the toe area which is advantageous for runs. It is also good for outdoor training and provides not the best but a decent grip indoors.

The higher portion of the sole in the inner midfoot area adds recognizable lateral stability during plyo workouts.

The heel cup is designed with a lot of cushioning material that tends to rub on your achilles tendon. You have to wear socks – preferably higher socks – to counter this fact.

Climbing ropes is something the Dropset doesn´t support very well as there is just no additional grip provided by the shoe. Adidas will have to do some homework and improve the next version in that area.

For lifting weights the Adidas Dropset has a nice wide toe box and lets you find a good stable standing.

One thing we want to point out: Adidas produces 50% of the upper mesh out of recycled material which is a nice move these days.

The Adidas Dropset is a good versatile shoe, but it cannot be called “Crossfit shoe” as it is just not designed specifically for Crossfitting or even cross-training for that matter. It also lacks a few skills that most Crossfit shoes have.

Get your pair of the Dropset

Puma FUSE

Puma Fuse

Facts

      • Brand & Model: Puma Fuse
      • available in 3 different color combinations
      • male & female versions available
      • weight: 13oz / 369grams
      • heel to toe drop: 4mm
Design
Comfort
Durability
Running
Rope Climbs
Push/Pull Sole-Grip
Weightlifting
Plyo Exercises / Agility
Weight
Price
Puma Fuse
Puma Fuse
$90

What Puma says about their Fuse

Puma starts out with the bold statement that their Fuse tops the leaderboard. A wide toe area in combination with an internal midsole shall provide stability and flexibility at the same time.

A specially designed heel cup is meant to give extra support.

The upper mesh material is advertised to be very durable while the PUMAGRIP sole should give stability and support.

What we say about it

Here comes the lowest-price competitor – the Puma Fuse! This shoe is a budget bargain compared to its competitors.

Puma – like Adidas – is one of the new kids on the block in the market for cross-training shoes. And as Puma is such a well-known brand, we had high expectations.

“They shipped the wrong size…!” was the immediate reaction when we put the Fuses on. But that was not the case – the size was just right on all the shoes we had ordered for our testers.

It is the cut of the Puma Fuse that creates this super tight feeling around the midfoot area.

Once we looked at the sole and compared it to other Crossfit shoes, we found the problem: the Puma Fuse sole is very narrow.

This not only produces a rather uncomfortable feeling when worn (loosening the laces didn´t help either), but it also doesn´t give you a lot of stability during weightlifting.

Design seems not to be the area where Puma tries to win customers, so we just leave this topic here.

The shoe itself is rugged enough for tough Crossfit exercises and if you buy the black model which is the one we chose, the recognizable wear and tear is kept to a minimum.

The sole showed quite some slippage during sled pull and sled push sessions.

The heel area rubbed on the wall during handstand push-ups which also was no real nice experience.

Climbing ropes with the Puma Fuse is ok but there are better Crossfit shoes out there that excel in that area.

Agility training like jumping over boxes or doing quick shuffle runs was good as the Puma Fuse shows good lateral stability. But here again, the narrow sole quickly felt uncomfortable in the midfoot area.

“You get what you pay for” one could say. The Puma Fuse was a little disappointing – perhaps, Puma teams up with the Crossfit community and collects valuable input for the next (and improved) version of the Fuse.

Get your pair of the Fuse

lowest price

Crossfit Shoe vs Weightlifting Shoe vs Running Shoe

Have a look at the comparison between these three types of shoes. You will see that each of them has to fulfill a different purpose which explains why a running shoe won´t work for Crossfit or weightlifting and vice versa.

These three illustrations below will let you understand the difference between running, pure weightlifting, and cross-training shoes.

What Makes A Good Crossfit Shoe?

      • A stable platform
      • Room in the toe-box
      • A wrap-around toe cap
      • An outside material for extra grip during rope climbs
      • Enough cushioning for running
      • A perfect heel drop with a sturdy outer heel cup
      • Zero slip during lateral movements
ideal Crossfit shoe

Compared to that the Weightlifter

ideal weightlifting shoe

And the Running Shoe

ideal running shoe

If you liked this article please like and share 😉

Maybe you´re also interested in Crossfit home gym equipment then check out our article about that topic here.

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