NOBULL Footwear Assessment (2023)

After I began CrossFit in 2015, it solely took a few week for me to develop an unhealthy obsession with searching for the very best CrossFit footwear. Though the NOBULL model launched in that very same yr, I didn’t purchase my first pair of their trainers till 2019. Having put them by means of a whole bunch of exercises since then, I’m well-equipped to ship this NOBULL footwear overview.

Primarily based on feedback I used to listen to on the field the place I began my CrossFit journey, and from the suggestions I’ve collected from different Breaking Muscle workers members, one factor is evident: NOBULL trainers could be fairly controversial. Under, I’ll discover why that is and focus on the footwear’ advantages, drawbacks, key options, and who they’re greatest fitted to.

Key Takeaways

• The NOBULL trainers retail for round $129 to $149, relying on which colorway you select. 
• The SuperFabric know-how used for the higher is sturdy, however breathability could also be a difficulty — one thing to contemplate for those who dwell and prepare in a scorching local weather.
• NOBULL trainers match true to dimension, although the toe field runs slender.

NOBULL Trainers

3.8

• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
• Weight: 11 ounces (Males’s 9 / Girls’s 10.5)
• Materials: SuperFabric®
• Width: Huge

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NOBULL Footwear Professionals

• NOBULL footwear are available in a number of colours and prints. If you wish to stand out within the gymnasium or like carrying color-coordinated gymnasium apparel, it’s best to be capable of discover a colorway that fits your type.
• They’re sturdy. I nonetheless have the primary pair of NOBULL trainers I purchased in 2019, they usually don’t look a lot totally different now than once I first took them out of the field.
• The lug-patterned outsole offers quite a lot of traction whether or not you’re coaching indoors or open air.

NOBULL Footwear Cons

• The trainers aren’t good for working or a number of leaping because of the lack of cushioning, poor arch help, and minimal forefoot flexibility.
• Whereas their value level of round $129 to $149 is on par with different CrossFit footwear, different manufacturers commonly provide gross sales and reductions. NOBULL footwear are not often on sale, which is usually a downside for budget-conscious CrossFitters.
• The SuperFabric® materials used for the higher could be stiff, and the trainers might take a couple of weeks to interrupt in.

NOBULL Footwear Ranking

At Breaking Muscle, we’ve examined dozens of coaching footwear, together with the newest fashions of  CrossFit-specific footwear, just like the Nike Metcons and Reebok Nanos. I personally have additionally purchased and skilled in no less than 20 totally different CrossFit footwear all through the years. Right here’s how the NOBULL trainers scored after we put them by means of our proprietary issue methodology system.

NOBULL Footwear Overview

NOBULL footwear are supposed to be a considerably minimalist, back-to-basics sort of coaching shoe. They’re designed to face up to rope climbs, burpees, handstand push-ups, powerlifting actions, Olympic weightlifting actions, and the rest your exercise of the day (WOD) has in retailer.

Nevertheless, they are often fairly polarizing. Some CrossFitters declare NOBULL trainers are essentially the most comfy footwear they’ve ever worn. Others declare the footwear lack design ingenuity and don’t carry out in addition to different well-known footwear, just like the Nike Metcons.

Whereas NOBULL has launched new shoe fashions over time — as an example, the Rec Trainers and the NOBULL runners — the unique trainers haven’t modified a lot. The NOBULL Coach+ got here out in 2022 with some enhancements over the unique coach, which I’ll focus on within the comparability part in a while. However typically, NOBULL hasn’t strayed too removed from the design of their unique trainers.

Who Are NOBULL Footwear Good For?

• The general stability of the shoe and the rigidity of the flat sole could make NOBULL trainers good for athletes who focus totally on energy coaching.
• In our expertise, NOBULL trainers don’t have a brilliant broad toe field, so they’re extra appropriate for athletes with slender toes.

Who Are NOBULL Footwear Not Good For?

• Due to the arduous backside, lack of arch help, and minimal cushioning, the NOBULL trainers might not be appropriate for anybody who desires a snug sneaker they will put on all day.
• Athletes preferring to put on heeled weightlifting shoes for squats will probably not benefit from the four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop on the NOBULL trainers. (Be aware, nonetheless, that NOBULL sells weightlifting footwear with 17.5- and 18.5-millimeter heel-to-toe drops.)

NOBULL Footwear In-Depth Assessment

Look

The design of the NOBULL trainers is one factor that makes them so controversial. Some folks love the minimalist aesthetic whereas others think about it fairly fundamental and uninspired. I’m a part of the latter camp — I don’t essentially suppose that NOBULL has achieved something groundbreaking or distinctive with its coach.

Nevertheless, NOBULL makes up for this by providing their footwear in distinctive colours and prints. For instance, as of this writing, the ladies’s footwear can be found in enjoyable colorways, akin to neon blue, vivid pink camo, a number of floral patterns, and highlighter yellow. In case you want extra understated footwear, you may go for strong colours, like black, grey, or navy.

I don’t like my gymnasium footwear to be too flashy, however I don’t need them to be too boring, both. After I purchased my first pair of NOBULL trainers, I selected a grey higher with a blue, pink, and purple patterned sole and matching laces. I like that this colorway has a small pop of shade that retains them from being too drab with out being so vivid that you would be able to spot me from a mile away once I put on them.

The NOBULL trainers even have one of many largest alternatives of prints and colours I’ve seen in any gymnasium sneaker, not to mention a CrossFit shoe. You may even get them in excessive tops, much like the Converse Chuck Taylors. They get a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars for aesthetics from this CrossFit shoe junkie.

RELATED: Is CrossFit Bad for You?

Supplies

NOBULL footwear are made with SuperFabric® know-how. NOBULL takes regular mesh material and applies tiny guard plates to it, leading to a fabric that’s extremely immune to abrasions. I’m not all the time light with how I deal with my footwear, however my NOBULL trainers hardly have any scuff marks or imperfections on them.

Nevertheless, the SuperFabric® materials isn’t very breathable. I recognize this within the winter once I’m coaching in my chilly storage as a result of it helps preserve my toes heat. However I don’t notably benefit from the lack of breathability in the summertime as a result of it makes my toes overly scorching and sweaty. The suede tongue has holes for air flow, however I don’t suppose they do a lot.

The fabric can be stiff. I nonetheless should loosen the shoelaces practically all the best way to get the footwear on, and I’ve had the trainers for 4 years now. Due to the fabric’s stiffness and minimal breathability, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Outsole

NOBULL trainers have a flat, secure carbon rubber outsole with a grippy lug sample and a bolstered sidewall. The footwear don’t slide round simply once I’m lifting on the rubber gym flooring in my storage, and on the uncommon events that I’ve worn them for outside runs, I haven’t felt like I used to be going to slide.

The bottoms have much less traction now than once I first obtained the footwear, however the outsoles haven’t worn down as shortly as lots of my different cross-training footwear. I gave the outsole 4.3 out of 5 stars because of this.

Midsole

The midsole includes a light-weight foam materials that doesn’t compress. This can be a nice characteristic whenever you’re lifting heavy weights, as you need your footwear that will help you really feel balanced and secure. Nevertheless, it’s a downside for sprints, leaping, and different high-impact actions as a result of the midsole isn’t very shock-absorbing or responsive (which means it doesn’t provide a lot vitality switch when your toes hit the bottom). I solely scored the midsole 3 out of 5 stars as a result of, as I’ll focus on beneath, the shoe’s minimal midsole limits its versatility.

Heel-to-Toe Drop

NOBULL trainers have a four-millimeter heel-to-doe drop. The low heel-to-toe drop makes it splendid for heavy lifts as a result of it retains you extra balanced and secure. In actual fact, the NOBULL trainers are my go-to footwear for days once I’m solely doing energy coaching.

I give them 4.2 stars for the heel-to-toe drop, nonetheless, as a result of I want a heeled lifting shoe for heavy squats. I’m 5’8 and have lengthy legs, and the next heel-to-toe drop makes it simpler for me to squat beneath parallel.

That stated, I do suppose they’re a superb shoe for lifters preferring squatting in a flatter shoe. They only don’t work for me for many barbell squat variations.

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Versatility

On the subject of versatility, I solely give NOBULL trainers a 3 out of 5. They’re speculated to be all-purpose footwear which can be good for working, leaping, and lifting weights. Nevertheless, in my expertise, they don’t work properly for something high-impact.

I’ve lengthy since given up on carrying them for any exercises that embrace quite a lot of working (even brief distances), field jumps, or double-unders. I solely put on them for my strict energy coaching days, when my CrossFit WODs name for principally static actions, or once I’m utilizing a low-impact cardio machine like a rower or train bike. I’ve flat toes and have had a number of foot and ankle accidents. For top-impact actions, I attain for footwear with extra cushioning and arch help.

I wouldn’t even advocate carrying the NOBULL trainers for working errands or strolling round city. I’ve tried carrying them whereas strolling by means of a shopping center and whereas strolling my canine, and my toes ached for hours afterward. In case you’re in search of a shoe that may double as a exercise shoe and a leisure, a NOBULL pair of footwear might not lower it.

Value

NOBULL trainers price between $129 and $149, relying on which type and colorway you select. I give them 4 out of 5 stars for the associated fee. Though the worth tag could appear excessive, I don’t fault NOBULL for it an excessive amount of. It’s arduous to seek out CrossFit footwear which can be less expensive except you’re fortunate sufficient to get them on sale.

Sturdiness

The NOBULL trainers get 4 out of 5 stars from me for sturdiness. I’ve had my first pair since 2019, they usually look practically the identical now as they did after they arrived at my doorstep. The one motive I knocked off a degree is that I prepare at house in a cramped storage gymnasium with a low ceiling and nil empty wall area, so I don’t have room for issues like rope climbs and handstand push-ups. I can’t give the footwear an ideal rating for sturdiness since I haven’t actually put them by means of a whole check.

NOBULL Coach Buyer Evaluations

The NOBULL ladies’s trainers have over 19,500 evaluations on the model’s web site, with nearly all of clients score them 5 out of 5 stars. Patrons reward the trainers for his or her stability, broad shade choice, and true-to-size match. Those that left detrimental evaluations state the footwear aren’t breathable and take a very long time to interrupt in.

NOBULL Coach vs. NOBULL Coach+

The NOBULL Coach+ boasts a thicker EVA midsole and a extra cushioned heel cup. I haven’t personally examined the NOBULL Coach+, however a Breaking Muscle product tester who wore them stated these up to date options could be each good and dangerous. For example, the thicker midsole and elevated cushioning provide extra shock-absorbing capabilities for working and leaping however make the footwear really feel much less secure when lifting heavy weights.

One other new characteristic on the NOBULL Coach+ is the herringbone-patterned outsole. Whereas I by no means had an issue with slippage when carrying the unique coach, the brand new outsole is designed to offer even higher traction. The Coach+ additionally has a bigger toe bumper and a sturdier sidewall guard for enhanced sturdiness. The SuperFabric materials has carried over from the unique coach to the Coach+.

The Coach+ prices round $139 to $149, although some colorways are priced even larger at about $169. You could find some colorways within the unique coach for cheaper, however typically, the costs of the 2 variations are about the identical.

NOBULL Trainer+

3.5

• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
• Weight: 13.13 ounces (Males’s 9 / Girls’s 10.5)
• Materials: SuperFabric®
• Width: Huge

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NOBULL Trainers vs. Nike Metcons

Up till a couple of months in the past once I purchased my first pair of TYR CXT-1 trainers, the Nike Metcons have been my go-to footwear for all of my CrossFit exercises. I haven’t tried the Metcon 8s or 9s — I nonetheless have two pairs of Nike Metcon 6s that I rotate by means of typically. I additionally used to personal a pair of Metcon 2s and a pair of Nike Metcon Flyknits (which it seems to be like Nike not makes). I just about wore each of them into the bottom as a result of I beloved them a lot. Suffice it to say, I might typically advocate the Metcons over the NOBULL trainers any day.

Just like the NOBULL trainers, the Nike Metcons have a four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop. They aren’t overly cushioned, so I’m nonetheless capable of push towards the ground when doing heavy static lifts like squats and deadlifts. Whereas I don’t get pleasure from doing any leaping actions in my NOBULL trainers, I can tolerate them within the Nike Metcons. 

The Nike footwear aren’t the very best for working lengthy distances as a result of the arduous plastic heel could be uncomfortable (particularly for those who heel strike, which I are likely to do once I get fatigued). However total, I discover the Metcons extra comfy than the NOBULL footwear.

At round $150, the Metcons price about the identical as or barely greater than the NOBULL trainers (relying on which shade you get). Nike tends to run gross sales on their sneakers on occasion, although. If value is a figuring out issue for you, it could be worthwhile to maintain a watch out for gross sales and go for a pair of Metcons.

Nike Metcon 8

4.2

• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters
• Weight: 12.5 ounces (dimension 10)
• Materials: Light-weight mesh with textured overlays
• Width: Impartial to broad

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NOBULL Trainers vs. Reebok Nano

I’ve by no means actually beloved any of the Reebok Nano’s I’ve tried, however I haven’t hated them, both. I’ve really discovered Nano’s to be extra comfy for working than the NOBULL trainers. They’re springier and extra responsive and subsequently additionally higher for field jumps, double-unders, and different high-impact actions.

Nevertheless, I don’t really feel as secure lifting near-maximal hundreds within the Nanos as I do within the NOBULL trainers. I solely attain for my Nanos once I’m lifting at round 70 to 75 p.c of my one-rep maxes or doing CrossFit WODs with quite a lot of working or cardio machine work.

The Nano X3s have a seven-millimeter heel-to-toe drop, which is three millimeters greater than the NOBULL trainers. Primarily based on the suggestions I’ve obtained from different Breaking Muscle workers members, the Nano X3s are extra breathable.

The Nano X3s price round $140 to $150, about the identical because the NOBULL trainers. However for those who want a extra cushioned CrossFit shoe, the Nanos could also be a better option.

Reebok Nano X3

4.0

• Heel-to-toe drop: Seven millimeters
• Weight: 12 ounces (unisex dimension 9)
• Materials: Artificial and textile higher
• Width: Perfect for broad toes

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Ultimate Ideas: Are the NOBULL Trainers Price It?

Whether or not you’re a health fanatic or a aggressive CrossFit athlete, the NOBULL trainers could be value it. Perceive, nonetheless, that they might not work for all sorts of workout routines, relying in your foot anatomy and the way a lot help you want in a cross-training shoe. They are often uncomfortable for high-impact actions attributable to their rigidity and minimal cushioning, however they’re splendid for heavy weightlifting as a result of they provide a secure platform and let you nonetheless really feel linked to the bottom.

Earlier than shelling out no less than $129, think about the kind of actions you do most frequently in your CrossFit WODs. In case you do quite a lot of heavy barbell biking or machine work, the NOBULL trainers could also be a sensible choice. However for those who wish to program quite a lot of working, field jumps, and double-unders in your WODs, chances are you’ll wish to think about a shoe that can be extra comfy for these actions.

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