NOBULL Sneakers Overview (2023)

After I began CrossFit in 2015, it solely took a few week for me to develop an unhealthy obsession with searching for one of the best CrossFit footwear. Regardless that the NOBULL model launched in that very same 12 months, I didn’t purchase my first pair of their trainers till 2019. Having put them by way of lots of 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 employees members, one factor is evident: NOBULL trainers may be fairly controversial. Beneath, I’ll discover why that is and talk about the footwear’ advantages, drawbacks, key options, and who they’re finest suited 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 problem — one thing to think about in case you stay and prepare in a scorching local weather.
• NOBULL trainers match true to measurement, although the toe field runs slender.

NOBULL Sneakers Professionals

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

NOBULL Sneakers Cons

• The trainers aren’t good for working or plenty of leaping because of the lack of cushioning, poor arch assist, 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 could be a disadvantage for budget-conscious CrossFitters.
• The SuperFabric® materials used for the higher may be stiff, and the trainers could take a couple of weeks to interrupt in.

NOBULL Sneakers Ranking

At Breaking Muscle, we’ve examined dozens of coaching footwear, together with the most recent fashions of  CrossFit-specific footwear, just like the Nike Metcons and Reebok Nanos. I personally have additionally purchased and educated in at the very least 20 completely different CrossFit footwear all through the years. Right here’s how the NOBULL trainers scored after we put them by way of our proprietary issue methodology system.

NOBULL Sneakers Overview

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

Nevertheless, they are often fairly polarizing. Some CrossFitters declare NOBULL trainers are essentially the most snug 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 illustration, 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 talk about within the comparability part in a while. However generally, NOBULL hasn’t strayed too removed from the design of their unique trainers.

Who Are NOBULL Sneakers 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 power coaching.
• In our expertise, NOBULL trainers don’t have a brilliant extensive toe field, so they’re extra appropriate for athletes with slender toes.

Who Are NOBULL Sneakers Not Good For?

• Due to the onerous backside, lack of arch assist, and minimal cushioning, the NOBULL trainers will 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 seemingly not benefit from the four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop on the NOBULL trainers. (Notice, nonetheless, that NOBULL sells weightlifting footwear with 17.5- and 18.5-millimeter heel-to-toe drops.)

NOBULL Sneakers In-Depth Overview

Look

The design of the NOBULL trainers is one factor that makes them so controversial. Some individuals love the minimalist aesthetic whereas others take into account it fairly primary 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, reminiscent of neon blue, vibrant pink camo, a number of floral patterns, and highlighter yellow. If you happen to want extra understated footwear, you possibly can go for stable 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 coloration that retains them from being too drab with out being so vibrant which you could spot me from a mile away after I put on them.

The NOBULL trainers even have one of many largest picks 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, just like the Converse Chuck Taylors. They get a stable 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 cloth that’s extremely immune to abrasions. I’m not at all times 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 will not be very breathable. I respect this within the winter after I’m coaching in my chilly storage as a result of it helps hold my toes heat. However I don’t significantly 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 after 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 after I first received the footwear, however the outsoles haven’t worn down as rapidly 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. It is a nice function once you’re lifting heavy weights, as you need your footwear that will help you really feel balanced and secure. Nevertheless, it’s a disadvantage 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 power switch when your toes hit the bottom). I solely scored the midsole 3 out of 5 stars as a result of, as I’ll talk about under, 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 excellent 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 after I’m solely doing power 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 under parallel.

That mentioned, I do suppose they’re a very good shoe for lifters preferring squatting in a flatter shoe. They simply don’t work for me for many barbell squat variations.

RELATED: Best Weightlifting Belts

Versatility

In relation to versatility, I solely give NOBULL trainers a 3 out of 5. They’re alleged 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 numerous working (even brief distances), field jumps, or double-unders. I solely put on them for my strict power coaching days, when my CrossFit WODs name for largely static actions, or after 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 assist.

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

Worth

NOBULL trainers value between $129 and $149, relying on which model and colorway you select. I give them 4 out of 5 stars for the price. Regardless that the value tag could appear excessive, I don’t fault NOBULL for it an excessive amount of. It’s onerous to seek out CrossFit footwear which can be less expensive until 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, and so they look practically the identical now as they did after they arrived at my doorstep. The one cause I knocked off some extent is that I prepare at dwelling in a cramped storage gymnasium with a low ceiling and nil empty wall house, 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 way of a whole take a look at.

NOBULL Coach Buyer Critiques

The NOBULL ladies’s trainers have over 19,500 evaluations on the model’s web site, with the vast majority of prospects ranking them 5 out of 5 stars. Patrons reward the trainers for his or her stability, extensive coloration choice, and true-to-size match. Those that left unfavorable 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 mentioned these up to date options may be each good and dangerous. As an illustration, 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 function 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 generally, 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: Large

Check Price

NOBULL Trainers vs. Nike Metcons

Up till a couple of months in the past after I purchased my first pair of TYR CXT-1 trainers, the Nike Metcons had 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 way 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 liked them a lot. Suffice it to say, I’d 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 in opposition to the ground when doing heavy static lifts like squats and deadlifts. Whereas I don’t take pleasure in doing any leaping actions in my NOBULL trainers, I can tolerate them within the Nike Metcons. 

The Nike footwear aren’t one of the best for working lengthy distances as a result of the onerous plastic heel may be uncomfortable (particularly in case you heel strike, which I are likely to do after I get fatigued). However general, I discover the Metcons extra snug than the NOBULL footwear.

At round $150, the Metcons value about the identical as or barely greater than the NOBULL trainers (relying on which coloration you get). Nike tends to run gross sales on their sneakers infrequently, 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 (measurement 10)
• Materials: Light-weight mesh with textured overlays
• Width: Impartial to extensive

Check Price

NOBULL Trainers vs. Reebok Nano

I’ve by no means actually liked 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 snug 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 after I’m lifting at round 70 to 75 % of my one-rep maxes or doing CrossFit WODs with numerous 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 acquired from different Breaking Muscle employees members, the Nano X3s are extra breathable.

The Nano X3s value round $140 to $150, about the identical because the NOBULL trainers. However in case you want a extra cushioned CrossFit shoe, the Nanos could also be a more sensible choice.

Reebok Nano X3

4.0

• Heel-to-toe drop: Seven millimeters
• Weight: 12 ounces (unisex measurement 9)
• Materials: Artificial and textile higher
• Width: Very best for extensive toes

Check Price

Last Ideas: Are the NOBULL Trainers Value It?

Whether or not you’re a health fanatic or a aggressive CrossFit athlete, the NOBULL trainers may be price it. Perceive, nonetheless, that they could not work for every type of workouts, relying in your foot anatomy and the way a lot assist you want in a cross-training shoe. They are often uncomfortable for high-impact actions on account of their rigidity and minimal cushioning, however they’re excellent for heavy weightlifting as a result of they provide a secure platform and will let you nonetheless really feel linked to the bottom.

Earlier than shelling out at the very least $129, take into account the kind of actions you do most frequently in your CrossFit WODs. If you happen to do numerous heavy barbell biking or machine work, the NOBULL trainers could also be a good selection. However in case you wish to program numerous working, field jumps, and double-unders in your WODs, you might wish to take into account a shoe that will probably be extra snug for these actions.

FAQs