NOBULL Sneakers Evaluation (2023)

Once I began CrossFit in 2015, it solely took a couple of week for me to develop an unhealthy obsession with searching for the most effective CrossFit footwear. Despite the fact 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 via a whole lot of exercises since then, I’m well-equipped to ship this NOBULL footwear evaluate.

Based mostly 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 will be fairly controversial. Under, I’ll discover why that is and focus on the footwear’ advantages, drawbacks, key options, and who they’re greatest suited to.

Key Takeaways

• The NOBULL trainers retail for round $129 to $149, relying on which colorway you select. 
• The SuperFabric expertise used for the higher is sturdy, however breathability could also be a problem — one thing to contemplate in case you stay and practice in a sizzling local weather.
• NOBULL trainers match true to dimension, although the toe field runs slim.

NOBULL Sneakers Execs

• NOBULL footwear are available numerous colours and prints. If you wish to stand out within the fitness center or like sporting color-coordinated fitness center apparel, you need to have the ability to discover a colorway that fits your type.
• 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 gives a number of traction whether or not you’re coaching indoors or outside.

NOBULL Sneakers Cons

• The trainers aren’t good for working or numerous 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 frequently supply gross sales and reductions. NOBULL footwear are hardly ever on sale, which is usually a downside for budget-conscious CrossFitters.
• The SuperFabric® materials used for the higher will be stiff, and the trainers might take just a few weeks to interrupt in.

NOBULL Sneakers Score

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 a minimum of 20 completely different CrossFit footwear all through the years. Right here’s how the NOBULL trainers scored after we put them via our proprietary issue methodology system.

NOBULL Sneakers 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 probably 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 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 afterward. However basically, 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 an excellent huge toe field, so they’re extra appropriate for athletes with slim ft.

Who Are NOBULL Sneakers Not Good For?

• Due to the laborious backside, lack of arch assist, and minimal cushioning, the NOBULL trainers will not be appropriate for anybody who needs a cushty 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. (Observe, nonetheless, that NOBULL sells weightlifting footwear with 17.5- and 18.5-millimeter heel-to-toe drops.)

NOBULL Sneakers In-Depth Evaluation

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 fundamental and uninspired. I’m a part of the latter camp — I don’t essentially assume 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, resembling neon blue, vibrant pink camo, a number of floral patterns, and highlighter yellow. When you choose extra understated footwear, you’ll be able to go for stable colours, like black, grey, or navy.

I don’t like my fitness center footwear to be too flashy, however I don’t need them to be too boring, both. Once 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 that you may spot me from a mile away after I put on them.

The NOBULL trainers even have one of many largest alternatives of prints and colours I’ve seen in any fitness center 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® expertise. NOBULL takes regular mesh material and applies tiny guard plates to it, leading to a cloth that’s extremely proof against 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 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 ft heat. However I don’t significantly benefit from the lack of breathability in the summertime as a result of it makes my ft overly sizzling and sweaty. The suede tongue has holes for air flow, however I don’t assume they do a lot.

The fabric can also be stiff. I nonetheless need to loosen the shoelaces almost 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 out of doors runs, I haven’t felt like I used to be going to slide.

The bottoms have much less traction now than after I first bought 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 for that reason.

Midsole

The midsole includes a light-weight foam materials that doesn’t compress. This can be a nice function while 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 (that means it doesn’t supply a lot vitality switch when your ft 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 preferrred 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 choose a heeled lifting shoe for heavy squats. I’m 5’8 and have lengthy legs, and a better heel-to-toe drop makes it simpler for me to squat beneath parallel.

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

RELATED: Best Weightlifting Belts

Versatility

Relating to versatility, I solely give NOBULL trainers a 3 out of 5. They’re purported 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 sporting them for any exercises that embody a number of 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 ft and have had a number of foot and ankle accidents. For prime-impact actions, I attain for footwear with extra cushioning and arch assist.

I wouldn’t even advocate sporting the NOBULL trainers for working errands or strolling round city. I’ve tried sporting them whereas strolling via a shopping center and whereas strolling my canine, and my ft ached for hours afterward. When you’re searching for a shoe that may double as a exercise shoe and a leisure, a NOBULL pair of footwear might not reduce it.

Worth

NOBULL trainers value between $129 and $149, relying on which type and colorway you select. I give them 4 out of 5 stars for the price. Despite the fact that the worth tag could appear excessive, I don’t fault NOBULL for it an excessive amount of. It’s laborious 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 almost the identical now as they did once they arrived at my doorstep. The one cause I knocked off a degree is that I practice at dwelling in a cramped storage fitness center 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 via a whole take a look at.

NOBULL Coach Buyer Evaluations

The NOBULL ladies’s trainers have over 19,500 evaluations on the model’s web site, with nearly all of prospects ranking them 5 out of 5 stars. Patrons reward the trainers for his or her stability, huge 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 stated these up to date options will be each good and dangerous. For example, the thicker midsole and elevated cushioning supply 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 sporting the unique coach, the brand new outsole is designed to supply 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’ll find some colorways within the unique coach for cheaper, however basically, 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

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NOBULL Trainers vs. Nike Metcons

Up till just a few months in the past after 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 via 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 now not makes). I just about wore each of them into the bottom as a result of I cherished them a lot. Suffice it to say, I might usually 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 in a position to 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 most effective for working lengthy distances as a result of the laborious plastic heel will be uncomfortable (particularly in case you heel strike, which I are inclined 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 now and again, 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 huge

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NOBULL Trainers vs. Reebok Nano

I’ve by no means actually cherished any of the Reebok Nano’s I’ve tried, however I haven’t hated them, both. I’ve truly 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 masses 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 a number 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. Based mostly 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 dimension 9)
• Materials: Artificial and textile higher
• Width: Ideally suited for huge ft

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Remaining Ideas: Are the NOBULL Trainers Price It?

Whether or not you’re a health fanatic or a aggressive CrossFit athlete, the NOBULL trainers will be price it. Perceive, nonetheless, that they might 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 as a consequence of their rigidity and minimal cushioning, however they’re preferrred for heavy weightlifting as a result of they provide a secure platform and assist you to nonetheless really feel related to the bottom.

Earlier than shelling out a minimum of $129, take into account the kind of actions you do most frequently in your CrossFit WODs. When you do a number of heavy barbell biking or machine work, the NOBULL trainers could also be a sensible choice. However in case you prefer to program a number of working, field jumps, and double-unders in your WODs, it’s possible you’ll need to take into account a shoe that might be extra snug for these actions.

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