Credit to Reebok as the first major brand to support an alternative sport with a precarious future. They developed Crossfit’s first shoe, staked claim as the official Games sponsor, and have injected, assumedly, millions into the sport of fitness. But just as all reigns come to an end, competitors are aiming to do just that, quickly biting at the heels of Crossfit’s leading brand.
For the past few years athletes haven’t had many choices when it comes to footwear specific to Crossfit style workouts. We had been forced to endure training sessions in running shoes or inferior cross-trainers, unequipped for our specific needs. Now, as the sport has grown into a multi million-dollar industry, we as athletes and consumers have options.
NOBULL
This no-frills brand is quickly making a name for itself in the functional training world. Their design is clean, product performs, and message is simple; work hard, NOBULL. Just check out the description of their main training shoe, aptly labeled “Trainers.”
“The upper of the Trainer features a seamless one-piece construction of SuperFabric®, an extremely durable, breathable and abrasion resistant material. The SuperFabric® guard plates are injected on a water repellent and highly flexible mesh base layer, creating a 360 degree shield from zombies, rope climbs, and excuses.”
Uhh yea, where again can I get these Zombie retardant shoes?
Strike-Mvmnt
Another brand establishing itself with Fran-like intensity is the Vancouver based Strike Movement. They bring a fresh, classic aesthetic to a bold and noisy fitness landscape, and have been honing and improving their product since their inception. Now into their second release of their staple shoe, the Chill Pill, they have reconstructed the platform, added rope resistant material to the sole, while maintaining the light-weight construction and minimal heel drop. The brand prides themselves on the superior foot strike achieved in their shoes while running and training. Something left to be desired in many of Reebok’s well-known Nanos.
New Balance
Known for their running footwear, New Balance stepped into the functional training scene a while back. Now, after years of development, the brand offers some pretty advanced cross-trainers. Their Minimus collection appeals most to X-fitters, and offers a lightweight, minimal design with a low heel drop, durable construction, and the versatility to use for both runs and/or lifts. They also offer a variety of widths, which is not an option you get from most other brands. With over 100 years under their belt in the fitness shoe game, they know a thing or two about design and performance.
Inov-8
Inov-8 was one of the first brands to hop on the Crossfit train, and is now into the third evolution of their F-Lite cross-training series. The F-Lite 250, their newest release, is designed specifically for WODs, with an 8mm heel drop and a 40% denser heel than the forefoot. This means less power will be absorbed by the shoe with more of it going into the ground, where you want it. More cushion in the front of the shoe means you’ll have ample padding for box jumps and running. The Rope-Tec system is built to deliver traction and durability during rope climbs, and all unnecessary rubber was cut out to deliver a versatile, lightweight shoe. This brand is, for sure, living up to its name.
Asics
Asics, another brand known for developing highly comfortable, yet extremely functional, running shoes has made its way into the cross-training arena. Their newly released “Met-Conviction” (touché, Asics) shoe was “devised and tested for box jumps, burpees, various lifts, running, and everything in between..” With only a 3mm drop, this is another minimalist shoe that will have you firmly connected with the ground, and includes a removable sockliner for cushioning and moisture wicking. If these trainers perform anything like the brand’s running shoes, you can expect a comfortable ride that holds up over time.