CrossFit shoes seem to be having a renaissance
I’m only four years into my CrossFit journey, but in that time, shoe tech seems to be making a significant shift. When I first came onboard the training train, shoes were minimalistic, somewhat stiff, and mostly built for stability. More recently, shoes for the functional fitness fan have become more well-rounded and comfy.
Led by INOV-8, Nike, and Reebok, these legacy shoes were at most 4mm heel-to-toe drops. Each of these popular models was void of much padding and probably had a flat, stiff construction to support the Olympic lifting aspect of programming. Even newcomers like Nobull have a very similar approach with low heel-to-toe and limited midfoot support in favor of stability and ground feel.
However, something changed in more recent additions to the market. Companys like Goruck may have started the movement to high drops and more cushioning, but Reebok unveiling a 7mm drop on the Nano X was the tipping point. This marked the first mainstream take that maybe athletes were no longer looking for a flatter shoe and were in search of something more rounded.
Then enter the new kids. RAD Global and swimwear maker TYR are the newest to enter the functional fitness trainer arena. Both have chosen to book tradition with more than a 4mm gradient from heel to toe. The RAD One sits in a good middle ground at 6mm, but the TYR CXT-1 has one of the highest at a whopping 9mm.
Despite this stark fork from legacy brands, both have been almost universally received as very good options for CrossFit athletes. TYR has honestly had a bigger presence at the Games and on top-tier athlete’s feet in the past year than any other option. The same is true for Goruck who I’d argue fits into this “newer” generation. Their 8mm sole offers a great mix of stability, comfort, and support.
And I think that’s the key. I’ve personally gone thru the same gauntlet of shoes and have landed on the Goruck Ballistic trainers as one of my favorites. I’ve had the earlier Nanos, Under Armour Tribase, and Nobulls. For me, the higher heel-to-toe and added stack height make for a better shoe for all elements I’ll experience in the gym.
The higher heel gives me a slight mechanical advantage over flatter models for the majority of barbell movements. The added stack height adds just enough foam to make runs more tolerable. At the same time, these options don’t detract enough to matter from specific lifts you’d traditionally want a flatter drop like deadlifts.
At the end of the day, it’s all about choice and what your anatomy responds the best too, but it’s nice to see this fitness segment expand for consumers. There are still options available for those who specifically want the 4mm or lower footwear. Nike, Nobull, and Strike MVMNT are all great shoes for those advocates.
What about you? Have you found this new generation of function trainers works better or worse for you?