Strike MVMNT Haze trainer review
Cross trainers are more popular than ever. Millions of gym addicts are searching for a new pair of sneakers daily and brands are reacting to fill that need. Newcomers are starting to make some noise in the CrossFit market at a rapid pace. One such is Strike_MVMNT with the Haze Trainer.
I’ve been using the Haze Trainers for just over a month now and have come away with a surprisingly positive view of these shoes. Let’s dive a little further into the details.
Design
I’ve been jokingly calling the Haze Trainers the business casual CrossFit shoe, but it’s kinda true. These could easily be mistaken for office shoes at first glance. Personally, I like the traditional design, but it won’t be for everyone.
The upper is of a jacquard knit weave that combines for tear resistance while still being breathable. It’s also extremely comfortable and leads to the high flexibility of the foot. This doesn’t mean you don’t get support though. The upper is reinforced in the areas you need that at the top of the foot and heel cup.
The midsole is made of a blend of EPE and EVA foam. This structure has the sole be flexible and still should hold up on heavier lifts without compression at the same time. Visually you get a nice two-toned white gum on the EZ edition I purchased.
The outsole has a honeycomb design with both vertical and horizontal linings to offer traction in multiple directions. This also wraps up the inside of the sole to offer a more rigid surface for rope climbs. The outsole is grooved as well to help with plyometric movements.
Performance
Despite its mundane design, Strike_MVMNT has nailed the performance with the Haze Trainer. I have yet to find an element in the gym these shoes don’t excel at. At just under 10 ounces the Haze are great for cardio and plyo movements. The mesh upper and flexible outsole allows your feet full freedom of motion.
Similarly to say Nobulls, the Haze Trainer also has a relatively low drop at only 4mm from heel to toe. This offers a flat surface that makes lifting very stable. The toe box is also fairly wide giving you ample room to flex out your toes for really good ground “grip”. I’ve had no issues with compression or feel like these couldn’t support heavier lifting for most athletes.
Running is not bad in the Haze Trainer either. The midsole has just enough stack that running a few miles should not be an issue in these shoes from Strike_MVMNT. You can’t say that about most niche trainers in the CrossFit space.
Pricing
This is where the small boutique brands may lose some folks looking for new shoes. The Haze Trainers are $150 retail and I’ve never seen them discounted. Much like Nobull Strike_MVMNT see can’t offer the steep seasonal price cuts the likes of Reebok, Under Armour, and Nike.
While these are in my new top 5 of favorite trainers, that’s a steep price point for a shoe you can’t even try on first in a store. However, other brands like Nobull have built a huge cult following off this model and these are hands down better than the Nobulls in my mind. They offer similar stability with much better breathability, comfort, and running support.
You can purchase the Strike_MVMNT directly from the company’s website or the one retail partner I’ve found over at Box Basics.