This is for all of you looking for that CrossFit shoe, and wondering “What kind of shoe do I wear for CrossFit?”. I have not owned all of these but have some experience on a few. I just want to show you what is out there. If you are into CrossFit and looking for a CrossFit shoe here are some options. If you have owned any of these shoes please add what you thought to comments.
Price, based off of average
Versatility is a 1-5 scale, based off of what the shoe is designed for
Vibram Five Finger
Price: Dependent on type Avg. $90
CrossFit Versatility: 4
I did a write up on these awhile back Bikala LS: A CrossFit Perspective. Any of the Vibram Five Fingers are a great option for any CrossFit training. They were really popular in the CrossFit community for awhile until all of these other minimalist shoes came around, and then Reebok got involved and they are getting pretty popular. I have owned a few pair of these and I think it all comes down to preference. I mainly lift in them with some occasional running. If you run in them you are going to have to learn how to run barefoot…So elimate that heel strike!!! I gave it the 4 because sprints and starting and stopping are pretty rough in this kind of shoe.
A great shoe, fairly priced, and very versatile.
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Rogue Dowin Weightlifting Shoes
Price: $119
CrossFit Versatility: 1
Now we get straight to business here with the lifting shoe. I do not lift in a specific lifting shoe. But I have heard some lifting coaches say they wish they had gotten lifting shoes earlier in their lifting careers. So I am starting to look at these. Rogue has some really high quality products so I would not expect any less from their shoes. Just know these are specific for lifting and no other activity, except maybe burpees and box jumps.
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New Balance Minimus
Price: $80!!
CrossFit Versatility: 5
This is a pretty sweet shoe. I think it is a definite competitor with the Reebok CrossFit Shoe (see below). Very similar style and purpose for the shoe. They are definitely marketed towards the minimalist running community, but these crosstrainers are a “shoe in” for the CrossFit community. Also with the price being much lower than the Reebok CrossFit shoe I could see it stealing some major business from Reebok.
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Reebok RealFlex
Price: $80!!
CrossFit Versatility: 4
This is a really cool shoe. Hey, it even has Graham Holmberg (2010 CrossFit Games Champion) in the commercial so you know it’s good. I have to admit that after watching the video below I wanted a pair. It makes you feel like they really put some science behind it. I have checked some reviews on this shoe in the CrossFit community and it seems to be pretty legit…As a running shoe. It is definitely built for running, so it loses some of the versatility rating. But a great quality shoe.
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Chuck Taylor
Price: $45!!!!
CrossFit Versatility: 3
I love these shoes. So cheap and so widely used. I have seen more professional power lifters use this shoe than I have any actual weight lifting shoes. Well at least for training. They have a very flat and solid base, which you need for weight lifting, but they also give some flexion. This makes them a little more comfortable for wearing around the gym as opposed to a weightlifting shoe. A huge hit in the CrossFit community. Never been to a box without seeing at least one person wearing these. They are not the most versatile shoe. While you could do everything in them, I would not recommend it. Stick to lifting with these.
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Inov8
Price: $105
CrossFit Versatility: 4
To me these are the Original CrossFit Shoe. Before Reebok, before new balance, before anyone really… these shoes were marketed to CrossFitters. They are very light and versatile. They have a slightly rounded point which seems like a problem for lifting but they flex quite a bit so it’s not a big deal. The big problem is they melt if you slide down a rope to fast with them…Never had it happen but they even warn you about it. A great shoe and very versatile as you can see in the commercial. Just be careful on the rope climbs.
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Reebok CrossFit Shoe
Price: $120…
CrossFit Versatility: 5
I have to admit that this looks like a pretty sweet shoe. I was on the “buy” page when they launched the “first 1,000 pair”. I just couldn’t do it. I am sure they are great shoes. But why $120. Look at all the other GREAT shoes above for less money. Probably because this is the only shoe with the actual words CROSSFIT printed on it. I like that reebok has teamed up with some of the athletes to design a crossfit specific shoe, but we will have to wait and see on these. From the looks of it, very versatile and really cool but the verdict is still out. Here is a review on “pre-shoe” release and where you can buy them WHEN they come back in stock.
What do you think? Tried any of these CrossFit shoes?