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CrossFit shoes offer the perfect combination of comfort but allow for agility and stability throughout the session. We ask a lot of our footwear when it comes to CrossFit. We need something that works for lifting, running, jumping, and quick pivots. The majority of the popular ultra-plush running shoes don’t cut it when it comes to good cross-trainer shoes.
Below, we’ve picked out our favorite shoes that match your needs during a CrossFit workout where we’ll compare some pros and cons and point out which shoe is the glass slipper for each CrossFitter. Here are our top choices for the best CrossFit shoes for women.
- Best Overall: Nike Metcon 7
- Best Budget: NOBULL Trainers
- Best for Running: Altra Solstice xt 2
- Best for Everyday Wear: Inov-8 F-Lite G 300
- Most Sustainable: Vivo Primus Lite III
- Best for Flat Feet: Reebok Nano X2
- Best for Wide Feet: New Balance Minimus TR BOA
Best Overall
Nike Metcon 7
Pros
- Rope guard design for better durability
- Customizable options for unique shoes
- Laces feature lock tabs
- New colors and collabs arrive often
Cons
- Narrow midfoot
Product Specs
- Size range: 5 to 15
- Color options: 6 (plus endless customization)
- Heel drop: 4mm
Why It Made The Cut
- A staple in the CrossFit comp world (and for good reason), the Nike Metcon 7 performs as it should through all disciplines.
Best Budget
Nobull Trainers
Pros
- Large range of colors and designs
- Each Trainer pair comes with two sets of laces
- One-piece construction for added durability
- Reflective elements for added safety
Cons
- Some models/colors are outside of budget-friendly range
Product Specs
- Sizes: 5 to 11
- Colors: 20+
- Heel drop: 4mm
Best for Running
Altra Solstice xt 2
Pros
- Lightweight at 8.3 ounces
- Features Altra’s Standard Footshape Fit
- Added support for lateral movements
Cons
- Not for narrow feet
Product Specs
- Size range: 5.5 to 12
- Color options: 2
- Heel drop: Zero
Why It Made The Cut
- A leader in the running shoe world, Altra designed the Solstice xt 2 to perform just as well in the gym as it does on the road without sacrificing Altra’s signature fit.
Best for Everyday Wear
Inov-8 F-Lite G 300
Pros
- Graphene for added stabilization with lifting
- No-slip tongue/bootie design
- Durable upper material
- 6mm heel-to-toe drop for those who don’t love a minimalist shoe
Cons
- More expensive than most options
- Might not work for wide feet
Product Specs
- Size range: 6.5 to 11
- Color options: 4
- Heel drop: 6mm
Why It Made The Cut
- A 6mm heel-to-toe drop makes the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 a non-minimalist CrossFit shoe option that functions well in the gym but looks great outside of the gym.
Most Sustainable
Vivo Primus Lite III
Pros
- Easy to pack makes them great for traveling
- Refurbishment program keeps shoes out of landfills
- Minimalist design and feel
Cons
- Not for narrow feet
Product Specs
- Size range: 5.5 to 11.5
- Color options: 5
- Heel drop: Zero
Why It Made The Cut
- The Vivo Primus Lite III has a minimalist design that allows you to feel the Earth below your feet while working, but they’re also better connected to the Earth through Vivo’s recycling program.
Best for Flat Feet
Reebok Nano X2
Pros
- Redesigned with better breathability with more durable materials
- Extra cushioning in the midsole
- Wide toe box
- Supportive heel design
Cons
- Small color section (for now)
- Less stable than some minimally cushioned shoes
Product Specs
- Size range: 5 to 11
- Color options: 3
- Heel drop: 7mm
Why It Made The Cut
- The Reebok Nano X2 is a revamped and improved version of the X1 with added durability, breathability, and cushioning, which could be perfect for those with flat feet.
Best for Wide Feet
New Balance Minimus TR BOA
Pros
- BOA lacing system for those who hate shoe laces
- TPU-infused design for support and durability
- Mesh upper provides airflow and makes for a lightweight shoe
- Socks optional
Cons
- Limited color options
Product Specs
- Size range: 5 to 12
- Color options: 1
- Heel drop: Zero
Why It Made The Cut
- The futuristic-looking New Balance Minimus TR BOA comes in a wide width option while offering great CrossFit-geared design features.
Things to consider before buying CrossFit shoes for women
Finding the perfect pair of shoes for your CrossFit workout can sometimes feel more difficult than the workout itself. We’re all built differently and find different footwear comfortable. On top of this, CrossFit demands a ton of different movements that makes finding one shoe to do it all that much harder. When shopping for the best CrossFit shoes for women, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Cushion
How much (or little) cushion you prefer in your shoe will play a large role in which feels the best on your feet. Some CrossFitters prefer a minimalist shoe that helps them feel the ground better for activities like deadlifts and squats. Others prefer a bit of cushion especially when running or jumping. Before you decide on which shoe you prefer, consider how much cushion you’re interested in.
Durability
Arguably worse than blisters are shoes that fall apart long before we expect to need replacements. When it comes to modern-day cross-trainer shoes, a huge range of quality exists, and some shoes aren’t designed to take on the rigors of a CrossFit workout. From delamination to shoes getting ripped up on rope climbs, be sure to invest in a pair of shoes made with materials designed to hold up well with whatever WOD you drag them through.
Budget
It’s no secret that CrossFit is not the cheapest activity to be involved with. Your box (gym) fees reflect the not-so-cheap equipment in there like rowers, kettlebells, bicycles, medicine balls, and those love-to-hate-em plyo boxes. In order to keep tears at a minimum (save those for your post-workout foam-rolling session) the price of your cross-training sneakers shouldn’t upset you. If you have your eye on a pricey pair, consider checking if there’s an older model or a less-popular color on sale. Keep in mind that price doesn’t always reflect quality.
FAQs about women’s CrossFit shoes
Q: What makes CrossFit shoes different from other shoes?
A: There’s a whole bunch of reasons why veterans love CrossFit, one of them being the versatility of the workouts. Good female CrossFit shoes are also all about versatility. We need a shoe that can support us from the erg to squats to the speed rope. CrossFit shoes are unique in that they’re multi-discipline shoes. They’re a hybrid of your lifting shoes and your pillowy running shoes.
Q: Can I use CrossFit shoes for running?
A: Yes, you can wear your CrossFit shoes for running. A well-designed cross-training shoe should take you through a lifting, running, or calisthenics workout, among other physical activities. But if you’re exclusively running, you’re likely to fare better with a shoe specifically built for running. Check out our picks for the best running shoes for women.
Q: Can you wear CrossFit shoes outside?
A: Sure, you can wear your CrossFit shoes outside. Will wearing them outside add to the wear and tear? Yes. Will your shoes likely get dirtier by wearing them outside? Also yes. But ultimately, how and where you want to sport your shoes is up to you.
Final thoughts
The Nike Metcon earns our top pick when it comes to CrossFit shoes for women. With tons of thoughtful features that stand out as appreciated when it comes to CrossFit, we think they’re the best option for most people. We also love the fully customizable option.
Methodology
When we started researching female CrossFit shoes, we started by checking with big-box retailers like REI and Amazon to get a feel for their selection of cross-training shoes that would fit the requirements for CrossFit’s varied demands. We also took note of what the pros are currently wearing. In the end, we had a spreadsheet with 28 pairs of shoes. From here, we narrowed down the options to ditch shoes that didn’t match the criteria of matching our hybrid needs — something agile we can run in but that also provides stability for lifting. We also considered the sole and upper materials and threw out any we noticed wore out far before they should have.
We read and watched dozens of reviews to gather as many perspectives as possible to better hone in on how the shoes performed in different exercises. Since your experience wearing a shoe is destined to be different from mine, we felt gathering as many perspectives as possible was for the best. In the end, we broke up our top picks to span a range of preferences and common foot shapes. For more information on our review process, check out the Task & Purpose review guidelines.