Best Shoes For Crossfit?

AllanMisner

I'm just getting started and was wondering what shoes you'd recommend. I'm currently using my New Balance running/cross-trainers, which focus on stability. I'm not sure these will serve me well for most WODs. BTW, I have wide feet.

bostonwolf

I use New Balance Minimus shoes for almost all WODs. It's like working out in slippers

I have weightlifting shoes for more lifting specific stuff and will bring both if the WOD includes lifting and other non-lifting activities.

Minimus come in wide as do some weightlifting shoes.

I got a pair from Inov8 that are glowing yellow, but that was the color they sold EE so I grabbed them.

At the end of the day though, use what is comfortable. We have guys do all the workouts in Chuck Taylors.

jordymils

A lot of it is personal preference, but I know at my box around 80% of people wear Reebok Nanos for most, if not all, of the work. Others wear Inov8 shoes, some wear standard runners.

I personally use my nanos for WODs, deadlifts etc but have weight lifting shoes that I use for heavy lifts like squats, clean, snatch, etc. If we do a WOD that is something like power clean, toes to bar and push ups, I'll wear my weight lifting shoes coz I'd rather have the stability for the cleans and they don't impact moves like T2B and push ups, but if a WOD has cleans and box jumps, I'll wear my nanos coz jumping (and running!) in lifting shoes SUCKS.

When I started out, I wore my asics running shoes for everything just coz that's what I had, but then switched to reebok nanos, and eventually got lifting shoes, and I'll never go back. I've been using them for 18+ months and never had a problem. They provide so much more stability for lifting, without the heel cushioning that most standard runners have that can push you onto your toes, but are still ok for running too.
That said, there's a girl at my box who has Nikes for running WODs, nanos for lifting WODs and lifting shoes for heavy lifts. She hates running in nanos, I find it ok.

Everyone has their own mix and match of shoes that works for them, so it really just comes down to preference. If I were you, I'd try find a store that sells a few different crossfit shoes and try them on, do some squats and tuck jumps etc and see how they feel.

MDLNH

I agree - its a personal preference thing (*and it can be expensive too*). Here is how I started:

New Balance trail running shoes for everything.
Eventually, went shoe-less for lifting for the stability and foot positioning.
Trainer/Coach then suggested I use Converse Keds "Chuck Taylors" for lifting shoes - a cheaper alternative to Oly Lifting Shoes.
As the weights got heavier, I made the invesement in Reebok Oly Lifting shoes and it was well worth it !!!

So for now, I'm still using my New Balance trail runners for most WODs and the Oly shoes for the strength. Also depending on the WOD, I may keep the Oly shoes on. You can do double-unders, pull-ups, wall balls, etc while wearing them.

I'll probably be getting Nanos or something similiar this spring . . .

Good Luck !!!

Flab2Fab27

When I first started I was wearing the same shoes I was using for my runs. I felt that there was too much heel in them so I went out and got a pair of Crossfit Sprint TR's. I couldn't be happier with them! It feels like I'm walking on marshmallows and yet I feel much more stable on my heels when lifting.

ascrit

When I started with CrossFit i would wear my running shoes for a WOD (Nike Zoom Structure) and thought they were fine. After a few months I heard about a sale on come Reebok Nano 2.0s so I bought them. I noticed the difference in my lifts right away. Now the only time I wear my running shoes is if the WOD has a lot of running.

kelly_e_montana

I seriously do almost all of my WODs in Chuck Taylors. I prefer them for WODs with deadlifts, overhead presses, etc. I have Reebok CrossFit lifters and I do wear those in a WOD with a lot of o-lifting, overhead squats, front squats, etc. as long as there is not a lot of running or box jumping. For regular metcons, I just wear one of my many pairs of New Balance running shoes. I am thinking about buying a hybrid type of shoe but I need my weightlifting shoes to work for me. I find it really affects my position. That's just me though.

I lift a lot in CF and outside of CF and I do notice a difference between my Chucks and my oly shoes. My Chucks work better for back squats, deadlifts, and presses and my Reebok lifters work better for the other movements. However, if you are not really into lifting, I would say start out with a hybrid like Nanos or Innov-8's if you are just going to buy one shoe. The o-lifting shoes can be a big investment.

AllanMisner

Thanks to everybody for the great feedback!

kaaaaylee

I started in my chucks. They were good for lifting, but not things like box jumps, etc.

I went to the reebok outlet store and bought nano 2.0s for 75 bucks, and they were a great investment, in my opinion.