Updated: January 4, 2023
Crossfit training incorporates a number of diverse sports elements including high-intensity interval training, powerlifting and gymnastics. With that diversity in mind, you can quickly see why it is hard to find a shoe that works to improve your performance and safety in all aspects of crossfit training. Fortunately, these shoes do exist.
Let’s start by looking at what features we want our ideal shoe to have. The best trainers have a highly cushioned midsole, with arch support built into the insole, and flexible, breathable fabric uppers. The best shoes for weightlifting, however, have non-compressible, stiff midsoles, a slight heel, no arch support, and stiff, snug uppers. How can we get the best of both worlds?
Crossfit shoes typically combine the key features of weightlifting shoes with an increased use of lightweight materials. They have a flat sole and good grip to give you the stability needed in weightlifting. They also have some flexibility in the forefoot area for exercises that include sprinting and agility. The shoes tend to have very little cushioning because cushioning can throw your balance off in weightlifting, agility movements, and plyometrics.
Since sprinting and running typically make up only a small part of crossfit training, the shoes you choose need to be passable to run short distances only. In addition to the flat, slip-resistant sole and minimal padding for safety, it’s a good idea to look for shoes that have added durability features. Crossfit shoes take a lot of abuse and those without added durability won’t last very long.