The Nobull Training Shoe for Women
If you’ve spent any time in a Crossfit gym, you’ve probably seen your fair share of Nobull Training Shoes. The Nobull Trainer women’s training shoe, specifically, has a pretty eye-catching design and comes in a wide array of colors and patterns. With far more color and pattern options than most other training shoe companies, it’s no surprise that Nobull’s shoes are so popular. Here, I’m sharing my honest thoughts and experiences in my Nobull Training Shoe Review:
Shop the Trainers
Nobull Training Shoe Specs
The Nobull Trainer is marketed as a “go-to training shoe that stands up to any workout.” With a low-profile design, the shoe keeps your feet close to the ground. This makes them great for weightlifting and Crossfit workouts. Whether you’re doing a dumbbell back workout at home or burpees in the gym, these trainers should work out just fine for you! They have an outsole arch grip for rope climbing, should you be so inclined, and a carbon rubber outsole and sidewall design that guards against stubbing your toes or other toe injuries.
Designed to be Stable and Secure
This Nobull training shoe is designed to be stable and secure, with a “wider toe box [that] helps you find your footing.” I don’t disagree that the shoes feel stable. However, as someone with a wider foot in general, the sneakers certainly don’t seem to have a wider toe box. If you have a wider foot like me, I would recommend sizing up one full size. More on that below.
The soles of the sneakers have little circular treads, which look a bit like golf cleats, that help grip all types of ground. I’ve found them to be far more stable on wet concrete than previous training shoes, for example. Plus, the treads make box step ups and box jumps feel more stable.
Practically Indestructible Breathable Fabrics
The fabric on the shoe is labeled “practically indestructible,” standing up to abrasion and aggressive workouts for years at a time. Based on my experience using the shoes for the gym and some yard work, this seems to be an accurate claim. The tough texture of the water repellant outer shell makes them easy to wash with a hose should you need to. With the shoes being “practically indestructible,” a pair can last for years. So, you’re more likely to buy a second pair out of desire for a new color rather than actual wear and tear.
The Price
For the Women’s Trainer style, the shoes range from $169 to $129, excluding the occasional sale. There are a lot of color options at the lower end of that range. So, you’re not necessarily sacrificing the fun designs if you’re looking to be a bit more frugal.
My Thoughts on the Nobull Trainer Shoe
I’ve had my Nobull Gradient Trainer shoes for about six months now, and I’ve put many miles on them already. They have helped with my workouts and stability, and I have generally noticed reduced incidents of plantar fasciitis since wearing them consistently.
I was drawn to the brand — and to these shoes in particular — because of the colorful options they offer in women’s training shoes. Green is my favorite color, and Nobull often has a good range of greens available, so it took a bit to narrow down my choice to the Green with Army Pink Gradient. I’m very happy with the aesthetics of the shoe!
In all, I really like my Nobull Trainers. Now that they’re broken in, they’re comfortable, stable during workouts, and up to the task of the gym, yard work, and everything in between. And all while looking cute enough to wear out and about!
On the left: heading to the gym with all my favorite greens, including my go-to Lululemon training leggings // on the right: pairing my Nobull sneakers with my favorite Baby Yoda socks
The Sizing of the Trainers
I am typically an 8.5 in women’s shoes (including, for example, Aisic running shoes), but I sized up to a 9 in the Nobull Trainers based on anecdotal evidence from women at my gym. While the 9 fits now after extensive efforts to break them in, I should have gotten a 9.5. Whenever I buy my next pair, I’ll definitely order a 9.
Breaking In the Nobull Trainer Shoes
The sneakers were snug when I first tried them on, but no more snug than any of the various brands of running shoes I had bought in the past. So, I figured it was normal and that they’d stretch out with regular wear.
Unfortunately, regular wear wasn’t enough for me. And, since the brand is generally only available online, I overlooked the return and exchange policy, requiring them to be in original condition. Honestly, I should have realized this was the case. But it hadn’t crossed my mind until after I wore the shoes out of the house. I didn’t bother reaching out to the brand, because their policy is pretty clear and I had already worn the shoes outdoors.
So, I wore the Trainers around for errands with double socks for a couple days and then wore double socks to the gym on a day when I was using the rowing machine for a while. It wasn’t the most comfortable workout, but it was effective. The combination of the double sock and rower did the trick and broke in the toe box. Now, they’re perfectly comfortable with a single, regular workout sock.
Whenever I buy my next pair in a 9.5, I’m sure the breaking in process will be much easier.
Where to Buy the Nobull Shoes
Interested in picking up a pair of these colorful trainers for yourself? Head over to the Nobull website here to shop all the variations of women’s training shoes they offer, from the base line style reviewed here to the women’s Trainer+.
Looking for more tried and true pieces to add to your closet?
Shop more of my daily wear favorites here!
Thanks for reading! If you found this post useful and want to support my work with Cats & Coffee, I’d be incredibly grateful!
You can buy me a coffee here:
