The 7 Best CrossFit Shoes to Buy for Women in 2018

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If you’re looking to improve your performance and overall comfort while doing CrossFit, you need to first choose the right shoes with some key features. Look for CrossFit shoes with a low profile or low heel-to-toe drop, which means that the heel isn’t much higher than the toe. If the shoe’s heels are too high or they’re too cushioned, you may go up on your toes and lean forward too much when you’re lifting or squatting. The shoe’s sole should be solid and firm to provide stability and better transfer of energy. You’ll also want the soles to have some nice traction, so your feet stay stuck to the ground and stable, regardless of how much you’re lifting.

Another popular feature in CrossFit shoes is a wide toe box, to allow plenty of room to spread your toes and distribute your weight. You’ll also want a pair that is lightweight, so you’re not adding too much to your load when you’re jumping or sprinting. CrossFit shoes should be made of durable, tough materials so they’ll hold up during climbs and other abrasive activities.

To help you find shoes with those features, we’ve sorted through the options and compiled this list of the best CrossFit shoes for women. Take a look to find shoes that are right for your needs, preferences, and budget.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Nike Women’s Metcon Training Shoes

The Nike Women’s Metcon is an excellent, extremely versatile shoe for serious CrossFitters. Whether you’re climbing, running, lifting, flexing, sprinting, or jumping, the Nike Metcon helps you do it all in comfort. The shoe’s flat platform and firm rubber heel give you the stability and support you need for lifting. Users also love the shoe’s perfect combination of a lightweight feel and extreme durability. With embroidered reinforcement in high-wear areas, this shoe will hold up under tough conditions and abrasive activities, such as climbing. The flexible forefoot shoe allows you to stay light on your feet, so it’s perfect for your running and cardio exercises. The shoes also feature Flywire mid-foot technology, which helps lock your foot in place. The mesh on the feel and ankle help with the shoe’s breathability and moisture-wicking capabilities.

Best Overall Runner-up: Reebox Women’s Crossfit Nano Shoes

The Reebox Nano has been a leader in the category for years and it remains popular with CrossFitters, thanks to its comfort and stability. With a sturdy, minimal drop sole, the shoe has a solid foundation for lifting and squatting. It also excels in the area of traction, with a grippy toe and heel. The shoe also features a wide toe box, allowing plenty of room to spread and flex your feet. The seamless NanoWeave upper provides good durability and ventilation, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

Best Budget: Merrell Women’s Bare Access Flex Shoes

With similar features but a lower price tag compared to some other CrossFit shoes, the Merrell Bare Access Flex shoes are a great value. A very versatile shoe, it offers a lightweight, minimalist feel with just the right amount of stability for both running and CrossFit. The rubber outsole with anatomical grooves is sticky, grippy, and provides excellent traction whether you’re lifting at the gym or running on trails in all kinds of weather.

Best for Lifting: Adidas Women’s Powerlift Cross Training Shoe

With a low profile and firm heel, the Adidas Women’s Powerlift shoes offer the support and stability that CrossFitters need for lifting heavy loads. They also have an extra wide toe box, giving your feet plenty of room to flex and spread out. Made of a durable synthetic leather, these shoes are lightweight, but still tough enough to take a beating during CrossFit activities. The Powerlift also features a midsole reinforcement strap, for increased stability. Compared to some other CrossFit shoes, they’re reasonably priced, so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.

Best for Running and CrossFit: Inov-8 F-Lite 195 Women’s Cross Trainer Shoes

Some shoes that are good for CrossFit are too stiff and uncomfortable for running, but the Inov8 F-Lite 195 shoes are a versatile, flexible shoe that can be used for both CrossFit activities and running. They’re very lightweight, fast, and feature just a 3mm heel-to-toe drop, so you’re close to the ground for more power. They also have a sticky rubber sole with indentations to give you excellent grip and traction, especially when climbing or running. The shoe’s Rope-Tec reinforcements add to its durability and traction, especially for rope climbing. The roomy toe box makes them a solid choice for women with wide feet.

Best for Everyday Use: Nike Women’s Free 5.0 Running Shoes

Nike Free shoes are the perfect combination of flexibility, comfort, and durability, making them a nice option for CrossFit and running, as well as everyday use. The shoes’ textured mesh inner sleeve provides a sock-like fit that hugs the foot, preventing slippage. The flex groove outsole, which is made up of deep cuts along the length and width of the midsole, provides excellent flexibility and encourages a natural style of running.

The sole also provides superb grip and traction on most surfaces, both indoors and outside. The Nike Flywire technology locks your foot in place, offering excellent support for lifting and lateral movements. These shoes don’t require a break-in period and are comfortable right out of the box. Available in lots of fun color combinations, you’ll look stylish wearing them at the gym or running around town.

Best for Comfort: New Balance Women’s 20v5

Make the most out of your Crossfit workout by wearing the comfiest shoe possible: the New Balance Women’s 20v5. These ultra-lightweight yet extremely sturdy Crossfit sneakers provide athletes with the perfect amount of support and stability, during even the toughest workouts. Thanks to the top-quality REVlite midsole and minimal drop of these impeccably designed New Balance shoes, when you wear them, you may almost feel like you’re barefoot—with the perfect amount of cushion.

Plus, the breathable mesh upper with burrito tongue coupled with the Vibram rubber outsole makes for a truly superior fit. Reviewers on Amazon love both the sleek look and luxurious feel of the New Balance Women’s 20v5 Shoes.