Buying Into The Right Fit
While getting a pair of shoes that is eye candy is easy and highly dependent on personal taste and preference, finding a good-looking pair with the right fit should be based on actual data using real-time measurements. Here are some tips that can get the right fit for you anytime:
- Its In the Timing
Some say that the best time to buy shoes is in the afternoon. Your feet are a little more swollen than usual, and you get a better fit that way.
- Have Your Feet Measured
Most shoe stores and specialty shops can fit you using a Brannock Device. This measures your feet length and width and is the standard to which most shoes are designed around. One thing to take note of: never assume that your last measurement is your ideal measurement. Your feet can swell or atrophy without you noticing, due to many reasons.
- Width vs. Volume
Some people often confuse these two measurement terms. Many think that an ill-fitting shoe means that they just need to get a wider shoe, or size up, for a better fit. What they do not consider is that it might be the volume of the shoe that affects the fit. Wider shoes equate to a longer sole, which means that the heel section might end up being too loose for your feet and vice versa.
Notable Features Of The Nobull Training Shoes
These shoes have uppers that have been manufactured with something called SuperFabric, a trademark material from NoBull. This fabric is a flexible, stretchy, elastic material, providing both a lighter weight overall for the shoe, and enhanced breathability. Additionally, the NoBull Training Shoes are resistant to abrasion. As a result, they arent prone to breaking down quickly or wearing out.
In addition to the above, there are guard plates that are located in areas that are prone to create issues for CrossFit enthusiasts. These plates are located throughout the upper. This ensures that there is no damage to the foot or shoe when performing rope climbs or other higher impact activities that would commonly cause a shoe to break down.
Finally, the impressive tread of the NoBull Training Shoes ensures that they will work very effectively, regardless of weather conditions or terrain. As a result, you can go from running outside on a wet sidewalk straight to the gym with no problem. You can perform sprints up grassy hills and then box jumps on slippery plastic boxes without a second thought.
Strong traction and support is a commonality among NoBull products. This is ideal for those who actively practice CrossFit.
Best Nobull Shoes For Hiit
When it comes to NOBULL shoes for HIIT, there are a lot of NOBULL options that can technically work, but there will be some variance between each model based on your personal preferences.
For example, shoes like the NOBULL Trainer+ and Ripstop Runner will work well but will provide a drastically different amount of responsiveness and comfort, which will be based on your preferences
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Different Midsole Constructions And Stack Heights
The first major difference between the NOBULL Trainer and NOBULL Trainer+ is their midsole construction and their stack heights. The NOBULL Trainer+ has a reworked EVA foam midsole that delivers a thicker construction compared to the NOBULL Trainer.
This midsole doesnt really impact this shoes stability, but it does change this shoes stack height and toe spring. The stack height in the Trainer+ is higher than the NOBULL Trainer and it has a bit more toe spring due to its thicker nature.
I think the thicker midsole and extended outsole wrap are what cause the toe spring to be a little more dramatic in the Trainer+. It doesnt really impact performance, but it does make it slightly harder to ground the toes during some exercises.
Nobull Trainer Upper Unit
Nobull Trainer Top
The NoBull trainer upper is made from a seamless one piece material, called SuperFabric, which is designed to be extremely durable, breathable and abrasion resistant.
This SuperFabric is a mesh, with tiny rubber textured guards to add to the durability.
Unlike the Nike Metcon and Reebok Nanos, the NoBull trainer doesnt have a full extended sole rope wrap extending around the sides of the upper to further protect it, but the rubber pattern protects the upper well from all it will encounter.
The tongue is made of a thin suede, with holes for ventilation. This felt very soft on the foot, causing no problems with rubbing or irritation.
The laces come up quite long which needed to be double knotted.
Two pairs of laces come as standard with the shoes, which is fortunate as the ones I have in there currently which came in the shoe have started to fray slightly from rubbing on the metal holes after a month of wearing.
Due to the simple style of the upper, the midfoot felt quite loose at times, but as I got used to this different style of training shoe it didnt bother me so much.
The heel counter is rigid for stability and padded at the top. From workouts to runs the shoe didnt rub at all. The external heel is also reinforced to eliminate wear down from handstand push ups.
The NoBull branding is printed on the side in reflective material which may or may not be a useful feature.
The same shoe also comes in a high top version, if thats your preference.
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No Bull Shoe Sizing Compared To Nike
Many shoe shoppers have gone online and have ordered a couple of different pairs of shoes in the same style, different sizes, with the plan to send back whatever doesnt fit. The reason is simple: consumers find that they wear different sizes maybe a mens size 10 here and a mens size 11 there depending on the style and brand of the shoe. So, when its time to buy a new pair of shoes, theres quite a bit of guesswork going on.
Its very likely that you dont know your actual shoe size and that your feet could be two different sizes.
When it comes to the top two brands of fitness shoes, how does No Bull Shoe sizing compare to Nike? How do you know what size to get for both brands, and would you be the same size for both?
In this article, we look to address those questions and then some.
The easiest and best way to find your shoe size for footwear is to go to any shoe retailer and use a Genuine Brannock Foot-Measuring Device. These are those metal devices that you often see on the floor of the shoe rack departments in stores. These devices are usually more than enough to help you find your correct shoe size.
Flex Grooves And Toe Spring
To make the shoe bend like your foot bends, many shoes use grooves under the ball of the foot. Turning the toe up, called toe spring, or cutting away the midsole into a rocker pattern also allows the foot to roll through the stride. Small differences in location or angle can alter the mechanics and feel, and what degree of flex works best for your stride as it changes with speed.
What to look for: A shoe that flexes or rolls the way your foot wants to moveat the pace for which youll be using the shoes.
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Have More Nobull Shoe Questions
As NOBULL continues to expand and dive into different product categories, its been really cool seeing how their products have held up to others on the market. If you have any additional NOBULL shoe questions or how certain models perform, feel free to drop a comment below.
Also, if you have any NOBULL Trainer-specific questions that youd like answered, you can also shoot me a message on Instagram and Ill help where I can .
That Fit Friend is a site that is supported by myself and its readers. If you purchase products through affiliates links on this site, then I may receive a small commission on the sale. These commissions help keep the lights on here at That Fit Friend so I can continue to create content and they help me purchase new models to review!
Check Out Why The Nobull Trainer Was One Of The Most Comfortable Cross Training Shoes I’ve Tried
We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See disclosures page.
Authors Note: This is an updated review. We wrote an initial NOBULL Trainer review back in 2016, and have since put this shoe through even more tests to provide you with an accurate analysis.
In 2015, NOBULL was founded with the idea of offering the cross training shoe industry a no frills approach to training shoes. Over the last four years, NOBULL shoes have grown in popularity and have quickly become one of the most popular, and most recognizable cross training shoe options for both functional fitness and recreational athletes. Since our initial NOBULL Trainer review in 2016, I thought it was time for a review update.
For this NOBULL Trainer review, I assessed this cross training shoes construction, price, performance, and the pros and cons that come along with model. In my opinion, out all the best cross training shoes that Ive tried, the NOBULL Trainer is one of the most comfortable to wear on a daily basis, and lets dive into the construction to learn why.
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No Bull Shoes Compared To Nike
When we compare No Bull Shoes to Nike, we find that theyre very similar in size. Both shoes are said to run true-to-size but can run small.
However, No Bull Shoes run smaller more often than Nike shoes do. But this does depend on the styles you choose and the design of the shoe too for Nike because different styles can have different sizing options.
No Bull Shoes dont offer any of their shoes in wide options, and Nike only offers about five percent of their shoes in wide options. So, both brands arent great if you have wide feet or if you find that the shoes you purchase are a bit tight. If you buy a pair of shoes from either brand, you can go up a half size to see if that will improve the tightness of the shoe.
Finally, both No Bull Shoes and Nike offer unisex sizing with a 1.5 size difference between mens and womens sizes. So, men and women can interchange between shoe styles and still find a pair of shoes that will fit them thanks to the unisex size offerings of Nike and No Bull Shoes.
Ive Heard That The Length Of The Shoe Is A Big Deal Why Is This
Although you might think you know your shoe size, you need to bear in mind that that will change when its about running shoes. The simple rule is this: the more you run, the more space you need. This is because your foot undergoes a natural expansion process when you run, and the shoes you buy need to be able to accommodate this. The Asics stores in Australia are a great starting point to help you determine what size you need they have highly trained staff, who are a wealth of tips and tricks, just waiting to be unleashed! Quite simply, if you do not allow your foot enough room for swelling and expansion, it will get squashed in a shoe that feels right in the store, but which does not allow enough room beyond that when you actually start to run.
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Nobull Shoes High Tops And Canvas
Theres also a High-Top Trainer model.
Its got all the great features of the regular shoe, but with the added stability of a high top. The high-cut collar provides padding and a secure fit for movement in any direction.
But otherwise all the same features the multi-environment lug outsole, reflective NOBULL logo for maximum visibility, 4mm heel to toe drop its all there.
Heres a new model with a perforated canvas upper for those that prefer it. Just like the SuperFabric version it offers durability and breathability but at a cheaper price point. Otherwise its got all the great features of the SuperFabric version of the Trainer.
Theres also a lighter color Sand Canvas option. It looks really nice. This view also shows the medial sole grip for rope climbs:
And lastly, there is a mid trainer version of the canvas shoe. Not as high as the high-top, but otherwise has all the great features including the perforated canvas upper.
Nobull Trainers Vs Nobull High
Of all the shoes NOBULL offers, two of their most popular models include the original NOBULL Trainer and the NOBULL High-Top Trainer. Despite having pretty much the same construction in regard to materials used in each shoe, they both perform slightly due to the higher boot in the high-top model.
Below are three major differences that Ive noticed between the NOBULL Trainer and the NOBULL High-Top Trainer.
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Nobull Training Shoes Vs Other Crossfit Shoes
The NOBULL Trainers are probably the most similar to Nike Metcons. Like the NOBULLs, the Metcons have a minimal midsole, extremely durable sidewalls, and medial rope grips. Both of these CrossFit training shoes feel flat and rigid, at least during initial use, and take some time to break in. After the break-in period, though, youll be set up with a pair of extremely stable, hardwearing cross-trainers.
NOBULLs Trainers are somewhat reminiscent of older versions of the Reebok Nanos, specifically the Nano 5s and Nano 6s. The newer nanos, especially the Nano Xs and X1s, are vastly different from NOBULL Trainers in a lot of ways, but especially in the level of cushioning and available colorways.
Nobull Reviews: What Do Customers Think
Customers are crazy about NOBULL, and in the best kind of way. 10K+ customersgave reviews with an average of 4.7/5 stars across multiple websites. Heres the best and worst of what they had to say.
On Reddit, there is a swell of positive comments regarding NOBULL shoes excellence with dynamic movements, like box jumps and lunges, and the fact that they are both supercomfortable and durable.
This Reddit comment sums up the general feedback: I love my Nobulls. I finally decided to give them a try during my last deployment, and I have to say, they are the best fitting CrossFit shoes Ive worn.
Amazon customers left NOBULL a 4.5/5 rating average from thousands of reviews. The most common feedback compliments the sturdy material of their shoes and that they are true to size .
The most significant complaint is that the top material on one customers shoes was too stiff and, over time, made their feet sore. Another customer said their trainers produce a squeaky sound on certain floor surfaces.
This Amazon review best sums up the customer experience: First off the grip on these shoes are tremendous. The flat sole makes great placement for workouts I have to do. Since my foot is wide the shoes definitely need more breaking in. And my feet feel well encased in the shoes. I havent seen any manufacturing issues. The exterior of the shoe definitely feels durable. They are breathable.
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Ordering The Nobull Trainer Shoes
I had absolutely no issues with ordering, and the shoes arrived in less than a week. NOBULL generally has fast shipping, and shipping is free on orders over $99. Youll have no problem meeting that order minimum as the NOBULL Trainers start at $130. Return shipping is also free if youre located in the U.S. NOBULL has partnered with AfterPay to provide interest-free pay-over-time options.
Top Pick: Nobull Trainer+
The NOBULL Trainer+ is taking my top pick as the best NOBULL shoe for CrossFit. This model offers a few key construction details that give it a strong performance in the context of CrossFit and different WODs.
For starters, this model features a thicker EVA foam midsole compared to the original NOBULL Trainer which had a denser medium-density foam midsole. While this feature can be a little hit or miss, I like how its added to the NOBULL Trainer+s versatility.
When it comes to being well-rounded for things like box jumps, thrusters, heavier lifts, and double-unders, the NOBULL Trainer+ is a little more comfortable compared to the original NOBULL Trainer.
That being said, both shoes work really well. However, Im giving the edge to the NOBULL Trainer+ because its a little more comfortable to wear for a wider range of WODs and it delivers a similar level of durability to the original NOBULL Trainer.
- Best For: CrossFit, Versatile Training, and Lifting
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
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Mens Width Size Chart
Shoes using width letters to fit are a confusing topic. We cover it all in our article, what does shoe width letters mean?
There are so many letters to pick fromusually AE. But some brands will use C over B, or B over A. Some have combination width-sizes. How are you supposed to know how one brand of shoes fit over another?
New Balance does things the simple way. Unfortunately, theres no specification of foot width compared to size. But, since New Balance fits true to size, its easy to assume your most common width size fit will suffice.
| Extra Narrow |
| 32 |
Wearing The Nobull Trainers Shoes
Kate serves it straight: I really didnt want to like these shoes. Im typically not a NOBULL fan just because their look isnt that appealing, she told me. When I initially put these on, I didnt like the feel. The bottom felt hard, and Im used to weightlifting shoes. However, once I got to working out with them, I really liked them. I did workouts that included running, jumping and squat cleans, and I never felt uncomfortable in the shoes.
Initially, these can feel a little rough because the bottoms are relatively flat and hard. However, exercising in them feels great. The harder bottom gives you a good platform for squats, but its still flexible enough to get through more dynamic movements. Also, the suede tongue is soft and comfortable. Myself, Kate, and Amanda all find the NOBULL Trainers to fit true to size.
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