CrossFit is a popular workout that involves a combination of cardio and strength training. It includes lots of dynamic movements like squat jumps and heavy lifts.

If you're new to the CrossFit world, it's important to know the standard rule remains. Comfort first! When searching for the best CrossFit shoes for women, the key is to strike a balance between comfort and balance. Your shoes should provide stability and keep you grounded as you power through those workouts. In addition, they should be durable as the movements can be quite intense; hence you need shoes that can withstand wear and tear.

To ensure you're well equipped to get your CrossFit on, we prepared a guide outlining the best CrossFit shoes for women and features to consider when buying them.

Best Crossfit Shoes For Women

1. Nike Metcon 6 Women's Training Shoes

inov-8 Women's F-Lite 235 V2 (W) Cross-Trainer-Shoes, Red/Coral, 5.5 B US
  • For versatile training.
  • Supreme stability: The same high density Power...
  • An ultra secure fit: ADAPTERFIT Met-cradle adapts...
  • Natural flexibility: Next generation Meta-flex...
  • Unrivaled grip: The unbeatable grip expected in...

Considered to be one of the best CrossFit shoes for women and a longtime favorite of the Crossfit community, these Nike Metcon 6 training shoes boast durability and flexibility.

The CrossFit shoes are designed to keep your feet cool and sweat-free while you're busy killing it during your work. According to Nike, they are 18% more breathable than their predecessors, the Metcon 5's. The shoes also feature a durable screenprint that reinforces the mesh without sacrificing breathability.

Nike Metcon 6 features a low, flat, and wide heel that creates a stable base for weighted exercises. This means you have extra support in your midfoot that will aid in performing those squats and deadlifts with ultimate precision. In addition, the Nike women's shoes have a removable Hyperlift insert that lets you adjust the height under your heel from one set to the next. The women's training shoes allow for ease of movement in the forefoot and upper hence you won't be held back from explosive box jumps or treadmill sprints.

The Nike Metcon 6 women's training shoes come with a dual-density innersole. This means that the rear of the inner sole provides support and stability while the front is slightly cushioned. It also means that you're guaranteed comfort and shock absorption.

Lastly, Nike women's training shoe features rubber tread on the sole and the up the side, thus providing traction on the ground and grip when you're climbing a rope.

  • Pros
  • Comfortable training shoe
  • Thick and cushioned insoles
  • Wide toe box
  • Provide balance and stability
  • Light and Breathable
  • Have great grip
  • Cons
  • Low arch support

2. Reebok Nano 9 Women's Cross Trainer Shoes

Reebok Women's Nano 9 Cross Trainer, Black/Black/Black, 5.5 M US
  • DURABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIAL: These flex weave...
  • EFFICIENT FOOT SUPPORT: These stylish trainers...
  • COMFORTABLE AND STURDY DESIGN: This footwear with...
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORT SHOES: Ideal for high...

Reebok's Nano line of CrossFit-specific shoes has long been known for its ability to cut through barriers and challenge those who choose them to the next level of fitness.

The Reebok Nano 9s are no different. These are the perfect CrossFit shoes for women as they offer support and agility whilst boasting innovative features that will level up your Crossfit training.

The Reebok Nano Cross-Trainer Shoe is super versatile and provides an incredibly powerful foundation that's supportive. The cross trainer shoe also boasts a strong range of motion and secure footing. In addition, the shoe has a rubber sole and midsole protection wrap with cushioning in the forefoot for added comfort.

The stylish Nano cross-training shoe comes in a range of designs and colors. In addition, the shoe features Reebok's patented “Flexweave” technology that weaves fibers into a figure-8 to create a strong and flexible upper. This results in enhanced levels of both flexibility and breathability in the upper of the shoe. It also makes the cross trainer supper lightweight.

  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Low arch support
  • The shoes might be too wide for those with narrow feet

3. Inov-8 Women's F-Lite 235

inov-8 Women's F-Lite 235 V2 (W) Cross-Trainer-Shoes, Red/Coral, 5.5 B US
  • For versatile training.
  • Supreme stability: The same high density Power...
  • An ultra secure fit: ADAPTERFIT Met-cradle adapts...
  • Natural flexibility: Next generation Meta-flex...
  • Unrivaled grip: The unbeatable grip expected in...

These are the best CrossFit shoes for women if you're looking for great grip. They feature a rubber sole that provides stability while you're performing your workouts. This especially great for when you're climbing ropes.

The Inov 8 Women's F-lite 235 is designed to handle weightlifting, gymnastics, and most functional fitness workouts.

The F Lite Inov 8 cross-training shoe is made of textile and synthetic and comes in various colors. In addition, it is equipped with high-density Power heel technology, zero drop proprioception, and new heel lock construction that delivers maximum stability when lifting weights.

An interesting feature of the F-lite Inov 8 cross-training shoes is the lacing system. While training, you don't want to be bogged down by having to keep re-tying your laces; thus, these shoes feature a built-in metcradle lacing system designed to tighten and loosen slightly as you workout. This means there's no risk of untied laces getting in your way, which also lessens the risk of getting an injury.

  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Low arch support

4. WHITIN Women's Barefoot & Minimalist Shoe 

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WHITIN Women's Low Zero Drop Shoes Minimalist Barefoot Trail Running Camping Size 8.5 Wide Toe Box...
  • Produced using animal free products and processes.
  • Zero-drop, non-elevated sole for proper posture...
  • Removable sockliner (insole) if you want a "more...
  • Designed with a wider than average toe box to...
  • True rubber sole provides great protection while...

Designed to support and keep you motivated as you power through your CrossFit training, making them the best CrossFit shoes for women.

The CrossFit shoes have an upper material that is free of animal products  and processes in the pieces construction, using only organic, natural, and recycled materials in its making.  This material makes the shoe durable, stretchy, breathable, light and easier to move around in.

The CrossFit shoes are designed with a wider than average toe box to allow the wearers forefoot to spread naturally.

In addition to the adjustable design of the shoe, also featured is a quality rubber sole which provides great protection, and enhances proper ground feedback as well as flexibility when moving or changing your direction of motion.

  • Pros
  • Breathable and Light Weight
  • Natural Adjustment to your feet
  • Durable Crossfit shoes
  • Zero Drop Sole
  • Made from 100% organic, natural and recycled materials
  • Cons
  • Low arch support

5. Reebok Women's CROSSFIT Speed TR Cross Trainer

Reebok Women's CROSSFIT Speed Tr Cross-Trainer Shoe,Solar Pink/White/Silver Metallic,5 M US
  • Compression sleeve upper
  • Low-cut design
  • Ultrasoft compression-molded midsole
  • Forefoot cradle
  • Metasplit flex grooves on outsole

The Reebok Crossfit Speed is designed for comfort during multi-intensive workouts, making them one of the best CrossFit shoes for women.

The CrossFit shoe features a low-cut design and comes with a compression-molded midsole. In addition, the shoe includes a compression sleeve upper hence when you put it on, and it's meant to fit like a glove and provide ultimate comfort and protection.

The women's CrossFit shoes feature soles with metaflex toe grooves that provide grip and stability. This is great whether you're completing several calisthenic exercises or doing some powerlifting. In addition, the Reebok CrossFit shoes are super lightweight, making them easy to move around in.

The Reebok Crossfit shoe comes in 5 colors, two of which include hot pink and neon green.

  • Pros
  • Comfortable CrossFit shoe
  • Provide good arch support
  • Mesh upper keeps your feet cool
  • Stable shoe during movements like powerlifting or calisthenic exercises
  • Cons
  • The cross fit shoe does run slightly narrow hence may not be ideal for those with wide feet
  • Not a great running shoe

Features To Consider When Best Crossfit Shoes For Women

a) Comfort & Flexibility

One of the first features to consider when buying workout shoes is comfort.

You don't want to be going about your routine with shoes that make you feel like death. CrossFit in itself is full of a lot of High-intensity workouts; thus, you need to be super comfortable to give it your best.

Several factors play into the comfort of a shoe. This varies from person to person. However, some factors are generally standard. For instance, plenty of room in the toe box is key. Depending on whether you have narrow or wide feet, you can decide on a CrossFit training shoe that either has more room or just enough. The standard remains that the toe box should have adequate room to allow your feet to wiggle around. In addition, they should not feel compressed in the shoes as this will affect your whole experience, especially when you have to jump and run, as it can cause extensive friction-based irritation.

Additionally, when searching for the best CrossFit shoes for women, you want them to have a sole that's a good balance between rigidity and flexibility. This will allow you to tackle dynamic movements of CrossFit—like burpees, box jumps, jumping lunges, and more. Your shoes should not hold you back from performing a wide range of motion or multiple directions. Instead, they should offer flexibility in the forefoot and upper as this won’t hold you back from achieving your highest jump.

b) Shock Absorption Ability

Having shoes that provide shock absorption is essential. This is because of how intense the workout can get and be on your feet. You'll need shoes that can protect your feet and will aid in lessening the impact during your workouts. Without the right shoes, you can easily lead to strain, overextension, and injury.

c) Breathability

The best CrossFit shoes for women should be breathable. It goes without saying that you're bound to saying. It would help if you had shoes that will keep your feet fresh and sweat-free. It can be really uncomfortable working out in shoes that are running hot and lack breathability.

The right CrossFit shoes will feature mesh alternatives that allow for air circulation. Lack of breathability can have damaging effects on the grip present between the shoe's inner sole and the foot. It can also result in the generation of unwanted odor.

d) Cushioning and Heel Drop

When searching for the perfect CrossFit shoes for women, the cushioning and heel are key.

With cushioning, there's a delicate balance that needs to be maintained. Too little cushioning can result in extremely painful high-impact movement. The only exception is if you're used to barefoot shoes. On the other hand, too much cushioning can result in a loss of power and responsiveness, especially when weightlifting.

The goal is to find the best CrossFit shoes that strike a balance between the two. Most shoes on the market tend to, with some leaning toward one end or the other.

The heel drop refers to high the heel is off the ground versus how the toe is. The Standard for CrossFit is 4mm. This affords you perfect balance between cushioning on runs and balance on lifts.

e) Rigid Sole

If you're planning to get into Olympic lifting, then a CrossFit shoe with a rigid sole, particularly in the heel, would be ideal. However, a soft sole’s cushioning will absorb the power that an athlete produces in their leg drive during explosive movements. This is why running shoes are not best suited for such activities and is actually one of the biggest differences between them and CrossFit shoes.

f) Wide Toebox

As stated earlier, this is subject to preference. Athletes with wider feet tend to appreciate how a wider toe box allows the toes to spread out.

On the other hand, athletes with narrow feet feel like their feet aren’t getting any sidewall support.

When buying online, ensure that the company has a good return policy; that way, you can return the shoes if they're not a good fit. Make sure to try them on immediately they arrive.

g) Lateral Support

This is especially important if you've suffered from ankle injuries or who tend to roll their ankles. Ensure that your shoes for CrossFit utilize different designs to combat this.

h) Durability

CrossFit workouts consist of many intense movements, which can be tough on your shoes, let alone your body.

It's important to ensure that the CrossFit-specific shoe is designed to handle the pressures of a CrossFit workout. For example, the last thing you want is your sole splitting in half mid-session, yet your shoes are brand new.  Many brands add TPU reinforcement on the sidewalls to shield the foot from these kinds of wear.

About the Author Brian

Hello, I'm Cindy. I’m a super duper mega hiking enthusiast, with a love for everything that has to do with outdoors, hiking, gear, footwear and more.

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