If you’ve come this far, you’re probably read to commit to CrossFit, if you haven’t already. We’ve shared a lot of content over the past few months, and we hope you’ve digested it and have come to the conclusion that CrossFit is going to help you get fit.
With that in mind, it’s time to talk about why you should invest in a good pair of shoes designed specifically for CrossFit.
A good CrossFit shoe is going to provide the base for all of your workouts. That makes sense, too, since they go on your feet, which are considered the base of the body. We should note that one shoe won’t be perfect for all CrossFit movements. But if you’re going to invest in a proper shoe to wear to each WOD, here are a few things you should keep in mind.
Support
Weightlifting is a focal point when it comes to CrossFit, so you want to find a shoe that is going to provide stability and protect your feet. These are called “lifters”. They typically have a strap across the top of the foot that works to provide stability and make sure your stance is firm when you get in position to lift the weight.
These shoes are also reinforced at the heel, which provides a stable base for the foot when you get ready to launch into a squat or a hang power clean. The shoe has minimal cushion, which is different than a running shoe, but provides more stability and support.
Versatility
Since CrossFit shoes are built for more than one movement, they need to be versatile to protect your feet during rope climbs, but provide the proper flex to do box jumps during the same WOD.
That’s why a lot of CrossFit shoes are built out of materials like “carbon rubber” and incorporate “midsole technology”.
The Reebok Nano 2.0, for instance, touts its “open-spacer mesh” to improve flexibility and breathability to give athletes the proper feel to tackle the toughest WODs. While you might giggle at the terms the company has come up with to describe their shoes, the reality is that you’re going to see a big difference between CrossFit shoes and regular running shoes when it comes to their versatility.
Durability
You are going to put your shoes through a lot of wear and tear. The aforementioned rope climbs will do their best to scuff up your shoes, while hill runs and sled pulls will test your shoes to the limit. It’s a good idea to have a shoe that is going to last and put up with the stress you put them through.
The Nike Metcon 4 has a breathable mesh to keep your feet cool on the hottest days, but the synthetic textured print provides more durability to protect the foot. The front of the foot also features flexibility and sticky rubber to provide extra “grab” for sled pushes.
Not only are these shoes worthy of being worn in public, but they give you the upper hand at the box, and they will last a long time.
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If you’re serious about CrossFit, it’s time to get serious about the shoe you wear to the WODs. It’s not imperative that you invest money in your footwear, but it will help you in the long run.
If you are interested in CrossFit, scheduled a free, no-sweat intro today!