Start searching around for the best CrossFit shoes for women, and one thing quickly becomes apparent:
There’s a seemingly infinite number of options to choose from.
On the one hand, this is a bad thing. It means that no matter what your size, style, or workout needs, there’s bound to be the perfect pair out there for you somewhere.
On the other hand, the never-ending array of choices can make finding that perfect pair like trying to find a needle in the proverbial haystack.
If that’s a problem you’ve been facing lately, this comprehensive guide to the best CrossFit shoes for women is specifically for you.
Below, we’ve rounded up and reviewed ten of this year’s best-selling shoes and outlined what’s good about them, what’s good about them, and why they may -or may not- be the right pair for you.
Below that, you’ll also find a detailed buyer’s guide to further help you decide which one of our top ten picks is the right fit for you.
Finally, we’ll also answer some of your most frequently asked questions about CrossFit shoes, but for now, let’s get into those reviews.
Top 10 Best CrossFit Shoes for Women
1. Brooks Women’s Ghost 13 Shoes
Specifications:
Sizes: 5 – 13
Material: Rubber with Mesh
Brooks may not have the kind of global brand recognition of other big names in this guide, but that doesn’t mean their range of sports shoes isn’t of the highest quality.
In fact, the Brooks Women’s 13 Shoes are made to such a high standard that they’re currently the best-selling shoes of their type anywhere around.
Try them on for yourself, and it’s easy to see why.
Designed with runners in mind, the company’s patented BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning provide CrossFitters with the right combination of underfoot softness and maximum responsiveness for those dynamic WODs.
Elsewhere, the segmented crash pad utilizes a system of well-made shock absorbers to provide all the support you need.
A high caliber upgrade from the Ghost 12, these impressive shoes not only look the part but fit provide a snug-yet-breathable fit thanks to the mesh and 3D Fit Print design.
All in all, if you’re looking for the very best women’s CrossFit shoes available right now, the Ghost 13s simply have to be top of your list.
Pros:
- Available in 20 different design choices
- Lightweight design
- Easy to replace insoles where needed.
Cons:
- Expensive price
- Some users have been unhappy with the lack of cushioning under the balls of the feet.
2. Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe
Specifications:
Sizes: 5-13
Material: 100% Textile Synthetics with rubber sole
If you liked the Brooks shoes we just looked at but found their excessive price tag was just too far beyond your budget, the Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe may well prove to be the next best alternative.
Another best-seller, these svelte, lightweight shoes are designed to offer what Adidas calls a “female-friendly fit,” with a 0″-3″ platform, 6″-12″ boot opening, and a unique Cloudfoam memory sockliner which molds to the shape of your foot and provides a secure-yet-comfortable hug-like fit.
Elsewhere, the Cloudfoam can also be found in the midsole and outsole to provide a superior level of supportive cushioning that other shoes can’t compete with.
Conscientious shoppers will also like that these are 100% vegan, with no animal products used in their construction.
The best part is that these shoes start at a much lower price than any others in this guide, making them the best Women’s CrossFit shoes for those on a budget.
Pros:
- Affordable price tag
- Available in 22 different color choices.
Cons:
- Not as durable as other shoes
- May not be true to size, with some users reporting that they needed to order a larger size than normal.
3. Nike MetCon 5 Women’s Fitness Shoes
Specifications:
Sizes: 6-12
Material: 100% Rubber
One of the most popular choices for shoe brands among experienced CrossFitters, Nike always rises to the occasion when it comes to creating footwear that is flexible, durable, and comfortable.
The Nike MetCon 5 Women’s Fitness Shoes are certainly no exception.
Unlike other shoes that require some time to break in before you can really get used to them, the Metcon 5s are so well-made and designed for optimum workout performance that you can wear them right out of the box and into your favorite CrossFit gym.
That’s not the only reason why these shoes are so popular among the CrossFit community.
For one thing, there’s the design.
Sure, Nike doesn’t offer as many color choices with these shoes that you’ll find with others in our guide, but the three choices of either Black/Pink/Red, Black/White, or Pink/White all look so good that you’re guaranteed to turn heads when you arrive for your next workout.
Still, these shoes certainly aren’t designed simply to look pretty. They’re also specifically built to improve speed, traction, and solid foot and ankle support for lifting, ultimately making them a CrossFitters best friend.
Pros:
- Designed to make it easy to add your own preferred insoles
- Features hyper lift insert so that they can be converted for heavy-duty weightlifting
- True-to-size fit.
Cons:
- Limited size choices compared to other shoes
- Expensive price tag
4. PUMA Women’s Prowl Slip-on Cross Trainer
Specifications:
Sizes: 5.5 – 11
Material: 100% Rubber
PUMA is another go-to brand among seasoned CrossFitters, and the PUMA Women’s Prowl Slip on Cross Trainer is a great example of why the company is so beloved.
The Prowl Slip Ons are about as lightweight a pair of CrossFit shoes as you’re going to find and are designed specifically to enable swiftness, flexibility, and agility.
On the inside, the sock-like construction and Soft Foam footbed deliver an optimum combination of comfort and support so that you never have to worry about blisters or sore feet after going at it hard in the gym.
Outside, the zoned rubber traction pods help with those quick training movements you’re likely to make while bustling through a fast-paced workout, with the 100% rubber construction ensuring the kind of substantial durability that guarantees your new footwear is made to last.
Pros:
- Excellent shock absorption
- Comes with removable insoles
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- Not as breathable as other shoes
- Lacks arch support.
5. Inov-8 INOV8 Women’s F-lite Alpha G 300
Specifications:
Sizes: 6.5 – 11
Material: Synthetic and mesh with rubber sole
Inov-8 may not be a household name in the way that the likes of Nike and PUMA are, but they still hold their own when it comes to making high-end CrossFit shoes for women.
The company boasts that their Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite Alpha G 300s are the world’s toughest training shoe and back up that claim with their graphene-infused lifting stabilizer and outsole, offering an impressive level of power and overall durability.
On the sole, strong, 8mm studs help you rip through soft terrain with ease while also ensuring that you maintain a secure, non-slip grip on gym floors and other hard surfaces, meaning they’re the perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
All of this comes without the need to compromise on lightweight design and breathability.
The synthetic mesh ensures your feet stay relatively cool and that you don’t have to deal with sweat-soaked shoes stinking out your favorite CrossFit bag.
And OK, so these may not be the most stylish CrossFit shoes in our personal opinion, but we get that aesthetic appeal is a personal matter, and whether you like the look of them or not, there’s no denying they’re going to serve you incredibly well for countless workouts to come.
Pros:
- Weather-resistant material makes them ideal for outdoor use
- Features a 3mm drop and fusion rubber midsole to improve speed and responsiveness
- Affordable, mid-range price.
Cons:
- The aesthetic design leaves something to be desired.
- Only available in a limited number of sizes.
6. Reebok Women’s Nano 9 Cross Trainer Shoes
Specifications:
Size: 5 – 11
Material: Flex-weave mesh with rubber sole
There’s no denying that Reebok is one of the biggest names in the world of sporting attire, so it was only a matter of time before a pair of shoes like the Reebok Women’s Nano 9 Cross Trainer Shoes cropped up on our list.
Having just looked at the Inov-8 shoes, the first thing that immediately stands out to us about Reebok’s Nano 9s is just how attractive they are.
The shoes come in 24 different style options, each one as attractive as the last. That means that no matter what you prefer to wear, you’re bound to find a pair that perfectly compliments your CrossFit clothes.
Still, as we’ve said countless times before here at Boxlettes, looks really aren’t everything, which is why we’re so glad to find that the Nano 9s have so much more to offer than just good looks.
The innovative Flexweave technology used in their construction takes microfibers and weaves them into a figure-8 design which provides an upper that is both highly flexible and super resilient.
Beyond that, the soft rubber midsole protection wrap combines with extra cushioning in the forefoot to provide a winning combination of comfort and support.
Add in a true-to-size design which means you won’t have to worry about getting the wrong size and having to return them, and what you’ve got here is a shoe that proves just why Reebok is one of the biggest sporting goods brands in the world.
Pros:
- Excellent arch support to protect against conditions such as plantar fasciitis
- Wider-than-average toe box makes it perfect for wide-footed women
- A low-cut design increases ankle mobility.
Cons:
- Some designs can be very expensive
- Heavier than other shoes.
7. Reebok Women’s Crossfit Nano 8.0 Flexweave Cross Trainer
Specifications:
Sizes: 5 – 11
Material: Synthetic flex weave with rubber sole
Yes, it’s another Reebok shoe, but when you take a look at the Reebok Women’s Crossfit Nano 8.0 Flexweave Cross Trainer, you’ll certainly understand why we had to include two of the brand’s signature shoes back-to-back.
As the name implies, the Nano 8.0s are designed specifically with CrossFit in mind, ensuring you get maximum protection, support, and flexibility to support you during even the most intense of WODs.
The support comes courtesy of added cushioning and a re-engineered flex weave technology which delivers maximum stability without restricting your movements. The flex weave also produces an appealing mesh finish which is ideal for keeping your feet cool and your brand new shoes free from sweat.
The flexibility is enhanced by a unique heel-bootie construction, Toe Tection technology, and a low-cut design that gives you maximum ankle mobility so that you can move around swiftly.
Finally, the outsole has been purpose-designed with CrossFit in mind to help you achieve top performances with each and every workout.
Pros:
13 attractive design choices
Highly durable and built to last
Lightweight design.
Cons:
- Not a great fit for women with wide feet
- Sizing can be off. Users often have to buy a larger pair than their normal size.
8. New Balance Women’s 577 V4 Cross Trainer
Specifications:
Sizes: 5-11
Material: 100% leather with rubber sole
The New Balance Women’s 577 V4 Cross-Trainer may not be the most affordable CrossFit shoe for women on the market, but it’s certainly up there and offers a good, reasonably priced alternative to the Adidas shoe which we chose as our budget-pick earlier.
That makes this one a good option if you’re relatively new to CrossFit and don’t want to spend over the odds if you’re not 100% sure that it’s something you’re going to commit to, or if you simply want to save a bit of extra money so that you’ll have some leftover for other equipment such as a good quality CrossFit barbell.
Whatever your situation may be, you’ll find that just because the 577s are low cost, that certainly doesn’t mean they’re low-quality.
The 100% leather upper makes these one of the toughest shoes on the market, giving the Inov-8s we looked at earlier a serious run for their money in terms of resistance and all-round durability.
Meanwhile, the New Balance memory sole comfort insert molds to the shape of your feet to ensure an entirely comfortable fit. That said, if you have prescription insoles that you need to use instead, you’ll find it a breeze to take out the memory sole and put your own inserts in instead.
Finally, the responsive cushioning adds to the comfort factor yet still helps to keep your feet fully stable and supportive, making the 577s a great choice for those tough workouts.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Features cush+ midsole for added comfort
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- Only one style choice
- Leather material means these aren’t as breathable as other shoes.
9. PUMA Women’s Tazon 6 Women”s FM Cross-Trainer Shoe
Specifications:
Sizes: 5-11
Material: Leather and synthetic material
If you like the idea of a leather CrossFit shoe but our last pick didn’t quite do it for you, the PUMA Women’s Tazon 6 WN’s FM Cross-Trainer Shoe may be more to your liking.
With the Tazon 6, you’ve got a full leather upper and heel which guarantees the lasting strength and durability you just don’t get with other materials. Yet at the same time, the synthetic mesh around the the sides also allows for some degree of breathability, making them a better choice if you’re working out in especially hot CrossFit gyms or warmer climates in general.
Much like the pair we looked at earlier, design choices are limited here, but each of the four available color combinations are so attractive that this really shouldn’t be an issue.
Besides, when a shoe is so well designed for optimum performance, the lack of design options can be easily overlooked.
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Easy to replace insoles
- Features gel-sole inserts for added comfort and protection.
Cons:
- Limited design choices
- Narrow toe-box may be a problem for some people.
10. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Roav V1 Running Shoe
Specifications:
Sizes: 5- 12
Material: Rubber
Last but not least, we come to the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Roav V1 Running Shoe, a mid-priced CrossFit shoe that offers top value for money.
The highlight of these shoes is the fresh foam midsole cushioning which provides an incredibly comfortable fit without compromising stability.
Underneath, you’ll find the brand’s unique Ndurance rubber outsole which helps to ensure your shoes maintain perfect grip even after excessive use.
Elsewhere, these neutral-style shoes come with what New Balance calls an “Ultra Heel” design which sits snugly against your heel to guarantee the kind of high-level support you may need for lifts and squats.
Combine all of this with an attractive array of design choices and what you’ve got is a top quality women’s CrossFit shoe that is well worth the money.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Lightweight design
- Choice of 24 color design options.
Cons:
- Users with plantar fasciitis report that these shoes don’t support them well
- Not waterproof.
How to Choose the Best CrossFit Shoes for Women: A Buyer’s Guide
As you’ll have seen in the top ten reviews above, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the best shoes for CrossFit, and this can sometimes make it tricky to determine which are the right pair for you.
If you’ve scoped out the options above and still haven’t quite made your mind up, the following factors are the ones we consider to be the most important when choosing the right shoe and should help you to decide which pair are best suited to you, your feet, and your workout routine.
Lightweight Design
There’s no denying that CrossFit is unique when compared to other sports and training options. It requires a lot of moving around, meaning shoes should be as lightweight as possible to help you move swiftly and enjoy maximum flexibility.
However, that lightweight design shouldn’t come at the expense of stability and support.
After all, you’re still going to be lifting, squatting, and carrying out several other training movements all of which require a strong, stable footing.
Size
When we talk about size, we’re not simply talking about the size number printed on the shoe. Although that certainly points you in the right direction, there are many other factors to consider, including the overall shoe length and width.
Keep in mind that some of us have wider feet than others, and if that sounds like you, a shoe with a narrow toe box is going to make you feel uncomfortable.
Cushioning and Insoles
When picking our top ten, we predominantly went for shoes that offered thick cushioning and a good degree of arch support as these are the biggest factors that contribute to the overall comfort level of your shoe.
However, for you, it may not be enough to leave it there.
If you suffer with conditions such as plantar fasciitis, it would be wise to look for a pair that feature more than average arch support to keep you comfortable.
Likewise, if you have medically-prescribed insoles, choosing a pair of shoes that make it easy to remove the insoles is highly recommended.
Material
Finally, never underestimate what a big difference the material of your new shoes can make.
Leather CrossFit shoes tend to be the most durable, offering high grade resistance against tears and general wear, but they also tend to be the heaviest and offer the least ventilation.
If you’re working out at a high level of intensity, it’s worth considering whether you’re willing to put up with the heat and sweat in order as a compromise for wearing a truly long-lasting pair of shoes.
As an alternative, shoes made from rubber, especially those with mesh fibers will still offer a strong level of durability but are also much more breathable. This ensures that your feet stay cool and that you won’t have to cram sweat-smelling shoes into your kit bag after you’re done with your workout.
Depending on where you work out, you may also want to look into whether or not your preferred shoes are waterproof, as the last thing you want is to have to replace your shoes after a particularly vigorous outdoor workout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women’s CrossFit Shoes
Can I swap the insoles in my CrossFit shoes to my prescription insoles?
If you’ve been prescribed specific insoles to use then, of course, it’s important to use them instead of the default ones in your shoes.
While this is always possible to do with the majority of shoes, some of the best CrossFit shoes make this easier than others and we’ve specifically highlighted the ones that are in our reviews.
What shoes do CrossFitters wear?
Unsurprisingly, major brands like Reebok, Nike, Puma, and Under Armor prove the most popular shoes for CrossFitters, though other brands such as Brookes also offer excellent alternatives.
Can I use CrossFit shoes for other activities such as hiking?
CrossFit shoes really aren’t designed to offer the kind of support you’d need to go hiking and it’s always best to get a specialist pair of shoes for that activity.
For other activities such as running or even day-to-day wear, CrossFit shoes may be OK, but it’s always best to keep a pair of shoes just for CrossFit so that they don’t wear down quickly and remain in top condition for longer.
What are the Best CrossFit Shoes for Women in 2021? Our Final Verdict
If you read our top ten reviews in detail, you may have noticed that there’s a vast range of choices when it comes to choosing the best CrossFit shoes for women.
Some are designed for speed, flexibility and agility which is ideal for those dynamic, high-impact workouts, whereas others focus more on strength and support, making them a good choice for weightlifting or any exercise that requires optimum stability. Some are expensive yet offer top value for money whereas others are more affordable yet may not be as durable as their higher-priced counterparts.
With all of this in mind, determining which one of those top ten shoes is right for you may still not seem like such a straightforward task.
If that’s the case for you, allow us to wrap up today’s guide with a few final recommendations.
If cost is an issue and you’re looking for the most affordable women’s CrossFit shoes around right now, the Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe combination of low cost and high quality may make them the perfect choice.
If you’re looking for CrossFit shoes which provide better support for weightlifting while still allowing for some speed and agility, then the Nike MetCon 5 Women’s Fitness Shoes are the way to go.
However, if you want to get your hands on the absolute best CrossFit shoes for women, then the Brooks Women’s 13 Shoes are the ones to go for thanks to their incredible levels of support, breathability, and all-round comfort.
