When it comes to training, shoes matter. A lot.

What you need for lifting isn’t what you need for running. And what works for someone with a narrow foot might not feel great if you prefer a wider toe box. Some athletes want maximum ground feel. Others want cushion and rebound. And if you’re training for something like a hybrid race, are into functional fitness-style workouts, or you mix heavy squats with sprints, you may need something that lives in the middle.

Here’s my experience-based breakdown of four of NOBULL’s most popular shoes. And who I think each one is ideal for.

NOBULL Outwork

The Outwork is NOBULL’s OG training shoe. The one that built the brand, so to speak.

Before I get into the details, I have to say the first thing I noticed about Outwork, and loved about it, is that it’s such a good-looking shoe. It’s clean, minimal, and sharp. When I put them on, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to head to the gym or throw on jeans and head out for dinner. Truth be told, I now own two pairs, one strictly for training and one for casual wear, and I constantly get comments on them, often from non-fitness people always inquiring about the brand.

But aesthetics aside, this is a serious strength training shoe. It’s incredibly stable and feels almost indestructible. Rope climbs? No problem. The upper is made from tough liquid ceramic material that resists abrasion. As a result, this shoe doesn’t get chewed up. It lasts.

The shoe also provides a low-to-the-ground feel, with a 4 mm heel-to-toe drop. So when I squat, deadlift, or clean, this shoe delivers that grounded, stable, planted sensation that you want. And its rubber outsole with circular tread provides solid grip on gym floors, rubber mats, and platforms, so slipping is never an issue.

Further, the NOBULL Outwork has a wide toe box, so I never feel cramped. I can actually spread my toes during heavy lifts, which contributes to even more stability.

Sidenote: I recently hit a postpartum PR on my back squat wearing these shoes.

And finally, the shoe is very light, which I appreciate when I’m doing gymnastics movements like pull-ups and handstand push-ups, because who doesn’t like to feel a little bit lighter doing gymnastics?

In Sum, the NOBULL Outwork is Great for:

• Heavy weightlifting
• Strength-focused training
• Rope climbs
• Pull-ups, handstand push-ups, muscle-ups, etc.
• Athletes who prefer minimal cushion and maximum ground feel
• Anyone who wants a gym shoe that doubles as a lifestyle sneaker

If your training is primarily barbell work and strength sessions, the Outwork is tough to beat.

NOBULL Outwork Edge

I think of NOBULL’s Outwork Edge as the Outwork’s slightly more aggressive sibling. Like the original Outwork, it’s designed for strength training and functional fitness, and it’s light, low-to-the-ground, stable, and durable.

The biggest difference between Outwork and Outwork Edge is the amount of foam in the outsole and midsole in Outwork Edge. This means they’re a bit higher, and they’re especially great at handling impact when running and jumping.

One other difference lies in the outsole. Instead of the circular tread pattern found on the original Outwork, the Edge uses a herringbone tread pattern. That small detail can make a noticeable difference depending on where you train, as the herringbone pattern offers more multi-directional traction, which may feel better if you train on turf, grass, or other outdoor surfaces.

Or, if your workouts spill outside for movements like sled pushes and pulls, you might appreciate that added grip that the NOBULL Outwork Edge provides.

In Sum, the NOBULL Outwork Edge is Great for:

• All the same things as the original Outwork, but also:
• Turf workouts and sled pushes
• Anyone who wants maximum traction
• Running and jumping as they absorb impact especially well
• Athletes who love the Outwork, but want a slightly different grip profile

If you’re a pure lifter, either NOBULL Outwork option will serve you well. The choice largely comes down to whether you like to be super low to the ground or whether you appreciate a bit more cushion and a higher shoe.

NOBULL Drive Ripstop

The Drive Ripstop is a hybrid training shoe, perfect for athletes who want a shoe that works for both lifting and running. It still provides enough stability for strength training, but has more cushion and is nice and light for running.

Like the Outwork and Outwork Edge, the Drive Ripstop still has that 4 mm heel-to-toe drop, so you don’t lose ground feel entirely. But compared to the Outwork line, I find that there’s noticeably more cushioning underfoot.

The midsole is made from 100% Pebax®, which gives it a responsive feel. It’s not marshmallow-soft, but it absorbs impact far better than a traditional strength trainer. The outsole is rubber, and the upper is constructed from a one-piece Ripstop material, which adds durability and structure.

Personally, I find the Drive Ripstop slightly stiffer and more structured than the Drive 2 (which we’ll get to next), so I like it a bit more for lifting sessions, especially when the weights get heavier.

But where Drive Ripstop shines is for mixed-modal workouts that include movements like lunges, farmer carries, sled pushes, box jumps, and a run around the block.

In Sum, the NOBULL Drive Ripstop is Great for:

• Mixed training days
• Athletes who lift and run in the same session
• Functional fitness workouts
• Those who want more stability than a traditional running shoe

If you’ve ever thought, “I need something more versatile than a lifting shoe,” this is where the Drive line comes in.

NOBULL Drive 2

The Drive 2 is also a hybrid trainer, but I find it leans slightly more toward running than the Ripstop version, as to me it feels more flexible and provides a bit more cushion than the Ripstop.

I wore this shoe repeatedly while doing 1 km repeats on the Air Runner leading up to my first HYROX race. That says a lot. I wouldn’t normally choose a training shoe for intervals, but the NOBULL Drive Mesh handled them very well. And when I picked up the pace, my feet continued to feel free.

Like the other three shoes we have outlined, the NOBULL Drive 2 also has the 4 mm heel-to-toe drop. The midsole is made from compression-molded EVA foam, which makes it especially responsive and particularly comfortable. But what really sets it apart for me is the engineered mesh upper, which helps with air flow and breathability. So if you train in hot weather, or just tend to run warm in the feet, this shoe feels airy and comfortable.

Ultimately this shoe is kind of like a running shoe, but has the stability for strength training.

Compared to the Ripstop, the Drive 2 feels:

• More flexible
• Slightly softer
• A bit better for running

The Ripstop, on the other hand, feels:

• Slightly stiffer
• More structured
• A bit more stable for lifting

In Sum, the NOBULL Drive Mesh is Great for:

• Hybrid athletes
• HYROX-style training
• Running intervals mixed with strength
• Warmer training environments
• Anyone who wants a lightweight, breathable shoe

Ultimately, if you’re like literally more than a million other people right now who are training for a HYROX race, the NOBULL Drive Mesh is a great option.

So, Which NOBULL Training Shoe Should You Choose?

In a Nutshell:

• Primarily weightlifting or strength training? Go with Outwork or Outwork Edge.
• Training outside on turf or standing for long periods of time? Consider Outwork Edge.
• Lifting and running in the same workout? Look at the Drive Ripstop or the Drive 2.
• Running more frequently or training in heat? Drive 2 is likely your best bet.

Ultimately, it comes down to how you train. Because at the end of the day, the right shoe can make a big difference to your performance.