Our legendary Outwork lineup just got a third member: Outwork Flex.
It's NOBULL's most flexible, most approachable strength training shoe to date. Flex was built on the same foundation that made Outwork a training staple, reworked for how more people are training today. Fitness classes. Strength work and conditioning in the same session. The kind of training where you need stability for heavy loads. But also want a shoe that feels good, no matter how you move.
It's the latest addition to a lineup that's been putting in work for years. Here's how we got here.
A Quick History of Outwork
The original Outwork was NOBULL's first shoe, and the whole reason the brand exists. We built it because the options out there weren't cutting it for lifters who trained heavy. Flat, low, and stable, with a durable canvas upper. At 11oz, it's still one of the lightest strength training shoes in its class. And it just picked up a 2026 Women's Health Fitness Award. After a decade, it’s still putting in work.
Outwork Edge came next. Same training DNA, more support. We added cushioning to absorb high-impact work, leveled-up the traction, and sprinkled in a few comfort touches. Perfect for the days when your training adds a little more oomph.
Outwork Flex is the latest entry. Same philosophy, tailored to a new generation of strength trainers: more accessible, more versatile, more flex.
Why Outwork Flex Exists
Strength training is evolving. A decade ago, the people walking into a gym to lift were a relatively small group. Competitive lifters, athletes during offseasons, OG powerlifters. Now everyone (and their mother) is lifting.
Fitness classes are packed. Strength races are everywhere. Hybrid training is the default for many of us. A typical session has back squats, dumbbell complexes, and conditioning work between it all. Simply put: our world is broader, more diverse, and growing faster than ever.
That versatility is exactly what Outwork Flex was built for. “Our goal was to keep what we love about the original Outwork,” says Oliver Bentsen, Senior Product Line Manager. "A low profile, highly durable strength training shoe. But modernize it: no break-in period, smoother underfoot, enhanced lockdown.”
Flex is not a replacement for Outwork. It’s a new way to enter the same world.
What Outwork Flex Actually Does Different
The fundamentals are 100% Outwork. Flat, low to the ground, 4mm heel-to-toe drop. A roomy toe box that lets your foot splay during heavy lifts. All the stuff that made the original iconic.
Here’s what’s new:
The upper is reimagined with a flexible, breathable spacer-mesh. A zoned durability print sits over the mesh in high-wear areas (the toe, the sides) giving you protection where you need it. But it doesn't carry the stiffness of a fully reinforced upper. Lighter feel, better breathability, and durability where it matters.
Underfoot, the midsole is built from CMEVA foam compound. It's structured to keep your foot locked in place, not to bounce you forward like a running shoe. Stability is still the priority. But it's a stability that feels supportive, rather than rigid. The difference is noticeable when your session includes both heavy lifting and any lighter, faster work.
The fit system is where Outwork Flex really earns its name. An updated webbing harness ties the upper to the midsole, helping to lock your foot in place while maintaining flexibility. The lacing system pulls it all into a nice, cozy hug. Secure across the midfoot. Comfortable across the top of the foot. Zero pressure points.
And don’t forget the details. Like the padded, ultra-soft collar and tongue. And the multi-directional herringbone outsole, delivering traction for every way you move; whether that’s a heavy set of split squats or lateral-shuffling through a circuit.
Where Flex Fits In
If you’re all about heavy compound work, Outwork is still a good move. If you want a shoe built for high-impact, multi-surface training, Outwork Edge handles that. If your training is built around strength classes, strength racing, or any kind of work where you need stability and flexibility? Outwork Flex was made for you.
“I'm over the moon with how this shoe came out,” Oliver says. “We do a strength-based workout every morning here at NOBULL HQ and Flex is the perfect companion.”
It's also a strong entry point for anyone newer to the Outwork family, or the gym in general. The original is a phenomenal shoe, but it’s not exactly forgiving. Outwork Flex meets you where you are and moves with you.
The NOBULL Bottom Line
Whether it's your first strength training shoe or your tenth, Outwork Flex is the next step in a franchise that's been refining itself for a decade. One training DNA. Three distinct shoes. Endless ways to put them to work.
Strength starts here.
Author Bio:
Sean Knight is a freelance senior copywriter from Los Angeles, CA, bringing a sharp, grounded voice to leading e-commerce, tech, and lifestyle brands around the world, with published works in Forbes, Outside, and Range Magazine, among others.
