Chalky hands. Lifting belt. Sports bra. All normal in the gym–not so normal in the office. (Unless you happen to work at NOBULL HQ).

For most of us, our gym gear stays in the gym. Same goes for our training shoes. Dedicated lifters don't usually look or feel great for anything other than lifting. Unless you're rocking NOBULL Recs. They're our pick for the best flat training shoes for lifting – and for looking good out of the gym, too.

Why NOBULL Recs are Built for Strength Training and Everyday Wear

If you're a gym-goer, you've probably lifted in flat, sneaker-type shoes at some point. Think Vans or Chucks. Recs are those shoes, evolved. They're flat and firm, making them highly stable for serious lifting (much more so than casual sneakers). But Recs stick to a classic, casual aesthetic that'll match your looks outside the gym, too. The NOBULL Outwork is our most recognizable and durable training shoe, but it's a bit too firm to walk around in all day. And regular workout trainers like the will always have that "just-left-the-gym" look. Recs are ready to go in both your worlds – anywhere, anytime.

These are Recs' key features:

Low and flat

Shoes for serious lifts need to be low to the ground. A thick, squishy sole and heel are nice and cushy for running shoes. But if you're going heavy on squats, deadlifts, presses, and other classic gym lifts, more minimalist shoes will provide better stability and allow you to put the necessary force into the floor. The fact is that the right training shoes can reduce your risk of injury and help you get stronger. (Read more in our "Expert's Guide to Gym Shoes.")

So let's talk stack height. It refers to the thickness of a shoe's sole. Recs have the lowest stack height of all NOBULL shoes to date; 13mm at the heel and 9mm in the forefoot. That means the heel-to-toe drop is the same as Outwork at just 4mm. Like your favorite low-stack sneakers, Recs make you feel very close to the ground. It helps you plant your feet for rock-solid lifting and harnessing a ton of power.

Toe room

Recs' toe box is wider and more anatomically friendly than traditional low profile sneakers, allowing your toes to naturally spread and grip the floor. This makes them better for lifting and more comfortable for your feet.

Grippy outsole

Recs have a herringbone outsole pattern. You might see it as a zigzag, and you wouldn't be wrong. But it's not just for looks – it provides better traction. Bonus: it also makes the outsole easy to clean. Just flex the shoe and anything caught in the grooves should pop right out.

Lightweight

Recs' minimal design keeps weight down. That's key when you want to move quickly or limit any extra load on your feet. You'll feel the difference when it comes to pull-ups, toes-to-bar, or jumps of any kind. At 10.5 ounces, Recs are even a touch lighter than Outwork.

Comfortable soles

The most minimalist shoes have zero cushioning. Some fit your feet like a glove (or, fine, a sock), but forget about walking around town after the gym. For the Recs midsole, we went for firm EVA foam. It gives your feet support without adding unnecessary height or padding to the shoe.

There's no separate rubber layer on the Recs' outsole. "The downside is that the bottom of the shoe will wear a little faster," says Michael Schaeffer, NOBULL's Chief Creative Officer (@michael.is.nobull on Instagram), "but the upside is that the lack of rubber makes Recs more comfortable, more flexible, and lighter than a Vans or Converse."

Canvas and Knit uppers

Recs come in two upper materials: canvas and knit. Canvas is snugger, offering a secure, locked-in fit. Knit is more breathable and stretchy for added comfort. Schaeffer says the choice comes down to preference. If you want one pair to wear from gym to office, go with Canvas. It looks sharper and is easier to keep clean. A little warm water, soap, and a wet cloth or brush is all you need.

Schaeffer emphasizes that while the Knit might look less resilient, it's surprisingly strong. "The Recs Knit looks like a lifestyle shoe," he says, "but a lot of engineering went into the upper. Even though it's a knit material, it's laterally stable. It should help prevent your foot from toeing out laterally over the edge of the midsole," a common issue with other cross-trainers, especially during quick lateral moves or heavy grounding.

For example, some lifters like to think of the cue "spread the floor" when they're squatting or deadlifting. It's a reminder to drive your feet outward, activating your hips for more stability. And then those lifters blew out the sidewalls of their casual sneakers. So they got Recs – and never went back.

Here are the specs on NOBULL Recs:

• 4mm drop
• 13 → 9mm stack height (thickness of the sole, heel to forefoot)
• Wide toe box
• Herringbone outsole pattern
• 10.5 oz for men's size 9/ women's 10.5
• EVA foam midsole and outsole
• Available in Canvas and Knit uppers

NOBULL Recs: The Best Value Training Shoe?

If you're looking to save money—or space in your closet, Recs are a great value buy. They'll be your training shoe and walking-around shoe all in one. And, they're only $99. That makes Recs the most affordable NOBULL shoes—about 50 bucks less than all our other models—and other leading trainers.

A true minimalist wants one pair of shoes for their workout, workday, and night out. For under $100, there's no beating Recs.

What Exercises Can I Do in NOBULL Recs?

Like the Outwork, Recs really shine for heavy lifting. You can also do short sprints, plyometrics (including jumps), and agility drills. Recs don't offer much cushioning, so don't use them for longer runs.

We recommend Recs for the following activities:

Lifting:

barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, machines, bodyweight, suspension training (like TRX® or gymnastics rings).

Cross-training:

short sprints, sled pushes, box jumps, burpees.

Walking:

indoor and outdoor.

What's The Difference Between The NOBULL Recs, Outwork, and Allday?

Recs, Outwork, and Allday are all training shoes with a bit of lifestyle appeal. The difference really comes down to the materials used and the specific use case. If you want an affordable, minimal gym shoe for lifting that can also be worn outside the gym, Recs are perfect. The Outwork, meanwhile, is a more durable shoe that can handle a wider array of strength training. But the firmness means you'll sacrifice some comfort when walking around. The Allday is better suited for light lifts, mobility and agility drills, and running, as well as walking and adventuring.

Recs and Outwork have the same heel-to-toe drop, but the Recs midsole is a little softer. Outwork's upper is made of a highly-durable material that resists scrapes and scratches. Its carbon rubber outsole features a circular tread, ideal for more stationary lifting, but less-suited to multi-directional movement.

"Recs aren't meant to be bulletproof like Outwork," says Schaeffer. "But not everyone needs that level of durability—not if you just go to the gym to lift. If you lift heavy, do kettlebells, or some kind of light cross-training, and want a shoe that looks good outside the gym as well, Recs are a better choice than Outwork."

Allday, on the other hand, is really a different animal. It features a much higher drop (10mm compared to 4mm), a lug pattern on the outsole (specifically for running), and a blend of Phylon® and EVA foam for cushion and energy return. If you value running workouts as much or more than your gym time, you should go with Allday or Drive over Recs. But if you're happy with a simpler, lower-priced shoe you only need to lift and walk in, Recs is the one.

How Do NOBULL Recs Compare to other canvas sneakers?

Simple, versatile canvas sneakers are popular among dedicated lifters for being flat, firm shoes to train in. Recs fall in that category, but with an upgraded, foam midsole for comfort. Traditional canvas sneakers have rubber outsoles, which can give the bottom of the shoe added weight.

Toe box

Canvas sneakers, like Chuck Taylors, are known to pinch the toes. Recs have a wider and anatomically-shaped toe box, which allows the foot to grip and spread more naturally.

Weight

Due to the dense vulcanized rubber in their soles, other canvas sneakers weigh from 12 to 15 ounces. At only 10.5 ounces, Recs are some of the lightest in the category.

Comfort

Rubber soles in other canvas sneakers make them stable, sturdy, and a little stiff. The EVA foam in Recs allows for a grounded feeling while also providing flexibility.

Lateral stability

Powerlifters and other athletes who lift heavy learn to lock their feet into the floor to stabilize their squats, deadlifts, and other exercises. This process is often called rooting. CJ Murphy, strength coach, powerlifter, and owner of Total Performance Sports in Malden, MA (@tpsmalden on Instagram), describes it like this: "You spread your toes apart, drive your pinky, big toe, and heel down hard, and twist your heels toward each other and your toes apart. Your feet don't leave the floor, but the twisting action turns them into little tripods—the arches of your feet flex and you feel rooted into the ground."

The right training shoes make this process easy. The wrong ones can cause your feet to get a weak grip.

"The Chuck Taylor's technology was good for its time, but it's out of date now," says Murphy. "They weren't made for lifting weights; they were made for playing basketball. If you root your feet into the floor and apply a lot of force, you'll eventually blow out the side of the Chuck Taylor's upper and possibly even twist your ankle."

Recs have strong uppers that keep your feet in place, no matter how long you've been training in them.

NOBULL Recs Review: What Do Critics Say?

In a 2025 review, GarageGymReviews.com gave the Recs a 4.4 out of 5 rating. Highlighting their light weight and breathability, the review explains that Recs' "sleek design can work in or out of the gym," and that they're "a great shoe for someone looking for a cross-trainer that's comfortable enough for everyday wear as well."

However, the review did mention a sizing concern. While the Recs ran true to size for their reviewer, GGR notes that other customers have complained that the shoe was narrow unless ordered a half-size up. This point is echoed by ThatFitFriend.com in their 2024 review. (Transparently, we're happy to exchange any size for US customers within 30 days of delivery, with a pre-paid label for shipping.)

Joel Te of the YouTube channel As Many Reviews As Possible is a fan of Recs, stating that he uses them for running up to 400 meters in a CrossFit® workout, doing double-unders with a jump rope, and performing box jumps, in addition to heavy barbell lifts.

"This is actually the most worn shoe that I have right now," says Te. "It's something I put on almost every day because of the ease of wearing it. It goes with everything… I can work out in them. I can coach in them all day. They're unassuming."

Learn more about NOBULL shoes and find the right pair for your activities in our guide, "Which NOBULL Shoes Are Right For Me?"