NOBULL designs its footwear according to one guiding principle: if it’s bullshit, don’t do it.

Our gym, training and running shoes are simple, minimalist, and comfortable. They'll look the part while you take on every part of your day. But they're designed to thrive during your longest runs and most grueling workouts.

Whether you’re training at Equinox, Life Time, 24 Hour Fitness, F45 or the YMCA, NOBULL has the best workout shoes for you.

What we keep hearing is “Which NOBULLs are right for me?” Between this article (and this one: Expert’s Guide to Gym Shoes), you’ll get your answer.

While a few key features overlap, each shoe is designed for specific workouts and gym activities. Below is a rundown of the major players in the NOBULL shoe family and what they can do for you. Let's get it.

Key Takeaways

• Outwork is the best shoe for strength training, cross-training, HIIT, and functional fitness. It’s our most stable and minimalist gym shoe.
• Outwork Edge offers more cushion and comfort than the original Outwork, plus a stronger grip for multi-directional movement.
• Drive is a hybrid with more cushion than either Outwork model. Drive is our best shoe for lifting and cardio workouts.
• Allday is our most versatile gym shoe for training, light running, and walking.
• Recs are low and flat—great for lifting—with a laid-back look for after the gym, too.
• Journey is our all-out running shoe. Designed to eat up the track, trail, or treadmill.

NOBULL Outwork

NOBULL built its reputation on the Outwork (formerly called Trainer). To this day, it's our most-loved shoe. Whether you need the best shoes for cross-training, bodybuilding/physique training, kettlebells, weightlifting, HIIT, or workout classes, we designed the Outwork to handle it. “It’s our most stable and durable shoe,” says Michael Schaeffer, co-founder of NOBULL and co-designer of our entire shoe line (@michael.is.nobull on Instagram).

Drop

A shoe’s drop refers to the difference between the height of its heel and the forefoot. Experts agree that gym shoes should have low drops, as opposed to running shoes which can be 10mm or more.

As a cross-trainer, the Outwork has a low drop of four millimeters. It’s ideal for heavy lifting and a good transitional shoe if you’ve gotten used to training in thicker soles or running shoes. Start here before going totally minimalist or barefoot (zero drop, or close to it).

Toe Box

The toe box on the Outwork allows your toes room to spread, but it isn’t as spacious as a Vivo Barefoot®. On the other hand, the Outwork provides a lot more support. You've got a strong heel counter at the back, a dense midsole, and a one-piece outsole. The outsole reaches around both sides of the shoe, helping to absorb twisting forces.

Upper

Outwork’s most distinctive feature is its incredibly durable material upper. It's a flexible, breathable mesh that resists scuffs, scrapes, and stains. It’s also water-resistant. If your workouts take you outside, wet grass and puddles shouldn't scare you. The upper is one solid piece, so there are no seams to split. Printed resin dots give the top of the shoe traction when climbing a rope.

In 2025, the editors of Men’s Health named the Outwork the “Most Durable” gym shoe and described the upper as “practically bulletproof.”

The website garagegymreviews.com also rated the Outwork as its “Best Minimalist Lifting Shoe” for 2025.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• Outwork used to be known as Trainer. We changed the name.
• Outwork is our best shoe for heavy strength-training workouts, but versatile enough to handle workout classes and short bouts of cardio.
• The sturdy upper material means the Outwork can take a beating.

NOBULL Outwork Edge

The Outwork Edge (formerly called Trainer+ and Impact) features the same durable upper material as the original Outwork but adds more cushioning in the upper and outsole for extra comfort. The outsole uses a herringbone pattern to provide better grip for multi-directional movement.

These changes make the Outwork Edge the best shoe for high-impact workouts, fancy footwork drills, and runs. “If you want more support because you’re doing longer workouts, try the Outwork Edge,” says Schaeffer.

The editors of GQ voted the Outwork Edge the “Best Workout Shoe for the Gym” in 2024, citing its traction.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• Outwork Edge is a little more cushioned than the original Outwork.
• Outwork Edge is the best shoe for lifting, explosive exercises, and longer cardio workouts.

NOBULL Drive

Originally conceived as a running shoe, the Drive has more cushion than the Outwork or Edge, but it’s still stable and low to the ground (same four-millimeter drop) to be one of the best shoes for gym training. Pebax® foam delivers the padding and is very light while resisting deformation—popular in running shoes.

Weighing just over eight ounces on average, the Drive is NOBULL’s lightest shoe for gym training and lighter than popular competitors like the Nike Metcon and Reebok Nano. With the Drive, you get full support without feeling weighed down.

Because of its blend of softness and strength, Schaeffer uses his Drive for occasional trail running. Pebax has a styrofoam-like texture and the Drive’s outsole leaves it partly exposed; over time it may show wear on hard trails, but it still offers great support.

“The Drive is the sweet spot,” says Schaeffer. “If you’re not a heavy lifter and you’re not outside running, go with the Drive. It’s perfect for cardio, light weightlifting, lateral drills, cones, farmer’s carries, box jumps, HIIT, the rower, and TRX®.”

The Drive is available with a mesh or knit upper for breathability or a snug, sock-like fit.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• The Drive is a hybrid shoe perfect for most gym work—basic lifting and cardio in the same session.
• It’s lighter than other NOBULLs and offers more cushioning via Pebax foam.

NOBULL Allday

The Allday is our most versatile shoe. You can wear it in the gym, but with a 10mm drop, it’s more similar to a running shoe. Reflective details enhance visibility day or night. A lug pattern on the outsole handles almost any terrain, and a strong medial post supports the arch.

If your job has you on your feet or standing a while, you’ll appreciate the Phylon® foam in the midsole—more dense and comfy. Uppers come in knit or ripstop, a perforated polyester that’s extremely durable.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• Wear Allday in the gym, on a run, or throughout your day.

NOBULL Recs

Think of these as something like Vans® but for lifting. They’re flat and stable like the Outwork—with a little more skate-punk style. And unlike the Outwork, they look and feel great outside the gym, too.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• Recs are gym shoes for the style-conscious but can be worn on the street too.

NOBULL Journey

This is our popular running (and walking) shoe, formerly known as the Runner+. They’re neutral—better suited to normal to high arches—and don’t provide extra stability, keeping them lighter. Pebax foam provides plenty of cushion for shock absorption.

There’s also a flexible nylon plate built into the midsole to act as a springboard, helping efficient rebound from each strike. Mesh uppers provide ventilation.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• Journey is for walking and running. Cushy, lightweight, and responsive.

How Long Do NOBULLs Last?

Most running shoes, including the Journey, last 300–500 miles. Our cross-training shoes are harder to gauge, but the short answer? Years. Since the Drive is a hybrid, Schaeffer estimates it will run out of gas somewhere in between when your other running shoes and gym shoes wear out.

“We’ve had people send us photos of Outworks they’ve had since 2017,” says Schaeffer. “Some of the dots might have fallen off, but people love them and they’re proud of them.” Longevity depends on use and stress at unavoidable weak points (toe cap to upper, outsole to midsole), but the fabric on the Outwork and Outwork Edge won’t fall apart.

How Can I Clean My NOBULL Shoes?

Wipe splashes off with a damp towel. For a deep clean, you can machine-wash on a cold cycle after removing the insoles. Do not machine dry—heat and shoe glue don’t play nice. Air dry only.

Does NOBULL have the best training shoe?

NOBULLs are priced similarly to comparable Nike, Reebok, and other top brands. NOBULL is known for high durability, flexibility, and breathability. We’re also innovating to keep costs down, including testing a new material to replace the existing fabric on the Outwork and Outwork Edge that’s more breathable and flexible than SuperFabric with similar durability.

NOBULL vs. Nike® Metcon

Often compared to the Outwork, the Nike Metcon is a cross-training shoe with a similar drop (4–6mm). The main difference is more padding in the Metcon’s insole and heel, making it more suited to short runs and jumping exercises than serious strength training. The Outwork’s leaner design is better for heavy lifting. Some users report Metcon outsole wear and upper fraying; Outwork’s materials tend to last longer.

For a closer comparison, consider Outwork Edge or Drive vs Metcon: extra cushioning and multi-directional traction make cardio and athletic drills more comfortable. If you like a lighter feel, the Drive is notably lighter than Metcon.

NOBULL vs. Reebok® Nano

The Nano targets the same audience as Metcon and Outwork. It generally has more Phylon foam than Outwork, adding weight and reducing stability. Its drop ranges 4–10mm by model. For apples-to-apples, compare Nano to Outwork Edge or Drive. Users often find NOBULL toe boxes roomier and the Drive more flexible for quick transitions.

NOBULL vs. Converse® Chuck Taylor

Chuck Taylors are low and stable but offer no arch support and high-tops can bind the ankle, limiting squat mobility. Uppers may blow out with “spread the floor” cues. The Outwork’s durable upper avoids this and supports more vertical squats better.

The NOBULL Bottom Line

• The Metcon may offer more versatility than Outwork/Outwork Edge but isn’t as good for lifting.
• The Outwork Edge and Drive feature cushioning similar to Metcon for all-in-one lifting, cardio, and athletic work.
• At ~8 oz, the Drive is much lighter than Metcon.
• The Reebok Nano is a hybrid like the Drive, but heavier.
• The Converse Chuck Taylor is flat and stable but may restrict ankle mobility and lacks Outwork’s durable upper.

See our complete Expert’s Guide to Gym Shoes for more tips on finding the right pair for your training.