If you're looking for a new CrossFit shoe, look no further than the Nike Metcon 3 shoes. Perfect all-round trainers, you can run, lift, and jump with confidence in these shoes. We take a closer look at CrossFit's favourite trainer.

When it comes to CrossFit, you need a shoe that can do it all. One minute you'll be running, next minute you'll be on the floor doing burpees, then before you know it you're on the platform doing max rep snatches. That's where the Nike Metcon 3 shoes come in. 

Practicality

The first thing you need for CrossFit is a weightlifting shoe style heel. You need a solid base for your heels and something that feels like a weightlifting shoe that you're used to lifting in. With a drop-in mid-sole, the Nike Metcon 3 has a very sturdy heel and when you slip it on, it feels exactly like a lifting shoe. The clincher, however, is in the softer forefoot. When you're wearing the Metcon 3 you can almost feel the difference in the mid-part of the foot where the solid heel turns into a soft forefoot for running and sprinting. You would never run in your lifting shoes - it doesn't even bare thinking about - so you need a shoe that has the flexibility needed for running and jumping and the Metcon 3 has this. The front of the shoe feels just like a regular trainer, with the flexibility you'd expect for athletics.

The sole of the shoe is made from rubber and the grip on the platform is exceptional. I've gone through numerous different shoes to find the perfect deadlift shoe. Converse (Chuck Taylors) gave me blisters and boxing boots didn't have enough support. The Metcon 3 trainers have incredible stability and I felt really steady on the platform. This is crucial when it comes to heavy lifts.

There's even a textured rubber area in the mid part of the shoe to give excellent traction while climbing a rope. Nike really have thought of everything for this shoe, and it shows. CrossFit is a challenging sport - that's why we love it - so it's tricky to find the perfect shoe for all the different movements you'll be doing. Thankfully, Nike has everything covered.

Fit

For me, the only drawback to this shoe is the low heel. I would assume this design is so that you have more freedom of movement and flexibility while training, however I found it made the rear part of my foot feel very unsupported. The front of my foot felt great, very locked-in, but then my heel was slipping out the back a little. 

I also found that during the first couple of sessions wearing them, my big toes ended up a little bruised. The front part of the shoe is pretty solid, and moving around doing burpee box jump-overs caused a fair amount of pain to my big toe. I understand that all trainers need to be worn in so I'm sure they'll be fine after a while, but just be warned.

Size

I'm usually a size 7 in trainers but for some shoes (especially New Balance trainers) I find I have to size up to a 7.5. The Metcon 3 trainers are very true to size and I have plenty of space in a size 7 so my advice would be to stay true to your size as it'll be a perfect fit. I definitely wouldn't have wanted them any bigger. They're also very generous width-wise so if you have wide feet you can be confident that these shoes will fit you well.

Appearance

Nike is a huge brand, we all know this, and all the big CrossFit stars from Mat Fraser to Sara Sigmundsdottir can be found wearing the Metcon 3 shoes. You feel like a real pro strolling in to train in these shoes. There are lots of different colourways to choose from and you can even customise and design your own with Nike iD. 

Verdict

You're never really going to go wrong with a pair of shoes from Nike, that's why they're one of the biggest brands in the world. They've really thought these shoes through and they're designed with true CrossFitters in mind. Being backed by the big CrossFitters gives these shoes a big boost but the flawless design and superior comfort stands alone anyway. The RRP is £114.95 but you can find most pairs on sale now at around £79.95 putting them in the same price range as a pair of Reeboks. 

The Adidas Originals Tubular Shadow shoes are Adidas' latest addition to their ever-growing fashion trainer collection. The design of these shoes is a fusion of their famed tubular '93 runners and an updated, fresh style. These trainers take a classic and revamp them for modern tastes to compete with their contemporaries. The two-tone knit upper and contemporary wrap-around style is very popular at the moment making them one of the most popular trainers on the market right now.

Comfort

The thick, rubber sole means that these trainers stay comfortable even when you're on your feet all day. The enclosed 'booty' style that is found on most trainers these days prevents rubbing and chafing and the specialised sock lining stops blisters from forming.

The knit-style upper is flexible and comfortable and makes these shoes feel like you've barely got anything on your feet at all. While not necessarily suitable for long-distance running, these trainers will certainly be your best friend for a tough gym session or more functional workout.

Style

Adidas has clearly tried to specifically bring their classic 1993 runners into the 21st century. They've stayed true to Adidas style as these are fairly similar to the Boost trainers that proved to be very popular after the release of Kanye's Yeezy trainers. The knitted upper follows in the footsteps of something Nike has been doing for a long time in their fly-knit collection and is possibly a fashion that will fall out of favour in a few years. That said, they're a very chic, subtle pair of trainers with not too much going on and definitely very minimalistic branding. This means they'll go with most outfits and will add a stylish twist to any workout. The trainers are available in a range of monochrome colours like black, white, and grey, but the two-tone design means they're eye-catching and stand out from other standard monochrome shoes. 

Price

The price of £79.95 is actually very fair, considering a lot of trainers these days can set you back well over £100. These are fashion trainers after all as opposed to functional technical trainers, but it's still a very reasonable cost for such stylish, modern shoes. This price is direct from Adidas, and you'll find them even cheaper from other distributors. 

Verdict

The Adidas Originals Tubular Shadow shoes are a modern twist on a classic and stay true to the Adidas brand. They stay on trend perfectly and would not look out of place in any scenario. The comfort of the trainers is exceptional, even if you have particularly wide feet. They may not be the most technical trainers, but they do the job and look great while they do it.

These fresh, stylish trainers are available at £79.95 on the Adidas website

New Balance has a new pair of running trainers on the market and they're every bit as comfortable as they say they are. Retailing at £75 and with a version for both men and women, these trainers boast a modern 'bootie' design meaning they are super snug and slip on and off with ease. They are marketed as a running trainer, but they are as trendy and attractive as a pair of fashion trainers meaning they're perfect for all-day active use. New Balance emphasises the minimalistic design of these trainers, meaning they are very lightweight and include a breathable overlay which expands with the shape of your feet.

The sole of the shoe is reminiscent of the Nike Roshe Run trainer, with a thick heel meaning they provide lasting comfort and are great if you are on your feet all day. When it comes to actually running in them, the comfort is unbeatable. They are very soft and durable and the cushioned landing means that you feel like you're running on air.

I did find that these trainers come up small - I usually wear a UK Women's Size 7 but I found that this size for me was too tight and it made my toes go numb after a while. So I would recommend sizing up when buying these trainers. 

The 'bootie' design is a new trend for a lot of trainers and I personally think it's fantastic. There is no separate tongue and instead the entire upper of the trainer provides a snug and supportive fit around your foot. It means that the trainer is more supportive and is easier to slip on and off. It also prevents your heel from slipping up and down which can be a real annoyance so it's good that you don't get that with these trainers. The heel tie also means you can easily slip these trainers on and off with just one hand which is a great benefit. 

I am really impressed with how attractive these trainers are, especially as a lot of running trainers can be bulky and unappealing. They could easily double up as fashion trainers and could be worn at the gym, to a yoga class, or just out and about. They provide a very minimal level of support, so if you have specific needs for your running trainers  - such as built-in arch support - then these trainers wouldn't be suitable for you to run in. They'd still be great for walking or for wearing on a day out, as the comfort they provide is fantastic.

Verdict

Overall, I am really impressed with these trainers. They are very attractive and their bootie design means they are super comfortable and shape to your feet. They lose marks from me on the fact they come up so small and tight, and the fact that they are not high-tech running trainers so if you were training for a half marathon or marathon they would not be suitable. However, for all-day wear and shorter runs, they're perfect. The cushioning is fantastic and they are very lightweight. The thick sole means your heels don't ache after being on your feet for a long time. It's a 7 out of 10 for me.

 

Make sure you complete the look buy pairing your New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz Trainers with a pair of sleek and stylish black leggings for men or for women and wear with a comfortable pair of socks that won't slip down inside the trainers and are anti-blister.

When Sundried got a chance to review Teva’s new active trainers, we jumped at the chance. These are a cool looking pair of trainers, breaking the mould of the traditional Teva style. Let’s hope Teva got it right with style and function, then they really have it all!

About Teva

Teva is a brand born out of a love for adventure and the notion that people just need an invitation to go out and explore the world around them.

Teva was developed in 1984 by Grand Canyon river guide Mark Thatcher. He realised that everyone has an adventurous spirit inside them that just needs to be invited out by something that gives them confidence. The original Teva shoe was made with an old watch strap attached to a flip-flop to create a sandal and the brand has evolved over time to a hugely successful shoe brand. Thatcher wanted people to adopt the motto 'strap in and go' so that they could have spontaneous adventures and do anything they wanted. Teva believes that unplanned adventures are the best ones.

Teva Arrowood Swift Lace Features

In the words of Teva, these trainers feature:

• Water-ready Ariaprene upper is soft and quick drying
• Breathable mesh upper keeps your feet cool and comfortable
• Breathable mesh lining is cool wearing and comfortable
• Speed lace closure lets you dial in the perfect fit
• Our Float-Lite outsole is super durable and feather light
• Individual rubber outsole pods strategically placed for superior traction

Teva Arrowood Swift Lace Review

Seeing as this brand is founded on a love for adventure, I decided to take my pair for an adventure of their own to test them! I put the trainers through a morning run in torrential rain and a day spent entirely on my feet at a fitness expo. 

The run was a reasonably flat 7.5km around my local park and housing estates. The Arrowood Swift Lace trainers have a speed lace upper, which initially made me a little nervous that I wouldn’t get the snug fit of a traditional lace however once on, they were easy to adjust and the upper lays smoothly against your foot. The trainers are indeed very light, however I did find for running they lack cushioning. The sole is durable, but there is not that extra cushioning feedback I am used to from the Adidas Boost technology. I found this was fine for the first few kilometers, and the pods held me steady running across the soggy and slippery grass, however when it hit around 4 km I started to wish I had a more supportive sole.

The Teva Arrowood is designed to be water resistant and quick drying. After spending an hour in a solid downpour dashing from puddle to puddle, I think the trainers did a good job. Were my feet perfectly dry? No, but I think that would have been impossible without a pair of wellies! The trainers didn't leave my socks feeling soggy and it wasn’t long before I noticed my feet had dried up.

After a full day on my feet, I had no complaints about these trainers. They fit comfortably and are perfect for those with active lifestyles. Size-wise, I opted for half a size up from my regular shoe size and this was a great fit.

Verdict

Diversity

Great for short, flat runs, days on your feet, or active fashion.

Comfort

After days entirely on my feet the shoes fit comfortably, the speed lace is easy to lock and fits snug around the upper which fits smoothly around your foot - like a sock!

Look

I love the style of these trainers; they are by far the most modern of the designs available by Teva, making them more accessible to a younger audience, as well as die-hard Teva adventurers.

Overall

I would recommend these trainers as an everyday active shoe, great for those who are on their feet all day, for light gym sessions, and for rainy days.

 

Is the Adidas Ultra Boost uncaged the most comfortable running shoe ever?

Adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged Facts:

Features Boost Technology.

Ultra Boost is seen as Adidas’ best running shoe.

A lot of colourways released however most sell out straight away.

10mm Drop.

Primeknit Upper.

Weighs around 304g.

Tight knit all around the shoe.

Padded Ankle collar.

Three stripes detail on the toe.

£130 RRP.

What is Adidas Boost?

Adidas Boost may just look like polystyrene packaging but is way more than that. Adidas’ Boost technology was created at NASA, giving you comfort which is out of this world. Adidas Boost is made up of lots of little pebbles of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The TPU absorbs the stress of your foot hitting the ground and, instantly goes back into its original shape. Adidas says this allows you to use less energy, allowing you to run further and faster. Adidas now have added various versions of the boost midsole on many of their products such as the Yeezy and NMD range.

Adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged Review

When I picked up my Adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged, there was a few colourways available but I was drawn towards the burgundy colourway. The shoe's upper is burgundy with navy also threaded into it. The shoe also features Adidas’ three stripes on the toe of the shoe in a material that's plastic like, which is also used for the eyelets. The plastic heel cup is navy with ultra boost written in silver. Adidas have released a lot of other colourways of the ultra boost uncaged (all selling out in minutes), such as the collaboration with the brand parley. The parley ultra boost uncaged collaboration was all white and featured recycled plastic from the ocean as the heel cup. In my opinion, they are the nicest ones they have made to date and I wish I was able to get them before they sold out.

When I first put my feet into the ultra boost uncaged, I knew straight away that these were going to be as or even more comfortable than my other pair of ultra boosts. The new and updated version of the primeknit gave a more snug, sock like fit than I was expecting. The shoe is like a compression sock attached to a cloud. It's so comfortable.The shoes feel very durable and if they’re anything like my previous pair, I won’t be needing to get a new pair anytime soon. I haven't been able to properly test them in wet conditions, however I wore them as a lifestyle shoe on a rainy day, and my socks stayed nice and dry.

The main reason people buy this shoe and other adidas products is Boost. When a shoe uses rocket science, you have to be intrigued. Adidas Boost technology allows you to have a very comfortable ride, but may not give you the support and stability some runners need. However, Adidas have other running shoes that feature boost and that are more stable or, better suited to different running styles.The shoe has Boost which is different to the Yeezy Boost or NMD range. Adidas put different amount of Boost in each model according to what they are meant for. For example, Adidas NMD’s are meant as a lifestyle shoe. I’m lucky enough to have the original model and they are a comfortable shoe although when I first put them on I was disappointed as I assumed the Boost technology would be the same as my ultra boost. Unfortunately I’m not lucky enough to own a pair of Yeezy Boost’s although, I have tried a pair on and they are very close to an Ultra Boots comfort.

The sole of the shoe is in the shape of Adidas’ Stretchweb design, allowing the sole to stretch and move whilst you run. The sole is also made of continental rubber, which is the same as car tyres. The sole gave me great grip on road and pavement in dry conditions but, I as mentioned earlier, I am yet to try wet conditions.

Adidas Ultra boost Caged Vs Adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged

Since I have been using the  Adidas ultra boost (2.0) with the plastic cage for nearly a year now, I compared the two models.

With both Adidas Ultra Boost models, I have found that they fit perfectly. In the adidas ultra boost uncaged, I went a size down as my usual size (UK12) was sold out. At first I thought this was going to be a problem but after running in them for a while, the new technology used in the primeknit proved it’s there for a reason, stretching slightly making it more comfortable for my oversized feet. The primeknit on the ultra boost uncaged model felt a lot nicer on my feet than the normal model. I found that the ultra boost uncaged model felt more like a sock rather than a mesh type material. The ultra boost uncaged version also has a sock like part where you put your foot into the shoe rather than the more traditional shoe. This along with the padded ankle stopped my foot from slipping and moving about in the shoe whilst running at quicker speeds.

After using them both for a while, I found them so comfortable that I didn't feel the need to tie the laces when I was jogging. With the normal ultra boost, This wasn’t a problem, I used the gaps between the three stripes in the cage to use as extra eyelets. However, the ultra boost uncaged doesn't have extra cage to wrap your laces round. Although, It does have extra eyelets on one side of the shoe to accommodate other lacing methods. But after trying many methods of having my laces, I decide to loosen them and just tie the remaining lace into a small knot. The small knot bounces around a bit but isn't really noticeable when running.

If I had to choose between adidas ultra boost caged or ultra boost uncaged, I would be slightly more inclined to choose the uncaged model. The latest ultra boost (3.0) features a different primeknit but isn’t as nice as the uncaged ultra boost. Also, the uncaged ultra boost can double as a lifestyle shoe due to its minimalist look.

The Verdict

Adidas Ultra Boost uncaged is my favourite running shoe I have ever had. The super comfortable primeknit upper, boost midsole, and the minimalist look makes me want to wear them 24/7, and I have started to wear them as a lifestyle shoe as well. The super high price tag and the availability in my size are the only thing stopping me from getting a few more pairs.