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If you split your workout time between cardio and strength training, you know the struggle of finding a shoe that can do both. Running shoes, with their squishy cushioning, often lack stability for basic lifts, and weightlifting shoes are far too stiff to even think about picking up the pace on a treadmill. The NOBULL Drive Mesh ($139) may be the Goldilocks of cross-training shoes, keeping you comfortable no matter what you have in store for the day.
Known for its flat-soled, grippy weightlifting shoes like the Impact, NOBULL took a leap into more versatile territory with this one, and the Drive Mesh is trusty enough to keep in your gym bag for good.
NOBULL Drive Mesh — $139.00
Sizes: Women’s 5-11, in half sizes | Colors: 8 | Materials: Mesh upper, Pebax midsole, rubber outsole
Pros:
- Breathable mesh upper
- Enough cushioning to feel good during short runs or sprints mid-workout
- Low heel-to-toe drop for stability during squats and deadlifts
Cons:
- Runs small and narrows
- Not stable enough for movements where you need to be on the ball of your foot, like lunges
First impressions
When I first unboxed this shoe, I was pleased with how lightweight it felt in my hands. The foam Pebax (a thermoplastic polymer) cushioning strikes a balance between being substantial but not too hefty, so you get all the comfort without the bulk. And the breezy mesh upper is so thin that you can actually see your socks through it (Don’t worry, it’s subtle enough that it won’t mess with your gym outfit.) It was immediately clear that NOBULL put some serious thought into keeping these shoes light and breathable for all kinds of workouts.
When I laced them up, they felt pretty snug, which wasn’t a problem because the upper is so flexible that it could accommodate my wide foot. However, I ordered my standard size (7.5) and would definitely recommend sizing up to allow for a better fit.
Performance
I wore these to the gym for a week of workouts including during light cardio and functional strength movements using barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and cable machines—so I really ran them through the motions. Most of the time, I breezed through my workouts without so much as noticing my feet, which is exactly what you hope for with a cross-training shoe. The outsole was grippy enough that I felt secure, but not too much so that I felt stuck if I tried to move dynamically (which was the case when I tried the NOBULL Impact, $139).
I particularly liked them for squatting, which may be an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed the subtle lift of my heel (4 millimeters). It gave me a bit more flexibility during my lifting sessions, making it easier to sink into the squat with better form, which is something I always struggle with. I also did a few warm-up jogs on the treadmill and found them perfectly suitable for short runs or sprints. I wouldn’t use them for any long distances since there’s not a ton of cushion, but I loved the fact that I didn’t have to pack an extra pair of shoes just for a bit of cardio.
However, there was one exercise where the shoes fell short: Lunges. After a few reps in a split squat, I noticed my arch starting to cramp, and balancing on the ball of my foot became challenging. When I did rotational lunges, I wobbled even more. I think the NOBULL Mesh Drives perform better during quick, dynamic lunge movements, like a HIIT workout, instead of the slow and controlled sets I was doing.
Final thoughts
Overall, the NOBULL Drive Mesh is a solid choice if your workouts are a mix of strength training and short cardio bursts. They’re breathable, lightweight enough to wear during a quick run, and surprisingly stable enough for squats and deadlifts. I could see them working especially well when you’re pushing through a tough CrossFit WOD (Workout of the Day, for the uninitiated!) or hitting up a cardio class like HIIT or bootcamp. For me, I’ll throw them into my gym bags on the days that have a little bit of everything in store.
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