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The Born Primitive Savage 1 is the first cross-training shoe to debut from Born Primitive. This model has been built to be a “Jack-of-all-trades” style training shoe for lifting, CrossFit, and cross-training.
As an athlete on the never-ending quest of finding the best cross-training shoes, I was super excited to put the Savage 1 to the test. I was most curious how this shoe would compare to its longer-standing peers.
In my Born Primitive Savage 1 review, I’ll discuss how this shoe performs in the gym and cover some pros and cons to note about this model before investing in it.
Quick Take: The Born Primitive Savage 1 isn’t what I would call a revolutionary training shoe. Instead, I’d call them consistent, and if you loved older training shoes like the Reebok Nano 2.0 then you’ll resonate with this shoe.
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Born Primitive Savage 1
$130
Best For
- Strength Training
- CrossFit
- Cross-Training
- “Minimalist” Trainer Lovers
- Wide(r) Feet
Falls Short
- For Running
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Who Should Buy the Born Primitive Savage 1?
After multiple training sessions, I’ve broken down a few contexts and types of athletes that will likely really resonate with the Born Primitive Savage 1’s performance.
1. You Like More “Minimalist-Feeling” Training Shoes
If you’ve been longing for more training shoe options like the Reebok Nano 2.0 and early Nike Metcons then I think you’ll enjoy and resonate with the Savage 1’s construction.
This shoe feels refined and like some of the older and early cross-training shoes from Nike, Reebok, and even Inov-8. As someone who often gravitates towards “less is more” style training shoes, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this about the Savage 1.
At times, shoes like the Nike Metcon 9 and Reebok Nano X3 feel over-engineered so it’s nice having another model on the market that feels like the earlier days of cross-training shoes.
In the context of feeling “minimalist,” I’m alluding to this shoe’s upper construction being relatively simple and it has a lower stack height with a dense midsole and grippy outsole.
2. You Want a Training Shoe That’s Good for Lifting and CrossFit
The specially formulated EVA foam midsole in this model feels in the context of its density for heavy lifting. If you’re someone who wants a training shoe that has a lifting bias with its midsole then you’ll enjoy this feature.
This model’s midsole feels stable under heavy lifts and it has enough responsiveness to make them comfortable for things like jump rope, box jumps, and other plyometrics.
The flexibility of this model’s sole is also nice in the context of it giving you good articulation for exercises like split squats and lunges. I’ve enjoyed using this shoe for my strength-focused leg days and hybrid-style workout days.
I also like how this shoe has performed for various WODs. This model feels durable in the context of CrossFit workouts and I think its versatility is on point for this training style.
3. You Want a Training Shoe With a Wider Toe Box
Another context in which I think the Born Primitive Savage 1 will excel for others is with its anatomical toe box. This shoe’s toe box is more than enough for my E-width foot and I think it will work for a wide range of foot anatomies.
I also like that the midfoot doesn’t have a super aggressive taper like some models that feature a wider toe box, but a pretty narrow midfoot. Outside of its toe box shape and to add to this shoe’s sizing, the TPU overlays and knit upper also give this shoe a comfortable fit.
There’s enough room in this shoe’s upper to work for thicker feet and for those who may want to use their own insoles in this model. All that said, this shoe’s fit is a nice change of pace when compared to other training shoes.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Born Primitive Savage 1?
Overall, there haven’t been a ton of training settings where I think the Born Primitive Savage 1 will be a total miss. That said, there are a couple of niche scenarios that come to mind.
1. You Need a Training Shoe That’s More Runnable (Plush)
If you’re into hybrid workouts and you want a training shoe for a couple of miles pre or post-workout, then I don’t know if you’ll resonate with the Born Primitive Savage 1’s denser midsole.
This shoe’s density definitely gives it a firmer feel, and while they work fine for short bouts of running and plyometrics, for runs longer than a mile I could see others finding this shoe uncomfortable.
On top of this, if you’re a heel striker whatsoever, then I think you’ll definitely notice how dense this shoe can feel at times regarding how forgiving the midsole is.
2. You Have Narrow Feet and Like Low-Profile Uppers
If you have exceptionally narrow feet, then you may be in the small population that won’t resonate with this shoe’s width and fit. In your context, you might find yourself sliding around the toe box in this shoe.
While I think this will be a pretty occurrence, it’s definitely worth putting out there for narrow-footed, friends. For example, if you typically resonate with the fit of shoes like the Nike Metcon 8 and RAD ONE, then you might find the Savage 1 too spacious.
Born Primitive Savage 1 Pros and Cons
Across my wear testing and performance tests with the Born Primitive Savage 1, I’ve found a few pros and cons to keep with this shoe before buying it.
Report Card: Get the Quick FactsBorn Primitive Savage 1
Pros
- This shoe excels for CrossFit, lifting, and cross-training and has held its own across a wide range of workouts that I’ve used them in.
- The durability of this shoe feels strong thus far and its upper has done well with abrasion resistance and its midsole and outsole feel well-constructed.
- This model feels like a nod to older cross-training shoes and if you long for some of the original CrossFit-focused trainers, then you’ll probably enjoy this shoe.
Cons
- The tongue on this shoe can press into the top of the foot during the break-in process which can be a little uncomfortable.
- If you want a plusher training shoe with more runnability and daily wear-friendliness, then you may want to pass on this shoe.
- For narrow-footed folks who like lower-profile training shoes, you may find that there’s too much room in the Savage 1.
If you have the Born Primitive Savage 1, what pros and cons have you experienced with them? Let me know in the comments below what you’ve experienced with these shoes.
Performance Assessment
To break down the performance of the Born Primitive Savage 1, I tried to test this shoe across multiple training verticals. I’ll discuss this shoe’s performance for lifting, CrossFit, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.
Testing the Born Primitive Savage 1 for Lifting and CrossFit
In the context of lifting, I’ve really enjoyed how the Born Primitive Savage 1 has performed. For squats and deadlifts, this shoe instantly gave me Reebok Nano 2 and Inov-8 F-Lite 235 V3 vibes.
This model’s midsole didn’t compress whatsoever when deadlifting over 400 lbs in them and there’s enough snappiness with the EVA in this shoe to make them feel solid for clean & jerks and dynamic lifts.
The flexibility of this shoe’s sole is also a nice perk for giving you good articulation for lower body exercises. I like to rotate between barefoot shoes and training shoes for their flexibility and the fact that the Savage 1 delivered in this vertical is a subtle and nice perk.
When it comes to CrossFit, I’ve also found the Born Primitive Savage 1 to be a strong performer. This shoe has a nice versatility that’s aligned well with most of the WODs that I’ve programmed in them.
For rope climbs, I haven’t had any breakdown issues yet with this model and its TPU overlays have also helped protect this shoe’s toe box from breakdown when doing burpee box jumpovers.
If you’ve historically enjoyed the older Metcon and Nanos for CrossFit, then I think you’ll welcome the Born Primitive Savage 1 with open arms. My only concern with this shoe for certain WODs is its runnability, but I don’t think that should deter you completely from this shoe.
Testing the Born Primitive Savage 1 for Versatile Workouts
In the context of versatile workouts that include things like HIIT, plyometrics, and agility-focused training, this model has done a pretty good job. Will this be the training shoe for only HIIT and classes? Not necessarily, but for most, I think they’ll suffice.
For example, if you’re like me and sprinkle in HIIT and conditioning sessions throughout your week of training, then this shoe should excel and be just fine. I don’t think its density will be enough of a turnoff in this training context.
On top of that, since the forefoot’s midsole is designed to be a little more responsive and flexible, I like how this shoe has felt for conditioning sessions where I’m doing things like dumbbell snatches and jump rope.
The rubber outsole in this shoe has also been great regarding traction. This model feels grippy for multi-directional work and I have yet to experience slip issues with this shoe when training on different surfaces.
The outsole of this model also reminds me of the Dynamic fascia band that’s used in some of the Inov-8 trainers. I think this feature helps contribute to this shoe’s overall “minimalist” feel when doing versatile training.
Testing the Born Primitive Savage 1 for Short Runs and Daily Wear
For short runs, the Born Primitive Savage 1 should work just fine if you’re tackling runs that are anywhere from 400 meters to 1 mile. I found this shoe to have a stronger bias for short intervals where you’ll be more on the forefoot.
The midsole through the midfoot into the forefoot feels decent for this running context. To add context here, I’ll typically do interval work with barefoot shoes, too, so I enjoyed the snappiness and ground feel of this shoe’s forefoot midsole.
As mentioned above, I wouldn’t use this model for runs longer than a mile. I think in this running setting you’ll want something a little more comfortable and niche for that training ask.
For daily wear, this shoe is okay but it’s not necessarily my favorite trainer for all-day wear. Will they work? Yes, and I’ve worn them for 3-4-mile walks with the dog.
The wider toe box and decently breathable upper construction give them an okay appeal for day-to-day use, however, I think you’ll get more out of these shoes if you save them for the gym.
Born Primitive Savage 1 Sizing
The Born Primitive Savage 1 should fit true to size for most lifters and athletes. This model’s length runs true and they have a wider width and anatomical shape through their toe box.
For additional fitment information, I have an E-width fit by most company’s standards and I found that I had plenty of room in this shoe. No matter what sock thickness I wore I’ve never felt limited while training in this model.
For medium and wide feet, I think you’ll enjoy the overall fit of the Savage 1. I also think this could work for those with flatter feet as they don’t have a super aggressive taper or arch through their sole.
I mentioned this above, but the only type of foot that I think this shoe may be a miss on is a super narrow foot that has a lower volume.
- Born Primitive Savage 1 Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Born Primitive Savage 1, drop a comment below and I can help you size this shoe accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the Born Primitive Savage 1, you can expect to pay around $130 USD. This price point is consistent with what many premium cross-training shoes used to and still cost.
The original Nike Metcons, Reebok Nanos, and NOBULL cross-training shoes all used to cost $130, however, their prices have slowly increased over the years.
I like that Born Primitive dropped this shoe with a price that is similar to what older models used to cost as it gives them a slightly better barrier to entry. Not everyone wants to spend $150+ USD for something like a Nike Metcon 9, for example.
For how this shoe has performed and based on its durability thus far, I think $130 is a pretty fair price for this shoe. It hasn’t struck me as “cheap” and it has shown any early signs of breakdown throughout my tests.
Plus, this price I feel is easier to swallow with this shoe when you consider its refined construction and wider fit. These have both been asks that a lot of athletes and lifters have wanted from their training shoes over the last 2-3 years.
Born Primitive Savage 1
$130
Best For
- Strength Training
- CrossFit
- Cross-Training
- “Minimalist” Trainer Lovers
- Wide(r) Feet
Falls Short
- For Running
Construction Details
The construction of the Born Primitive Savage 1 is rather simplistic in nature and I think that’s one of the many strengths of this shoe. Below are the key construction features to note about this model.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
- Weight: 11.20 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Knit Upper Construction
- Mesh Tongue
- Full Rubber Outsole
- Dual Density Footbed and Midsole
- TPU Toe Box Overlays
- TPU Heel Cup
- 5 Core Eyelets With a 6th for Lace-Lock
If you have additional construction questions about the Born Primitive Savage 1, drop a comment below and I can help provide additional context for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Are the Born Primitive Savage 1 good for wide feet?
Q:Are the Born Primitive Savage 1 good for CrossFit?
Q:Can you run in the Born Primitive Savage 1?
Q:Are the Born Primitive shoes good for lifting?
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I’ve quickly become a fan of the Born Primitive Savage 1. I didn’t know what to expect heading into this shoe but have been pleasantly surprised by this shoe’s consistency and simplicity.
I think if you’re an athlete and lifter who really resonated with some of the OG CrossFit and cross-training shoes, then you’ll enjoy how the Savage 1 performs and feels on the foot.
These won’t be the plushest training shoes so you may want to pass on them if you want a training shoe with more running potential, but that’s really only one of the few knocks that I have on this model.
If you have additional questions about the Born Primitive Savage 1, drop a comment below or reach out to me via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
