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I’ve had a ton of people reach out, asking me to review Flux’s Adapt Graphene Trainer. I get it, it’s the first of its kind, a zero-drop shoe specifically made for cross-training. To be honest, I’ve been dragging my feet on reviewing them.
If you’ve followed my channel for a while, you know I have some mixed feelings about Flux as a company. Still, enough of you asked, and I’m nothing if not a man of the people. So I bought a pair and went in determined to stay as neutral as possible for my review and testing processes.
I was pleasantly surprised with how they felt on foot, which was a nice surprise with my apprehensive mindset going into this review. They’re not without quirks, though, and they are definitely marketed as a premium shoe, which I’m conflicted on. Still, Flux has finally made something that wide-footed, zero-drop fans will want to pay attention to.
Flux Adapt Graphene XT
$160
Pros
- Lightweight build
- Zero-drop (flat) construction
- Versatile training shoe
Cons
- Boot is hit or miss
- Can slide on insole
- High price point
Best For
- Cross-Training
- Strength Training
- Classes and HIIT
- Wide Feet
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0mm |
| Weight | 10.55 oz (size 10) |
| Width | Wide |
| Lifting Threshold | ~405 lbs |
| Run Distance Threshold | 1-2 miles (at one time) |
Who Should Buy This Shoe?
- If you’re looking for a wider, zero-drop training shoe, Flux has filled a void that not many are touching.
- If you have an excessively wide or thicker foot, you’ll love the upper volume and spaciousness of this trainer.
- If your training skews more towards cross-training with some general strength and hypertrophy work thrown in, this shoe is going to be a great do-it-all shoe for you without feeling too niche in any one area.
- If you’re a fan of Flux’s other shoes, this one is going to be worth picking up.
Who Shouldn’t Buy This Shoe?
- If you have narrower feet, skip these altogether. The upper volume is excessive and the lack of structure makes lockdown a next-to-impossible task. I’d suggest looking at the Puma Fuse 4 or the Under Armour Tribase Reign 6 as alternatives.
- If you struggle with heel and ankle rub in your current shoes, this is only going to be worse due to the aggressive boot construction.
- If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair of trainers, these are absolutely not the answer. At $160+ they are firmly in the premium category.
Fit & Sizing Suggestions
About My Feet: I have a normal arch/instep and my feet come in at an E/EE width. The length of my left and right foot are consistent with one another, and I size as a true US 10 for most companies’ sizing charts.
Fit Breakdown:
- Narrow (<D) Feet: Probably skip
- Medium (D) and E width: True to size, maybe skip if you prefer a snugger fit
- 2E+ Feet: Go up a half size
I went with my normal size 10 US and feel like I should have sized up a half size with how short they initially felt. After training in them though, I don’t think they run short. The extreme upper volume, combined with a lack of lockdown, had me sliding forward which made them feel shorter than they are. If you have a thicker foot, you may not notice this at all. 3E and up widths will likely be fine, I’d still encourage you to go up a half size though.
They are wide, in fact they were almost too wide for me. Again, I think that’s due to the upper volume and no lockdown. If there was a bit more structure through the forefoot and midfoot, or better lockdown from the laces it wouldn’t be an issue.
If you already wear Flux shoes, I’d suggest going up a half size to hedge your bets. Everyone else, stay true to size and you’ll likely be fine.
Performance Assessment
Lifting: 7.5/10
These are honestly a fairly solid shoe for lifting. The medium-density EVA foam midsole feels really good. It isn’t so compressive that it bottoms out under heavy loads and I’ve worked up to 405 lbs deadlifts and 285 lb Hatfield squats in these with no issues.
The graphene rubber outsole has solid grip for machine work outside of platforms and rubber gym floors, so they’re a good do-it-all strength and hypertrophy trainer. I had zero fear of slipping or sliding on leg press from an outsole grip context. The lightweight feel and breathability are a nice bonus, too, especially when you’re training in a hot environment or if your gym’s AC isn’t the best.
The only two knocks against them for lifting are the insole and the lack of structure. I just don’t like the bumpy texture of Flux’s insole. Thankfully, it’s removable, and once I took it out, the shoes improved dramatically. This may just be a “me” thing, but it can also feel a little slippery with its ridges and finish.
The structure is also a different story. The lightweight, breathable upper doesn’t do much to hold your foot in place. It could be different if my feet were wider and filled out the shoe a bit more, but I found myself sliding around and then spilling over the side a little bit anytime I was pushing laterally.
That said, for general strength and hypertrophy work, or if you wide feet or skew more towards powerlifting and live in that static strength world, these are going to be a great option.
Cross-Training/CrossFit: 8/10
This is where these shoes start to shine. To be fair, they were purpose-built with cross-training and CrossFit in mind. Sled pushes and pulls, jumps, interval runs and rows were all solid. The grip from the heavily lugged graphene rubber tread is exceptional. It held on to the turf without any complaints and stayed in place during sprints on the rower.
It’s worth mentioning again that the lack of structure and lockdown in the upper is a limiting factor. Lateral jumps and cuts get a little dicey.
Maybe it would be different with the bumpy insole holding on to my foot a bit more, but I kept finding my feet sliding to the edge and spilling over the side during explosive side-to-side work. Flux could’ve shifted some of that boot budget into lateral security and these would be a near perfect cross-training shoe. Sadly, they didn’t and the shoes suffer for it.
Short Runs: 7/10
They’re a perfectly serviceable pair of shoes for short runs. They’re lightweight, breathable, and there’s enough toe spring that you get a bit of forward propulsion during your running motion. I haven’t taken them on anything longer than a mile at this point, but I worry about the lack of lockdown. I slide around enough in them as it is. I can’t imagine longer runs are going to be any better.
Honestly, these could be a decent option to look at if you’re interested in transitioning to barefoot running and need an option to ease in with. The toe spring doesn’t take away from the zero-drop feel of the shoes and the medium density EVA foam midsole is bouncy enough that you get a good amount of cushion and comfort during those short interval runs. If you’ve got the extra cash lying around and are barefoot-running curious, they may be worth it.
Daily Wear: 7/10
Once I removed the annoying insole, the comfort skyrocketed. They’re easy enough to slip on and off, lightweight and breathable enough for all day comfort, and their clean aesthetic pairs well with anything.
These are going to look and feel just as good going to brunch, catching a post-meal lift, and then running some errands in the afternoon without ever changing shoes.
Construction Details
The outsole is a full rubber graphene with a heavy lug pattern for exceptional grip on any surface. The outsole extends up the toe box for durability, and extends up the lateral and medial sides for added support and security, at least in theory. There is a medium density EVA foam midsole that runs the length of the shoe.
The upper is a lightweight mesh that runs throughout the shoe. It has added ventilation ports throughout the forefoot and midfoot giving it extra breathability. The boot uses stiff, padded mesh that feels aggressive. Even with higher socks on, I could still feel it rubbing against my Achilles and around my ankle.
Up the midfoot, there are 5 core eyelets with a 6th for lace-lock. The tongue is a thin mesh and is gusseted. Inside, the infamous bumpy foam insole is thankfully removable.
Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?
I liked these shoes, more than I wanted to if I’m being honest. They performed exceptionally well and felt great once I ditched the insole. I’m not singling Flux out here, I’ve never been a fan of bumpy insoles in any shoe. Anytime I come across one, I swap it for a generic insole or go without.
Setting aside my admittedly jaded feelings about Flux, they did a great job. Except for the price point. $160 ($170 after taxes and shipping) is excessive, even for a shoe marketed as “premium.” There are plenty of examples (Innov8 for one) that use similar materials, even graphene rubber, and have a lower price point. It left me wondering what I’m buying for beyond paying for the Flux name.
Would I buy these again? Probably not, especially for the price point. I think there are other options out there that are priced more competitively and offer the same quality material and performance.
That said, if you’ve been looking for a pair of wide, zero-drop training shoes, these fit the bill perfectly. If you’re willing to pay for it.
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