Three of the most popular cross-training shoes from the last two years include the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7. All of these models have their respective lists of pros and cons and we’ll be breaking down the latest Nike Metcon models with the ever-consistent NOBULL Trainer.
I get asked pretty frequently on my YouTube channel about the NOBULL Trainer and how they stack up to the Nike Metcon 6 and Nike Metcon 7, so I wanted to build out an article to help consumers understand the major differences of each shoe. Personally, I enjoy all of the models, but for slightly different reasons.
In this cross-training shoe breakdown, we’ll be breaking down how the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7 compare in regard to their performance, construction, sizing, durability, and price.
- NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Performance
- NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Construction
- NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Durability
- NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Sizing
- Price Comparison
- NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 FAQs
If you’re on the market for new cross-training shoes, make sure you check out my round-up covering the 7 best cross-training shoes in 2021. This round-up entails over 15 shoes that were reviewed and compared this year alone!
NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Performance
To break down each shoe’s performance, we’re going to discuss how each model performs in lifting, versatility, and running settings, then I’ll select a winner for each section.
Stability When Lifting
The NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7 all provide adequate stability when lifting, but to slightly different degrees. The NOBULL Trainer offers a 4mm heel-to-drop with a high-density midsole that supports loads well over 500 lbs and is consistent throughout for the forefoot, mid-foot, and heel.
The Nike Metcon 6 also has a 4mm heel-to-toe drop and utilizes a thick rubber outsole and dual-textured insole to create stability. In the Nike Metcon 6, there’s virtually no midsole and the insole has a split which features a more stable and dense heel material and a slightly more responsive forefoot material.
Of these three shoes, the Nike Metcon 7 is easily the most unique. This model is said to have a 7mm heel-to-toe drop (however, Nike has shared conflicting information also stating it’s 4mm), and features Nike React Foam throughout its midsole, and has Nike’s Hyperlifts built-in as opposed to the Nike Metcon 6 which featured these as an optional addition.
Suggested Read: Nike Metcon 6 Vs Nike Metcon 7 | Which Is the Better Metcon?
In regard to which is best for lifting, I’d place them in this order, Nike Metcon 6, NOBULL Trainer, and Nike Metcon 7. The Nike Metcon 6’s stability is fantastic and the additional 8mm Hyperlift insert is great for giving lifter and athletes the option of selecting their heel-to-toe drop.
The NOBULL Trainer and Nike Metcon 7 are also really solid and for most lifters and athletes, and I really don’t think they’ll have any issues with stability in these models. However, the versatility and option of shifting the heel-to-drop in the Nike Metcon 6 win this section for me as it can also help others save on buying weightlifting shoes if they’re trying to keep their overall spending lower.
Winner: Nike Metcon 6. Then followed by the NOBULL Trainer and Nike Metcon 7
Nike Metcon 6
$130
Best For
- Lifting Heavy
- Functional Fitness Workouts
- Casual Agility Workouts
Falls Short
- Daily Comfort
- Longer Runs
- Budget-Friendliness
HIIT Training, Agility, and Plyometrics
Generally, cross-training shoes that offer a lot of stability will fall short with versatile-style training. In the context of these three models, they’ll all work for casual plyometrics, HIIT, and agility in functional fitness workouts, but the Nike Metcon 6 and NOBULL Trainer will have a bit short for longer duration sessions.
Of these three shoes, the Nike Metcon 7 is definitely the frontrunner for this style of training. The forefoot grooves in the outsole give this model’s toebox a super flexible feeling and the Nike React Foam adds a really great level of responsiveness to this shoe’s ability to absorb and produce for into the ground.
The Nike Metcon 6 and NOBULL Trainer are okay for this style of training, but they can be fairly uncomfortable over long periods of time. Their midsole and outsole construction doesn’t offer the most responsive construction and if you’re training in a more athletic setting for a majority of your training, then this could be something important to consider.
When talking versatile training, I’d place these three shoes in the following order, Nike Metcon 7, NOBULL Trainer, and Nike Metcon 6. For the recreational CrossFit athletes and lifters, all of the models will likely work, but the true differentiation begins as we talk more about long-term use in athletic-focused training sessions.
Winner: Nike Metcon 7. Then followed by the NOBULL Trainer and Nike Metcon 6.
Nike Metcon 7
$130
Best For
- Heavy Training
- CrossFit Workouts
- Rope Climbs
- Plyos and Agility Workouts
- Short Runs
Falls Short
- For Long-Distance Runs
- For Wider Feet
Shorter Runs
In regard to running, it’s always important to recognize that most cross-training shoes will not be the best for longer runs. Their stable outsole and midsole construction — and typically heavier weights — can feel pretty uncomfortable for those looking for a shoe to tackle longer runs.
When comparing these three models, all of them will work for runs that are about 800-meters and below. So, if your workout has shorter runs that range between 100-800 meters, then you should be plenty fine in these shoes.
Nike Metcon 7 Running
Now, in the context of running something between 800-meters to 2-miles, the Nike Metcon 7 is the only shoe of these three that can technically work for this distance without feeling super uncomfortable. If you’re a forefoot or mid-foot striker, then I think you’ll be better suited for this model within this range.
The Nike Metcon 7’s reworked midsole construction has helped give this shoe an edge over previous Nike Metcons and the NOBULL Trainer.
Winner: Nike Metcon 7
NOBULL Trainers
$130
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- CrossFit
- Long-Term Durability
Falls Short
- For HIIT and Agility
- For Running
NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Construction
Below, I’m going to break down this construction section into multiple parts to help differentiate each part of the shoe and to better discuss how each model compares to one another.
Outsole
The NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7 all have rubber outsoles and the only model that has outsole grooves is the Nike Metcon 7. The NOBULL Trainer and Nike Metcon 6’s outsoles are fully rubber, while the Metcon 7’s outsole has grooves with exposed midsole areas in the forefoot.
The NOBULL Trainer’s outsole has a lug pattern that provides a decent level of traction on a variety of surfaces. The Nike Metcon 6’s outsole has grooves that help provide it with a nice level of traction and propulsion when digging the forefeet into the ground.
Of the three models, the Nike Metcon 7’s is the most unique. The forefoot has exposed midsole areas and is really flexible and the mid-foot has a reworked concave construction. On the heel, there’s also a cutout where you can see the Nike Hyperlift. This construction aspect gives this model a weightlifting shoe look.
Midsole
In each of these shoes, the midsole construction is starkly different which is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, they’re just all very different. The Nike Metcon 6 features virtually no midsole and utilizes a thicker outsole that wraps up over the mid-foot, toe, and heel, and provides versatility through its dual-textured insole.
The NOBULL Trainer features a high-density midsole that wraps the entirety of the shoe. This midsole provides an adequate amount of stability and is solid because its “levelness” helps provide a balanced feeling when displacing weight through the foot when training.
The Nike Metcon 7 feature Nike React Foam throughout its midsole (the purple material in the photo) and has an extended outsole layer that wraps on the mid-foot medially and laterally over this material. The heel has a built-in Hyperlift insert and TPU heel clip which adds to this model’s overall stack height.
Upper Construction
Each shoe’s upper construction is drastically different. They all offer various levels of durability and breathability and I’ve never had huge issues with any of these model’s upper construction.
The Nike Metcon 6 features a breathable mesh in the forefoot with synthetic layers over the toe to increase overall durability. At the mid-foot and heel, the material shifts into a thicker blend of mesh-like materials that provides the boot with its structure and shape.
The NOBULL Trainer features SuperFabric throughout the entirety of the shoe. This material is designed to be abrasion-resistant and as a whole provides this shoe with a nice lightweight feeling. Personally, I’ve never had the SuperFabric on my NOBULL Trainer have issues with tearing, ripping, etc.
In the Nike Metcon 7, we have a chain-link mesh in the forefoot and mid-foot and synthetic layers over the toe box for additional durability. Similar to the Nike Metcon 6, the Metcon 7 also has a different heel and boot construction and features a blend of layered material to increase this model’s boot construction.
Laces and Tongue
Of these three models, the Nike Metcon 7 offers the most unique lace and tongue construction. This model has five eyelets and the three lateral eyelets utilize Nike’s Flywire technology. Overall, despite having fewer eyelets than other cross-training shoes, I think this model has a secure mid-foot feeling.
The tongue in the Nike Metcon 7 also features a lace-lock system to help prevent the laces from coming undone mid-workout. Personally, I could take or leave this aspect and think it’s cool, but likely not needed for most.
The Nike Metcon 6 has six eyelets (the sixth being for lace-locking) and this model utilizes Nike Flywire on the four middle eyelets. The tongue is thicker in nature and does a pretty good job at never sliding when training in this model.
The NOBULL Trainer has five metal eyelets which promote the overall durability of this model’s lacing system. The tongue is thin and breathable, and I’d suggest paying attention to how you adjust this model’s tongue to avoid having the mesh rip on you.
Insole
The NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7 all have removable insoles. This is a good thing for those that want to add in their own inserts. The one thing to note though is that inserts don’t generally work in the Nike Metcon 6 very well and that model’s insole is where the versatility comes from.
The NOBULL Trainer and Nike Metcon 7 shoes have more traditional thin insoles while the Nike Metcon 6 has the thicker dual-textured insole.
NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Durability
Overall, I think the Nike Metcon 6, Nike Metcon 7, and NOBULL Trainer are all fairly durable in their own ways. Each model has features to prolong the shoe’s life in the context of training and functional fitness.
The Nike Metcon 7’s best features for durability include its upper construction, medial rope-guard tech, and extended outsole layers. All of these features help limit this shoe’s breakdown from things like rope climbs and toe dragging movements.
The Nike Metcon 6’s durability comes from the synthetic upper materials and extended outsole layers that help protect the mid-foot and upper from abrasion and friction. On the NOBULL Trainer, the SuperFabric upper is this model’s best perk for ensuring long-term use and avoiding any pre-mature breakdown.
NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Sizing
For those interested in sizing for the Nike Metcon 7, NOBULL Trainer, and Nike Metcon 6, you should be safe going true-to-size in all of the models. Their lengths all fit true, but there is a slight difference in their overall width.
- Nike Metcon 6: Go True to Size. True length, slightly more narrow mid-foot, and lower boot construction.
- NOBULL Trainer: Go True to Size. True length and slightly wider construction throughout.
- Nike Metcon 7: Go True to Size. True length, narrow mid-foot, and low boot construction.
NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 Price
Across the board, you can expect to pay similar amounts of the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 7, and Nike Metcon 6. Each of these models has a price point of $130 USD, which is pretty standard for most high-performing cross-training shoes.
The one difference though is that the Nike Metcon 6 is actually marked down in some colorways due to the Nike Metcon 7’s drop. So, if you’re interested in saving a little money and grabbing a stable trainer, then the Nike Metcon 6 could be the play.
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| Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review |
| Shop | Shop RogueShop Nike | Shop Dick's Sporting GoodsShop Nike | Shop Rogue | Shop NOBULLShop Rogue | Shop AmazonShop On Reebok |
NOBULL Trainer Vs Nike Metcon 6 and 7 FAQs
To paint the full picture of this cross-training shoe comparison article, I wanted to include a few FAQs that I receive for the Nike Metcon 7, Nike Metcon 6, and NOBULL Trainer.
What Is the Weight of the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7?
If you’re interested in the weights of these shoes, check out the information below. These weights account for my size 10 shoes.
- NOBULL Trainer: 10.7 oz
- Nike Metcon 7: 12.4 oz
- Nike Metcon 6: 12.8 oz
Do the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7 Have Removable Insoles?
Yes! All of these models feature removable insoles. The Nike Metcon 7 and NOBULL Trainers have standard insoles and the Nike Metcon 6 has a thicker dual-textured insole.
What Are the Heel-To-Toe Drops In the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7?
The NOBULL Trainer features a 4mm heel-to-toe drop. The Nike Metcon 6 has a 4mm heel-to-toe drop and this model comes with the additional Hyperlift insert which can add another 8mm to this model’s drop. Lastly, the Nike Metcon 7 has what’s said to be a 7mm heel-to-toe drop, however, there is conflicting information from Nike that also says the drop is 4mm.
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I enjoy the NOBULL Trainer, Nike Metcon 6, and Nike Metcon 7 for different reasons. Each model provides its own unique take on creating a high-performing cross-training shoe to tackle a variety of activities.
If you have any questions on these models, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly)!
I personally test every product featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training gear. I buy the gear I test and may earn commissions on sales made through links on my site.
