Since the initial launch of the NOBULL Trainer, NOBULL has continually built new training shoes for accommodating different training needs. Three of their most popular training shoes to date include the NOBULL Trainer+, NOBULL Court Trainer, and NOBULL Trainer.
All of these NOBULL training shoes are designed to be good for slightly different activities. The NOBULL Trainer is a good “no-frills” option for CrossFit, the NOBULL Trainer+ has a more comfortable midsole, and the Court Trainer is a training and court sports hybrid.
I like all of these NOBULL training shoes for slightly different reasons and they all perform pretty consistently for cross-training, CrossFit, and lifting, so which model should you go with?
In this NOBULL showdown, I’m going to be comparing the NOBULL Trainer+ versus the NOBULL Trainer versus the NOBULL Court Trainer.
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NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer Performance
To discuss the performance of the NOBULL Trainer versus NOBULL Trainer+ versus NOBULL Court Trainer, I’m going to break this section into multiple parts.
Since all of these models are designed slightly differently, I want to talk about how each shoe performs in different training contexts. This way you can pick the best NOBULL training shoe for your specific needs.
NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer for Lifting and CrossFit
In the context of lifting and weight training, all three of these NOBULL training shoes do a pretty good job across the board. All of these models have midsole constructions that provide a nice level of stability when training heavy.
The NOBULL Trainer+ and NOBULL Court Trainer both have thicker EVA foam midsoles while the NOBULL Trainer has a slightly thinner EVA foam midsole. I’ve deadlifted over 455 lbs in each of these models and have squatted over 365 lbs with no compression issues, and hit a 440 lb squat in the NOBULL Trainer in one of my powerlifting competitions.
In terms of subtle lifting performance details, I do like the midsole stack height better in the NOBULL Trainer for deadlifts, but I like the thicker midsoles in the Trainer+ and Court Trainer for things like walking lunges, dumbbell snatches, and anything more dynamic in nature.
It’s somewhat of a give-and-take regarding each model’s midsole and the stability and versatility they provide. All three of these shoes’ outsoles grip well and I don’t think you’ll have traction issues in any of these models for recreational weight training.
For CrossFit, all three of these NOBULL training shoes do a pretty good job. They all utilize NOBULL’s SuperFabric upper construction which is good for durability, especially for abrasion resistance from things like burpees and rope climbs.
Regarding rope climbing performance, you do get a little more support from the NOBULL Trainer and NOBULL Trainer+ as they have midfoot constructions that contribute to giving you more bite. The Court Trainer is also okay but lacks this feature.
Like with lifting, there’s an ebb and flow with each shoe’s performance. The Trainer+ and Court Trainer feel better for WODs and workouts with short runs and more plyometrics, while the NOBULL Trainer feels awesome for more static and heavy strength work.
Must Read: 9 Best CrossFit Shoes | Picks for High Arches, Rope Climbs, and More
Winner: Tie. All of these models do a pretty good job for lifting and CrossFit. If you want a more comfortable midsole, then go for the Trainer+ or Court Trainer, and if you want a denser midsole with less stack height, go for the NOBULL Trainer.
NOBULL Trainer
$129
Best For
- CrossFit-Style Training
- Lifting
- Daily Wear
- Casual Classes and HIIT
Falls Short
- For Running
- For Plyometrics and Athletic Training
NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer for Versatile Training
For versatile training including things like HIIT workouts, plyometrics, and athletic-style training sessions, all of these shoes work. However, I do think there’s a difference between these models regarding overall performance and comfort.
I think the NOBULL Trainer+ and NOBULL Court Trainer are the top performers for versatile training. The thicker EVA foam midsole materials in these models give you more “pop” and bounce when doing plyometrics and multi-directional activities.
I also like the herringbone tread patterning used on the Trainer+ and Court Trainer’s outsole. This material and pattern give them a nice edge for traction and allow you to dig the feet into the ground on a variety of surfaces.
Between these two models, I think the Court Trainer displays the best performance for versatile training. This makes sense when you consider that this model is designed for excelling in Court Sports.
The padded tongue, less clunky herringbone tread on the outsole, and slightly thinner midsole construction on the Court Trainer are the star players for this model’s performance in this training context.
The Court Trainer almost feels like an in-between the NOBULL Trainer+ and NOBULL Trainer. In my opinion, if you like having a bit more comfort in your midsole, then it’s a good model for lifters and athletes that want a stable, yet versatile NOBULL training shoe.
The Trainer+ can also be a viable option for those that want more midsole comfort. I think this model will work best for those that want more motion control and plan to train outside often.
Winner: NOBULL Court Trainer. The other models work, but I like the Court Trainer best for more athletic-style training sessions and versatile workouts.
NOBULL Court Trainer
$139
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- CrossFit Workouts
- Court Sports
- Walking and Daily Wear
- Multi-Directional Training
Falls Short
- For Breathability
- For Longer Runs
NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer for Running and Daily Wear
For running, the NOBULL Trainer, Trainer+, and Court Trainer are all just “okay” regarding their performance. These models work best for short runs and I’d suggest capping your mileage to under 3-miles if you plan to run in these shoes.
I think the Trainer+ and Court Trainer will be better suited for running than the original NOBULL Trainer. This is due to their reworked midsole and outsole constructions giving them more comfort and a nice edge for durability.
To add to this, I think if you’re wanting a cross-training shoe for more outdoor training sessions, then the NOBULL Trainer+ will be a good call. The thicker herringbone tread pattern on this model does a good job with traction on surfaces like grass, asphalt, and light dirt trails.
For daily wear, all of these models are okay. I like NOBULL training shoes for daily wear for two key reasons. First, I like how easy the SuperFabric upper is to clean and wipe down. For example, I’ll wear my old NOBULL High-Top Trainer for rainy days.
Second, I like the overall durability of these shoes and their simplistic construction. This model doesn’t break down super fast as other training shoes can for daily wear, so if you want a more stable trainer for daily wear, then all of these models are pretty good.
My only gripe with NOBULL training shoes and daily wear is that they can run a little warm to their lack of breathability. The NOBULL Trainer is the better model of the three for being breathable, however, all of the models are pretty “meh” for breathability in warmer climates and settings.
Winner: For running, NOBULL Trainer+ for short runs outdoors. The NOBULL Court Trainer is my second pick and the NOBULL Trainer is my third. For daily wear, all of these models are pretty similar.
NOBULL Trainer+
$139
Best For
- Cross-Training Style Workouts
- CrossFit
- Recreational Lifting
Falls Short
- For Versatile Training
- For Cost-Efficiency
NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer Construction
To discuss the construction differences between the NOBULL Trainer, NOBULL Trainer+, and NOBULL Court Trainer, I’m going to break this section into multiple parts.
This way, you can better assess the subtle construction details that make each of these cross-training shoes different. Plus, I think this makes this section much more digestible and easy to read through.
Outsole
The outsole constructions and the tread patterns used on each model are slightly different. In the NOBULL Trainer, you have a traditional lug pattern. This pattern does a pretty good job of promoting traction and it doesn’t wear down too fast.
The Trainer+ and Court Trainer both feature herringbone tread patterns. The Trainer+’s tread is thicker with deeper ridges while the Court Trainer’s tread offers a slightly more refined and concise pattern.
All of these models feature outsole wraps over the toe box. The Court Trainer’s outsole wraps more heavily over the front of the shoe and medial side of the forefoot for court sports performance and durability.
Midsole
The midsole construction used on each of these models is important to look at and consider because it influences how each model performs and feels. In the NOBULL Trainer+ and Court Trainer, you have a thicker EVA foam midsole.
There is a tiny stack height difference between these models, but I almost think the difference comes from the outsole’s thickness and not the actual midsole thickness of each shoe.
The NOBULL Trainer features a lower stack height with a slightly more dense EVA foam midsole. This gives the NOBULL Trainer a slightly more firm and stable feel when training and wearing this model out and about.
Upper
The upper constructions are all similar in these models. Every model features NOBULL’s signature SuperFabric material which entails utilizing guard plates that sit over a mesh base layer.
The SuperFabric upper is nice because it delivers a nice level of durability and is pretty easy to clean. The boot constructions on the Trainer+ and Court Trainer come up higher than the NOBULL Trainer so their heel collars are slightly more robust than the normal Trainer.
Laces and Tongue
The laces and tongue constructions are also fairly different between these models. The NOBULL Trainer features a traditional lacing system with five metal eyelets. The tongue is thin and perforated with an additional loop for tongue security.
The Trainer+ and Court Trainer both utilize five eyelets as well with the four bottom eyelets utilizing an internal webbing structure for midfoot support. The Trainer+’s tongue is thin and perforated while the Court Trainer’s tongue is built with extra padding.
Insole, Weight, and Heel-to-Toe Drop
All three of these NOBULL training shoes feature thin foam removable insoles. These insoles give each model a little more comfort and can be easily replaced with your own custom orthotics or inserts.
The NOBULL Trainer, NOBULL Trainer+, and NOBULL Court Trainer all feature a 4mm heel-to-toe drop. Their weights can also be seen below.
- NOBULL Trainer Weight: 10.7 oz
- NOBULL Trainer+ Weight: 12.7 oz
- NOBULL Court Trainer Weight: 12.5 oz
All of the weight measurements recorded for these shoes were for my size 10 models.
NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer Sizing
There are a couple of subtle sizing differences between the NOBULL Trainer, NOBULL Trainer+, and NOBULL Court Trainer. For most lifters and athletes with neutral width and wide feet, I think you should be safe going true-to-size for all of these models.
That being said, the NOBULL Trainer+ and Court Trainer both run a little longer than the original NOBULL Trainer. If you wear that model now and you tend to have ~.5″ of room at the end of your toe box, then you may want to size down a half size in these models.
In addition, if you have a notably narrow foot, then you’ll also likely want to size down a half size in the NOBULL Trainer+ and NOBULL Court Trainer.
- NOBULL Trainer Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size.
- NOBULL Trainer+ Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size for neutral and wide feet. Size down a half size for notably narrow feet.
- NOBULL Court Trainer Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size for neutral and wide feet. Size down a half size for notably narrow feet.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about these NOBULL training shoes, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally.
NOBULL Trainer Vs Trainer+ Vs Court Trainer Durability
If there’s one area that NOBULL training shoes typically perform well in the gym with its long-term durability. For example, I’m still using my original NOBULL Trainer and NOBULL High-Top Trainer for casual wear and training and those models are 1-2 years old.
I like that a lot of the key construction details that influence durability are similar in the NOBULL Trainer, NOBULL Trainer+, and NOBULL Court Trainer. For example, all of these models feature NOBULL’s SuperFabric upper with somewhat similar outsole builds.
For lifting, CrossFit, and versatile training, I don’t think you’ll run into durability issues too quickly in any of these models. Their upper, midsole and outsole constructions all do a pretty good job at matching the demands of these training contexts.
If you plan to train more outdoors, then you may want to explore the NOBULL Trainer+. For court sports, the obvious answer is the Court Trainer as it has features designed specifically for this context like the additional toe bumper and outsole wrap.
That being said, I think you should get multiple months, if not a year of use, out of whichever of these NOBULL training shoes you go with. Granted, make sure you’re taking good care of them to ensure you’re making them last longer.
Price Comparison
Regarding price, you can expect to pay between $129-$139 USD for the NOBULL Trainer, Trainer+, and Court Trainer. These price points can be hit or miss depending on what you want out of your shoes.
When it comes to durability, I do think the price points are fair for these models. I think the NOBULL Trainer’s price will be best for those that want a model solely for lifting and CrossFit.
For the Trainer+, I think the price will best match the needs of those that want a training shoe for outdoor workouts with some motion control. The Court Trainer’s price will best match the athletes that want a model for court sports and lifting.
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| Price | $129 | $139 | $139 | $109 | $139 |
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| Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review |
| Shop | Shop NOBULLShop Rogue | Shop NOBULL | Shop NOBULL | Shop NOBULL | Shop NOBULLShop Rogue |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Are NOBULL shoes good for walking?
Q:Can you run in NOBULL shoes?
Q:Can NOBULL shoes be washed?
Takeaway Thoughts
The NOBULL Trainer versus NOBULL Trainer Plus versus NOBULL Court Trainer is a fun comparison and every model brings its own lists of pros and cons to the table.
I personally like all of these models for slightly different reasons. The NOBULL Trainer is a tried and true model for CrossFit, the Trainer+ is a good option for outdoor training and athletes that need a little motion control, and the Court Trainer is great for court sports and lifting.
There are a few cons to note with each NOBULL training shoe and I’d suggest exploring my individual review content before investing to ensure you’re selecting the model that fits your needs best.
Individual NOBULL Training Shoe Reviews
- NOBULL Trainer Review
- NOBULL Trainer+ Review
- NOBULL Court Trainer Review
- NOBULL Canvas Trainer Review
- NOBULL High-Top Trainer Review
If you have additional questions on the NOBULL Trainer, NOBULL Trainer+, and NOBULL Court Trainer, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend)!
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.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, as you preferred I tried Nano X shoes and STRK MVMNT Haze, the second is much better for my completely flat feet. My training is mostly lifting and I feel a little tightness around the midfoot with most of the training shoes even with the STRK MVMNT Haze ones. Which ones of Nobull shoes do you suggest for flat feet?
Trainer+ and Court Trainer would be my gut calls to try out. With specific foot asks, it can be super variable so you may have to plug and play a little there. Keep me posted!