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The NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is a continuation of the popular NOBULL Trainer+ shoe line. This model features a thicker EVA foam midsole with the classic NOBULL SuperFabric upper and high-top boot.
As a lifter on the never-ending quest to find the best NOBULL shoes, I was super excited to buy and test the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ to the test.
I’m also someone who loves training in high-top shoes, so if you’re similar this review is for you. In my NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ review, I’ll cover all of the key details that you should know before investing in these shoes.
The NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is a shoe that will be an acquired taste. If you want a training shoe for lifting, casual cross-training, and daily wear then I think you’ll enjoy the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+.
Report Card: Get the Quick FactsNOBULL High-Top Trainer+
Pros
- These are great for lifters that want a high-top shoe for working out that have a little more range.
- The thicker EVA foam midsole gives this model more comfort from walking and daily wear contexts compared to the High-Top Trainer.
- The SuperFabric upper is easy to clean and it’s pretty durable for general abrasion resistance in the gym and from day-to-day life.
Cons
- The thicker midsole can feel clunky at times and it’s not going to give you a “minimalist” feel if that’s what you’re after.
- The upper can run pretty hot at times so if you often suffer from hot feet, you won’t get a lot of breathability from these.
- These aren’t necessarily going to be the “best in class” for any singular workout. They’re much better served as a hybrid shoe for daily wear and training.
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Who Should Buy the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+?
The NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ will be a good training shoe for the lifter and athlete that likes training in high-top shoes that offer a little more ankle support and a thicker midsole. This shoe is an acquired taste, in my opinion.
In the context of traditional high-top shoes used for lifting, this model reminds me more of a Vans Sk8-Hi than a Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star. However, you get a little more range with the High-Top Trainer+ which is good for cross-training workouts.
If you’re like me and enjoy working out in your high-top Vans but wish they offered a little more versatility for a CrossFit WOD or cross-training sessions here and there, then I could see the High-Top Trainer+ being a great option to look into.
I also think this shoe will be great for anyone wanting a training shoe that performs well for daily wear and training. This shoe has a clean appearance and can be dressed up relatively easily (I’m writing this in my local coffee shop in jeans while wearing these shoes).
Outside of looking good, this model is also easy to clean which makes it a good option for weathering the day-to-day and then tackling workouts seamlessly with one shoe.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+?
While I like the dual-functionality of the High-Top Trainer+ for daily wear and training, I don’t think this will be a training shoe that is “best in class” in any one performance category.
For example, these shoes won’t be the best CrossFit shoes due to their heaviness and lack of sole flexibility. They’ll fall short for WODs that include running and their boot construction can feel limiting for certain lower-body exercises when laced fully up.
To add to this limitation, the thick and clunky midsole is going to take away from this shoe’s ability to feel super “athletic” for serious cross-training, HIIT workouts, and athletic-style workouts.
Essentially, I like these shoes, but I don’t think you should invest in these shoes with the hopes they’ll be the “best” on the market for specific training needs. They’re much better as a hybrid daily wear and training shoe.
NOBULL High-Top Trainer+
$149
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Casual Cross-Traning
- CrossFit WODs
- Daily Wear
- High-Top Lovers
Falls Short
- For Minimalist Lovers
- For Breathability
- For Exceptionally Wide Feet
NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ Pros
Over the course of my training and testing with the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, I’ve found a few pros that I really enjoy with these shoes.
- Great Training Shoes for Daily Wear
- Good High-Top Option for Training
- EVA Midsole Is Pretty Comfortable
The first thing to like about the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is how well they work for day-to-day wear. In my opinion, these shoes look good and that contributes to the range in which they can be worn.
I like that you can easily clean the SuperFabric upper, so if you want a shoe for commuting — even in inclement weather — then wearing to the gym, you should be fine doing so with this model because they’re easy to wipe down.
The thicker herringbone lugs are also great for traction on different surfaces and do a good job of prolonging this shoe’s lifespan. For example, the NOBULL Trainer+ features the same outsole build as this model and my pair has lasted quite a while.
Another thing to like about the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is their performance in the gym. These are high-top shoes that will give you more range than something like a Vans Sk8-Hi and Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star.
I’ve enjoyed my experiences in this shoe when doing things like deadlifting over 400 lbs, hang cleaning 225 lbs, and doing box jumps. They provide a nice blend of stability and versatility for lifting and casual cross-training.
If you’re someone that likes to blend lifting with some athletic-style training or plyometrics, then the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ can make sense from a performance context. These shoes will be best for individuals that want them for a heavy lifting bias.
The last thing to like about the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is that its EVA midsole provides a little more comfort compared to the traditional NOBULL High-Top Trainer.
This shoe feels relatively easy to wear all day and I credit most of this to its thicker EVA midsole. To provide context here, I’ve used these shoes on multiple 3-5 mile dog walks and for full days of travel and have enjoyed their comfort.
If you’re on your feet all day and want a high-top shoe to train in that looks good and has a nice level of comfort, the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ could be worth exploring.
NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ Cons
While I like the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ for what they are, there are a few cons you should keep in mind before investing in these shoes.
- Midsole Can Feel Heavy and Clunky
- Not the “Best” Training Shoes On the Market
- May Feel Limiting for Exceptionally Wide Feet
The first drawback that I have with the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is that the thicker EVA midsole does come with a clunky fit and feel. These will NOT be the training shoe that gives you a minimalist or barefoot shoe-like feeling.
If you want a lower stack height and a NOBULL shoe for training, then I’d suggest looking into the normal High-Top Trainer. Its midsole is about 1/2 to 2/3 the thickness of the High-Top Trainer+ which gives it a closer-to-the-ground feel.
Another drawback that I have with the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, which I mentioned above in my “shouldn’t buy” section, is that I’d go into this shoe understanding that it may not be the one-stop-shop best trainer on the market.
I think there will be athletes that thoroughly enjoy this shoe like myself, but I still wouldn’t call them the best for lifting, cross-training, CrossFit, and hybrid training, for example. I try to keep this shoe’s niche construction in mind when considering this.
Their heavy feel, clunkier sole, and lack of breathability are a few of the reasons why I knock this shoe’s performance when putting them head-to-head with other high-performing training shoes.
The final drawback that I have with the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ is that its width may lack for wide feet. If you’ve tried NOBULL shoes before and they didn’t work for your feet, then I wouldn’t get your hopes up with this model.
If you have notably wide feet (E/EE or wider), then you may want to explore cross-training shoes for wide feet that have a bit more width through the midfoot and toe box.
Performance Assessment
To discuss the performance of the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, I’ll elaborate on my experiences testing this shoe for lifting, cross-training, and daily wear.
Testing the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ for Lifting
When it comes to lifting, I’ve enjoyed the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ more than I thought I would. This shoe feels nearly identical to the NOBULL Trainer+ regarding stability but with an increased level of ankle support.
For static strength exercises like barbell deadlifts and machine work, this shoe did a good job of providing me with stability and traction. The midsole didn’t compress when working over 400 lbs and the rubber outsole has great traction.
I also like that you can wear this shoe loose or tighten the top eyelets for additional ankle support. If I’m going through a bodybuilding day, then I’ll rarely lace up and tighten my High-Top Trainer+ and I like that performance doesn’t tank when you don’t do this.
Outside of its stability and grip, I also like that the upper does a good job of locking down the foot. I don’t think this will be a trainer where you feel like you’re sliding around in them or lacking upper security when lifting.
My only gripe with this shoe for lifting is that the boot can feel a tad limiting regarding ankle mobility when you lace them all the way up. Their boot isn’t as malleable as something like the canvas used in Converse High-Top shoes, for example.
Testing the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ for Cross-Training
For cross-training, versatile workouts, and the occasional CrossFit WOD, this shoe does an okay job for the most part. This shoe’s midsole is responsive and comfortable enough for easy-to-moderate plyometrics like box jumps and skater strides.
I also think this shoe’s toe spring, while not ideal for certain lifting scenarios, helps feed into this model’s versatility. It feels easy to get up on and drive through the forefoot in these shoes when propelling yourself forward or laterally.
The upper security is also a nice perk of this shoe for cross-training. The SuperFabric doesn’t stretch out over time and I don’t think you’ll have issues with spillover in this model whatsoever.
For CrossFit, this model performs best in WODs that have a main focus on lifting with lower-volume conditioning work. For rope climbs, these shoes will work well enough for most lifters, in my opinion.
As you get more intense with your cross-training and athletic-style work, I do think the lack of flexibility can be a knock on this shoe for most athletes. These shoes don’t do the best job of letting the foot articulate and do its thing.
Testing the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ for Daily Wear
On a daily wear basis, I’ve really enjoyed my experiences in the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ and that’s for three key reasons. First, I like that this shoe can take a beating without breaking down excessively fast.
This shoe does well with abrasion resistance from surfaces like concrete and its outsole has a fairly deep tread patterning so it shouldn’t fade too quickly on you.
Second, the fact that it’s super easy to clean the SuperFabric upper is a nice subtle perk. This material is more rigid than traditional mesh and textiles used in most training shoes and it doesn’t hold dirt and grime to the same extent.
Third and lastly, I like that you can wear this shoe in a wide range of settings. It looks casual for doing things like running errands, but also formal enough to dress up with jeans and pants.
My Experience In the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ SummaryNOBULL High-Top Trainer+ Sizing
When it comes to sizing the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, most lifters and athletes should be safe going true to size in this model. Their length runs true and they have a medium width.
Based on most company’s sizing charts, my foot hovers between a medium to wide width and I found this shoe to fit my feet just fine. To prevent this shoe from feeling too snug, I’ll typically wear thin no-show socks.
If you have a narrow, medium, or slightly wide foot, then you should enjoy this shoe’s fit. That being said, as a reminder, notably wide feet may want to pass on this shoe due to its slightly aggressive toe box taper.
- NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, drop a comment below and I can help you size your pair accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, you can expect to pay $149 USD. If you know NOBULL shoes, then this higher (more “premium”) price point shouldn’t surprise you.
To be honest, I do think this shoe’s price can be worth it for those with the specific high-top training shoe ask regarding wanting a model for lifting and daily wear.
The fact that you can wear this shoe outside of the gym without fear of breaking it down faster is a nice perk that — helped me at least internally — invest in this shoe without regrets.
Now that said, if you’re not worried about cross-training and the versatility of your high-top shoes, then you can save money by opting for something like Vans Sk8-Hi or Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star (high-top).
NOBULL High-Top Trainer+
$149
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Casual Cross-Traning
- CrossFit WODs
- Daily Wear
- High-Top Lovers
Falls Short
- For Minimalist Lovers
- For Breathability
- For Exceptionally Wide Feet
Construction Details
The NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ has multiple construction characteristics that most NOBULL shoes have. Below are some of the key details to note about this shoe.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
- Weight: 14.85 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- SuperFabric Upper
- Herringbone Lugs
- Full Rubber Outsole
- External Heel Tab
- EVA Foam Midsole
- 8 Core Eyelets
If you have further construction-related questions about the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, drop a comment below.
NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ FAQ
Takeaway Thoughts
I think the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+ will be an acquired taste in the gym and on the feet. These can be a great option for the lifter that wants a high-top shoe that gives them more range in the gym.
This shoe feels more comfortable than the traditional NOBULL High-Top Trainer and they’ve proven to be decent performers in the gym for all of my tests.
There are a few drawbacks to note with this shoe so I’d make sure you understand what exactly you’re getting with this model before investing in them.
If you have additional questions about the NOBULL High-Top Trainer+, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
