I buy and test the products featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training shoes and gear. I may earn commissions on sales made through the links on my site.
The NOBULL Mesh Runner is one of the many running shoes that NOBULL offers. This shoe is designed specifically for those that love running shoes with lightweight and breathable upper construction. As a fan of most NOBULL shoes, I was curious to see how the NOBULL Mesh Runner performed.
After testing and reviewing the NOBULL Ripstop Runner, I was excited to put the Mesh Runner through the same series of running and training-focused tests. What I’ve found is that the NOBULL Mesh Runner works best for casual runs and hybrid-style workouts. Outside of this context, there are a couple of cons to note about this shoe which I’ll discuss below.
In this NOBULL Mesh Runner review, I’m going to cover a variety of topics to help you decide if this shoe is worth investing in for your running needs and wants.
Table of Contents▼
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Who Should Invest In the NOBULL Mesh Runner?
The NOBULL Mesh Runner is a good running shoe to look into if you’re a fan of the NOBULL brand and you’re a casual runner. This shoe excels most for outdoor runs that are shorter or in the mid-range volume for mileage. I also like how comfortable these shoes can be for daily wear once they’re broken in.
For walking, standing, and wearing out and about this shoe does a pretty good job at providing you with a nice amount of cushion and support. They’re not too soft or too firm, so I do think they walk a good middle ground between these two performance features which is why I also like this model for light and bodyweight workouts that you might do at the track or at home.
I think if you’re someone who loves how NOBULL shoes fit and you resonate with their brand, then the NOBULL Mesh Runner could be a good running shoe for you. The main two drawbacks with this shoe are the break-in process and the fact that it’s pretty expensive for what it is.
NOULL Mesh Runner
$139
Best For
- Casual Running
- Walking and Daily Wear
- Bodyweight Workouts
Falls Short
- For Long-Distance Runs
- For Cost-Efficiency
NOBULL Mesh Runner Pros
Over the course of my testing, I’ve found that there are a few key pros that come along with the NOBULL Mesh Runner’s performance.
- Good Hybrid Running and Casual Training Shoe
- Super Breathable for Hotter Settings
- Simplistic Construction Is Aesthetic for Daily Wear
The first thing to like about the NOBULL Mesh Runner is that it can be a great running shoe that can also serve as a hybrid model. If you’re like me and like wearing your running shoes from time to time for bodyweight workouts or light workouts that you’ll use in hybrid training sessions, then the Mesh Runner is a good model for this context.
This shoe walks a nice line between being comfortable and responsive enough for running, but also doing a good job at providing enough stability for light training. I like this for occasions where I’m at the track and hitting some light kettlebell, dumbbell, and bodyweight work while also mixing in running intervals. Plus, the stack height isn’t crazy high which also helps feed into hybrid-style workouts.
The second perk of this shoe is the layered mesh upper construction. I feel like one of the main draws of this model compared to the other NOBULL running shoes is the mesh, hence the name Mesh Runner. The mesh in this model is super breathable and maneuverable.
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Both of these characteristics help make this shoe an awesome pick for hotter training settings, so if you’re running in the summer or wearing these how gyms, your feet should remain relatively cool in them.
The only drawback with the mesh is that it stretches so well that it might be problematic for foot overhang for those with wider feet, so keep that in mind before investing if this is you.
The last and final aspect to like about the NOBULL Mesh Runner is that their simplistic appearance helps make them a nice model for daily wear. Not every running shoe looks good on a casual basis, but I think the NOBULL Mesh Runner is a nice exception to this.
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The mesh looks casual and the midsole isn’t so thick to wear these shoes shout running shoes when wearing these out casually with pants or shorts. The NOBULL Mesh Runner works well for walking, standing, or wearing to work if you’re on your feet all day.
NOBULL Mesh Runner Cons
There are definitely a few cons to note and be aware of with the NOBULL Mesh Runner before investing in this.
- The Tongue Can Cut Up Ankles
- Pretty Expensive for What They Are
The first drawback to the NOBULL Mesh Runner is the break-in process and how the tongue interacts with the top of the foot. The breathable perforated microfiber tongue in this model can cut up your ankles pretty bad and cause excessive friction especially if you’re wearing low no-show socks during the break-in process.
When breaking this shoe in, I’d highly suggest wearing longer socks to avoid having the tongue cause blisters or cut up your ankles. After about two weeks, the tongue should break into a point where it softens a bit and doesn’t cause nearly as much friction and rub on the top of the feet.
The second drawback to the NOBULL Mesh Runner is its price point. At a price of $139 USD, I feel like this shoe is priced a bit high for what it offers. The construction on this shoe is pretty simplistic in nature and I don’t think there’s enough to this running shoe to justify spending that much.
For context, there are plenty of running shoes on the market that are priced lower than this model. Plus, the upper construction on this is a bit lackluster and lacks long-term durability as it can be really tough to clean. The outsole’s lug patterning could also be improved. After a couple of months, I started to notice the tread on one of my shoe’s forefoot and heel starting to fade slightly.
Performance
To discuss the performance of the NOBULL Mesh Runner, I’m going to talk about how this performs in different contexts. This way you can better assess if this shoe’s construction is a good fit for your training needs.
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NOBULL Mesh Runner for Sprints and Short Runs
For sprints, I’m not the biggest fan of the NOBULL Mesh Runner. Will they work for sub-maximal sprint work? Yes. However, the drawback to this shoe for sprints is how loose and maneuverable the upper can feed at times. There’s almost so much stretch to it that I would prefer a slightly more locked-down feeling when sprinting.
In the context of short runs, I think the NOBULL Mesh Runner excels. This model is definitely best served as a more casual running shoe. Whether you’re tacking on a mile or two before or after your workouts or hitting 5k distances, I think you’ll like how this model performs and feels. Its lightweight construction and high-rebound midsole help contribute to their performance here.
NOBULL Mesh Runner for Mid-Range and Long-Distance Runs
For mid-range runs, the NOBULL Mesh Runner should work pretty well for your needs. If you’re tackling runs in the 5-7 mile range, then this shoe should perform pretty strongly for you. This shoe’s lightweight and breathable nature help it to feel light on the feet for these distances and the midsole provides a nice amount of ground feedback.
For long-distance, this shoe is okay, but it’s not my first pick by any means. If you’re really putting in a ton of mileage, then you may want to find a model that has an upper that provides a slightly more secure feeling. Plus, while I like this midsole in this shoe for short and mid-range runs, it starts to get uncomfortable during long runs due to the higher amount of stability this shoe provides.
NOBULL Mesh Runner for Walking and Casual Wear
If you’re looking into the NOBULL Mesh Runner for walking, then you should enjoy how this shoe fits, feels, and performs. I mentioned this above, but I like how this shoe walks the fine line of providing you with some stability and a comfortable and cushioned ride. It makes this model a good pick for a variety of walking needs and foot anatomies.
On a casual wear basis, I also think the NOBULL Mesh Runner is a hit. The subtle branding and simplistic construction of this shoe make it a good option for rocking out and about with pants, shorts, and gym clothes.
NOBULL Mesh Runner Sizing
The sizing and fit in the NOBULL Mesh Runner are interesting. The length of this shoe runs pretty long, so I think if you normally find that you have ample room at the end of your toe box, then you might want to size down a half size.
Conversely, if you’re normally hitting the end of your toe box, then stay true-to-size as the length in the Mesh Runner will likely fit you really well.
- NOBULL Mesh Runner Sizing Thoughts: Go down a half size if you normally have a bunch of room at the end of your toe box when going true-to-size, go true-to-size if your toes are close to the end of your shoe in your normal true-to-size models.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the NOBULL Mesh Runner or questions about how they fit compared to other NOBULL shoes, drop a comment below and I can try to help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the NOBULL Mesh Runner, you can expect to pay $139 USD. Personally, I think this price is pretty high for what this shoe offers and how it performs.
Granted, it is NOBULL so prices are typically a bit higher for their shoes, but still, I think there are better running shoes on the market that cost less than the Mesh Runner.
NOULL Mesh Runner
$139
Best For
- Casual Running
- Walking and Daily Wear
- Bodyweight Workouts
Falls Short
- For Long-Distance Runs
- For Cost-Efficiency
Construction Details
The construction of the NOBULL Mesh Runner is pretty simplistic in nature and as a whole, the materials used in this shoe are pretty straightforward.
Below are some of the biggest construction callouts for the NOBULL Mesh Runner that play a role in this shoe’s performance.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
- Weight: 9.8 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Layered Mesh Upper
- External Heel Tab
- Lightweight Perforated Tongue
- Midsole Made With High-Rebound Phylon
- Rubber Lug Pattenered Outsole
If you have additional questions on the NOBULL Mesh Runner’s construction, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Are NOBULL good for running?
Q:Are NOBULL running shoes good for plantar fasciitis?
Q:Can you lift in NOBULL runners?
Takeaway Thoughts
The NOBULL Mesh Runner is an okay shoe for running, but it’s certainly not a top performer in the context of serious running shoes. I like this shoe most for casual runs, light workouts, and all-day wear.
This shoe walks a good line between being supportive and offering enough cushioning to make them pretty comfortable. Plus, I think if you like the NOBULL brand, then you’ll enjoy this model.
If you have any questions on the NOBULL Mesh Runner, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).
I buy and test the products featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training shoes and gear. I may earn commissions on sales made through the links on my site.
