NOBULL Outwork Flex Review

Over the last decade, NOBULL has been notorious for rarely updating their training shoes. In the eyes of the avid lifter and athlete, this can be both a good and bad thing depending on how much you love their trainers.

When they announced the NOBULL Outwork Flex, I was excited to put them through the wringer. In the current NOBULL trainer landscape, you have the Outwork, which is more of their strength and stability-biased model, and the Impact, which is a bit more supportive and cushioned for HIIT.

In my mind, the Flex is built to live somewhere in between them with a slightly more flexible EVA midsole that still has support and a bit of a stack height. To be fair, I think I went into this shoe thinking they’d be a lot more flexible than they are.

Granted, when I think of flexibility and cross-training shoes, my mind goes to the Forged & Tested Catalyst, which features a lot of flexibility. Now, don’t get me wrong, the Outwork Flex is flexible — in relation to other NOBULL shoes — it’s just not the most flexible on the market. That said, it has grown on me. Here’s how they stack up below.

Who Should Buy the NOBULL Outwork Flex?

1. Impact lovers who wanted more movement. If you’ve worn or currently wear the NOBULL Impact and have longed for it to be a little more flexible, then you’ll love the Outwork Flex’s feel.
2. You like a little midfoot support. This shoe has a bit of support through its midfoot, which I picked up on right away. If you’re someone who enjoys having a little more arch support in your shoes, then you’ll enjoy how these feel on your feet.
3. You need a shoe for lifting and athletic workouts. The Outwork Flex is stable enough for heavier lifts and it’s flexible enough for athletic asks if you like having a little more shoe under the foot. Its outsole’s aggressive lugs also do a good job on turf.

Who Should Pass On the Outwork Flex?

1. You want something that moves more with the foot. If you’re used to minimalist shoes or trainers with a ton of flexibility like the Catalyst, Born Primitive Savage 1, and STRKE MVMNT Haze, and love them, then the Flex will likely let you down regarding its…flex.
2. You don’t like extra midfoot support. I rotate shoes for reviews and my training, so I’m constantly in minimalist and more supported options. The Outwork Flex definitely leans toward having a little more support. If you prefer less medial midfoot in your training shoes, then you’ll want to consider this.
3. You prioritize breathability. While I appreciate the NOBULL haptic uppers for their durability, I don’t find them the most breathable or comfortable. If you’re big on breathability and train in hotter climates or want a shoe with an upper that wraps the foot a little more flush, then you’ll want to consider this. It’s par the course for NOBULL trainers.

Sizing and Fit

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 feet: True to size. 
• Medium (D) and E width: True to size.
• 2E+: True to size. ¾E feet, tread lightly.

This model should fit true to size for most athletes and lifters. If you currently wear NOBULL shoes, I’d size these similarly to how you size your other models. They’ll feel most similar to models like the Impact regarding upper volume and length.

There’s a thicker removable insole in this shoe, too, so if you have custom orthotics or inserts that you like to use, this can be a decent option to accommodate you, in my opinion.

Compared to the Outwork and Impact, the Flex has a little more taper through the midfoot and a bit more of a “bean” shape outsole. As stated above, I think if you like a more form-fitting and supportive midfoot, then you’ll enjoy the feel of the Outwork Flex on your feet. It does feel more form-fitting than the other models.

For my wide and flat feet friends. If you have a flatter foot and tend to prefer shoes with less medial midfoot materials, then you’ll likely want to pass on this shoe. Models like the Altra Soltice XT 3, Flux Adapt Graphene, and Catalyst will be better poised for your asks. If you have a 3 or 4E foot width and try these, I’d suggest trying them on inside to avoid scuffing them up in the event you need to return them due to width constraints.

Performance Assessment

Lifting Breakdown: 8.1/10

For lifting, the Outwork Flex has delivered a solid foundation to train on. The EVA midsole walks that fine line between feeling flexible enough for explosive lifts like cleans and snatches, while being dense enough to accommodate moving heavier weights. In my power clean and squat sessions, I have yet to notice any glaring stability issues with these.

For context and for threshold discussions, I think if you’re someone who’s training with free weight thresholds around 300-455 lbs with squats and deadlifts, then you’ll be plenty in the Outwork Flex. The standouts for this shoe with its lifting performance definitely revolve around its dense and grippy outsole and its midsole.

To be honest, I’m curious to see where the original Outwork continues to live with the release of the Outwork Flex, since the Flex can work just fine for lifting while providing a more versatile platform.

Cross-Training: 8/10

I’ve liked the Outwork Flex for cross-training for the most part. To be fair, it’s performed better than I thought it would based on my first impressions of it out of the box. Then again, I think I went into this shoe with mismatched expectations. When I read about the “flex” and its purpose, I expected it to be, ugh, how do you say it…flexible?

The Flex did grow on me after a few sessions, and when I compared it to the Impact, that’s when I noticed the flexibility. It’s a relative flexibility, and once they break in, they do get a little more maneuverable through the forefoot and midfoot. For sessions where I was doing things like box jumps, step-ups, and kettlebell circuits, these have felt pretty solid.

They’re playful enough to give you some flexibility in core movements that most are hitting in their sessions. I also think these could be a good move for those who wear overly rigid trainers like the Metcon 10 or overly plush running shoes and want to dabble in a trainer that’s supportive but a bit flexible.

The herringbone tread on the outsole grips well on different surfaces and if you regularly train on turf then transition to rubber gym floors, then you shouldn’t run into slip issues with these. I also like the upper’s security in this shoe. It has enough lockdown for dynamic movements and if you have a normal instep, then you should be solid in this model.

Short Runs: 7/10

You can tackle short runs in these, but despite their flexibility, which is designed to promote better performance in more athletic sessions, I still don’t prefer to run in these. For runs that are 1k and down, you’ll be fine in this model.

I just wouldn’t expect them to feel super “hybrid-y,” and for sprints where you want less material than more, they can also feel a bit clunky. Comparatively speaking, these have definitely been the easiest NOBULL trainers to tackle short interval runs in, they’re just not my first pick if the workout or WOD calls for short runs.

Daily Wear: 7/10

For daily wear, they’re just…fine. They look pretty solid and simple, which I personally like and they feel decent under the feet for shorter bouts. For anyone who likes the NOBULL appearance and wants a model that is supportive and slightly flexible, then these will hit the spot.

My issues with trying to drag out this shoe’s versatility into daily wear revolve around its fit and breathability. The arch can feel excessive for standing all day and walking and the upper’s lack of breathability doesn’t make for the best all-day experience in this shoe.

Construction Details

The upper on the Outwork Flex is built primarily with a mesh with haptic overlays covering it. This has been a core NOBULL training shoe staple for years, and this model follows a similar flow with a little bit of pattern change throughout. In my opinion, this little change gives this pair a little more “zest” regarding its appearance.

The boot is built with a padded mesh and has a medium level of structure to it. There’s an external heel tab, which I love, and some NOBULL branding on the heel. The heel branding is built with a TPU, and to be fair, I could take or leave this branding detail.

The midsole is composed of a medium-density EVA foam. This material has a little give to it when pressed into, but I’d say it airs a little more on the stability side of the spectrum. That’s why I feel as though the Outwork Flex works great for lifting despite being marketed as a more flexible, athletic-focused trainer.

Similar to the Impact, the outsole in this model is built with a herringbone tread pattern. It’s a little denser with its feel and has fairly aggressive lugs. On different surfaces, the outsole bite of this shoe has been really solid.

Final Remarks: Would I Get Again?

I would. Of all the NOBULL trainers that I’ve worn over the last decade, the Outwork Flex has been one of my favorites.

I’m big on having a shoe that moves more anatomically with the foot and compared to the other NOBULL trainers, the Flex delivers a stronger performance there. If you’re similar and have been eyeing the Outwork Flex, then I think it’s worth giving a try.

That said, if you’re coming to this shoe thinking it’s going to have a ton of flexibility, then I think you’ll be let down and will want to look elsewhere. It’s also not going to be the most forgiving for those who don’t want a ton of artificial arch support.

The stack height of the Outwork Flex still feels relatively “clunky” in terms of feel compared to other models on the market.

If you have additional questions on the Outwork Flex, drop a comment below.