TYR CXT-1 Trainer Review | Great Versatile Training Shoe?

The TYR CXT-1 Trainer made waves at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games as multiple top athletes wore these shoes for competition. As a new cross-training shoe on the market, I was super excited to put the CXT-1 Trainer to the test.

Compared to some of the market’s best cross-training shoes, the TYR CXT-1 Trainer comes with a few unique features. For example, this model features TYR’s patent-pending stability platform and one of the highest heel-to-toe drops for CrossFit shoes which sits at 9mm.

Overall, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed training in the TYR CXT-1 Trainer and actually hit a high-bar back squat PR in them. However, despite their promising well-rounded performance, I did find a few cons with this shoe which I’ll discuss below.

In this TYR CXT-1 Trainer review, I’ll cover multiple topics to help you decide if this model is a good fit for your training needs.

Contents

1. Who Should Invest In the TYR CXT-1 Trainer?
2. TYR CXT-1 Trainer Pros
3. TYR CXT-1 Trainer Cons
4. Performance
5. TYR CXT-1 Trainer Sizing
6. Price Breakdown
7. Construction Details

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Who Should Invest In the TYR CXT-1 Trainer?

The TYR CXT-1 Trainer is a good training shoe for athletes and lifters that need a stable and versatile trainer for lifting and CrossFit. This shoe walks a good line between being stable, but also responsive in different training settings.

I also think the higher heel-to-toe drop will be a nice feature and resonate with some athletes who like training with higher drops. Additionally, this model has a good level of ankle and arch support 

If you’re in the market for a trainer for CrossFit, lifting, and athletic-style training, and you enjoy a nice level of stability and higher heel-to-toe drops in your shoes, then you should enjoy the performance and construction of the TYR CXT-1 Trainer.

That being said, I don’t think this trainer will be the best pick for athletes and lifters that like more minimalist-style shoes or shoes that have lower heel-to-toe drops.

TYR CXT-1 Trainer

$130

4.6

Stability

4.8

Versatility

4.7

Durability

4.3

Best For

• CrossFit/Cross-Training
• Recreational Lifting
• Athletic-Style Workouts
• Athletes That Like Higher Drops

Falls Short

• For Minimal Drop Lovers
• For Athletes That Like “Minimalist-Style” Shoes

Shop TYR

TYR CXT-1 Trainer Pros

Going into the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, I had no idea what to expect from this model. Throughout my training and testing, I found multiple pros to like about this model.

1. Well-Rounded Performance for Lifting and CrossFit
2. Higher Heel-to-Toe Drop Could Be Beneficial for Some Athletes
3. Good Ankle and Arch Support

The first pro and thing to like with the TYR CXT-1 Trainer is this shoe’s performance. A lot of athletes and lifters, myself included, have been patiently waiting to hear about the CXT-1 Trainer’s performance.

In the context of lifting, versatile training, and CrossFit, the CXT-1 Trainer has done a pretty solid job in all of my training tests. For lifting, this shoe was stable enough to support 500+ lb deadlifts and 400+ lb squats.

For CrossFit and versatile training, the Surge NRG foam midsole did a good job at providing excellent responsiveness through the forefoot for things like box jumps, double-unders, and plyometrics. The breathable mesh upper with reinforced toe guard also offers a nice level of foot security in these training contexts.

The second thing to like about the TYR CXT-1 Trainer — which is what I think will be one of the most polarizing construction features on this shoe — is its higher heel-to-toe drop.

Compared to other dedicated CrossFit shoes, the CXT-1 Trainer’s 9mm heel-to-toe drop is one of the highest drops in the game. For context, other CrossFit shoes like the Nike Metcon 8 and Haze Trainer feature a 4mm heel-to-toe drop and the RAD ONE comes in at 6mm.

I think for taller lifters and athletes that need and like a little more “heel” when they’re training, the heel-to-toe drop on the CXT-1 Trainer will resonate well with their training needs. As someone with long legs, I appreciate the higher drop for tackling heavy squats and high-volume wall balls.

The final aspect to like about the TYR CXT-1 Trainer is the ankle and arch support it provides. This model’s heel construction contains a fairly rigid heel cup which I enjoyed for locking down the heel and providing additional support.

I noticed the ankle support most when doing later plyometrics and never felt unstable in these shoes. They give a nice planted feeling and if you like training shoes with ankle support, I think you’ll enjoy this construction feature.

On top of the ankle support, the arch support in the CXT-1 Trainer is also pretty solid. Lower drop training shoes can sometimes lack when it comes to arch support, so if you do like having some arch support in your shoes, I think you’ll enjoy the CXT-1 Trainer’s feel.

TYR CXT-1 Trainer Cons

For the most part, I’ve enjoyed training in TYR CXT-1 Trainer. However, there are a few cons to note about this model before investing in them.

1. Not a Good Shoe for Minimalist Lovers
2. Durability May Be An Issue for Rope Climbs
3. May Lack With Outdoor Workouts In Grass

The first potential drawback that I could see others having with this shoe is that it’s likely not going to resonate with those that like more minimalist-style training shoes.

If you like lower heel-to-toe drops or training shoes with lower stack heights, I would say steer clear of this model. For example, if you enjoy shoes like the Haze Trainer or Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2, then you may find that the CXT-1 Trainer feels a bit thick and clunky.

Personally, I don’t think the heel-to-toe drop and stack height take away from this shoe’s performance, but I could very well see some athletes not liking these features based on the training shoe preferences.

The second drawback that I found with the TYR CXT-1 Trainer was their durability for j-wrap rope climbs. During my third rope climbing session with this shoe, I lost a chunk out of the lateral midfoot on my right shoe.

This is the side of the shoe that takes a beating when j-wrap rope climbing, and when I noticed this I was pretty bummed. Mostly because it’s not a little scuff on the side of the shoe, but a fairly noticeable chunk of material that got taken out.

Truthfully, I’m hoping this is a one-off case and my shoe is an anomaly, but it’s a durability concern that I want to make known. It will be interesting to see if others experience similar issues with this model once more athletes are testing and using them for rope climbs.

As to why this may have happened, I think the denseness of the rubber midfoot and heel wrap in conjunction with the ridges on the wrap may have caused the rope to catch and take a chunk out of the midfoot due to excessive friction and lack of glide.

The last drawback that I noticed with this shoe is on the cosmetic side. In one of my outdoor sessions, I noticed the white mesh on my shoe’s toe box getting grass-stained fairly fast, and it wasn’t super easy to get out.

This somewhat caught me by surprise because I train in grass pretty frequently and haven’t experienced grass stains this fast on white and lighter colorways. That being said, if you invested in the lighter colorways for the CXT-1 Trainer, I’d suggest limiting their use to gym use and concrete to prevent colorway staining.

TYR CXT-1 Trainer Performance

To break down the performance of the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, I’m going to discuss how this shoe performs in different settings. I’ll talk about their performance for lifting, CrossFit, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.

This way, if you’re thinking about investing in the CXT-1 Trainer, you can cross-reference their performance to see if they match your performance needs.

Testing the TYR CXT-1 Trainer for Lifting and CrossFit

For lifting, I’ve really enjoyed the performance of the TYR CXT-1 Trainer and that’s for three key reasons. First, the stability in this shoe is solid and it should work for most lifters and their heavy strength sessions.

The Stability Platform in this shoe and the medium to high-density midsole provide this shoe with a well-rounded level of stability from the heel to the forefoot.

Second, I like the higher heel-to-toe drop in this shoe, especially for squats and lower body days. As someone with long shins and femurs, I enjoy having more “heel” with shoes for this context and if you’re similar, I think you’ll also resonate with this shoe.

While may not be the best shoe for things like deadlifts due to its drop, especially if you’re getting specific with your deadlifting, it can hold its own for heavier pulls.

Third and lastly, the outsole construction provides a nice level of grip on rubber gym floors, wooden platforms, and machines, so traction and grip shouldn’t be an issue when lifting with this model.

For CrossFit, the TYR CXT-1 Trainer’s performance was well-rounded and I had no complaints with this shoe until the durability issue I ran into during one of my rope climb sessions.

That being said, if you j-wrap rope climb and do climbs at a higher volume, I’d highly suggest keeping an eye on your shoe’s midfoot. For context, I typically program rope climbs 2x a week and do one day with 10x single climbs and five 2x climbs on the second day.

This model ripped on my third rope climbing session tackling my sixth climb. Again, I’m hoping this is a rare issue and I don’t want to write off this model’s durability entirely, but I was bummed at the rate at which I experienced breakdown issues.

For things like burpees, double-unders, and dumbbell snatches, this shoe worked well and provided a nice blend of stability and responsiveness.

Testing the TYR CXT-1 Trainer for Versatile Training

For versatile training, I liked the TYR CXT-1 Trainer for two key reasons. First, the breathable mesh upper in this model provides a nice level of security when doing multi-directional exercises and plyometrics.

I liked how locked down I felt in this shoe when doing lateral explosive work and working on my landing mechanics. The toe guard helped keep my feet in place and from spilling over the sole for this style of training.

Second, I enjoyed the base of the shoe and how you feel grounded when doing different styles of training. The outsole in this model walks a fine line between feeling athletic and flatter which is a plus for feeling grounded in HIIT workouts and athletic-style training.

Something to note when it comes to versatile training in this shoe is that I did notice it took about a week to break in and start feeling more mobile. This model can feel a little stiff during your first workout but gets more mobile as you train in them more.

Overall, the TYR CXT-1 Trainer did a good job for athletic-style training and I’ve enjoyed their performance for sessions where I’m blending lifting, plyometrics, and conditioning circuits all in one training session.

Testing the TYR CXT-1 Trainer for Short Runs and Daily Wear

For short runs, the TYR CXT-1 Trainer will work well for sprints, short runs programmed in WODs, and runs that range from 1-3 miles.

This model has a firmer midsole, so you get a nice level of ground feedback when sprinting, but I would pass on this shoe for longer runs. I think this shoe will be uncomfortable for longer mileage.

For daily wear, I’d also suggest passing on this model and limiting their use to training sessions and using them for outdoor activities on concrete like pickleball, which they work pretty well for.

Their comfort isn’t the best for all-day wear and I think you’ll get more out of these shoes if you limit their daily wear usage.

TYR CXT-1 Trainer Sizing

For the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, most lifters and athletes should be safe going true to size in this model. Their length fits true and they have a neutral width with a toe box that follows a more anatomical shape.

I think narrow, neutral-width, and slightly wider feet will resonate well with this model. If you have notably wider feet, you may want to go up a half size to ensure you have enough room in the toe box with this model.

This shoe does not have the wider toe box like the lifter, which TYR also mentions on their site in the Q & A section. That being said, I would say don’t expect this model to have a toe box that blows other training shoes out of the water for width.

• TYR CXT-1 Trainer Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size.

If you have additional questions on the sizing and fit of the TYR CXT-1 Trainer or how they compare to other cross-training shoes, drop a comment below.

Price Breakdown

For the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, you can expect to pay between $130 to $139.99 USD. Different colorways for the CXT-1 Trainer will have different price points.

Compared to other CrossFit-focused training shoes, this shoe’s price point is right in line with other premium models. Outside of the rope climbing issue I had with this model, I think this model’s performance was solid for lifting, athletic-style training, and CrossFit.

That being said, if you’re trying to save as much as possible, you could also explore more budget-friendly cross-training shoes.

TYR CXT-1 Trainer

$130

4.6

Stability

4.8

Versatility

4.7

Durability

4.3

Best For

• CrossFit/Cross-Training
• Recreational Lifting
• Athletic-Style Workouts
• Athletes That Like Higher Drops

Falls Short

• For Minimal Drop Lovers
• For Athletes That Like “Minimalist-Style” Shoes

Shop TYR

Construction Details

There are a lot of cool features that TYR tried to implement and use with the CXT-1 Trainer. Below are some of the key construction details to note about the CXT-1 Trainer.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9mm
• Weight: 12.65 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Patent Pending Stability Platform
• Breathable Mesh Upper
• Full Rubber Outsole
• Midfoot and Heel Wrap
• Toe Bumper
• Surge NRG Foam Midsole
• Anatomical Toe Box

If you have additional construction questions about the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, drop a comment below.

Takeaway Thoughts

The TYR CXT-1 Trainer has been one of my favorite cross-training shoes to lift and train in recently. I enjoy the higher heel-to-toe drop in this shoe and I like the stability of this shoe for lifting.

This shoe comes with a firmer fit and has a nice level of versatility for CrossFit and athletic training. If you’re interested in this model, especially for CrossFit, definitely keep an eye on the durability of this shoe’s midfoot.

I’m hoping as more athletes train in the CXT-1 Trainer, TYR will continue to get more valuable feedback to make updates to the CXT-1 Trainer and future models.

If you have additional questions on the TYR CXT-1 Trainer, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).