VELITES Hybrid 1.0 Review: Good First Pass?

Sizing and Fit Suggestions

I ordered my typical size 10 and ended up with well over a thumb’s width gap in the toe box. In most performance trainers, that’s a clear sign to size down. If you’re someone who already gets a full thumb’s width in your current true-to-size shoes, definitely go a half-size down in the Hybrid 1.0.

That said, sizing is going to be tricky with this model. Shipping times to the U.S. are long, and there’s no clear sizing standard yet due to this being a brand-new product. There’s no removable insole either, so if you typically rely on custom orthotics or third-party insoles, you’ll want to factor that in.

My Sizing Thoughts

• Narrow Feet (<D) Sizing: Size down if you already have a thumb’s width.
• Medium Feet (D) Sizing: True to size for most, size down if you have more than a thumb’s width.
• Wide Feet (E/EE) Sizing: True to size.
• Extra Wide Feet (3E+): True to size, but may feel too snug for this foot anatomy.
• Flat Feet Thoughts: Arch and medial midfoot may feel off-putting, and there’s no removable insole to give you a little wiggle room.

At 11.55 ounces with a 3mm drop, it’s slightly heavier than other shoes in this category, though not dramatically so.

Still, for a shoe that leans into the minimalist-flexible category, the additional weight paired with inconsistent sizing feels like a miss.

Performance Assessment

To test the VELITES Hybrid 1.0s, I made a point to focus heavily on three key areas: Lifting, CrossFit, and short runs. Since this shoe is marketed as a “hybrid” model, I wanted to push its abilities for lifting and short runs in single workouts.

On top of this, the Hybrid 1.0 is also marketed heavily towards CrossFit athletes, so I tested them in multiple WODs and cross-training settings.

Gold Standard Performance for Lifting

Strength workouts are where the Hybrid 1.0 starts to redeem itself.

I really liked the stability during heavy static lifts (including 485 lb deadlift reps) and was impressed by how grounded and connected I felt. That’s thanks to the high-density EVA foam that runs throughout the midsole, providing minimal compression under load. This will be a training shoe that I think you can comfortably train over 400 lbs in without stability issues.

The flexible forefoot also made it easy to move between different planes of motion. Hitting triple extension in explosive Olympic lifts felt fluid, and transitioning to jumping was smooth. Not to mention, the outsole provided consistent traction across rubber gym flooring, turf, tile, and carpet.

Bottom Line: For general lifting and explosive strength work, the Hybrid 1.0 performs well and breaks in quickly. These get my stamp of approval if that’s a major ask behind why you’re investing in them.

Solid Option for CrossFit and Cross-Training

For CrossFit and mixed-modality workouts, the shoe held up better than expected. Now, time will tell once we get more data points, but I haven’t had issues with these yet.

Rope climbs felt grippy and secure, with the midsole resisting excessive compression when doing higher rep sets. It’s a tiny detail most reviews skip when discussing CrossFit shoes, but for some niche cases, it matters. Granted, I tend to fall in the camp of thinking most shoes overdo the rope wraps these days, and the Hybrid 1.0 does fall into that box.

For agility drills and metcon-style intervals, these felt pretty smooth thanks to the outsole’s grip and the overall ground contact feel. Plyometric movements were snappy and controlled, which I liked. If you’re someone who prefers a denser ride when training for ground feedback purposes, you’ll appreciate the feel of these on your feet.

My biggest long-term concern here is the upper. The synthetic overlay on the toe and midfoot may not hold up under the wear and tear of repeated rope climbs or aggressive forefoot friction, but that’s based on models that I’ve reviewed with similar features. If there’s a long-term issue, I’d expect this to be the first point of breakdown if you’re training hard and often.

Bottom Line: Overall, these have been solid for CrossFit and cross-training. They’re versatile enough for most WODs, and for cross-training, their grip and lateral stability are their biggest pros. Just keep in mind, these won’t have the plushest feel if you want more bounce and responsiveness for HIIT/cross-training.

Not Bad for Short Jaunts

In my humble opinion, calling this a “hybrid” shoe is generous when it comes to true running performance. It can handle short intervals (think 400- to 1200-meter repeats), but anything longer starts to feel clunky and a bit dense.

The dense midsole doesn’t provide enough forgiveness and lacks a smooth heel-to-toe transition for longer efforts. And despite the lightweight upper, it lacks breathability for extended runs in warm environments, especially in hotter environments.

If your training includes the occasional sprint or shuttle, you’ll be fine, or if your CrossFit box programs short runs often. If you’re planning to knock out 5Ks or longer conditioning blocks pre or post-workout, then you’ll likely want to reach for something else. The Inov8 F-Fly can be a solid option for this task.

Bottom Line: Okay for short interval runs, but calling this shoe a “hybrid” shoe is a bit grandiose.

So-So Performance for Daily Wear

The Hybrid 1.0 wasn’t built with daily wear in mind, and it shows.

Due to the sizing issues I’ve experienced, it’s tough to recommend this as a go-to daily driver. The upper doesn’t offer much airflow, the insole can’t be swapped, and the midsole is too dense to be considered comfortable for casual use or extended time on your feet.

Bottom Line: These will be best served as a “gym-only” shoe for most. Some may like their ride if they’re used to denser shoes, but for the vast majority of folks, I think you’ll want to save this shoe for the gym.

Construction & Build

VELITES has made some solid structural choices with this model, but they also missed some small details that add up.

What works (My Opinion):

• Extended outsole wrap around the toe improves durability during dragging movements explosive work
• Grippy rubber outsole is multi-surface ready and has no trouble transitioning from gym to turf
• Dual-density heel adds a little more structure without overcomplicating the build
• Mesh tongue with elastic gusset keeps the foot in place through dynamic movements
• Six eyelets (five main + one for lace locking) give athletes the option for lace lock

What needs work (My Opinion):

• Synthetic overlays feel a little cheap and may separate from the upper with time
• No removable insole limits customization and raises questions about long-term compression
• The tongue gusset design could benefit from traditional construction
  • I would’ve preferred a more traditional gusset for long-term comfort and durability

Final Thoughts

The VELITES Hybrid 1.0 is a solid first attempt from a brand entering the training shoe space. It gets a lot right in terms of function and foundation—especially for lifting and cross-training. Where it struggles is fit, comfort, and durability, all of which are critical if a brand wants to compete in this category.

I’d rate it around a C+/B-, which feels appropriate. 

This isn’t a bad shoe, it is a first-gen product, and it shows. 

There are clearly some strong bones here. If VELITES takes the feedback seriously and iterates on this design with better materials (specifically a more thoughtful upper), consistent sizing, they could be real players in the functional footwear space.

Until then, this shoe remains a niche pick. If you have the right foot shape and the right training style, it might work great. For most, it’ll be a pass in favor of more proven options.

As a first draft, the Hybrid 1.0 isn’t bad. It’s not going to dethrone your favorite training shoes just yet.