Updated October 2026
Let’s take it back to 2015. The NOBULL brand began with our first gym shoe: the minimalist Outwork. Over the years, it’s become legendary in cross-training circles for its stability and resilience. Still, some customers wanted an option with a little more support for more confident movement; so, the Outwork Edge was born. And now, with the more dynamic way many people are training today, the Outwork family has a new, more agile member: Outwork Flex.
All three shoes can handle any strength-based workout you throw at them. But depending on your style and preferences, one may be a better choice than another. Below, we’ll break down the three models and run through their differences, so you can choose the best strength training shoe for your workouts.
What Is the NOBULL Outwork?
Originally called Trainer, Outwork is our most-loved shoe. And it’s well-suited for functional training, bodybuilding/physique training, kettlebells, HIIT, and workout classes. “It’s our most stable and durable shoe,” says Michael Schaeffer, co-founder of NOBULL and lead designer of the Outwork collection (@michael.is.nobull on Instagram).
Drop
A shoe’s heel-to-toe drop refers to the difference between the height of its heel and the forefoot. Running shoes tend to have high drops of 10mm or more, but experts agree that gym shoes should have low drops to keep your feet close to the ground. That way, they can get a better grip to stabilize your body and lift heavy loads. (See our “Expert’s Guide To Gym Shoes” for more on the difference and why it matters.)
Outwork has a very low drop of four millimeters.That’s good for lifting, particularly if you’re used to training in thicker soles or running shoes. Because it’s low (but not completely flat to the ground), the Outwork qualifies as a transitional shoe, and can help prepare your feet for lower-drop footwear, or even barefoot training, if you want to ease into it.
Toe Box
The Outwork’s toe box gives your toes the room to spread and grip the ground. You’ll get plenty of support from its strong heel counter (the back of the shoe), dense midsole, and one-piece outsole.That last part is what reaches around the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, helping to absorb twisting forces. You won’t get that from running shoes or more minimalist shoes that are little more than a wrap around your foot.
Upper
Outwork’s most distinctive feature is its super-durable upper. It’s a lightweight canvas with durable 3D print, designed to resist scuffs, scrapes, and stains. It’s also water-resistant, so if your workouts take you outside, wet grass or the occasional puddle won’t soak your feet. The upper is all one solid piece, so there are no seams to split. And it has a 3D surface with firm resin dots printed on it, which give the shoe its iconic look (plus, some traction when climbing a rope, if you’re into that).
What Do Customers Think of NOBULL Outwork?
In 2025, the editors of Men’s Health named the Outwork the “Most Durable” gym shoe and described the durable upper material as “practically bulletproof.”
Also from Men’s Health: “The Outwork’s low-profile anatomical design keeps you stable and locked in during any situation... We wear ’em for everything from plyometrics to heavy lifts.”
Meanwhile, Forbes called Outwork “One of the best lifting shoes on the market. Its sleek design is infused with multiple layers of foam that bolsters your lifting sessions, and a 4mm heel drop keeps you in touch with the ground for solid standing.”
The website garagegymreviews.com rated the Outwork as its “Best Minimalist Lifting Shoe” for 2025. Their content director writes, “When I first put on these trainers, I didn’t like the feel; I’m used to higher heels in my lifting shoes. I really didn’t want to like them, but after doing running, squats, and jumping workouts in them, I’m digging thefeel of them. They don’t feel uncomfortable in any of those movements.” She rated the ergonomics 4.5 out of 5. We’ll take it.
The NOBULL Bottom Line on Outwork:
Weight: M10.5 - 11.1 oz (315g) / W8.5 - 9.5 oz (269g)
Stack Height: 11/15mm
Heel-to-Toe-Drop:4mm
Upper: Durable 3D print on abrasion-resistant polyester canvas
Midsole: Stability-tuned EVA
Outsole: Rubber with circular tread pattern
Warranty: 1 year
– Outwork used to be known as Trainer. We changed the name.
– Outwork is best for functional strength-training workouts, but versatile enough to handle workout classes and short bouts of cardio.
– Sturdy materials mean the Outwork can take a beating.
NOBULL Outwork Edge
The Outwork Edge (formerly called Trainer+ and Impact) features the same super durable upper as the original Outwork and is very similar overall. Butthree main differences set it apart.
Support
Additional stability-tuned EVA foam delivers more support in the upper and outsole for greater responsiveness and comfort.The extra material makes Edge’s stack height a little taller than Outwork’s (that’s the distance between your foot and the ground). Note that this doesn’t change the drop of the shoe. It’s still 4mm like the original Outwork. The extra cushioning does, however, make the Edge slightly heavier than the Outwork.
Tread
The tread on the outsole is a herringbone pattern, rather than the circular shape the Outwork uses. That provides a better grip for multi-directional movement.
Lace-lock
Outwork Edge features a different lacing system than Outwork, which gives a secure midfoot lockdown to hold yourfoot in place as you move. The laces in Outwork Edge are connected to an internal webbing that cinches around your foot as you tie the shoe. The result: a customized fit and minimal movement of your foot inside the shoe.
These changes make the Outwork Edge better suited for heavier lifts and loads, with the added support and lockdown feel giving you the confidence to max out. Plus, the extra layers can help keep you on your feet for longer. “If you want more support because you’re doing longer workouts, try the Outwork Edge,” says Schaeffer.
What Do Customers Think Of NOBULL Outwork Edge?
The editors of GQ voted the Outwork Edge the “Best Workout Shoe for the Gym” in 2024, citing its traction. Their review states: “While some gym rats swear by cheap Converse® for weight training, they’ll get a kick out of how much better their workouts would be if they were to lace up in these.”
According to Footwear News, “The highly durable upper and toe bumpers protect your feet from all angles, while sidewall guards help to keep them in a safe, stable position during heavy lifts… The stability is amazing, yet they’re still mobile enough to go from big lifts to burpees and more agile movements.”
The NOBULL Bottom Line on Outwork Edge:
Weight: M10.5 - 12.6 oz (357g) / W8.5 - 10.6 oz (301g)
Stack Height: 15.5/19.5mm
Heel-to-Toe-Drop:4mm
Upper: Durable 3D print on abrasion-resistant polyester canvas
Midsole: Stability-tuned EVA
Outsole: Rubber with herringbone tread pattern
Warranty: 1 year
– Outwork Edge is more supportive than the original Outwork.
– It’s about 2 oz heavier than Outwork.
– Use it for heavier lifting, longer sessions, and more confidence and support while you go for PRs.
– Outwork Edge is $170, while Outwork and Outwork Flex are $150.
NOBULL Outwork Flex
The Outwork Flex is the newest addition to the family and the most flexible of the three. It's built on the same foundation as the original Outwork: flat, low to the ground, 4mm drop. But it’s been designed specifically for how more people are training today. Fitness classes, dynamic strength work, and conditioning in the same session. The kind of training where you still need stability for heavy loads, but need an agile shoe that moves with you, too.
"Our goal was to keep what we love about the original Outwork," says Oliver Bentsen, Senior Product Line Manager at NOBULL. "A low profile, highly durable strength training shoe. But modernize it: no break-in period, smoother underfoot, enhanced lockdown."
Upper
Where the original Outwork and Outwork Edge use the same abrasion-resistant canvas, Outwork Flex goes with a breathable spacer mesh. A zoned durability print reinforces the high-wear areas (the toe and the sides) without adding stiffness to the whole upper. The result is a shoe that breathes and feels less structured off the foot, while still holding up where it needs to.
Midsole
Underfoot, Outwork Flex runs on a CMEVA compound, tuned for agility and stability rather than cushioned support. The priority is still keeping your foot grounded and connected, not bouncing you forward like a running shoe. But the feel is smoother underfoot than the original Outwork. A molded OrthoLite® footbed and EVA Strobel board add comfort from the first wear, with no break-in period required.
Fit
Like the Edge, Outwork Flex uses a webbing harness lacing system. The laces connect to an internal structure that wraps around the midfoot as you tighten them, locking your foot in place while maintaining flexibility across the upper. A padded collar and tongue keep things comfortable across the top of the foot. Zero pressure points.
What Do Customers Think of NOBULL Outwork Flex?
Outwork Flex is new to the lineup, but the early reception from buyers has been strong, already boasting 200+ five-star reviews. The consistent theme: stability and flexibility in the same shoe, comfortable right out of the box.
Alec Smith, elite hybrid athlete, had trained in the original Outwork for seven years, making him as qualified as anyone to spot what's changed. "The OG's firm, stable, and virtually indestructible," he says. "The Flex just takes everything that made it great — the same flat, locked-in performance — with an updated upper, and a fit system that feels like a hug from rep one. No break-in needed."
The NOBULL Bottom Line on Outwork Flex:
Weight: M10.5 - 11.8 oz (335g) / W8.5 - 10.1 oz (286g)
Stack Height: 12/16mm
Heel-to-Toe-Drop: 4mm
Upper: Durable 3D print on abrasion-resistant spacer mesh (Zoned Durability Print)
Midsole: Stability-tuned EVA
Outsole: Rubber with herringbone tread pattern
Footbed: Molded OrthoLite® with EVA Strobel board
Warranty: 1 year
– Outwork Flex is the most flexible shoe in the Outwork lineup, built for modern strength training with dynamic movement.
– Same 4mm drop as Outwork and Outwork Edge.
– No break-in period. Ready to train right out of the box.
– A strong entry point for anyone newer to lifting or to the Outwork family.
See our guide, “Which NOBULL Shoes Are Right For Me?” for more on how our different shoes compare to one another.
Author Bio:
Sean Knight is a freelance senior copywriter from Los Angeles, CA, bringing a sharp, grounded voice to leading e-commerce, tech, and lifestyle brands around the world, with published works in Forbes, Outside, and Range Magazine, among others.
