The Lowdown
The NOBULL TrainerPlus feel like they could handle any degree of torture and still come out of it looking neon and gorgeous. I really can’t say enough about how sturdy yet comfortable they are. You’re going to catch attention when you rock them, and your feet will be thrilled!
Pros
- Sturdy upper provides support without being too stiff
- Rubber soles offer significant grip
- Handles all manner of workouts
- Low heel-to-toe drop
- Neon colorway really pops
- Not officially waterproof but in testing proved to be quite resistant to water
Cons
- Big NOBULL branding on the outside of each shoe
I’m picky about my sneakers. I tore my left ACL several years ago, and the subsequent recovery means that my knee gets the final vote on a pair of shoes. If it’s not happy, I’m not happy. Luckily for my aesthetic tastes and my knee, the NOBULL TrainerPlus in neon blue ticks all the boxes!
Objectively, these shoes are bright, but not offensively so. When I agreed to review them, I was a little apprehensive that when wearing them, you’d be able to spot me from space, but they’re actually an aesthetically pleasing shade of neon.
You’re always going to stand out rocking a pair of neon blue shoes, but in the case of the NOBULL TrainerPlus, you’re going to stand out while wearing good-looking neon shoes!
NOBULL TrainerPlus are designed for cross-training workouts; they are available in men’s and women’s sizes. The company says there’s reinforcement along the inner sole for rope climbs, but in the absence of any gym class ropes, I’ll just note that the shoes feel ultra-durable but also extra comfortable.
The soles on the bottom are rubbery and grippy on multiple surfaces, plus the rubber extends across the whole sole, so no matter how your foot lands or what you’re up to, you get uniform support.
If you are not a fan of branding, the large NOBULL on the outside of the TrainerPlus may be a deal-breaker.
The NOBULL TrainerPlus upper is made of one-piece SuperFabric, and I wish all my shoes were made from it! It’s stiff and supportive but has enough give to be comfortable, and while NOBULL doesn’t specifically say it’s waterproof, I found it to be extremely water-resistant.
I went for a walk in a serious rainstorm; my feet stayed dry, and I felt secure that the shoes had plenty of grip! These might be aimed at gym work, but don’t dismiss them for urban exploration too!
These days I do almost all my workouts barefoot in my living room, but I did rock the NOBULL TrainerPlus to put them through their athletic paces. First, I went out for a short run/walk, then did some bodyweight work (pushups and squats), and the NOBULL kept up like champs.
I still work out mostly barefoot, but if I do end up lifting in a gym, these would 100% be my go-tos. They felt amazing on my short run, and the extended rubber on the toecap meant I was nice and solid and not sliding on my carpet during pushups.
I said in the intro that my knee has voted yes on the NOBULL TrainerPlus, and a big part of that is the 4mm heel-to-toe drop. If you’re not a shoe nerd, that means the heel is only 4mm higher than the toes. The average athletic shoe offers a 10mm or higher heel drop.
It might sound very “princess and the pea” to complain about a 6mm difference, but trust me, you can feel it. NOBULL’s low drop is a lot more comfortable, and the stiffness of the shoe means that even if you’re used to getting more support from a higher heel drop, it’s offset by the structure of the shoe itself.
The NOBULL TrainerPlus feel like they could handle any degree of torture and still come out of it looking neon and gorgeous. I really can’t say enough about how sturdy yet comfortable they are. You’re going to catch attention when you rock them, and your feet will be thrilled!
At $139 for the men’s version and $129 for the women’s, the NOBULL TrainerPlus is not cheap, but that’s in line with a decent athletic shoe. And if you’re not into the neon, they do offer the TrainerPlus in other colors, but live a little and let the neon brighten up your day!
The NOBULL TrainerPlus sells for $139; it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Manufacturer provided review sample
What I liked: Sturdy upper provides support without being too stiff; Rubber soles offer significant grip; Handles all manner of workouts; Low heel-to-toe drop; Neon colorway really pops; Not officially waterproof but in testing proved to be quite resistant to water
What needs improvement: Big NOBULL branding on the outside of each shoe
I don’t mind the big “NOBULL” logo on the side of the shoe. It’s less obvious than a lot of shoe logos and on most of their Trainer+ shoe colors, the logo is the same color as the shoe itself. I love the neon orange for women, but it is $139, not $129. In fact I couldn’t find a women’s Trainer+ shoe for $129. But if you sign up for their emails, they offer $20 off. Great review, and thanks for finding a great workout shoe!
Nice review! I’d wear ’em, I like the bright colors and the comfort sounds substantial.
Looks like a great shoe. I wonder if these shoes are washable.
These shoes look so stylish. I’d wear them for workouts or just casual.
Those actually look pretty cool! The logo doesn’t really bother me, it pretty much blends in with the shoe.
They look like nice shoes! Very bright, though.
fun color