NoBull Drive Mesh Review: Tried and Tested in 2024

If you split your workout time between cardio and strength training, you know how hard it is to find a shoe that can do both. Running shoes, with their soft cushioning, often lack stability for basic lifts, and weightlifting shoes are far too stiff to even think about picking up the pace on a treadmill. The NOBULL Drive Mesh ($139) might be the Goldilocks of cross-training shoes, keeping you comfortable no matter what the day has in store.

Known for its flat-soled weightlifting shoes like the Impact, NOBULL has made a leap into more versatile territory with this one, and the Drive Mesh is reliable enough to keep in your gym bag forever.

NOBULL Drive Mesh – $139.00

Sizes: Women 5-11, in half sizes | To colour: 8 | Materials: Mesh upper, Pebax midsole, rubber outsole

• Breathable mesh upper
• Enough cushioning to feel good during short runs or mid-workout sprints
• Low heel-to-toe drop for stability during squats and deadlifts

• Fits small and narrow
• Not stable enough for movements that require you to stand on the balls of your feet, such as lunges

First impressions

When I first unpacked this shoe, I was pleased with how light it felt in my hands. The Pebax foam (a thermoplastic polymer) cushioning strikes a balance between substantial but not too heavy, so you get all the comfort without the bulk. And the airy mesh upper is so thin you can actually see your socks through it (don’t worry, it’s subtle enough that it won’t mess with your gym outfit.) It was immediately clear that NOBULL put some serious thought into this shoes are light and breathable for all kinds of workouts.

When I strapped them on they felt quite tight, which wasn’t a problem as the upper is flexible enough to accommodate my wide foot. However, I ordered my standard size (7.5) and would definitely recommend sizing up for a better fit.

Related stories

Performance

I wore these at the gym for a week, including during light cardio and functional strength movements with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and cable machines, so I really put them through the movements. Most of the time I flew through my workouts without even noticing my feet, which is exactly what you hope for with a cross-training shoe. The outsole had enough grip that I felt secure, but not too much that I felt stuck when I tried to move dynamically (which was the case when I tried the NOBULL Impact, $139).

I especially liked them for squatting, which may be an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed the subtle lift of my heel (4 millimeters). It gave me a little more flexibility during my lifting sessions, making it easier to sink into the squat with better form, something I always struggle with. I also did a few warm-up jogs on the treadmill and found it great for short runs or sprints. I wouldn’t use them for long distances because there isn’t much cushioning, but I loved that I didn’t have to pack an extra pair of shoes just for a little cardio.

However, there was one exercise where the shoes fell short: Lunges. After a few reps in a split squat, I noticed that my arch started to cramp and balancing on the ball of my foot became a challenge. When I did rotational lunges, I wobbled even more. I think the NOBULL Mesh Drives perform better during fast, dynamic lunge movements, like a HIIT workout, rather than the slow and controlled sets I did.

Final thoughts

Overall, the NOBULL Drive Mesh is a solid choice if your workouts are a mix of strength training and short bursts of cardio. They’re breathable, light enough to carry on a fast run, and surprisingly stable enough for squats and deadlifts. I could see them working especially well if you’re going through a tough CrossFit WOD (Workout of the Day, for the uninitiated) or taking a cardio class like HIIT or boot camp. For me, I throw them in my gym bags on days when I have a little bit of everything in store.