For pure barbell strength work, the KRAFTBARE FORGE beats the NOBULL Trainer because it uses a true flat, zero-drop sole and a wide toe box, while the NOBULL Trainer/Outwork sits on roughly a 4mm heel-to-toe drop. If you split your training between CrossFit-style conditioning and lifting, NOBULL's tougher upper is versatile — but if squats and deadlifts are the priority, a genuine zero-drop shoe like the FORGE ($69.90) gives you a more grounded, stable base for about half the price.
KRAFTBARE FORGE vs NOBULL: which is better for lifting?
For heavy squats, deadlifts, and strength work, the FORGE wins on the fundamentals: it is truly flat (zero-drop) with a wide toe box, so your foot spreads and grips the floor. The NOBULL Trainer is a capable mixed-training shoe but carries about a 4mm drop, which is a small ramp under your heel — not the flat platform a strict strength lifter usually wants.
Here is the honest version. NOBULL built its reputation on CrossFit: a durable, abrasion-resistant SuperFabric upper that survives rope climbs, sled pushes, and box jumps, plus a firm-enough midsole that stays stable under a loaded bar. That versatility is real. But "versatile" and "optimized for the barbell" are not the same thing. The FORGE strips away the ramp and the extra material, giving you flat ground feel and a foot-shaped toe box so your toes splay for a wider, more stable base at lockout.
What is the difference between a zero-drop shoe and a 4mm drop trainer?
Heel-to-toe drop is the height difference between the heel and the ball of the foot. Zero-drop (the FORGE) means the sole is perfectly level, so your ankle, knee, and hip stack naturally. A 4mm drop (the NOBULL Trainer) tips you very slightly forward — barely noticeable in daily wear, but detectable when you are trying to sit into a heavy squat or drive through a flat foot in a deadlift.
Four millimeters is modest. It is nowhere near the 15-22mm of an Olympic weightlifting shoe. For many lifters the difference is small. But the point of a barbell-first shoe is to remove variables between your foot and the floor, and a true zero-drop, incompressible sole does that more completely than a cushioned trainer with any ramp at all. If you want the full breakdown of why flat beats cushioned under a bar, see our guide to the best shoes for deadlifts.
KRAFTBARE FORGE vs NOBULL Trainer: full comparison
Both are training shoes, but they are built for different priorities. The FORGE is a specialist strength shoe; the NOBULL Trainer is a generalist gym shoe that also lifts. Use the table to match the shoe to what you actually do most.
| Feature | KRAFTBARE FORGE | NOBULL Trainer / Outwork |
|---|---|---|
| Heel-to-toe drop | True zero-drop (0mm), flat and incompressible | ~4mm drop (per NOBULL) |
| Toe box | Wide, foot-shaped — toes splay | Standard athletic taper |
| Best for | Squats, deadlifts, strength & powerlifting, functional work | CrossFit, mixed conditioning, rope climbs, general training |
| Ground feel | High — minimal, firm sole | Moderate — more built-up midsole |
| Upper | Lightweight, breathable | Durable SuperFabric, abrasion-resistant |
| Price | $69.90 | Typically $129+ |
| Sizing | US 7-11, five colorways | Wide size range, many colors |
When is the NOBULL Trainer the better choice?
If your training is genuinely mixed — a WOD with rope climbs, wall balls, short runs, and only moderate barbell loads — the NOBULL Trainer is a defensible pick. Its SuperFabric upper is built to take abuse that a lightweight barefoot shoe is not designed for, and 4mm of drop is small enough that most lifters still feel stable underneath a bar.
NOBULL also makes a dedicated raised-heel weightlifting shoe (the NOBULL Lifters) for Olympic-style high-bar squats and the snatch and clean, where an elevated heel genuinely helps ankle-limited lifters hit depth. That is a different tool entirely — and priced accordingly. If you're deciding between conditioning-first and barbell-first footwear, our take on the best shoes for CrossFit WODs covers where a zero-drop shoe holds up and where it doesn't.
When is the KRAFTBARE FORGE the better choice?
Choose the FORGE when the barbell is the point. For back squats, front squats, deadlifts, presses, and most functional strength work, you want a flat, stable, incompressible base and room for your toes to spread — exactly what a true zero-drop, wide-toe-box shoe delivers. You also want your money back for plates: the FORGE is $69.90, roughly half the price of premium trainers.
The one clear exception: if you train primarily Olympic-style with deep high-bar squats and limited ankle mobility, a raised-heel weightlifting shoe will help you more than any flat shoe. That's an honest tradeoff. For everyone else lifting heavy from the floor and out of the rack, flat and grounded wins — here's the biomechanics behind zero-drop lifting.
How to choose between the FORGE and NOBULL: a 5-step checklist
- Name your priority lift. If squats and deadlifts dominate your week, lean FORGE. If it's mixed WODs, lean NOBULL Trainer.
- Check your drop preference. Want the flattest, most grounded feel possible? Zero-drop (FORGE). Fine with a slight ramp? 4mm (NOBULL) is close enough for many.
- Look at your toes. Wide feet or want your toes to splay for a wider base? The FORGE's foot-shaped toe box is the differentiator.
- Account for abuse. Rope climbs and sled drags reward NOBULL's SuperFabric upper. Clean gym floors don't require it.
- Weigh the price. The FORGE is $69.90; premium trainers commonly run $129+. Decide what that gap is worth to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NOBULL Trainer zero-drop?
No. The NOBULL Trainer and Outwork carry roughly a 4mm heel-to-toe drop, per NOBULL's own spec. That's low and stable, but it isn't zero-drop. The KRAFTBARE FORGE uses a true flat, level sole, which is what strict strength lifters usually mean by "zero-drop."
Is the KRAFTBARE FORGE cheaper than NOBULL?
Yes, significantly. The FORGE is $69.90, while NOBULL's training shoes typically start around $129 and their dedicated Lifters run far higher. For a barbell-focused lifter, the FORGE delivers a flat, wide, zero-drop platform for roughly half the price of a premium trainer.
Can I do CrossFit in the KRAFTBARE FORGE?
For lifting-heavy sessions, yes — the flat, stable base is ideal. For high-abrasion WODs with rope climbs and sled work, a rugged trainer like NOBULL's SuperFabric upper will simply last longer. Match the shoe to the workout: barbell-dominant days favor the FORGE.
Which is better for squats and deadlifts?
The KRAFTBARE FORGE. Its true zero-drop, incompressible sole and wide toe box give you a flat, grounded base with room for your toes to spread — exactly what you want when driving through the floor. The NOBULL Trainer's 4mm drop is close but not as flat.
Should I get NOBULL Lifters instead?
Only if you train Olympic-style with deep high-bar squats and struggle with ankle mobility. The raised heel helps there. For deadlifts, powerlifting-style squats, and general strength work, a flat zero-drop shoe like the FORGE is the more appropriate — and far more affordable — tool.
Last updated: July 1, 2026