NOBULL Review: Flat Soles Are Not a Style Choice
NOBULL makes training footwear and apparel built around a flat, stable sole and minimal cushioning, positioned for gym training rather than running. It is a footwear brand and this review covers it as one — with a genuine technical point, because this site recommends resistance training on nearly every page and the shoes people wear to do it matter more than most realise.
Verified August 25, 2026. NOBULL makes athletic footwear. Nothing here is medical or exercise-prescription advice. For weight-loss medication see our GLP-1 provider rankings.
Affiliate disclosure: Rx Saver Hub earns a commission if you sign up through links on this page. It does not change what we write — see our disclosure policy.
Verdict: A real functional distinction rather than a marketing one, at premium pricing. Cushioned running shoes compress under load, which introduces instability in exactly the movements where stability matters most — squats, deadlifts and anything loaded through the feet. A flat firm sole transmits force to the floor and keeps the foot stable, which is why lifters use flat shoes and why running shoes are the wrong tool. What that does not mean is that you need expensive ones; the sole geometry is the feature, and cheap flat shoes have the same geometry.
What NOBULL Costs
Premium training footwear pricing, with cheaper alternatives sharing the key feature.
| Plan | What you get | Listed | Real cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apparel | Training clothing | From about $45 | Standard tier |
| Training shoes | Flat firm sole | Premium | The geometry is the feature |
| Cheap flat shoes | Canvas trainers and similar | Very low | Same sole geometry |
| Running shoes | Cushioned and compressible | Varies | Wrong tool for lifting |
Do not lift in running shoes
Cushioned running soles are designed to compress and return energy, which is what you want when running and precisely what you do not want under load. Compression under a loaded squat or deadlift creates an unstable base, shifts your centre of mass unpredictably, and reduces how much force reaches the floor. Flat firm soles — training shoes, canvas trainers, or bare feet where permitted — solve that. This matters on a GLP-1 because resistance training is what determines how much of your weight loss is fat rather than muscle, and doing it on an unstable base is both less effective and less safe.
A cheap pair of flat canvas trainers has the same sole geometry as a premium training shoe. The geometry is the feature; the rest is durability and fit.
Why sole geometry matters under load
When you squat or deadlift, force travels from your body through your feet into the floor. A compressible sole absorbs and redirects some of that unpredictably, which makes the movement less stable and less efficient.
It also changes your position. A cushioned heel that compresses differently from the forefoot alters your ankle angle mid-lift, which is not something you want changing under load.
Flat firm soles keep the foot flat and the force path direct. That is why serious lifters use flat shoes or lift barefoot, and it is a mechanical point rather than a preference.
Weightlifting shoes with a raised solid heel are a further specialisation for deep squatting, which is beyond what most people need. Flat and firm covers the general case.
What this actually costs
Very little, if you want it to. Cheap canvas trainers have exactly the sole geometry that matters — flat, firm and thin. Plenty of lifters use them deliberately rather than as a compromise.
What premium training shoes add is durability, lateral support for multidirectional movement, and fit quality. Those are real if you train frequently and do varied work; they are not what makes the shoe suitable for lifting.
So the honest position: the functional requirement is cheap to meet, and paying more buys longevity and comfort rather than a better training effect.
Sizing note for readers here: feet frequently change size during substantial weight loss — the plantar fat pad reduces and fluid retention drops, and many people lose a half size, width more than length. Hold off on expensive fitted footwear while that is happening.
Training on a GLP-1, briefly
Resistance training two or three times a week covering squats, hinges, presses, pulls and carries, progressively loaded, is the intervention that preserves lean muscle during rapid weight loss. It matters more than any equipment or footwear decision.
Expect reduced work capacity, because eating substantially less shows up as faster fatigue. Start conservatively and progress steadily rather than chasing what a programme suggests.
Hydration and electrolytes matter more than usual, since both fall alongside food. Dizziness on standing is worth mentioning to your prescriber rather than pushing through — it can also reflect blood pressure medication needing reduction as weight falls.
And protein around training, since the requirement rises when you train and hitting a target on a suppressed appetite is already the hard part.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Flat firm sole is a genuine functional advantage for lifting
- Durable construction suited to frequent varied training
- Lateral support for multidirectional movement, unlike running shoes
- Apparel range from around $45
Drawbacks
- Premium pricing for a sole geometry cheap shoes also have
- Not suitable for running, which needs cushioning
- Minimal cushioning is uncomfortable for extended walking
- Poor timing to buy fitted footwear during active weight loss
Who Should Pick It — and Who Shouldn't
Good fit
Someone training with weights regularly who wants durable footwear built for it, and whose weight has been stable enough that sizing will hold.
Look elsewhere
Anyone who mainly runs or walks, and anyone who could meet the same functional requirement with cheap flat trainers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shoes should I wear to lift weights?
Flat, firm-soled shoes — training shoes, canvas trainers, or barefoot where permitted. Cushioned running soles compress under load, creating an unstable base and altering your position mid-lift. The sole geometry is the feature, and cheap flat shoes have it too.
Can I lift in running shoes?
You can, and you should not. Running soles are designed to compress and return energy, which is the opposite of what you want under a loaded squat or deadlift — it creates instability and reduces force transfer to the floor.
Do I need expensive training shoes?
No. The functional requirement — a flat firm thin sole — is met by cheap canvas trainers. Premium shoes add durability, lateral support and fit quality, which matter if you train frequently but do not improve the training effect.
What exercise protects muscle on a GLP-1?
Progressive resistance training two or three times a week covering squats, hinges, presses, pulls and carries, plus adequate protein. Expect lower work capacity from eating less, so start conservatively and watch hydration and electrolytes.
Considering NOBULL?
Whatever you lift in, make sure the sole is flat and firm. That matters mechanically — and cheap canvas trainers meet the requirement.
More Reviews Like This
Other brands we have reviewed in the same category.
Pricing and product range read from nobullproject.com on August 25, 2026 and subject to change. This page is informational and not medical or exercise-prescription advice. Rx Saver Hub earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page.