When you get sick or injured and need to take 2 or more weeks of training off, trying to get back to a good routine can be daunting. And if you’re a bit of a mental case like me (you tend to overthink every little thing), then this task heightens this barrier when you start back up with a new pair of shoes from a brand you’ve never tried.
For context, the last time I took a couple weeks off and restarted my training regimen, I over did it and injured my left knee. This pushed my training potential back by months, so that I could appropriately recover.
So, who’s the brand in question? NOBULL.
Which shoe is it? The Drive Knit.
The result? I would take these over Nikes any day!
Why NOBULL?
Maybe you’ve heard of this brand, or perhaps it’s completely new to you like most of my family. For me, I was first introduced to NOBULL 5+ years ago. For a year I went to 5AM CrossFit classes most mornings, until the COVID lock downs hit. In those classes, most of the serious athletes that consistently went used NOBULL’s Outwork trainers.
Ever since then, I’ve wanted to try a pair.
However, even when I went to the daily CrossFit classes, I preferred running. (So much so, that I would run a couple times a week on top of the classes because I missed the mental space running creates for me.) This was much earlier in NOBULL’s history, when they only offered 3 different shoes: the Outworks cross trainers, in high and low top variations, and a gym/running oriented shoe.
Fast forward to now, NOBULL has more offerings and I’m not a broke college student. So, it was just a matter of time until I’d pull the trigger on a pair.
Running in Socks
Thankfully NOBULL sells more types of shoes today, and when I saw their “Drive” line of running shoes I got excited. But, when I saw the Drive Knits, it brought back my teenage desire to get a pair of Nike Flyknit shoes. By the time I finished reading some of the reviews that described them as “running in sock”, my desire to try them solidified even more.
And I’m happy to report that these do in fact feel like running in socks… at least for the tops and sides of your feet. The knit material that NOBULL uses for the upper and collar is exceptional.
You know that feeling when you’re wrapped in a soft, warm blanket on a couch? That’s what if feels like every time I put these on. Although, because these wrap around your toes and ankles so much, there’s more rubbing than usual. (And on a long run, that rubbing adds up.)
On my first run I developed a blister on my left pinky toe, and on my second the same foot had a new one on the back of my left Achilles. The blisters are small, but with both runs being a little more than 8 miles I don’t recommend these for a half marathon or something farther.
There are ways around this though. Obviously, your feet will adjust over time and build up callouses, so you don’t get blisters. Or you can wear longer length socks. This was my preferred remedy even though I prefer running in ankle high socks.
A Quick Side Note
Outside of the knit material, the foam midsoles did an exceptional job supporting every step on my runs. Plus, the heel-to-toe drop is at an even 6 mm compared to the Nike Vomeros’ 10 mm drop. (For me, the lower the heel drop, the less pain or discomfort I experience.)
The laces are fantastic too. Even on a long distance run of 14 miles, they never loosened or came undone.
Where to Use These
My preferred running shoes are still the gen 1 Altra Escalante Racers. However, the Drive Knits are now my most comfortable pair of shoes, period! (Aka, these are going to get a lot of normal, everyday use.)
Whether I’m shopping at a mall, on a date with my amazing wife, or running errands, these are the shoes I slip on. But there’s one activity that these are particularly perfect for: traveling. The comfort and ease that these create on road trips and flights are miraculous. They’re just so pleasant and convenient that traveling is more enjoyable.
*Pro tip: depending on your feet and the size you get; you might be able to wear these without the laces. Making airport security checks that much smoother.
The Recap
NOBULL did an outstanding job on the Drive Knits. So much so that I would pick these over a pair of Nikes any day of the week. That’s seriously impressive for a smaller team with less resources.
Even though I might not use these for my morning runs, these are coming with me just about everywhere else. If you typically run 5-6 miles or less, then you might find these to be your next favorite pair of running shoes. Or everyday shoes like me.
Now I just need to try their OG Outwork cross trainers. The ones that serious CrossFit athletes like to wear.
dsici4