From shorts to socks to plate carriers, we rounded up the must-have training gear to crush your next WOD.
This is a message for the newbies training for their first CrossFit Open, the five-a-week gym rats hoping to make it to the CrossFit semifinals, and the gunners looking to punch their ticket to Madison and compete in the CrossFit Games: We’ve got the best CrossFit gear of 2023 to help you live your best fitness life.
For the uninitiated, CrossFit requires you to hone your explosive power, strength, and muscle endurance. The workouts touch on everything from rowing a 5K to maxing out your deadlift to doing pullups and thrusters until your mouth tastes like pennies and it feels like your lungs are melting into your chest. If you want that kind of athletic range, your gear needs to be up to the challenge as well.
We tested the best sweat-wicking, odor-resistant fibers to make sure your fabrics breathe as well as you do (or as well as you wish you were). The best CrossFit gear of 2023 comprises shoes that'll last through hundreds of METCONs, shorts that won't restrict your range of motion, a speed rope that'll help you master crossovers, and more. We’ve even got pants that'll fit the meatiest of thighs.
We can’t promise you’ll be the fittest man on Earth, or even the fittest man in your box. That’s on you. But we can make sure that your ‘fit doesn’t slow you down and that you look good while you feel quite bad.
Essential Gear for CrossFit
1. Ten Thousand Interval Shorts
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You can’t go wrong with any of the gear from Ten Thousand, but the brand's Interval is a classic pre-lined short. It stretches in four ways, is lightweight, doesn’t bunch up, and has a hidden pocket for secure storage. It also comes in five-inch inseams if you’re looking to show off your quads.
[From $68; tenthousand.cc]
2. Rhone Make Tech Short
If you prefer your shorts to be unlined, look no further than Rhone. The shorts look great, move how you do, and have anti-odor technology to keep you from stinking up the place. The company also offers a variety of inseams should you want to bare some thigh.
[From $68; rhone.com]
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3. Nike Pro Dri-FIT
Dri-FIT is everything you want in a base layer: lightweight, stretchy, and sweat-wicking. Strategically placed mesh keeps things airy and a sturdy waistband keeps your goods in one place. The Dri-FIT also comes in “tall” sizing for the bigger CrossFitters out there.
[From $25, nike.com]
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4. NOBULL Midweight Compression 3/4 Tight
NOBULL isn’t just the title sponsor of the CrossFit Games, but it’s also a powerhouse when it comes to training gear. These tights use a mesh interior to release body heat, wick sweat to keep you dry, and stretch four ways to accommodate all your squatting, running, jumping, and lunging. Use them as a base layer for looser shorts on top.
[From $68; nobull.com]
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5. Reebok Nano X3 Shoes
Reebok has been in the CrossFit shoe game longer than most and it shows. Each iteration of its beloved Nano gets better, and this latest model is no different. The new midsole better supports the heel while lifting and provides plenty of cushioning while running and jumping. The shoe itself is both soft and durable, and the sides even feature a rubber grip that helps boost traction while rope climbing.
[From $150; reebok.com]
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6. Stance Performance Crew Socks
Stance socks are durable, comfortable, and come in more colors and patterns than you can possibly imagine. You’ve most likely seen the brand's crew socks around your gym, but they also come in tab and quarter heights to keep your legs cool during summer. The company even offers a subscription plan.
[From $19.99; stance.com]
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7. TYR Airtec™ Men's Long Sleeve Tee
Light, breathable, and designed not to chafe, this long sleeve is a great choice if you like to wear a shirt while doing CrossFit (no judgment here). The soft fabric doesn't constrict movement, and the shirt is designed to dry quickly. Pro tip: These shirts are designed for big lads, so consider going a size down.
[From $59, tyr.com]
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8. Tracksmith Woodlands Singlet
If you’re like most CrossFitters, there’s one thing you try to avoid over all else: running. You’d rather row, ski erg, or even hop on the Assault Bike (and that's saying something). That's where Tracksmith comes in. If anyone can get you to pound the pavement, it’s this iconic New England running brand. The singlet can’t improve your mile time, but at least you'll look good trying.
[From $68; tracksmith.com]
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9. Y, IWO "Big Boy Club" Half Tee
If you watched last year’s CrossFit Games, you probably saw Nick Mathew aka #CropTopNick rocking the half-shirt while he won the Skill Speed Medley on opening night. It'll let everyone in the gym know you’ve been indoctrinated into the “Big Boy Club.” Plus, the sizing is done based on body type, so you can find the perfect fit.
[From $60; yeariworkout.com]
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10. Rhone Commuter Jogger
If you want to schlep minimal gear from office to gym to dinner with friends, let Rhone's Commuter Jogger be your do-it-all. The pants are lightweight and flexible—thanks to Flex-Knit™ fabric—making them perfect for warmups. Bonus: The tapered fit and discreet cuff at the bottom aren't unforgiving if you have thick legs.
[From $138; rhone.com]
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11. Bonobos Performance Link Pants
When it comes to buying non-workout pants, you may be used to going up a size (or two) in order to accommodate big legs and developed glutes, but a relatively small waist. Bonobos has you covered with its all-season, all-use pants. Like many of Bonobos’ bottoms, they come in an athletic fit that gives you more room in all the places you need.
[From $129; bonobos.com]
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12. Rx Smart Gear Evo G2 Speed Rope
This jump rope absolutely whips, especially if you’re used to using heavy plastic ropes in the gym. By using “patented dual bearing swivel assembly,” Evo is one of the quicker ropes on the market, and its handles are also specifically engineered for better grip. Double-unders have never felt so easy.
[From $165; rxsmartgear.com]
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13. Bear KompleX Training Vest Plate Carrier
Bear KompleX is probably best known for its grips, but the brand also makes a great weighted vest. The side straps and shoulder straps are easy to adjust for a snug fit, and each pocket can fit multiple plates (sold separately) if you’re gunning for Rx+. Also, the vest itself weighs only two pounds.
[From $134.99, bearkomplex.com]
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