When NOBULL announced the Drive 2’s “upgrades”, I wasn’t shy about letting them know, if going from a full PEBAX midsole to compression molded EVA was any kind of upgrade. That’s really what made the shoe what it was after all, and also one of my favorite hybrid trainers; quite possibly my favorite NOBULL shoe ever. However, I can’t pass judgement on a shoe that I haven’t tried out yet and NOBULL was ever so kind to get a pair into my hands for testing.
At first glance, the Drive 2 looks nearly bang on identical to the original Drive with the mesh upper, with no other options for uppers. For me, this isn’t a big deal as I think the mesh option was easily the best for me and the new mesh is better than that of old. Fit feels more seamless throughout the toebox and while they aren’t quite as wide as before, theres still plenty of flex and room for your toes to splay. Sizing is more true to size as well with my normal 10.5 fitting what I’d consider perfectly on my feet. For comparision, the previous mesh felt slightly big, the ripstops were HUGE, and the knit in size 10 was short.
Now the big change – PEBAX vs CMEVA midsole. Obviously we know that PEBA is a more expensive, higher performing material but does it really impact the shoe’s usability? Yes and no.
Starting with what it does well – the shoes are extremely comfortable now. Not that they were ever uncomfortable but the Drive 2 takes it up a notch and gives you a really plush underfoot feel. Since we’re talking training shoes and having a very soft underfoot isn’t always necessarily the best thing when lifting weights, the wide platform and ground contact make up stability for the soft midsole. Ideal? Not exactly but it works okay. The shoes feel relatively flat against the ground which makes having to balance in a softer shoe a little easier to manage. I tested these to a 325lb backsquat and while that’s only about 80% of my 1RM, that’s as heavy as I’d feel these are suitable for. Same goes for olympic weightlifting, right around 80%’s, which is probably more that RX in most WODs anyways.
That’s honestly more weight than I’d expect most people shopping this shoe are looking to do, so what about Hyrox movements? A 20lb wall ball is hardly a test for the midsole density and the wide platform makes it easy to stabilize that and the lunges, assuming you have decent strength. Grip on these shoes is excellent, I don’t have a sled to test at the moment but I have no doubt that the near full rubber, knurled pattern outsole would have any issue on carpet.
Now what it doesn’t do as well – They are not as capable for lifting, full stop. There’s just no denying that the firmer PEBAX was a better platform if you wanted to lift. Now, how much better? Not by that much. I’d still probably only use the previous models up to right around 80%’s. However I wouldn’t pick either shoe for dedicated strength work, so if it came to a WOD, either would do fine but I’d give the edge to the older model still.
The difference I noticed the most was that the new models don’t run as well, at least they dont for me and my usage. They are indeed softer, so if thats what you wanted, you might like them more. They just felt a bit… sluggish? Not as willing to pick up the pace as the originals with their more repsonsive, energetic Pebax. Trying to run faster and hold paces felt like it required more effort in comparison. They should do fine for most WOD distances, but if you were to take these into a HYROX race, you may struggle with pushing the pace.
With that said, I like the Drive 2 for being what they are. I don’t think they’re an upgrade over the originals but I think they’re a comfortable training shoe for light WODs and beginner Hyrox paces. Improvements to the fit and finish make them a nicer feeling shoe overall but they lack the edge the originals had to make them a very compelling pick for hybrid training. I still think they’re worth a look if you wanted a better all day shoe than the Allday 365 that can train, run, and walk. These also might be the best single travel shoe out there at the moment so take that into consideration. I wanted to immediately dismiss the Drive 2, but I’m surprised at how much I like them – for different purposes than the OG.
Skip if you absolutely loved the originals, or just buy another pair of those before they’re gone!
Get your DRIVE 2 here!
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