In today's functional training scene, few shoes generate as much buzz before they even hit the box as the Velites Hybrid 1.0 Developed in the heart of Navarra, these shoes have burst onto the CrossFit and high-intensity fitness scene with the aim of offering you something that, until now, seemed reserved for the big brands: versatility, comfort and impeccable performance in a single product. And best of all, they do it without complexes, directly challenging heavyweights such as the Nike Metcon or the Reebok Nano X
Can you imagine a shoe that allows you to seamlessly chain weightlifting, jumping rope, rope climbing, running and gym workouts? It seems like an unattainable challenge, but that's precisely Velites' motto and vision for Hybrid 1.0: that you don't have to change shoes mid-WOD and that you can rely on them in your daily training routine as well as in CrossFit or Hyrox competitions .
In this RUNNEA Magazine article, we'll look at the story behind this new benchmark functional training shoes, review its technical features and explore why so many athletes, both elite and amateur, are praising its performance. If you're looking for a shoe that raises your standards without compromising on comfort or care for the planet, read on: the Velites Hybrid 1.0 could be just what you're waiting for.
Navarrese origins of the Velites Hybrid 1.0
The story of the Velites Hybrid 1.0 begins in Zizur Mayor, Navarra, where the Velites Sport brand has laid its foundations and grown step by step. This local company had long been known for its high-end combas (you've probably seen them in more than one box) and, after the success achieved with its training accessories, decided to make the leap into the premium sports footwear market. Today, Velites is recognized around the world as a market leader in the market for bindings and cleats. It is also making its way into the textile world and consolidating its position in the footwear sector, expanding its offer to meet the needs of the most demanding athletes.
The idea was ambitious: to create a shoe capable of rivaling the sector's major references, while at the same time offering solutions to the most common problems of CrossFit athletes. To achieve this, Velites needed a very solid engineering and product design project that would combine comfort, stability, durability and sustainability.
Two years of research and testing in collaboration with industry experts resulted in VelitesHybrid 1.0. During that process, they consulted with professional athletes, physical therapists, shoe designers and, of course, the CrossFit community and community of supporters. All this effort culminated in a product that, today, is shaking the market and marking a before and after in the history of this young brand from Navarra.
A launch that revolutionizes the high-intensity training market.
The best way to check the real impact of a sports shoe is to observe its reception in the community at which it is aimed. And in the case of the Velites Hybrid 1.0, the response could not have been more resounding: more than 4,000 pairs sold in just one week during the pre-sale period, reaching customers in a dozen countries.
This is not only an internal record for Velites, but also a reflection of the confidence CrossFit and Hyrox athletes place in local innovation. It is no longer necessary for big launches to come from the United States or from multinational corporations with decades of history. Navarra has demonstrated, with its own "seal of quality", that talent and passion for sport can be transformed into competitive products in record time.
To underline this success, the official presentation of the Hybrid 1.0 took place in Madrid, bringing together more than 200 attendees from different corners of the world. Among them, names of the CrossFit and Hyrox scene, reference figures, coaches, influencers and specialized journalists. This meeting served as the perfect setting to test the shoe in a particularly tough WOD, designed to test all its virtues.
The icing on the cake came with the public endorsement of elite athletes such as Calum Clements, Sara Alicia Fernández, Maribel Gallardo and Pablo Cazalis, who did not hesitate to praise the sensations obtained when training with the Hybrid 1.0. In a sector as demanding as CrossFit, which requires maximum versatility of the shoes, their approval raised even more the interest in these innovative Velites.
The strengths and highlights of the Velites Hybrid 1.0
In the next lines of this article you will also discover the key points that have brought this Hybrid 1.0 model to the forefront in the competitive universe of functional training:
Comfort and fit: your second skin from day one.
Entering a CrossFit box with new shoes usually involves a period of adaptation, in which you often end up with discomfort in your feet. However, one of the great successes of the Velites Hybrid 1.0 is that they feel comfortable from minute one.
The explanation lies in the slightly wider last in the forefoot and midfoot area, which provides extra room for the toes to expand naturally and for the foot not to feel compressed. A more relaxed foot contributes to better balance and helps prevent problems such as blisters or black toenails, which are common when there is continuous pressure and rubbing.
The emphasis on comfort is also evident in the softness of the interior materials. According to the brand itself, dozens of tests were carried out on fabrics and foams to determine which offered the best cushioning sensation in the ankle and instep area. The result is a firm but not aggressive fit, as if the shoe adapts to the shape of your foot instead of forcing your foot to fit into it.
Extreme versatility: from weightlifting to light running
Probably the most important challenge for any crossfit trainer is to combine stability and flexibility in an almost perfect balance. On the one hand, you need the shoe to be stable enough for weightlifting or maximal strength exercises. On the other hand, you need it to be flexible and lightweight for dynamic movements such as jumps, sprints or agility drills.
In the case of Hybrid 1.0 shoes, the design features a hybrid 3drop, which is in a very interesting range: enough to maintain a solid stance for squats and lunges, but not so high as to be unstable for changes of direction or sprints. Just don't expect the feel of a long distance cushioned shoe.The priority here is responsiveness and foot control over the ground, crucial elements in WODs with strength and high intensity components.
The outsole, meanwhile, has a tread pattern specially designed to grip the ground without being overly aggressive. Thus, it is neither too "hard" (something that sometimes limits forefoot flexibility), nor does it wear too easily in areas of high friction. In running exercises, Hybrid 1.0 respond well up to short to medium distances, being a great ally in WODs that combine several movements and a small running segment.
Cutting-edge technology: insoles, drop and strategic reinforcements
If the comfort and versatility have already caught your attention, the list of technical details of the Hybrid 1.0 rounds out the product. One of its highlights is the custom adaptive insole, which combines a TPE core with a viscoelastic layer. The aim is to cushion the impact in repetitive exercises, such as jumping or running, and simultaneously maintain the necessary strength to transfer force to the ground in weightlifting movements.
In addition, the inclusion of a TPU reinforced heel provides extra support in the rearfoot area. In explosive movements or heavy overhead loads, you will feel that there is not even the slightest heel roll, which translates into greater safety.
The sole features Rope-Tech protection, designed for rope ascents and descents. If you have practiced this type of activity, you will know that the rope tends to wear and sometimes literally "eat" the rubber of the shoes. With Rope-Tech protection, Hybrid 1.0 extend their lifespan and allow you to concentrate on technique, avoiding worries about the deterioration of the model in question.
Finally, the Glide and Lock heel system complements the TPU reinforcement and helps you feel that firm, stable base on the ground. This is especially noticeable in movements such as push-ups, where the shoe needs to grip the ground evenly.
Commitment to sustainability: 90% recycled materials
In an industry as competitive as sports, many products boast innovation, but not all can boast a high degree of environmental awareness. The Velites Hybrid 1.0, however, takes a firm step in this direction: 90% of the materials used in their manufacture come from recycled sources.
What does this mean in practice? For example, the upper is made from recycled polyester, a detail that reduces textile waste and takes advantage of existing resources. The outsole combines natural rubber with recycled components to maintain a balance between traction and durability without harming the environment. And yet, performance is not sacrificed at all; in fact, many elite athletes have remarked on the grip and strength of the outsole.
In addition, Velites goes one step further with their recycling program: if, over time, your Hybrid 1.0 reach the end of their useful life, you can return them to the brand and get store credit for future purchases. In this way, they promote a more responsible consumption cycle that encourages athletes to think about the environmental footprint of each product and actively participate in reducing it.
The endorsement of elite athletes and the voice of the community
One of the best indicators of the quality of a CrossFit shoes is the way it is talked about by professional athletes who, after all, spend more time in the box than they do at home. And in this regard, Hybrid 1.0 have luxury ambassadors.
Maribel Gallardo, a well-known CrossFit athlete in Spain, describes her experience as "the best on the market for all-round training", highlighting their durability and how pleasant they are to use from day one. Besides, Sara Alicia Fernández has shared on social networks how surprised she is with the versatility of Hybrid 1.0, stating that they "came to stay, making a big mess of things."
While the tests and opinions of elite athletes are relevant, equally valuable is the feedback from the amateur community that populates the pits on a daily basis and who may not compete at a professional level, but demand a lot from their footwear. Among them, positive comments also predominate, highlighting comfort and wear resistance.
The verdict: when local innovation makes a difference
With so many functional training shoes flooding the market, it's hard for a new product to really stand out, let alone stand toe-to-toe with established names like Nike Metcon or Reebok Nano. However, the Velites Hybrid 1.0 has quickly made it clear that this is not just another "more of the same" model.
Their ability to innovate from a user experience prisma, their commitment to immediate comfort and their strong commitment to sustainability make them a very attractive proposition for committed athletes. But, undoubtedly, the factor that tips the scales for many is genuine versatility: being able to wear the same pair of shoes for a WOD with weights, gymnastics, jumps and running, and knowing that they will not falter or take their toll in the form of blisters or lack of support.
In addition, the fact that Velites is a local company, based in Navarra, adds a component of pride and proximity that is not always found in other brands. In a globalized world where large-scale marketing can make all products look the same, Velites' history and identity serve as a reminder that passion and dedication can come from anywhere, even from a small town like Zizur Mayor.
Why should you try Velites Hybrid 1.0?
In RUNNEA we are already testing these Velites Hybrid 1.0, of which we will soon give you our feedback of these premium functional training shoes, but their arguments in favor for you to consider, and dare to try them like us, go through:
- You are looking for immediate comfort: no uncomfortable break-in period or chafing.
- You value sustainability: 90% recycled materials and an active recycling program.
- You like varied WODs: from weightlifting to running, jumping and rope workouts.
- You want to support local innovation: a Navarre brand that stands up to industry giants.
- You are concerned about durability: Rope-Tech protection and TPU reinforced heel are a plus against abrasion and wear.
The future of functional training shoes is in Navarra.
In a competitive market, where large corporations have been leading the market for years, the emergence of a local brand that dares to challenge standards and propose high-quality solutions is not something that happens every day. That's why the success of the Velites Hybrid 1.0 transcends the anecdote of pre-sales and social media: it represents confirmation that innovation and good work can happen anywhere, as long as there is passion, dedication and a deep understanding of the real needs of athletes.
With a focus on versatility, performance and environmental protection, Velites Sport has come up with a balanced formula that convinces beginners and experienced competitors alike. And, as if that weren't enough, it does so with the backing of major CrossFit references in Spain, who have not hesitated to give their vote of confidence after subjecting the shoes to their toughest workouts.
Do they deserve their place alongside the Nike Metcon and Reebok Nano in the Olimpo of crossfit trainers? The answer will ultimately depend on your own experience: every athlete is different, with his or her technique, preferences and goals. Even so, one thing is clear: if Hybrid 1.0 continue in the same vein, it would not be surprising that, in the near future, the names of Velites and Navarra will resonate not only in Spain, but throughout the functional training universe.
At this point, the question is: are you ready to try a training shoe that can change your WODs forever? If your answer is yes, then it's time to give them a try. Perhaps, in your next PR, it's precisely the Hybrid 1.0 that will propel you to reach that mark you've been chasing. Velites has already started shipping the first units of the Hybrid 1.0, and the first buyers are already putting them to the test. Will you be the next to try them out?
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