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Weight unavailable (It’s a gym shoe, y’all)
Stack height unavailable (4 mm drop)
Lifting weights with carbon fiber plates
PEBAX and SurgeNRG midsole, TPU stability wrap, Nylon mesh upper, TYRTac outsole
Available now for $225
CHAD: I had the pleasure of reviewing TYR’s CXT-2 Trainer earlier this year, and it turned out to be an excellent training shoe. It was comfortable, secure, stable, and looked really good to boot. I mean, what more can a gym guy ask for? Hmm… how about PEBAX and a carbon fiber plate? Is that something you might like?
As tends to happen with both running and gym shoes, I first discovered the TYR CXT-2 Elite Carbon on Instagram through a fellow shoe reviewer. After chatting with him about it, he suggested that I give it a try to compare it against the traditional CXT-2 Trainer and report back on my thoughts. A few days later, the CXT-2 Elite Carbon was at my door, and I wore it to the gym the very next day.
The major differences between the CXT-2 Trainer and the Elite Carbon version include the upper materials (engineered mesh vs nylon mesh), the midsole structure (SurgeNRG all the way through vs PEBAX in the midfoot and SurgeNRG in the heel), and the lacing system. Otherwise, the drop, geometry, and outsole compound are the same.
Also, TYR cites independent lab testing that finds the Elite Carbon has 25% greater force production, a 29% increase in prolonged performance, a 12% boost in balance, and a 22% bump in overall performance… sounds like a BlueChew or Hims advertisement to me.
CHAD: Up first, the positives. I really enjoyed the secure fit of TYR’s nylon mesh upper. It’s not as breathable as the upper of the CXT-2 Trainer, but I think the CXT-2 Elite Carbon feels incredibly durable. Allegedly, the two are the same width, but I felt like the Elite Carbon felt a bit narrower than its more affordable training partner — perhaps because the other shoe’s engineered mesh had a bit more give to it.
I also felt like the addition of PEBAX in the forefoot made a big difference in high-impact or interval-based exercises. I noticed a little extra pop on jumping exercises like box jumps, step-ups, and jump squats, which is always welcome. Having the SurgeNRG in the heel and TPU wrap around the heel also provided all the stability I needed to complete big compound lifts like squats and deadlifts.
Also, while I don’t have the exact weights between TYR’s two gym shoes, I thought the CXT-2 Elite Carbon felt light, which I attribute at least in part to the use of PEBAX.
Moving on, I liked the different lacing system that TYR adopted in the CXT-2 Elite Carbon. The swap to flat laces and a normally shaped tongue alleviated the issues I had in tying the CXT-2 Trainer, which was great. Oh, and the super clean white upper with a gum sole? Very clean.
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CHAD: Holy sizing issues, Batman. My US M12 in the CXT-2 Trainer fit perfectly — there was enough room for my toes to splay a bit with a little space in front of them. Such was not the case in the CXT-2 Elite Carbon. My feet and toes felt incredibly cramped in my standard US M12, which led me to send them back and try a larger size. TYR’s website claims that this is intentional and that the CXT-2 Elite Carbon is designed with a “performance last” to fit more securely.
Honestly, though, there’s a secure fit, and then there’s just being too small. TYR recommends sizing up if you want a more traditional fit, and I’d agree simply on the basis of being able to feel your toes.
Also, the carbon fiber plate. I get it — as a brand, you want to try to add whatever you can to improve performance. That said, I didn’t feel enough of a benefit from the carbon fiber plate to justify making the shoe stiffer than I felt it needed to be. It made exercises like walking lunges, split squats, and others that rely on flexibility more difficult. Athletes more elite than myself (yes, they exist) who do activities like CrossFit or Hyrox might get more of a boost from the plate I guess? As a general gym trainer, though, it wasn’t necessary. I think the PEBAX could probably get the job done on its own.
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CHAD: Surprisingly, it’s a tough call between the TYR CXT-2 Trainer and the CXT-2 Elite Carbon. If the Elite Carbon had the fit of the Trainer and ditched the plate, I think it would be far and away the best gym shoe out there. Even though it’s less breathable, I prefer the secure fit of the Elite Carbon’s upper and the addition of PEBAX in the forefoot.
However, when we’re comparing one shoe (the CXT-2 Elite Carbon) at $225 and another (the CXT-2 Trainer) at $150, it’s hard to swallow that extra $85 if you’re just going to use the shoe for general lifting. If you decide to dive into functional training or HIIT intervals, though, it might be worth the cost — just don’t forget to size up.
You can pick up the TYR CXT-2 Elite Carbon for $225 from TYR by using the buttons below.
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An attorney by day, Chad lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife and three kids. Never much for running growing up, Chad began running as a way to improve his physical health. He went from his first 5k in 2015 to running the Paris Marathon in 2016. Given his larger physical build, Chad is the resident Clydesdale runner, providing shoe and gear insights for those with a bigger build and taller stature.
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