The popularity of the best cross-training shoes has skyrocketed in recent years. Commercialised by the proliferation of functional fitness and CrossFit-style training, cross-training shoes are a hybrid type of athletic trainer designed to allow wearers to move in different directions while offering the support needed to limit injury. And they look pretty dope, too.
A good pair of cross-training shoes will boast some decent ankle support, a flexible and breathable upper and high levels of comfort to see you through even the most intense exercises. If this is the type of fitness shoe you’re in the market for, read on to find out which we think are the best cross-training shoes money can buy right now.
Speaking of shoes: if there’s one thing the fitness market is saturated with, it’s shoes. There seems to be a pair of trainers for just about every different type of exercise these days, from the best running shoes and best women's running shoes to the best workout shoes and even best trail running shoes – you name it, there’s a shoe for it, and if there is, we have a buying guide that can help you choose the right one for your needs.
Best cross-training shoes to buy right now
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Best cross-training shoes overall
Weight: 381 grams (men's UK size 10)
Heel to toe drop: 7mm
+ Ideal for people with wide feet
+ Provides stability for heavy lifts and jumps
+ Suitable for short bursts of cardio
- Heavier than some other cross-training shoes
Now in its seventh iteration, Nike's Metcon series (a portmanteau of 'metabolic' and 'conditioning', in case you were wondering) is by far the best all-rounder when it comes to cross-training shoes.
Nike has not only managed to make these shoes more weightlifting-friendly over predecessors with a lightweight and more breathable upper, but the React foam ensures they perform well in more standard high-intensity interval training workouts, such as those filled with jumps and sprints.
Being some of the most comfortable gym shoes you'll ever wear, the Metcon 7's design is pretty sweet, too, featuring a unique abrasion-resistant rubber sole that wraps up around the shoe for gripping ropes while climbing.
Read our full Nike Metcon 7 review
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best premium cross-training shoes
Weight: 226 grams
Heel to toe drop: 6mm
+ Brilliant all-rounder
+ Lightweight but strong design
+ Outsole design for added comfort
- Design is not to everyone's taste
Based on the same tech that’s found inside On’s running shoe line-up, these cross-training kicks have been redesigned to provide support for activities such as weightlifting, functional fitness and CrossFit.
They boast the same lightweight construction that we’ve come to know and love from On, thanks to a knit-weave upper and those iconic CloudTec sole that’s built from the form’s Zero-Gravity foam to keep weight to an absolute minimum. The Cloud X are not only super comfortable, but they’re strong where it matters, making them ideal for high-impact training. At full price, though, this comfort doesn’t come cheap.
Read our full On Cloud X review
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best cross-training shoes for style
Weight: 283 grams
Heel-to-toe drop: 4mm
+ Super stylish
+ Durable upper
+ Secure fit
- Some of the more vibrant colourways are a bit OTT
Boxing shoes-style cross-training shoes such as the NoBull High Top Trainer are ever so popular nowadays. CrossFit favourite brand NoBull's high-top training shoes feature a high-cut collar for added ankle stability and the durable SuperFabric material that's not only breathable but also resistant to abrasion (great for those rope climb sessions).
But unlike boxing shoes that will only perform well in the ring, the NoBull High Top trainer's outsole lug pattern was designed with multi-environment usage in mind. It allows for an easy transition between inside and outside, which is exactly what you need when you go for a jog after completing your barbell snatches.
Most importantly, the NoBull High Top Trainer+ looks, well, spectacular. It comes in a number of vibrant colours, although if you find the Neon Pink Glitch colourway a bit much, you can always opt for the more subtle all-black version or the Black/Ivy version we tested (pictured above).
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best cross-training shoes for cardio
Weight: 343 grams
Heel to toe drop: 7mm
+ Super versatile
+ Responsive Floatride Energy foam
+ Flexweave Knit upper material is super breathable
- Lacking the extra support for heavy lifting
The Nano series was the first official athletic shoe specifically designed for CrossFit. That didn’t work out so well in the end, but the range is still going strong, nonetheless, and the X1 is a credit to that. Past Nano shoes were more focused on providing support for heavy lifters; however, that’s all changed with the X1 Nano Vegan.
Now, they’ve been created with all areas of the gym floor in mind and built to support fast-paced impact activities, such as HIIT, jumping and sprinting. Offering exceptional flexibility and sustainability, these vegan cross-training shoes are a great choice if you’re a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ type of athlete.
Read our full Reebok NANO X1 Vegan review
Bag a bargain with one of our Reebok discount codes.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best cross-training shoes for plyo-exercises (a.k.a. jumping)
Weight: 340 grams
Heel to toe drop: 8mm
+ Lightweight mesh upper with 3D print for added protection
+ HOVR foam offers great bounce-back energy
- Bulky design
By the time we’ve reviewed one pair of Under Armour fitness shoes, the company has released another - we can’t keep up! The latest release by the firm is the HOVR Apex 3, a multidisciplinary cross-training shoe that’s exceptionally cushioned - providing the support you need for those explosive cross-training workouts.
We welcome the more slimline design over previous versions of this shoe, especially the original. Still, they’re able to soften hard landings while boosting your energy return thanks to the HOVR foam sole, which helps eliminate the impact.
This makes them especially useful for jumping exercises or quick sprints. The Apex also features UnderArmour’s Tribase tech in the outsole, which maximises ground contact for the foot, allowing for a better grip during lifts.
Read our full Under Armour HOVR Apex 3 review
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best cheap cross-training shoes
Weight: 400 grams
Heel to toe drop: 4mm
+ Cheaper than most competitors
+ Nice and stable midsole and outsole
+ Good solid construction
- Narrow midfoot means sizing is a little off
- Design and colourways aren’t great
Despite a design that will make minimalists wretch in horror, Puma’s first foray into the functional fitness shoe market is a success. They might have a narrow midfoot that can throw you when it comes to sizing, but the plus is that they have a versatile design that delivers an all-rounded approach to fitness.
There’s stability where you need it for lifting and a good level of cushioning that should give you the support you need for short sprints or jumps. Apart from an attractive design, these bargain-priced cross-training shoes pretty much have it all.
Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars
How to choose the best cross-training shoes for you
Finding the right pair of cross-training shoes is hard enough as it is. But since boutique fitness is all the rage and nobody commits to just one type of exercise anymore, finding the pair that’s perfect for all your workout needs can feel near impossible. The fact of the matter is: it’s probably best to buy a pair of shoes for each fitness discipline that you dedicate yourself to.
For example, you might be bogged down with questions like: “I do a lot of running, but I love the occasional hit class, so what shoes do I go for?”. In this instance, we’d recommend purchasing a pair of cross-training shoes, but only if they’re regular, and - if your budget can stretch to it - buy a pair of trainers specifically for running so that you’re best supported in each discipline. No one shoe is perfect for every occasion.
You’re not going to want the stiff heel support in a running shoe as it could cause injury, and, conversely, you’re not going to want that overly bouncy and flexible design when you’re throwing dumbbells around in the middle of a CrossFit class. This is why cross-training shoes are crucial. They’ll give you the right balance of support and flexibility to ensure you’re comfortable and safe during functional workouts.
FAQ
Can you run in cross training shoes?
Generally speaking, the best cross-training shoes are okay to use for short bursts of cardio exercise (i.e. running), but they aren't to be used for long-distance running. Premium cross-training shoes have responsive foams, but they are far from being cushioned enough to help you survive a marathon. If you mainly do cardio and the occasional cross-training workout, we recommend choosing running shoes with a durable upper and a thick outsole.
What is the difference between training shoes and cross training shoes?
All cross-training shoes are workout shoes, but not all workout shoes are cross-training shoes. Cross-training are specialised training shoes designed to withstand intense rope climb/wall stand/etc. workouts. Cross-training shoes often have a reinforced upper, a wider heel, a flatter sole and responsive foam than standard gym shoes.
