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All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The last thing you want to think about during a tough, sweaty workout is your shoes. Ideally, they\u2019re grounding your lifts, stabilizing your dynamic moves, and keeping you comfy throughout your session. If your current gym shoes<\/a> leave you feeling wobbly, unsupported, and generally distracted, then it\u2019s time to upgrade to a new pair of cross trainers.<\/p>\n While they often look like everyday sneakers, cross training shoes are impressively versatile, Leakna Ung, DPM<\/a>, a podiatrist at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedics Institute, tells SELF. They\u2019re designed for strength training, plyometrics<\/a>, CrossFit<\/a>, lateral movements, high intensity interval training (HIIT)<\/a>, and other exercises where you want to feel nimble at times, but stable too.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not easy to find a shoe that seamlessly strikes that balance, so it\u2019s a good thing we\u2019re always testing new workout shoes<\/a> here at SELF. Below, we spoke to experts about what makes a great cross training shoe, then found the best pairs for you to try.<\/p>\n What should you look for in a pair of cross trainers?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cross trainers need to be sturdy, durable, and supportive, Dr. Ung says. They should have:<\/p>\n Finally, don\u2019t forget about your personal preferences, Sarah Pope, CPT<\/a>, a personal trainer at Life Time Clarendon in Arlington, Virginia, tells SELF. Do you want your shoes to feel especially breathable, or roomy through the toe box? Should they be somewhat stylish, in case you wear them outside of the gym? Dr. Ung recommends trying a few different pairs on to get a feel for what\u2019s truly comfortable for you\u2014and what will get you even more excited to hit the gym.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Is it a good idea to work out in running shoes?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pope recommends steering clear of shoes with a \u201ccloud-like\u201d or plush feel\u2014too much cushioning can affect your balance and make it harder to feel the floor beneath your feet. \u201cIt’s best to perform in a flatter, hard-bottom style shoe to best optimize ground control with your ankle, knee and foot while performing exercises safely and effectively,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Dr. Ung points out that most running shoes have higher arches, thicker soles, and rocker-shaped bottoms. While these features are great for energy return and generating forward momentum, they won\u2019t help you if your goal is to feel stable and grounded. So, as much as we love a good running shoe<\/a>, it\u2019s better to have a dedicated gym shoe for your workouts (and lace up your runners when you hop on the treadmill<\/a>).<\/p>\n One more thing to note: If you\u2019re mainly a lifter, consider picking up a pair of weightlifting shoes<\/a>\u2014they\u2019re generally sturdier than cross trainers and more specifically designed for generating power during heavy lifts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Now that we\u2019re warmed up<\/a>, let\u2019s get to the shoes. Below, check out the best cross trainers, according to experts, editors, and SELF Sneaker Awards testers.<\/p>\n Christa Sgobba, SELF\u2019s director of food and fitness, has worn Reebok Nanos<\/a> for years. They\u2019re reliable all-around gym shoes that help her feel stable and in touch with the ground while lifting, but don\u2019t feel overly clunky on the elliptical or exercise bike. With its responsive forefoot design, firm heel, and above all, improved fit, the Nano X5 is the latest iteration of the style (and it might be the brand\u2019s best so far).<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the changes I\u2019ve liked in this version is that the shoe fits closer to your foot and is a little more streamlined,\u201d Sgobba says. \u201cIn earlier versions, I often had to stop during a workout to re-tighten so my foot didn\u2019t slide around, but these remain locked in from the get-go.\u201d<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 11 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Lifting, lunging, or climbing ropes? The best-selling Nike Metcon can keep up with all of it. A rigid, stabilizing plate inside the shoe feels sturdy underfoot, while a layer of soft foam in the midsole buoys your feet when you pick up the pace. And rubber panels along the sides of the shoe increase its traction to make climbs easier.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it’s a good stable shoe for squat variations<\/a> and other leg exercises because of its firmness, and also a good hybrid shoe with a flexible toe box for CrossFit exercises,\u201d one Nike reviewer wrote. \u201cIt bends without pinching my toes. The fabric is light and breathable.\u201d<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 12 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If your cross training is mostly lifting, the SELF Sneaker Award<\/a>\u2013winning Puma Fuse 3.0 is made for heavy weights, but still bends with your foot (our tester noted the shoe\u2019s flexibility when stepping into lunges during her strength training workouts).<\/p>\n \u201cThe flat bottom helps me stay stable and really push through the ground for my bigger lifts, especially deadlifts, where you definitely don\u2019t want any wobble,\u201d our tester said. \u201cThey\u2019re firm, but not so firm that they hurt or make your feet tired.\u201d<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 11 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pope likes Nobull\u2019s highly durable shoes for the gym, and the brand\u2019s Drive Knit model won a Sneaker Award last year. Our judges deemed it an exceptional shoe for HIIT fanatics, thanks to its breathable upper, responsive foam midsole, and high-traction rubber sole\u2014it\u2019s also a great choice if you just prefer shoes with a little more bounce.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce the shoe is on (you\u2019ve really got to tug it by the heel loop to get your foot in), it is SO COMFORTABLE,\u201d our tester said. \u201cThere\u2019s so much cushion under my feet, but it doesn\u2019t feel bulky or like I\u2019m walking on giant platforms. It\u2019s super lightweight, and after multiple wears I had no blisters<\/a>, random pains, or shin splints.\u201d<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 11 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Lululemon<\/p>\n When Sgobba reviewed Lululemon\u2019s Strongfeel shoes<\/a> a few years ago, they made an impact with their \u201ccomfortable yet non-obtrusive\u201d fit. They helped her feet stay planted during squats, deadlifts, and good morning exercises, but also kept them from shifting around during more dynamic moves like reverse lunges and step-ups. Then, when Sgobba wore the Strongfeels on the elliptical, they felt surprisingly flexible. If you like to do a little bit of everything around the gym, give these sleek sneaks a try.<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 12 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pope highly recommends the Nike Free Metcon 5 (which won a Sneaker Award in 2023<\/a>), so we put the latest version to the test. Designed to feel flexible, stable, and<\/em> cushy, the Free Metcon 6 is suitable for lifting and cardio, with a grippy, bendable sole that matches your foot\u2019s form.<\/p>\n \u201cWearing these shoes was like having the best of both worlds\u2014I could feel my toes and heels on the ground, but my arches were lifted and supported,\u201d our tester says. \u201cThey helped me feel more stable while doing deadlifts and goblet squats. It’s so helpful to be able to feel the ground well, similar to how it feels when I’m in socks, but without any sliding because of the grippy soles.\u201d<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 15 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Adidas<\/p>\n Our tester was immediately impressed by Adidas\u2019s Dropset 3 Strength Training Shoes, noting their retro vibe and sleek shape. She also appreciated that they were designed for maximum airflow\u2014the mesh upper helps shed heat, while the insole itself is perforated to help you cool down during major efforts.<\/p>\n Our tester found that her pair didn\u2019t quite fit her (she needed to cinch the laces very tightly to prevent her feet from shifting). According to the brand, the Dropset 3 is intentionally wide-cut to accommodate swollen feet\u2014a common side effect of working out for some folks.<\/p>\n Sizes:<\/strong> US 5 to 14 | Widths:<\/strong> Medium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Related:<\/strong><\/p>\nOur top picks<\/h2>\n
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FAQs about cross training shoes<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\nBest Overall: Reebok Nano X5<\/h2>\n
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\nRunner-Up: Nike Metcon 9<\/h2>\n
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\nBest for Lifting: Puma Fuse 3.0<\/h2>\n
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\nBest for HIIT: Nobull Drive Knit<\/h2>\n
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\nMost Versatile: Lululemon Strongfeel<\/h2>\n
\nStrongfeel Training Shoe<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nMost Flexible: Nike Free Metcon 6<\/h2>\n
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\nMost Breathable: Adidas Dropset 3<\/h2>\n
\nDropset 3 Strength Training Shoes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nCompare the best cross training shoes<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n