20 Best Shoe For Cross Training (2023 Updated)

OVERALL: These are great barefoot/natural/zero-drop gym shoes. I’ve only worn them for 3 weeks and I only wear them inside of the gym on smooth floors, so I can’t speak to the durability or performance on tougher terrain, but I purchased these as basic gym shoes (rehab, weightlifting) that would be healthy for my natural foot structure and they seem great so far! These are my second pair of INOV-8 shoes, and I am happy with this brand (for running, hiking, gym, daily wear).

STYLE: These are ugly shoes, in my opinion, and I hate seeing them in the mirror, but they FEEL right (I don’t notice them when they’re on!) and hit all the markers of a natural, good-for-your-feet shoe.

SIZING: I have size 7. 5, narrow, flexible feet with a high arch and I purchased a Women’s Size 7. 5 in this shoe. It fits, but it feels a little loose, especially on the sides of my foot. INSOLE: The inserts/insoles feel slightly better than other brands (Solomon, Altra, Hoka) but still cheap and flimsy.

I will toss them out and swap for SOLE-brand inserts for better support.

Love these shoes. Have preferred minimalist / barefoot shoes for training (powerlifting, metcons) and the conventional options e. g. Nanos, Metcons, etc. are overbuilt for my tastes. Reebok’s Speed TR2 Flex Weave was my go to for the last few years but with those discontinued I wanted to give the Inov-8’s another shot as i used the 235v2’s prior to the Reeboks and like those.

My interests were having something with zero heel to drop, good balance, minimal cushioning for things like deadlifts and good breathability as my feet run hot. I lean towards being more flat footed so having too much of an arch is uncomfortable – these feel right on my feet and it is easy to stay balanced and feel the ground.

These breathe better than other popular choices for flat training/lifting shoes e. g. Converse Chuck Taylors. Sizing seems true to size as I ordered what size I typically wear. The toe box feels good and not cramped as I prefer as wider toebox so offerings from New Balance were out.

I was surprised at the grip and ground feel of the sole, not expecting it to be as sticky or flexible as it is. These feel more like a climbing shoe or Merrell’s older Trail Glove minimalist shoes with a more flexible / responsive sole.

I would like to see more colours being available and other colours for the sole than the gum (although the stickiness is nice). This will be my go to in training from now on. Price is a bit steep for what they are but better than other barefoot options (e.

g. Vivo) that I think are wildly overpriced. Will see how the durability holds up but expecting good things with how Inov-8 keeps improving on their products.

I’ve only been able to wear them for a few weeks so can’t speak to long term quality but so far they have been amazing. I have used them for weight lifting and sled pushing and other cardio activities without any issue.

There was no break in period, they felt good right from the start. I use them barefoot and they are quite breathable so my feet don’t get too hot or sweaty which is really nice for a hard workout. The toe box is wide enough for my toes to not be squished and the colour actually looks even better in person than the product photo.

I do also appreciate that the laces are a good length and there’s not a bunch of excess like many shoes have and the laces actually stay tied quite well. I researched many brands and landed on Inov-8 and could not be happier.

I come from a competitor brand that have always been comfortable to me but wanted to give Nikes a shot again. These are even more comfortable than my Nike zoom shoes. Cushion and support is great. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and this will really help with days where I need to be on my feet for longer periods of time.

I can’t talk about wear and tear, but comfort is outstanding and they look sharp too.

This is my fourth pair of Air Monarchs and the last three pairs started squeaking long before they were ready to be replaced due to wear. Each pair seemed to start squeaking sooner than the last and in different areas of the shoe: first the heel and lately the fore-sole.

It seems to be due to separation of the inner layers of the sole or maybe the Air pockets. Really frustrating, because they are comfortable, offer great stability and long wear. At this point, I can’t see buying another pair another pair.

The constant squeaking is just too annoying. Nike really needs to update or replace this model of shoe.

Mine were the extra wide. I agree that they are comfortable but, after a while of use they become squeaky. I’ve owned 2 pair now. I thought maybe the first one was just produced wrong. No, the 2nd one did the same thing after awhile.

I use them every day for work. Even on carpet they squeak. I checked for cracks in the sole but nothing. Take off the shoe and bend the sole like you are walking and they squeak. Sometimes I am in a construction site environment and drywall dust gets all over my shoes.

Being that they are leather/synthetic, they wipe clean easily. Pros: comfortable, clean easily Con: noisy.

I’ve purchased three pairs of these over the last year and a half, and I’m amazed at how comfortable they are. I bought one pair for walking/exercise and two for that “dad sneaker” look with jeans, etc.

They are a bit heavy, so I’ve been looking for other sneakers that are a little lighter for walking and exercise, but I’ve struck out so far and need to fully lean into these sneakers for everything.

I recently went to Disney World, and it rained a lot while we were there. I wore these sneakers every day, and my feet did not get wet at all. Also, I have an old injury in my right big toe that is causing arthritis and limited mobility in that toe, and these shoes have been great – I don’t have as much pain in these shoes as I do in others.

If you are buying for fitness look elsewhere. The only reason I am not returning is because I bought them for looks not working out. There Is absolutely no comparison of quality between these and ballistic trainers.

I foresee the leather eyelets ripping out. The very bottom eyelet is just rubber that is stretching. I got an 11 in both and they are extremely close this one may be a tiny bit shorter and wider in the toe box area.

Will be the last pair of Reeboks I’d buy without seeing them, seems like they are running on a name but I have been disappointed in both pairs I have bought of theirs. Soles are cheap looking with holes that let the white and black show through on bottom.

Premium price, not premium shoe. Just my opinion I’m not gonna put them through any sort of torture test. Love the way they look though.

This is hands down the best version of the Nano they’ve had in quite some time. Super comfortable and versatile. I use it during regular lifting sessions, cross training, and even just for the occasional walk.

Only two things I would rate negatively on these shoes. The first, the laces are too short (if you lace through all the openings, which I do), and the second being the lace loops fray easily. They haven’t torn or anything yet and I’ve been using them daily since June.

I took notice more recently as I’ve been using the rower more and the strap on the footrest definitely plays a factor in that as well. But otherwise, great shoe.

Just ordered my first pair of Nano X2s for all around HIIT, CrossFit, and weight workouts. They look good and seem well made, unfortunately they are HUGE. I wear, and ordered, a 9. 5. There is so much extra room in the toe and heel, it feels like I’m wearing 11s.

Went to Reebok’s website to see what they had to say and found this statement, “Runs large. Based on returns, we recommend you size down. (If you usually wear size 7, order 6. 5). ” My bad for not doing more research, but for those of you considering these shoes please take notice before ordering.

I use these shoes for HIIT workouts. the first thing I noticed is that these shoes are super light. They feel like slippers. they have a great lockdown on your foot and seem pretty durable on the upper.

They have a low-to-the-ground feel and the cushion is soft under the ball of your feet. The best part I like is the heel is so stable when you are doing squats and lunges. They loosen up in the upper the more you work out and use them so they could feel looser over time.

you might need to try on your size and a half a size smaller.

I’ve been apart of the Metcon family for some time. They never disappoint and are by far the most grippy and supportive shoe out there. Not only that, they’re also super comfy and stylish. A true leader in the training shoe category.

I’d give 100 stars if I could. The 8’s are the best out of them all in my opinion.

I purchased online and the shoes fit significantly smaller than my previous 3 generations of Nike Pegasus and Vaporfly. I ended up return them. The sole is very stiff and a bit awkward to walk and move in, but I assume it would be good for weightlifting (probably not so good for any sort of cross training where you move your feet.

).

I have been buying the Air Monarch shoes for over 10 year. Each time I buy the quality goes down. The last few pairs tend to squeak when you walk. This can be fixed by putting baby powder under the show insoles.

The arch support for the foot is no longer present. Worst of all, they have a tendancy to come apart/split at the tip of the show. This normally happens after two or three year, but the latest pair lasted less than a year.

I think I need to start looking for a different brand. What a shame, because these WERE good shoes, but not any more.

I’ve had maybe 12 pairs of these now. My legs have a lot of miles on them from jobs, and walking places as well. These are about the only shoes that deal with my chronic shin splints. They are strong shoes.

I never wear out the tops before the soles (if you want good shock absorption, don’t wear your shoes more than about 1000 hours, which can be as little as 6 months. I save the old ones for working on the roof, in the yard, etc.

Traction is okay, nothing to write home about. Fit is a little tight at first, but good. Leather is not as comfortable in the first month as mesh. Warmer than most sneakers in winter. A little too warm in July.

Yes, they sometimes squeak or creak. Seems to depend on temperature.

Very supportive shoe, roomy, and comfortable. Took about a week to break in, but now that it bends more with my foot when I walk, it’s really nice. My feet run wider so my choices are limited since I’m hunting for 4E width shoes.

I was wearing Downshifter 11’s before this and the soles were pretty soft. They wore down within a few months with light walking. The Monarchs have a much harder rubber sole, definitely more grip on various surfaces which is nice.

My son plays or trains for basketball domestic and rep 6 days a week. Other premium brand shoes give him craps in the bottoms of his feet. He has several pairs of shoes on the go at once due to sweaty feet and not drying before the next session.

Curry flo shoes are definitely his favourite and do not cramp his feet. He loves them. Only issue we have had is a size difference from the flo 8’s to his new flo 9’s with online order. Went in store and got the right size.

I bought these 6 mos ago and love them. I have several pairs of both Nike metcons and nano’s and inov8 and while they are good shoes, I prefer the reign 4. I use them for CrossFit workouts. I have a wide foot with an extremely high arch so finding the right fit and support is difficult.

I prefer these because they have stability in the heel cup and ankle area, and my orthotics fit comfortably. I will definitely be buying another pair.

These are my third under armour spouse but my first purpose made for CrossFit. As with all my other UA shoes they are very well made & comfortable, that’s why I am a reaper customer. Have used these now for the last 4 CrossFit sessions and I have no complaints.

Gets me through my workouts with comfort. Can’t wait to see they perform on the rope climbs though.

Needed new cross training shoes, mostly for Zumba outdoors, on asphalt. Wanted something that would hold up to hard surfaces and a lot of movement and friction. So far, (about 8 hours of dancing) they have held up well.

They are cute (multi colors around the heels), sturdy, and fairly supportive. However, the wrap around tongue makes it a bit hard to put the shoe on. I would prefer a regular tongue. Otherwise, they are my new favorite dancing shoe.

I just got these and been using them for about a week. They have awesome control and side support which is awesome for my cross training/HIIT workouts, as the last pair I had didn’t have enough all around and side support that got my foot injured.

Grrr! At the same time, they’re light yet feel sturdy. Glad I bought them.

This is primarily a gym/workout shoe for me. This is the second pair I’ve purchased of this style. Super comfy to me. I’m a bigger guy and need something that will last, the sole not breakdown. This is the perfect shoe for me.

Recommend!!.

Great quality, super fast delivery and a very happy Husband!! Nike trainers last longer than the covid-19 pandemic, and considering we have had a low self employment income due to the pandemic absolutely ruining business and rinsing our bank account, it’s nice to get good quality goods for a very decent price!.

I was looking for the most cushioned shoe you can get. This is it. You can feel the squish right away. That comes with stability tradeoffs but if you don’t want a high stack shoe with squish, you have plenty of other choices.

So kuddos to Nike for taking cushion to the max. Given that this is the most max cushioned shoe available, my only gripe is it doesn’t take it far enough. Why not just go extreme in setting the bar? When you run in these, as opposed to walking, I wouldn’t say you feel like running on clouds or marshmallows–you still have a jolt of a foot strike and “bounce” (which I find overrated as I don’t see the point of bounce when I initially strike as opposed to energy release as I push off my foot to spring me forward).

So I guess I’m just complaining that they are a functional running shoe that offers “responsiveness”. They are as close as you can find to “moon shoes” but not really there. I’d ask Nike to just take it further.

It will be too much for many, but why not offer something just off the charts in terms of softness tailored for heel strike walking. Like if I wanted to reduce the impact on my knees and hips and even neck and head from walking or running — akin to running on a springy treadmill or rubberized track — give me an option to prevent that wear and tear.

This is the best on the market but still I think the technology is there to make it even softer, squishier, more “deflation” at the strike. Like a spring that collapses on strike and releases when you push off I suppose.

Bottom line: these are great cushion but not insane. (these fit like all Nike running shoes–run 1 size larger than Brannock).

I purchased these shoes primarily for lifestyle use though some small morning runs as well. My feet typically hurt after being on them on the job all day, so having an ultra-cushioned shoe to be able to use around town is a must for me and these check that off with flying colors.

From the first second you put your foot in this shoe it’s liking dropping into a padded trampoline for your feet and is unlike anything you’ve really tried before. For reference, I’ve had these for two weeks, done some short runs, and general everyday use.

Walking in these all day is no problem and actually encouraged me to get some extra exercise at the end of a work day when running really didn’t feel like the best option. As for running, I don’t think I had quite the same revolutionary feel others did.

A big selling point of the shoe is the ZoomX foam and the crazy amount of stack making it so comfortable. Running in a heel-strike form is where this shoe shines. Your initial impact is basically absorbed and as you rock forward there is a light spring in your step.

I wouldn’t call it ‘bouncy” like others have, but I am fairly light so compressing the foam is harder for me. However, if you are a fore/midfoot striker (like me) much of that benefit from the extra stack height is negated.

An additional side effect of the stack is some instability and some feeling of being too tall. The first few runs/walks it does feel almost like you are on stilts and need to relearn to walk/run which can be a bit awkward.

Even after getting used to it, you notice you can’t quite turn as fast or bank in these shoes without some side slippage. As a result of this instability, Nike has to have an overbuilt upper that doesn’t breath quite as well as some of their other shoes and a massive base which you stand on.

This is seen clearly is how much the midsole extends back as can be seen in the product photos. If you are wearing these as an everyday shoe for pain or purely for comfort that extension feels amazing, but it does make it difficult to drive in.

If you pivot with your foot between pedals, this surface has zero outsole as the midsole bubbles out and causes excessive wear on your driving shoe. Of course Nike doesn’t expect these to be used as a lifestyle shoe, so it’s not their fault, but if you are the type of person who enjoys the comfort provided by running shoes for everyday use, be aware that how much you drive might affect the lifespan of the shoes.

For me, I will probably be returning them for that reason. I don’t run enough to justify such a high cost on the shoe, and wearing down the driving shoe as a lifestyle pair doesn’t sit right with me.

However, if you are a heel-strike runner putting in long miles, like others have said this is probably an endgame option for you.

I’ve been eyeing this shoe for about a year, especially the volt colorway and when I went to the employee store and saw them sitting, it was a no brainer. Previously I have been running with the Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 for about a year and have finally beat them up quite a bit.

The first few runs I hated how plushy it was, definitely something to get used to at first. However, after maybe 20 miles running with the shoes I finally began to love them. They’re amazing for long runs and the plush helps tremendously, and the energy return with every stride is one of the best things about shoe.

Some cons about the shoe is that some of the rubber on the soles is starting to wear off after 65 miles with them but not enough to say that is have been affecting my runs. Also the laces are too short, which makes me not being able to tie them fully.

Luckily my size 9 fits just right and holds me in place with a little toe room in the front while still maintaining me stable on the heel. Overall, this is an amazing shoe. I would highly recommend it for anyone that would want to progress into NIke’s high tier running shoes if you’re coming from the middle tier.

It’s past time we have suede/ leather, or leather walking shoes. Those open fabric shoes do not keep my feet warm in cold weather in Spring / Fall. Along with some Narrow Ryka walking shoes. This last pair of Ryka shoes I purchased are at least 1/2 size smaller than my usual Ryka walking shoes.

Let’s get these issues fixed before offering more of the – open weave fabric women shoes. Quality shoes are what we want and need in regular , sizes, that fit our feet consisantly , No more of these off sizes walking shoes.

I wear sox year round in my shoes to keep the inside clean / no odor!!! I’ll be watching what you bring to QVC, I do expect to see real leather. Suede leather walking shoes.

I got these shoes, put them on and they molded to my feet easily and quickly. The heel fits properly so my feet don’t slide around. The mesh on the top allow my foot to breathe. I bought these to wear to Zumba, they look like a previous pair I bought.

The circle on the bottom of the shoe to pivot is not big enough. I’m a little concerned about my knees on the turns. That’s the reason for the four rating and not five. Maybe better for other training classes I take.

These shoes are so cute and comfortable. They have great support. I can wear them all day walking, shopping, running errands and my feet still feel great. They are light weight too. Not clunky like my old shoes.

Plus, the colors are cute. I highly recommend these.

These shoes are great for their versatility! The interchangeable insoles means you only need one pair of shoes for lifting, HIIT, and running, and they’re cute enough to wear all day as general casual athleisure.

I mostly keep the 4mm insoles in, but it’s easy enough to switch in the other ones. The reason for the 4 stars (instead of 5) is that with the two non-0-drop insoles, the shoe has a tendency to pull my socks down, maybe because of where the back of the shoe sits along my heel once the insole raises my foot up a little.

I’m on the larger side of a 6. 5 wide and got a 7, which just fit. My toes have just enough room but I probably could have gone up to a 7. 5.

I love Hylete clothing and I have been very happy with all of the clothes I have purchased. These definitely miss the mark on Hylete quality. They feel very cheap and the fit is very poor to say the least.

We ordered 3 pairs for my family and all of us had the same issue of our toes being shoved to the front of the shoe and the heel being very loose. The material, look and feel of the shoe also feels very cheap.

These shoes are substantially behind other brands in quality at the same price point. I would stick to Hylete clothing and look somewhere else for shoes.