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Yes, you really do need a dedicated pair of cross-training shoes — your typical walking sneakers, running sneakers, and workout shoes won’t cut it for demanding workouts that involve a mix of weightlifting, HIIT, and cardio. That’s because the best cross-training shoes for women have distinctly different features that support every movement, from slow and steady squats to explosive box jumps.
“Cross trainers tend to be a little firmer when it comes to cushioning and shock absorption, as running shoe foam compresses over time when repeatedly absorbing weight,” explains Grace Wentzien, project manager for women’s training shoes at Under Armour. “Cross-training shoes, on the other hand, are able to withstand the weight absorption that cross-training requires without compromising stability or longevity.”
Wearing the proper footwear for whatever activity you choose to do is about so much more than style. The best cross-training shoes for women help ensure you have the ankle stability, arch support, and necessary flexibility or stiffness needed to perform your workouts to the best of your ability. Plus, as with the best running shoes or the best weightlifting shoes, shoes specially made for cross-training will help prevent injuries. “These shoes should be less flexible, because they’re designed to keep the foot stable within the shoe,” says Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, is a New York-based podiatrist and a Vionic Innovation Lab member.
Cross-training covers a wide range of modalities — from HIIT to CrossFit or even bodyweight workouts and jumping rope — so, naturally, cross-training shoes on the market come in a variety of styles with different features that are tailored to the type of workouts you’re doing.
What’s more, your unique foot shape or potential foot concerns, like high arches, bunions, or plantar fasciitis, will change the type of cross-trainer shoes for women you’ll be shopping for.
To help you sift through all the cross-training shoes for women available, we tapped Dr. Sutera and Wentzien, along with Fran Calvert, a competitive CrossFit athlete for their picks. Together, these experts, along with the expertise of the Footwear News team, bring you the ultimate list of the best cross-training shoes for women available right now.
When shopping for your perfect pair, it’s important to consider the types of cross-training activities you’ll be doing. Multifaceted cross-training shoes need to be “jack of all trades” shoes. Compared to modality-specific shoes, they’re more versatile and capable of handling a broad range of activities and movements. These are the key features to look for when shopping for crossing training shoes for women:
If you suffer from common foot problems, you’ll want to look for additional support features to help you stay comfortable and healthy.
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
For a streamlined shopping experience, we’ve compiled the best cross-trainer shoes for women based on expert recommendations, user reviews, and product testing. We also consulted experts about which cross-training shoes were best for people with certain foot types or conditions. Customer reviews and footwear market research also helped us make the final selections. The bottom line is you can feel good knowing that this list includes the best of the best cross-training shoes for women no matter what workout you choose to tackle next. Learn more about us here.
Grace Wentzien is the project line manager for women’s train footwear at Under Armour. She’s been in the role since 2020 and has been with the company since 2016.
Fran Calvert is the UK-based training marketing manager at inov-8 and a competitive CrossFit athlete. She has competed at the CrossFit Games Meridian Regionals on several occasions. Prior to joining the inov-8 team, she worked in sports nutrition and was the communications manager for British Weight Lifting.
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera is a New York-based podiatrist specializing in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. She is a Vionic Innovation Lab member, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and a member and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the New York State Podiatric Medical Society.
Alyssa Sparacino is a content strategist, editor, and writer with a focus on fitness, health, and wellness with more than a decade of experience in digital media. She most recently held the role of editorial director at Shape. Her writing has been published in outlets including Shape, Health, What to Expect, Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure, and more. Sparacino holds a personal training certification with the American Council on Exercise. Her extensive knowledge and experience covering the fitness and health industries informed this list of the best cross-training shoes for women.
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.