The 14 Best Cross-Training Shoes for Men, As Tested by a Fitness Enthusiast
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Most people who work out engage in some sort of cross-training protocol, utilizing a mix of strength training and conditioning exercises.
The term cross-training has been used to define any workout that involves two or more different types of exercise systems, such as running and weightlifting, to improve health and athletic performance. A single shoe to accommodate these varied routines was first conceptualized in the ’80s, when cross-training activities began to pick up steam.
Arguably, the world’s first cross-training shoe was the Nike Air Trainer One, designed by Tinker Hatfield. The cutting-edge style showcased a revolutionary Air Sole unit, partial cupsoles, midfoot strap and lateral outrigger. In the late ’80s, tennis legend John McEnroe made Air Trainers a household name — soon followed by multisport icon Bo Jackson. Nike’s debut inspired a range of other athletic players to enter the cross-training shoe market, including Reebok with its CXT model. (At the time, Reebok designer Paul Litchfield was working on another classic in the making, the Reebok Pump, a basketball shoe made famous in the late ’80s and early ‘90s by Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkens.)
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As our workouts continue to evolve, the term cross-training and the role of cross-training footwear has expanded to include a multitude of athletic modalities, from quick-shifting directional movements to training jumps, deadlifts to sled pulls, power cleans to sprints, battle ropes to box jumps and more.
And it’s all possible thanks to advances in performance technology, says Litchfield, who’s now the head of product at sporting equipment company GoRuck. “There’s much more bioscience involved in today’s training, which is increasingly intense and focuses more on explosive moves,” he says. “The shoes of yesteryear were good general fitness and training shoes, but they weren’t constructed for this type of training. And they certainly didn’t have the material availability that would make them as durable or responsive.”
For these reasons, like many of Nike’s OG sport sneakers, Air Trainer Ones are now largely used as lifestyle shoes. They’ve even earned major street cred after recently being reworked by rapper and sneaker king Travis Scott.
How to find the best cross-training shoes
There’s likely a shoe made for your needs and foot type, but not every workout shoe will be the right fit, Litchfield stresses. Finding a cross-training shoe that has the proper heel drop, sockliner, toe box and outsole can be as tricky as a 60-minute Barry’s Bootcamp HIIT class. Litchfield advises that the best way to find a shoe that’s comfortable for you is by using the old-school method of trying on pairs in-store. (While you can order online, not all companies have flexible return policies or pay for shipping, meaning being wrong about your purchase can become expensive if you go this route.)
“The right cross-training shoes shouldn’t bite the top of your foot, and the ankle height shouldn’t be too high or too low,” Litchfield says. “If you do a few jumping jacks or move around in them in the store, the shoes should move with you and not cause any irritation.”
If you have wide feet, look for styles with larger toe boxes. Options featuring a flatter toe drop may also be beneficial while you execute strength moves like deadlifts, whereas pairs featuring cushiony soles may be better suited for running-related, longer cardio moves.
No matter which types exercise you prefer, just remember your shoes should never hurt. “Your focus is on scoring a new PR, a power clean or running a faster time, so you don’t want to shift your focus toward the feel of your shoes,” he says. “You don’t have to cut an artery to realize you’re not wearing the correct shoe. It’s little subtleties like instability that accumulate over time.”
How often should you change your cross-training shoes?
Sometimes, a visual inspection (or even a smell test) is not the best gage for determining when your cross-training shoes need replacing. And if you’re not running long distances, calculating mileage may not work, either.
So, how can you tell if it’s time to invest in a new pair? Fatiguing more quickly during workouts or experiencing stress in places of the body you don’t normally can be early indicators. Is your form breaking down in the middle of a squat set or power clean attempt? Are your knees rotating inward or outward more than normal? These can all be warning signs, especially if you notice them during multiple workouts.
“Your shoes may not feel different when you put them on, but if your shoes are breaking down, more than likely they’ll be collapsing on either the lateral or medial side,” Litchfield explains. “This could be the beginning of a kind of collapse of the compression in the midsole, which over time is going to happen to every product.”
Ahead, we rounded up the 15 best cross-training shoes to suit different needs. We tested most of the cross-training shoes below, and relied on expert recommendations for the rest. Keep scrolling to shop them.
What reviewers say: One customer said, “They’re super comfortable, but the style and look calls so much attention. They’re perfect for running or going to the gym. If you buy them, you will not be disappointed.”
What reviewers say: One customer said, “They fit about perfectly and provide the support I need for lifting and running. They took a minute to break in but now fit like a glove.”
What reviewers say: One customer said, “I have very high arches, and this is the only shoe I have found that fits and supports like a shoe is supposed to. I will be purchasing my 5th pair. Love this shoe for running and cross training.”
Meet the Author
Jeff Tomko is a fitness journalist and enthusiast. He is currently the senior editor at Muscle & Fitness magazine whose work has also appeared in Men’s Health, Esquire, Runner’s World, GQ and Metro, among other publications. When he’s not writing, he loves to hit the gym while wearing the best cross-training shoes for men.
Meet the Expert
Paul Litchfield is the head of product at GoRuck, a fitness brand focused on creating sports equipment for rucking. He previously served as the vice president of Reebok Advanced Concepts for nearly three decades and served as the chief engineer of footwear and apparel innovation and product creation for global manufacturing services company Jabil.
