
Christine Giordano
Your workout is only as good as the shoes on your feet. That’s especially true when it comes to cross-training, which calls for all kinds of movement—front to back, side to side, up and down, you name it.
So if you’re going to go all-out in a HIIT or bootcamp workout, you need a shoe that can handle everything from box jumps and cardio machines to weight-lifting in any number of environments. But how do you find a shoe versatile enough to do all of this?
See some of the best training shoes below:
Look for a shoe with a few specific features. “Cross-training shoes should have sufficient traction and be able to grip the floor; they should not slip and slide on different surfaces,” says Mali Pelham, CPT, CFSC, a personal trainer at Wattage in Chicago.
Not only will the right shoes enhance your performance, but a secure and comfortable fit can help you prevent injury, too. Ready to sweat? These are the best training shoes you can buy right now, per online reviews and experts.
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Best For HIIT
Reebok
HIIT Training Shoe
Sizes | 5 – 12 |
---|---|
Item Weight | 7.8 oz |
Best Designed For Women
Ryka
Influence Training Shoes
Sizes | 5 – 12 |
---|---|
Item Weight | 0.4 Pounds |
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6mm |
Best for Strength Training
New Balance
Minimus TR V1 Cross Trainer
Sizes | 5 – 12 |
---|---|
Item Weight | 3.53 ounces |
Best CrossFit Shoe
NoBull
Wild Rose Trainer
Sizes | 5-11 |
---|---|
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm |
Easiest Slip-On
New Balance
FuelCore NERGIZE
Best Heel Support
On
Cloud X Sneakers
Sizes | 5 – 11 |
---|---|
Item weight | 8.5 oz |
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6 mm |
Best for Runners
Brooks
Adrenaline GTS 22
Sizes | 5 – 12 |
---|---|
Item Weight | 2 Pounds |
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 12 mm |
Best Versatility
Hylete
Circuit II Cross-Training Shoe
Sizes | 5-11 |
---|---|
Item Weight | N/A |
Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0-6 mm interchangeable insoles |
Best Minimalist Shoe
Vibram
V-Run Retro Shoes
Sizes | 3 – 12 |
---|---|
Item Weight | 4.8 oz. |
Best Ventilation
Reebok
Nanoflex Cross Trainer
What should I look for in a cross-training shoe?
Pelham recommends keeping three things in mind when you’re on the hunt for a new pair of cross-trainers: traction, comfort, and style. “Your feet and your toes shouldn’t feel like they’re being suffocated, and you shouldn’t be counting down the minutes until you get to take them off,” she says.
But also, don’t sleep on the chance to make a fashion statement during your workout. “You need to like the shoes you wear and feel confident while wearing them!” Pelham adds.
Trying before buying is a must. But if you aren’t able to find something in-store, Pelham recommends buying online from a retailer with a decent return policy just in case it takes a couple of tries to find the perfect fit.
Elizabeth Bacharach is the Assistant Editor at Women’s Health where she writes and edits content about mental and physical health, food and nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle trends across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine.
Neha Tandon is the E-Commerce Editor of Women’s Health—she’s an expert in discovering the best products you can buy and giving recommendations.
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