Cross-training is not a new form of workout, but so far, it's gaining more popularity as shoe manufacturers now thrive on making specific shoes for the same. The shoes are designed with both technicality and versatility in mind to ensure both recreational, and strength athletes get the best shoes. These are essential gear to all athletes, and they provide excellent all-round training shoes.

Athletes must find the best cross-training shoes that will suit their lifestyle and needs. However, making a good choice is not always easy. There are many needs and a lot of technologies used to build these beautiful shoes. Also, you need to consider a wide range of features such as comfort, breathability, and color.

You are probably wondering which cross-training shoes to buy because there are many options out there. This review will give you a list of some of the best cross-training shoes to help you make a well-informed choice.

The Nobull footwear, accessory, and apparel brand is for people who train hard and don’t believe in excuses. The Nobull shoes is a good-looking, versatile, lightweight, and comfortable shoe. With this cross-training shoe, you can pretty much do everything from heavy weight lifting, and box jumps, rope climbs, running, and much more.

The upper is of SuperFabric material which is extremely durable, breathable, and abrasion-resistant. It is tough to resist harsh weather, glass, and even barbed wire. Now you can imagine how tough SuperFabric is.

The shoe’s outsole lug pattern designed for multi-environment usage allows for a smooth transition when outdoors or indoors with the right blend of flexibility, traction, and support. A molded, anatomic sock liner helps round out the shoe’s fit.

Its versatility is unquestionable as it has a low profile 4 mm heel to toe. Whether it’s squats or deadlifts, you can do it all with these shoes.

Key Features
  • The upper is made of SuperFabric material
  • Outsole lug pattern designed for multi-environment usage
  • High carbon lateral and medial guards for added protection on sidewalls
  • Medial rope grip
Specifications
  • Size Range: 9 to 15
  • Notable Materials: SuperFabric
  • Number of Colors: 13
  • Brand: NOBULL
Pros
  • Variety of colors to choose from
  • The shoes SuperFabric material stands out enhancing durability
  • They are light and flexible for many exercises
  • Very comfortable with the right shoe size
Cons
  • The shoes are narrow in the toe box. It’s advisable to pick a fit +0.5
  • When rope climbing, the exterior rubber plastic coating on the upper can make it difficult to grip the rope with your feet

Puma is a brand that has been in the market for several years. All this while, it has been working hard to improve its technology and the features. Puma Men's Tazon 6 was officially branded a running shoe, but it's made of materials and features that are suitable for cross-training activities.

This shoe is made from 100% synthetic leather hence extremely sturdy perfect for weight lifting. They feature a T-toe construction and a lace closure, providing a snug fit thus perfect for performing intense exercises and weight lifting. The breathable EcoOrthoLite material with cushioned midsole ensures added comfort.

The shoe ensures value for your money as it comes with a reasonable price tag and durable construction. The inside is well padded to produce support and comfort either for a gym workout, play, or casual work. It is perfect for trainers looking for stability for their basic strength training.

Functionality aside, these shoes are also aesthetically appealing. Although they only come in black, white, and a silver color, each color has a feature color such as blue or red to complement the look. They match well with every outfit giving you a stylish look.

Key Features
  • 100 percent synthetic leather
  • Rubber sole
  • Lace closure for a snug fit
  • T-toe construction
  • EVA heel pod for perfect cushioning and shock absorption
  • Breathable EcoOrthoLite material
Specifications
  • Size Range: 7 to 14
  • Notable Materials: Synthetic leather
  • Number of Colors: 3
  • Brand: Puma
Pros
  • Comfortable shoes
  • The inside is well padded
  • Provides a snug fit
  • Shock absorbing abilities
  • Different color choices
  • Sleek and stylish shoe
Cons
  • Heavy shoes
  • Minimal breathability

The Men's MX517v1 Training shoe is part of the New Balance's collection of Minimus shoes. This means they are made with maximum cushioning perfect for a traditional athletic shoe. The shoe's classic design ensures maximum comfort, enough traction, and maximum durability. It is strong enough to accommodate tough workouts, including jumping, running, and all movements that involve a lot of strength.

It's designed with maximum cushioning to provide enough protection of the knees and the joints. The cushioning is enough to provide stability and support needed for all cross-training activities. It is perfectly designed for versatility and comfort for all kinds of athletes. The mesh upper ensures enough breathability. The traditional fit provides support for all-day training.

The cross-training shoes for men let you take your training to the next level. They have excellent support, flexibility, and comfort. The NB memory sole inserts, mesh uppers, and comfortable leather material ensure you get enough comfort and flexibility needed for gym rotations and any type of cross-training activity.

Key Features
  • Made with 100 percent textile/synthetic
  • Features removable insole
  • Flexible and responsive midsole
  • Rapid response technology
  • The Vibram outsole ensures perfect grip
Specifications
  • Size Range: 7 to 16
  • Notable Materials: Textile and Synthetic
  • Number of Colors: 9
  • Brand: New Balance
Pros
  • Perfect for light weight lifting and kickboxing
  • Good grip for support
  • Flexible and responsive
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Not suitable for heavy weight lifting
  • The memory foam can wear off faster

Adidas has always been a great shoe, and their Men's Powerlift 3.1 makes it to the top of the market when comparing best cross-training shoes. The upper part of the shoe is constructed using lightweight synthetic leather, ensuring perfect durability. They provide incredible ankle support perfect for athletes that prefer high-top training shoes. The fabric is also solid enough for complete foot protection.

Powerlift 3.1 features an air mesh color and tongue that ensures you get maximum breathability while maintaining its stability and sturdiness. The shoes are super comfortable thanks to their unique structure and flexible toe. You can carry out all your cardio-based movements and any kind of training all day long without experiencing any discomfort.

The shoes are designed with die-cut midsole wedge and high-density, providing enough stability perfect for weight lifting. They come with a lace closure to ensure a perfect fit. Though they are mainly designed for training, the shoes are still stylish with a range of colors to choose from.

Key Features
  • Made with quality synthetic leather
  • Lightweight upper materials for support and durability
  • Air mesh collar
  • Open forefoot structure
  • Flexible toe for comfort
  • Features tongue and lining
Specifications
  • Size Range: 4 to 19
  • Notable Materials: Synthetic leather
  • Number of Colors: 2
  • Brand: Adidas
Pros
  • Made with high-quality material
  • Tight-fitting shoes for protection
  • Great weight lifting shoes
  • Fits as expected
  • Highly breathable
Cons
  • Only suitable for weight lifting and not any other exercise
  • Heavy shoes

Dating back to the history of CrossFit shoes, Reebok was one of the first brands to make these perfect trainer shoes as well as CrossFit gear and equipment. Their brand, Nano, is a perfect choice for both beginners and elite cross-trainers worldwide. The 8th generation of Nano CrossFit comes with incredible changes on the upper and the whole shoe design.

The upper part of Nano 8 comes with an eight-figure design. It has great foot support with breathable materials that keeps your feet comfortable throughout the day. The shoe is designed to accommodate multiple activities and movements that cross trainers engage in.

The lower part of the shoe is made with a stable base perfect for holding the heavyweight of weightlifters. The construction of the shoe in a low ankle profile is ideal for the free movements of the foot. The dual-density midsole is made to provide a perfect bounce back. While the shoe is made with weight lifters in mind, this doesn't compromise on its style.

It is stylish enough to match perfectly with your outfit, thanks to the unique color options. If you love fashion, then these are perfect for your sense of style.

Key Features
  • Forefoot cushioning for comfort
  • Flexweave technology
  • Low profile and performance bootie construction
  • Wide toe box
  • TPU heel wrap
  • CMEVA midsole
Specifications
  • Size Range: 6.5 to 14
  • Notable Materials: Synthetic
  • Number of Colors: 3
  • Brand: Reebok
Pros
  • Perfect material to ensure durability and comfort
  • Designed to fit the needs of CrossFit athlete
  • Provides ultimate stability
  • Provides security and flexibility
  • Comfortable fit
Cons
  • Not suitable for long-distance running

The Nike Lunar athletic training shoe combines Lunarlon midsole with Dynamic Fit technology. This technology incorporated at the midfoot gives you a plush, and glove-like fit. This shoe is lightweight and has a breathable mesh. The mesh helps provide a sock-like fit that hugs your feet and keeps them dry.

The shoe’s outsole is of a multidirectional design, incorporating solid rubber for non-marking grip and traction. It can accommodate a variety of arches comfortably due to the intertwined synthetic bands. These bands are customizable through the lacers and anchored under the midfoot.

The shoes’ inner sleeve, designed with a mesh material, provides a glove-like feel to increase air circulation in your sneaker. This feature in return keeps your feet cool the entire day, creating comfort for your feet while training.

Key Features
  • It uses DYNAMIC FIT® Technology to provide a glove-like feel
  • It has a lightweight, breathable mesh
  • Finger trap-inspired woven sides
  • Solid rubber outsole for non-marking grip and traction
Specifications
  • Size Range: 6-12.5
  • Notable Materials: Mesh, rubber outsole
  • Number of Colors: 4
  • Brand: Nike
Pros
  • Breathable mesh provides extra comfort while training
  • Dynamic fit technology for a snug glove-like fit
  • It has a rubber outsole for multidirectional traction and increased performance
  • Ideal shoes for people with narrow feet as they fit perfectly
  • Made up of mesh material for aeration
Cons
  • It’s not slip-resistant enough in extreme conditions
  • The insole isn’t detachable, hence not perfect for accommodating medical orthodontics

The men’s F-Lite 260 is a lightweight, supportive training shoe perfect for cardio-based workouts. It’s highly breathable, the knitted upper fabric offers a natural, ergonomic fit, which allows the shoe to adapt to the foot in motion. With an external Heel Cage and POWERFLOW midsole, this shoe ensures maximum stability around the heel, hence delivering natural cushioning and 10% better shock absorption.

The shoe upper features a 360-degree ROPE-TEC system to deliver traction and durability on rope climbs. A welded toe bumper on the other side protects the toes during floor and lifting movements. The lightweight, knitted upper is paired with lockdown to ensure that the shoe moves with your foot with a natural, ergonomic fit.

The STICKY GRIP rubber gum outsole offers an outstanding underfoot grip for every kind of workout. The new industry-leading sticky grip rubber provides better traction than its predecessor.

Key Features
  • Shaft measures approximately low-top from arch
  • Unrivaled Grip: the shoe’s 360-degree ROPE-TEC system extends onto the upper for traction and durability on rope climbs
  • POWERFLOW midsole ensures maximum comfort and protection needed for all workouts
  • META-FLEX technology and optimal multi-directional flexibility moves with the feet, both forward and literally
  • External Heel Cage wraps around the rear of the sole providing more support in the heel
Specifications
  • Size Range: 8 to 15
  • Notable Materials: Mesh
  • Number of Colors: 2
  • Brand: Inov-8
Pros
  • The outsole provides a sticky grip
  • Quality craftsmanship is evident in the construction
  • The shoe works well for rope climbs, and the laces stay tied during activity
  • The shoes insole is comfortable for flat feet
Cons
  • There are limited color options
  • This shoe sizing seems inconsistent with other Inov-8 shoes

The Aleader men’s shoe an engineered Tri-layers breathable air mesh upper that allows the foot to breathe and offers enough support. Protective PVC buckle that’s on the sides shoe gives exceptional support for your training. The shoe has a padded collar in addition to the comfortable lining and cushioned, breathable insole, stylish slip-on design.

The wave cushioned and non-slip EVA sole provides enough flexibility for your overall performance. On the other hand, the sole with ultra-cushioning rebounds back instantly to help improve the comfort and offer you full motion and stability. What makes this shoe stand out from other cross-training shoes is that it’s very lightweight that you’ll feel like you are not wearing a shoe at all.

The shoes ComforDry sockliner is designed to offer optimum cushioning performance that creates a more refreshing, drier, and healthier shoe environment. The water drain outsole provides outstanding traction in slippery and wet conditions.

Key Features
  • The shoe is textile and synthetic with a rubber sole
  • Breathable and durable air mesh upper for the foot to breathe
  • Solyte midsole with excellent bounce-back and durability
  • ComforDry sockliner for optimum cushioning performance
Specifications
  • Size Range: 7-13
  • Notable Materials: Mesh
  • Number of Colors: 6
  • Brand: ALEADER
Pros
  • The shoe has Hydro-grip outsole for added traction
  • It has EVA midsole for better shock absorption
  • The lightweight, breathable design is perfect for cross-training
  • The shoe’s aesthetics are cool and stylish, making it suitable for all age groups
Cons
  • The insole is slightly narrow than other cross fit shoes
  • Cushioning is not for the arch

Ryka women’s cross-training shoes keep up with the rest of the class in the Ryka influence. It features a synthetic and mesh upper to provide comfort and breathability. It is flex-foil, and direct-fuse layers offer generous support. It’s a colorful lace-up shoe with blind eyelets and logo at tongue.

The shoe has a textile lining and cushioning precise-return insole ton help keep your feet nice and comfortable. It features a dual-density foam midsole with high impact N-gage EVA return provides shape retention and cushioning in the heel and forefront. The sneaker also has a traction outsole with a footprint design.

The outsole is of rubber materials to provide more grip and traction. The tongue and collar of the shoe prevent any discomfort when stooping, jumping and bending through the extra padding. This RYKA cross shoe is the key to a high-performance action. The shoe design allows for aeration, flexibility, comfort, and arch support.

Key Features
  • Textile and synthetic
  • It features colorful lace-up shoe with blind eyelets and logo at tongue
  • Precise-Return bouncy insole
  • It features traction outsole with footprint design
  • Padded collar and tongue
  • Rubber sole for more grip and traction
Specifications
  • Size Range: 5-11
  • Notable Materials: Mesh
  • Number of Colors: 8
  • Brand: Ryka
Pros
  • Padded tongue, collar, and cuff to offer comfort
  • The ridges on the outsole provide more traction
  • Direct-fuse for more support
  • The shoe has a lightweight design
Cons
  • The forefoot is slightly narrow
  • The shoe is somehow smaller in size

The type of cross-training shoe you use can either break or make your overall workout. This Nike Metcon 4 Training shoe features an updated upper with zonally placed haptic print to enhance stability and durability. The shoe’s Flywire technology provides a locked-down fit, while the sticky rubber in the forefoot gives exceptional traction for running and training.

The drop-in midsole provides a stable fit and feel. The shoe has a mesh on the heel and ankle to provide breathability, further keeping your feet relaxed and comfortable. The outsole design provides optimum flexibility making the shoe ideal for athletes engaging in cross-training activities, as they are easy to transition from one activity to another.

The outsole is composed of high-quality rubber that extends along the sides of the shoes providing the user with additional protection from exercises like rope climbs that can quickly tear out the shoe. The low-profile heel clip winds up on the lateral and medial sides to aid in minimizing drag during handstand pushups. The shoe comes in a wide range of colors and styles available to customers.

Key Features
  • Haptic print to provide durability and stability
  • Flywire technology delivers a locked-down fit
  • Drop-in midsole provides a stable fit and feel
  • It features a mesh for breathability
Specifications
  • Size Range: 6.5-14
  • Notable Materials: Rubber
  • Number of Colors: 22
  • Brand: Nike
Pros
  • It uses Haptic Technology for optimal durability
  • Increased color and design options
  • It has a flexible forefoot
  • The outsole is textured but flat to connect you to the ground
Cons
  • The heel can be a little clunky to run in

The construction and features of cross-training shoes vary between models, but the main feature to look for across all of them is the comfort and quality standard. So when it comes to the construction, you should look for things like heel support. It is supposed to be firmer and strong enough to bear the weight of every kind of training. Cross-training shoes use materials such as TPU, EVA foam, and high abrasion rubber.

Perfect cross-training shoes need to have a perfect base. They are mostly made with synthetic mesh and feature multiple layers for durability. You should ensure you check the outer construction when shopping and the material used to ensure you only got the best shoe for your training.

You should also consider your foot type when choosing cross-training shoes. There are three different types of feet, namely; neutral, pronated, and supinated. Figure out the type of feet you have and choose the amount of arch support, cushioning, and lateral support that you'll need in your cross-trainer. A shoe that fits another trainer may not fit you well if you have a different foot type.

Your shoes should be comfortable and flexible enough to allow easier movement and flexibility. They should have enough traction and support to offer enough protection when doing your training throughout the day. Ensure you get an accurate fit so that you don't end up with blisters or clumped feet at the end of your training.

You can take your shoes out for practice to ensure they are comfortable, flexible, and fit perfectly. Try out different movements such as jumping and running to experience how the shoe feels. Try different sizes, especially when buying from a particular manufacturer for the first time. This will enable you to find out which size fits perfectly and how your feet feel while inside.

Compared to most training shoes, cross-trainers are made with more techs, and different manufacturers have a specific technology unique to it. You should find out the importance of every tech and choose the brand with the tech that excites you most. Ensure the materials impact the breathability, durability, and workout support in every brand you choose.

With all this information in mind, we can now look at the best cross-training shoes of 2020 to help you make an informed choice when you go to the market.

Resources— BarBend, Athlete Audit

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