Our verdict

In our opinion, gymgoers on a budget will not be left wanting more with the Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5. This training shoe is aptly equipped with all the essentials for a moderate workout. What's more, we feel like it makes for great casual footwear thanks to its smooth steps and fun design. All in all, for $90, we consider it money well spent!

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Stable for easy weightlifting
  • Smooth heel-to-toes
  • True to size
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Durable outsole
  • Very good looks

Cons

  • Not breathable
  • Toebox lacks durability
  • Not for advanced workouts

Audience verdict

85
Good!
  • Top 20% most popular training shoes

Who should buy

We can confidently recommend this training shoe from Nike to the following:

  • gymgoers who follow easy and intermediate workout regimens
  • fitness enthusiasts who need training shoes that can also be worn casually

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-review.JPG

Who should NOT buy

We found that the Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 is not the best bet for people who train hard and lift heavy.

If you need a more serious trainer for advanced workouts, consider Nike's flagship Metcon 8. We found it to be a more weightlifting-ready and overall more durable cross-trainer. Alternatively, check out the Reebok Nano X3, a counterpart of the Metcon.

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-lab-test.JPG

Cushioning

Heel stack

Air Max is a rare sight among training shoes from Nike. But there you have it - a large cushy unit keeping your heels protected from impact.

The rest of the cushioning is provided by what appears to be an EVA foam (the type is not specified by Nike).

The presence of Air Max does leave an imprint on the shoe's height. At 36.2 mm in the heel, it is much taller than the average cross-trainer.

We definitely felt a bit disconnected in this shoe after all those grounded trainers that barely ever go above 27 mm. Take the Nike Free Metcon 5 with its humble stack height of 24.2 mm for example.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Stack heel
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 36.2 mm
Average 24.7 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Heel stack
36.2 mm

Forefoot stack

As our caliper measurement shows, the forefoot is also quite tall in this shoe. Its forefoot height of 24.2 mm actually equates to how tall most cross-training shoes are in the heel.

The only other trainer that comes close to these parameters is the oddly-shaped Nike SuperRep 3 (31.7 mm in the heel and 27.5 mm in the forefoot).

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Stack forefoot
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 24.2 mm
Average 18.4 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
27.7 mm

Drop

The difference in stack heights gives us a whopping drop of 12 mm! This amount of cushion is very unusual for a training shoe. Geez, it is even more than what you get in a standard running shoe (8.6 mm)!

So, if you prefer feeling close to the ground while working out, get a shoe with a 4-6 mm drop instead (like Nike Metcon or Nike Free Metcon).

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Stack drop
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 12.0 mm
Average 6.3 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.8 mm
Drop
13.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Pressing a durometer against the foam, we found that it strikes a balance between soft and firm at 24.8 HA. It is right at the average of what we've tested in other training shoes. 

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Midsole squeeze (Room temp)
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 24.8 HA
Average 27.7 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
17.4 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
47.0 HA

Insole thickness

Even taking out the insole won't make this shoe more down-to-earth. Based on our measurement, the insole is just average in thickness. At 3.6 mm, it is even a little thinner than average.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Insole heel padding
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 3.6 mm
Average 3.9 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
5.7 mm

Size and fit

Based on our measurements and personal assessment, the Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 runs true to size.

However, athletes with wide feet may benefit from going half a size up.

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-fit.JPG

Size

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 is true to size (84 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how do you like the size?

Small True to size Large
Compared to 25 training shoes
Number of shoes
Small
True to size
Large

Toebox width - widest part

Measuring the widest part of the toebox at 101.5 mm, we found it to be of average width compared to other cross-trainers.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Forefoot upper width (max)
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 101.5 mm
Average 100.3 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
90.4 mm
Toebox width - widest part
108.5 mm

Toebox width - big toe

However, closer to the toes, the shoe gets narrower than average at 76.1 mm.

This may feel constricting to wide feet. We recommend going half a size up in that's your case. 

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 76.1 mm
Average 78.4 mm
Compared to 33 training shoes
Number of shoes
65.0 mm
Toebox width - big toe
87.5 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

It probably comes out as obvious from the previous section that the Alpha Trainer 5 is not the best option for heavy lifting. However, there is still hope.

In our lateral stability assessment, this Nike trainer was not as wobbly as we initially expected. But as opposed to the brand's claims of "stability for lifting whether it’s a light or heavy day," we highly recommend keeping it light when it comes to lifting in this shoe.

Torsional rigidity

When twisted, the Alpha Trainer 5 does not give up that easily. On a 1-5 scale, we rated its torsional rigidity as 4, which is stiffer than average and is a pretty good sign of stability.

It prevents the foot from rolling over the squishy Max Air unit.

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 4
Average 2.7
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter has some good firmness to it, locking the ankle down in place. We rated it as 3 out of 5 on a stiffness scale, which is a bit stiffer than the average.

The well-padded collar helps with the foothold as well.

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 3
Average 2.8
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

Finally, this Nike shoe has a nice and wide footprint, the same as all the other cross-trainers we've tested (+1 to stability). At the widest part of the forefoot, the Nike Alpha Trainer 5 measures in at 110.1 mm.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Midsole width (forefoot)
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 110.1 mm
Average 110.5 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
101.0 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
117.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

The shoe is also sufficiently wide in the heel. We measured it to be 87.8 mm at the widest point.

Even though we only checked the widest parts of the heel and forefoot, you can see that the platform remains rather wide all throughout its length.

This is what makes the shoe safe enough for moderate lifting.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Midsole width (heel)
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 87.8 mm
Average 87.4 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
76.5 mm
Midsole width - heel
97.4 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

At first impression, the Alpha Trainer 5 is not the most flexible shoe for doing planks and lunges.

This was clearly reflected in our controlled flexibility test with a force gauge involved. The shoe requires a force of 27.1N to be bent to a 90-degree angle - a little more than average but not critically.

On the bright side, we can see how a few workouts can help to break in this stiffness.

Also, walking in the Alpha Trainer 5, we really enjoyed its smooth ride. It never felt stiff.

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 24.9N
Average 17.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
4.3N
Stiffness
37.9N

Weight

Tipping the scales at 392g, this is a heavy training shoe.

All that stack of cushioning just couldn't have gone under the radar.

If you want a budget shoe from Nike that is more than 100g lighter than the Alpha Trainer, check out the Nike Legend Essential 2.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Weight
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 13.83 oz (392g)
Average 10.72 oz (304g)
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
6.38 oz (181g)
Weight
13.83 oz (392g)

Breathability

Need an airy trainer for hot and sweaty gyms? Unfortunately, the Alpha Trainer 5 is not your best friend.

Judging by the amount of smoke passing through the upper, ventilation is not this shoe's strongest point.

On a 1-5 scale where 5 is the most breathable, this Nike trainer only scores 2. It is less breathable than the average.

If this is a deal-breaker for you, consider the Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2 instead. It's got a perfect breathability score of 5/5.

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 2
Average 3.6
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

The longevity of this training shoe causes mixed feelings.

Although we cannot expect much from a $90 shoe, we were still disappointed to see the shoe's upper fail miserably in our durability test.

It took a mere second to drill a hole in the toebox, which doesn't normally happen to cross-trainers. Basically, it means that a single toe drag can cause significant wear and tear to this shoe's upper. Not sexy.

We have seen shoes like the Reebok Nano X3 where the knit upper barely got a scratch in the same test.

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-vs-reebok-nano-x3-dremel-durability-test.jpg

Taking a closer look through a microscope, you can see the quality of threads on the Air Max Alpha Trainer 5...

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-microscope-upper.JPG
Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 (left) vs. Reebok Nano X3 (right)

...as opposed to the enhanced wire-like webbing on the Nano X3:

reebok-nano-x3-upper-under-microscope.JPG

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 1
Average 2.6
Compared to 29 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Outsole hardness

This shoe also has one of the hardest rubber compounds that we've seen. At the moment of testing, we found that it is firmer than 93% of our tested training shoes.

Actually, at 90.1 HC, the rubber on this shoe is even harder than the average of hiking shoes (86.3 HC).

Just like with thickness, we associate harder rubber with prolonged shelf life.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Outsole squeeze (Room temp)
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 90.1 HC
Average 82.9 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
57.5 HC
Outsole hardness
94.5 HC

Outsole thickness

The outsole, on the other hand, looks more promising. We measured the rubber layer to be 4.3 mm in the heel, which is a little thicker than average.

Having more rubber means that you can walk on concrete streets without worrying about wearing it off within a few weeks.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Outsole heel height
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 4.3 mm
Average 3.6 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

After a few training sessions, we can say that the outsole grip on the Alpha Trainer 5 is just fine. Nothing to write home about but it is reliable.

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-outsole.JPG

Comfort

For a budget-friendly trainer, the Alpha Trainer 5 has a really sweet in shoe-feel. It is padded in all the right places causing no rubbing or pinching.

Tongue padding

Based on our measurement, the tongue is adequately padded. It is 5.5 mm thick, which is just average for training shoes.

No lace bites in this trainer.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Tongue padding
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 5.5 mm
Average 5.4 mm
Compared to 40 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
10.4 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue is attached to the upper halfway through its length. Thanks to this, we never experienced any tongue shifting.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Both sides (semi)

Heel tab

A handy finger loop is attached at the back, making it easy to slide right into the shoe.

Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Heel tab

Test results
Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 Finger loop