5 Best Cross-training Shoes For Men in 2023

What to look for in cross-training shoes for men

Your gym workout demands a lot from your lower body. The stresses you expose your feet and lower legs to are varied and severe and approaching them with shoes built for a leisurely jog in the park is a not wise thing to do.

What you need on the gym floor is support, versatility, stability, and grip, and if your current shoes aren’t providing all of those things you need better shoes.

A quality cross-trainer has to be, above all, versatile:

Is there a difference between cross-trainers for men and women?

Yes, there is a difference. While both types of cross-trainers are designed for multi-sport activities and provide similar levels of support, cushioning, and stability, there are some key differences between men's and women's models:

Should I buy cross-trainers or weightlifting shoes?

If you’re a general fitness gym goer who wants a decent shoe that you can train in then a pair of cross trainers may well suit your needs. A weightlifting shoe is geared more towards the serious lifter who wants to lift heavy under premium conditions.

So, if you are a person who spends the majority of your gym time on the squat rack or doing weightlifting moves, you should invest in a pair of dedicated weightlifting shoes.

On the other hand, if your workout sees you doing a range of machine and free weight exercises, possibly including squats, and you don’t want to carry a second pair of shoes in your gym bag, then go with cross trainers.

Cross-training shoes vs running shoes

To many people, athletic shoes all serve pretty much the same purpose; whether you’re running in the woods or heading to the gym, a decent pair of runners or trainers will do the job. That type of thinking, though, is plain wrong.

There are some important differences between workout shoes and running shoes. Those differences make each one ideally suited for a specific type of exercise. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between a running shoe and a workout shoe.

Running shoes are, naturally, designed specifically for running, both outdoors and on a treadmill. As such, they have the following features:

• Forward propulsion technology
• Limited side-to-side movement capabilities
• A mesh upper to allow for greater breathability
• A relatively high heel-to-toe drop:
  • average drop of running shoes - 8.7 mm
  • average drop of training shoes - 4.5 mm
• Extra heel cushioning for impact absorption:
  • average heel stack of running shoes - 33.2 mm
  • average heel stack of training shoes - 24.1 mm

NOBULL Runner stack height - 31.3 mm

NOBULL Trainer stack height - 18.6 mm

Workout shoes are created to meet the workout needs of the average gym goer. As such, they need to be able to do a bit of everything, including weight lifting, cardio, machine and free weight exercises, and fitness class workouts.

Unlike running shoes, workout shoes need to allow for lateral movement and sudden changes of direction. The cushioning is not as great as on a running shoe in order to get a balance between the rigidity needed for heavy lifting and the cushioning required for plyometric jumping exercises.

The toe box on a workout shoe is roomier than that on a running shoe. That’s because it needs to provide space for the toes to splay out as they naturally do when pushing a weight overhead or when squatting. The wider toe box also allows for more efficient movement changes.

Even though some running shoes can be wider in the toebox than cross-trainers, the latter are on average 1.5 mm wider.

8 things to consider in a pair of men's cross-training shoes

To make sure you feel your best when reaching your peak performance at the gym, pay attention to the following characteristics when choosing a pair of cross-trainers:

Heel Support

A good workout shoe offers additional heel support to provide rigidity when lifting and prevent lateral movement. This is usually in the form of a plastic insert in the heel.

Flexibility

A flexible shoe makes it simple to change directions and move in every direction without compromising your agility or balance.

Flexibility level can vary a lot across training shoes. Depending on your typical workout, you might prefer either a more pliable shoe or a stiffer one.

Nike Free Metcon 4: one of the most flexible trainers (better for HIIT, aerobics, etc.)

NOBULL Trainer+: one of the stiffer shoes (better for weightlifting)

Toebox

The toe box of your workout shoes should provide a few centimeters of extra width to allow for the natural toe spreading that occurs when lifting weights when your feet are planted on the ground.

On average, the widest part of the forefoot measures 99.2 mm in cross-training shoes. For reference, here are the averages in other categories:

• cross-training shoes: 99.2 mm
• hiking shoes: 98.9 mm
• trail running shoes: 98.9 mm
• road running shoes: 97.7 mm
• basketball shoes: 97.5 mm

The material used to make the toebox should also be flexible, allowing for the toes to bend easily. This makes it possible for your foot to push off with the help of the forefoot, or the base of your toes.

Cushioning

Look for workout shoes that offer some cushioning but not too much. In multidirectional movements, excessive cushioning could make you land incorrectly, putting you at risk for knee or ankle injuries. When pushing the weight with your feet on the ground, too much cushioning will also rob you of a stable base.

An optimal cushioning setup would be a firm heel and a moderately soft forefoot.

Lower heel-to-toe drop 

A high heel-toe drop could make lateral motions more likely to cause an ankle injury. The reduced cushioning of the heel that is needed in a workout shoe will naturally contribute to a lower heel-to-toe drop.

The average drop in cross-trainers hovers around 4 mm.

Nike Legend Essential 2 (5.1 mm drop)

A 4-mm is barely visible to the untrained eye and feels a lot like zero drop. This helps the wearer feel more planted and grounded.

Grippy and hard-wearing rubber

Pick training shoes with enough traction on the sole to enable safe and swift motions. When trying to slide your feet across a surface, the shoe should feel secure on the floor. At the same time, the outsole should provide you with a secure ground connection.

The rubber outsole in cross-training shoes is about 5% harder than in road running shoes.

If rope climbs are part of your routine, make sure the trainer has rubberized side walls too.

Material

Personal preference should play a big role in determining the material to use. The materials used in training shoes are frequently a mix of mesh, plastic, leather, and synthetics.

Depending on your climate and training environment, you may want to opt for more breathable trainers.

Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 (breathability: 5/5) vs. NOBULL Trainer (breathability: 1/5)

Frequently asked questions about cross-training shoes for men

Do I really need to wear cross-training shoes in the gym?

Wearing the right shoes for your workout is important for several reasons, including:

Is it ok to train barefoot in the gym?

Training barefoot in the gym can have both benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the things to consider:

Benefits:

• Improved balance and stability: Training barefoot can help improve your balance and stability, as your feet have to work harder to maintain your balance without the support of shoes.
• Better sensory feedback: Training barefoot can also provide better sensory feedback, as your feet have direct contact with the ground, allowing you to feel and respond to changes in your environment more quickly.

Drawbacks:

• Increased risk of injury: Training barefoot can also increase the risk of injury, as your feet are not protected from sharp or hard objects on the floor. This can lead to cuts, bruises, or other foot injuries.
• Decreased protection: Training barefoot also provides less protection for your feet, as there is no cushioning to absorb shock or support for your feet. This can lead to increased stress on your feet and legs, particularly if you're doing high-impact activities like jumping or running.

When in doubt, go for a minimalist trainer from brands like Inov-8 and Xero Shoes.