7 Best Cross-training Shoes For Men

How we test cross-training shoes for men

As an independent shoe testing lab, we keep our reviews fact-based and brutally straightforward. Here is what allows us to maintain that:

• Buying shoes using our own funds only (no sponsorships or free test pairs from the brands)
• Wear testing these shoes in various cross-training activities ourselves
• Taking each shoe apart in our lab to test and measure every possible parameter - stack height and drop, midsole firmness, flexibility, durability, and breathability, among many others. We go as far as cutting cross-trainers in half to get the most precise measurements.

As a result, you get the most comprehensive and detailed review of each cross-training shoe for men. And the cream of the crop makes it to our top picks here.

What a good cross-training shoe can do

Crossfit WODs, functional training, high-intensity interval (HIIT) workouts, you name it - a good cross-trainer can get you through it all:

• Plyometrics: all sorts of jumping exercises (box jumps, burpees, skaters, etc.)
• Weightlifting: lifting up to 300 lbs (135 kg) (some cross-trainers can handle even more)
• Short runs: up to 1-2 miles of a warm-up or an interval training run

Can you use running shoes instead of cross-trainers?

We wouldn’t recommend that.

Even though cross-training includes some short runs (1-2 miles), 90% of its movements involve an entirely different biomechanics than running. There is a good reason why athletic shoe brands developed a separate footwear category specifically for working out.

Instead of perpetual forward motion, you perform explosive movements in different directions (or even dimensions) that call for the following shoe features:

• Strong lateral support: Designed with side-to-side movements in mind, cross-trainers have wide and rigid platforms, and stiff heel counters and often feature stabilising TPU components on the sides and around the heel.

• Stability for lifting: Most running shoes today feel like a 35-mm piece of soft marshmallow foam underfoot (which is fantastic when running or walking!). But the problem is that it compresses very easily under the load resulting in a very wobbly experience. That’s why cross-trainers have notably firmer and more grounded midsoles that get even stiffer in the heel to minimise instability under heavy weight.

• Flat and wide soles: There is hardly any sole curvature in cross-trainers. Their flat shape creates more surface coverage and minimises rocking motion for better stability and control. Running shoes, on the other hand, rely on toe rockers and heel bevels to enhance forward motion.

These core differences between a running shoe and a cross-trainer explain why the latter is not a luxury to wear at the gym. It is an essential tool for effective and safe performance. Yes, safe because specialised workout footwear has been shown to prevent some lower limb injuries.

How to find the best cross-trainers for men

Even though all cross-training shoes for men are designed as versatile do-it-alls, they do it all in their own way. Based on their construction and most pronounced features, cross-trainers can be roughly divided into three categories:

• Cushioned cross-trainers for high-impact exercises/cardio
• Stable and sturdy shoes for weightlifting/strength training
• Minimalist trainers for barefoot-like experience and foot strengthening

Depending on your training focus, you may prefer one category over the other. Some seasoned gym goers even buy several cross-trainers for their rotation to reap the benefits of different shoes.

Cushioned cross-trainers

This type of cross-trainers is suitable for guys who:

• go hard on cardio/aerobics and need extra impact protection
• want comfortable shoes to double for both gym and casual use

Just because these shoes are more biased towards comfort and cushioning doesn’t mean that you can’t use them for lifting. These trainers are still good for all-around gym use but their standout features include the following:

• sufficient stack height for impact protection
• a bit softer cushioning foam

But how do you know which trainers are cushier without trying them on? That’s where our RunRepeat lab comes for help.

We cut all trainers in half to measure their stack heights and midsole softness precisely. We use a calliper to measure both the forefoot and heel stack at exactly 25% and 75% of the shoe’s length.

For midsole softness, we press a Shore A durometer against the midsole foam (or foams if there is more than one). The smaller the HA number, the softer the foam:

• soft: 20 HA or less
• balanced: 20-30 HA
• firm: 30 HA or more

Cushioned trainers typically show 20-25 HA on the durometer.

Stable and sturdy cross-trainers

Strength training and weightlifting tend to be at the core of most guys’ training routines. That’s why the most popular cross-trainers like the Nike Metcons and the Reebok Nanos are so biased towards stability for weightlifting.

But unlike dedicated lifting shoes (with elevated heels and incompressible wedges), stable cross-trainers mix the best of both worlds allowing you to perform general fitness exercises outside of squats, cleans, jerks, and bench presses only.

So what makes these trainers more stable?

• notably firmer midsoles
• high torsional rigidity (inherent midsole firmness + stiff stabilising components)
• stiff and secure heel counter
• wide and flat platform

Unlike cushioned shoes, stable cross-trainers for men show much higher durometer numbers in our midsole firmness test. They can be more balanced (26-30 HA) which makes them better for high-impact exercises or much firmer and less compressible (30-40 HA) which is ideal for heavy lifting.

We perform a manual test to determine torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness of men’s cross-trainers. Depending on how much resistance we feel, each shoe gets a stiffness score from 1 to 5 (5 being the stiffest).

Lastly, we use a calliper to measure the widest parts of the midsole in both the forefoot and the heel. There is a direct correlation between a shoe’s platform width and stability.

Minimalist cross-trainers

More experienced male athletes often get a pair of minimalist trainers to enhance their overall fitness. Because these barefoot-like shoes have no cushioning or added support, they force your feet, legs, and body to work more than they would in regular trainers.

Other benefits include:

• better body alignment (better posture)
• better balance and coordination through improved proprioception

But for the exact same reason, we can’t recommend minimalist cross-trainers to beginners. And if you are planning to add that type of footwear into your rotation, you MUST START SLOW AND EASY, allowing your feet and body to adapt to the new sensations and biomechanics.

A minimalist cross-trainer for men will have the following features:

• ultra-thin sole (10-15 mm of stack height)
• very flexible construction which bends along with the foot
• super lightweight, barely-there on foot

How to choose the right size and fit in men’s cross-trainers

Size: If it’s been over a year since you last bought a pair of athletic shoes, you may want to measure your current foot length (just to be sure it hasn’t changed).

Ask a friend for help and follow these 3 simple steps.

Once you have the length in inches or millimetres, go to the corresponding brand size chart and find our which size suits you best. Please note that you may need different sizes in different brands!

Fit: In many cases, getting the right shoe size is equal to achieving the right fit as well. But not always.

Men’s feet come in all shapes and sizes and everyone deserves a cross-trainer that feels fine-tuned to them.

It should also be noted that men’s cross-training shoes tend to have roomier toeboxes than running shoes or lifestyle trainers. This forefoot shape helps to accommodate natural toe splaying during jumping and lifting.

So don’t rush for an exchange pair if your toes feel a little freer in the new trainers (but please do if the dead space feels too much).

But how do you know the shape of each men’s cross-trainer?

We solve that problem in our lab by using a proprietary gel substance to create precise moulds of each shoe’s toebox.

Once the mould is solid, we use a calliper to measure its width in the widest part (metatarsals) and near the big toe, as well as its toebox height.

The photo below shows how two shoes can have very different toebox dimensions even if they are from the same brand and were measured in the same size (men’s US 9) and width (D medium).

The table below provides an overview of the toebox fit in men’s cross-training shoes

How long do men’s cross-training shoes last?

It is important to understand that cross-training shoes may be worn out way before they develop visible signs of deterioration. How is that possible?

Your shoes start to lose their initial cushioning and support which can only be felt and not seen. Here are some of the surefire signs that you need a replacement pair asap:

• the midsole feels pancake flat, there is no give  when walking and jumping
• the midsole is tilted - one side got thinner than the other causing your foot to buckle
• you start to experience pain somewhere in the foot, knees, heels, or even lower back
• your feet and legs feel more fatigued post-workout

It really helps to have at least 2 cross-trainers in your rotation (a newer one and an older one) to be able to spot these signs sooner.

Other obvious signals that you need a new pair include:

• worn out traction pattern on the outsole
• outsole separating from the rest of the shoe
• tears and holes in the upper

But how long does it a cross-trainer to get to that point?

That depends on factors like your own weight, the exercises you do, and how often you work out. If you focus on heavy weightlifting or do a lot if abrasive exercises like rope climbing or rope jumping on concrete, expect to get a replacement pair sooner.

Based on our own experience and observations:

• If you train 3 times a week, you will need a new cross-trainer in about a year.
• If you train 5+ times a week, expect to buy a new shoe in 8-10 months.

In our shoe lab, we perform several durability tests to predict the longevity of each cross-training shoe. Using a Dremel with sandpaper, we drill each shoe’s toebox fabric, inner heel lining, and outsole to check how much abrasion they can take.

Based on these tests, each shoe’s toebox and heel padding get a durability score from 1 to 5. For the outsole, we present the exact depth of the dent we drilled (the shallower the better).

How to save money on your next pair of cross-trainers

The average retail price of a men’s cross-training shoe these days is £130. Not a cheap buy, we must say.

But here are a few tips on how you can cut costs on the next pair:

1. Compare prices: But manually checking every retailer out there takes A LOT of time. That’s why RunRepeat is here for you. We track prices and sales from over 200 online stores to let you know where you can buy your favourite shoe in your size and colour the cheapest. Set up a price alert on our product page and we will notify you as soon as the price drops in any of the shops.
2. Check previous editions: Did you know that Nike Metcon only receives major updates to their shoes in the odd iterations (7, 9) keeping even ones (6, 8) very similar to the predecessors? And in some cases, the older version happens to be even better than the newer one. Go to our catalogue page of men’s cross-training shoes, sort by discount, and you will see previous editions of popular men’s cross-trainers with a lucrative discount of up to 70%!
3. Check budget-friendly shoes: Every shoe brand offers a range of budget-friendly cross-trainers for £100 or less. Here are some of the cheapest men’s cross-trainers on the market right now: