5 Best Cross-training Shoes For Women in 2023
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Why trust us
Cross-training shoes have become more and more appealing to women, especially those who want to cut back on their expenses. Because of their versatility, these shoes can be used for different types of workouts: from running to weightlifting and even HIIT.
Of course, brands like Nike and Adidas will claim that their cross-training shoes for women are the best. However, what they promise may not be what you will actually experience on the field.
Hence, we at RunRepeat took it upon ourselves to test more than 300 cross-training shoes for women so that we can come up with our top picks for ACTUAL performance. Never mind the marketing spiels, it’s always the experience that counts here.
See all
135 women's cross-training shoes
How we test training shoes
Our top picks would only make sense to you if we are fair and reasonable in our assessments. In order to ensure fairness, we do the following:
- Buy ladies’ cross-training shoes using our own money. This eliminates sponsorship bias, which may cause us to be extra kind to the brands who gave us freebies.
- Use the shoes in actual rotational workouts. Of course, we won’t appreciate the full potential of cross-training shoes if we limit their usage to one type of workout. All our top picks here went through workout circuits conducted by our experts.
To give you a more holistic picture of how each cross-training shoe works, we also come up with a Corescore. This numerical rating is practically the weighted average of the scores given by experts and regular fitness enthusiasts from in and out of RunRepeat.
Best cross-training shoes overall
Reebok Nano X1
88
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Nano X1 lives up to the level of quality expected from the Nano series but strays away from its predecessors’ Crossfit-centeredness. Reebok now describes it as the shoe for "ultimate fitness." It is designed for people who love to train hard and don't want to be limited by just one type of workout.
Pros
- Versatile, less Crossfit-specific
- Upper hugs the foot
- Lighter than Nike Metcons
- Cushioned for short runs
- Great traction on gym floors
- Secure lockdown
- Plenty of toe space
- Very breathable
- Stylish for casual wear
Cons
- Collar rubs the heel
- Tongue slides a bit
- Not the best for weightlifting
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$41
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$85
Fleet Feet
$98
Zappos
Best lightweight cross-training shoes for women
Nike Legend Essential 2
80
Good!
What makes it the best?
Belonging to Nike’s cheapest training shoes, the Legend Essential 2 manages to offer that essential comfort and support for moderate gym workouts as well as recreational use. If you take it easy at the gym, you'll make the best out of this superb deal.
Pros
- Insanely cheap
- Doubles as a casual sneaker
- Lightweight
- Breathes well
- Snug fit
- Very flexible
- Reliable grip
- Looks great
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Not the most durable
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$40
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$60
Nike
$65
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$65
Best slip-on cross-training shoes for women
Nike Free Metcon 4
87
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Nike Free Metcon 4 is a great shoe for an all-around application. If you want to buy one shoe to do most of your exercise needs, I don’t think you would regret the Nike Free Metcon 4. They are not running shoes, but they will get it done in a pinch if you need to pump out a mile or two at the end of your routine.
Pros
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Unbelievably flexible
- Solid platform
- Grippy outsole
- Highly breathable
- Durable
- Unique design
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Not suitable for running
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$59
Nike
$85
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$90
Stadium Goods
$105
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$110
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$120
Best Nike cross-training shoes for women
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
79
Good!
What makes it the best?
The SuperRep has got to be Nike’s most flashy training shoe series. The third iteration receives some design tweaks to give you the right balance of cushioning for jumps, flexibility for planks, and support for side-to-side and other movements involved in HIIT. The shoe’s unusual design is not only there for looks, it enhances performance when it comes to high-impact exercises.
Pros
- Perfect for HIIT
- Light on the foot
- Bouncy cushioning
- Great flexibility
- Stable side support
- Snug, locked-down fit
- Breathable
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Arc catches debris outdoors
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$74
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$75
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$80
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$120
Best value
PUMA Enzo 2
84
Great!
What makes it the best?
PUMA Enzo 2 is a great gym shoe option with an affordable price tag. However, its elastic straps may get in the way of fast-paced workouts. It won't be a problem if you mostly do stationary exercises such as lifting, rowing, and other types of weight training. But it's better to stay away from this PUMA shoe if you jump, sprint, and lunge a lot.
Pros
- Plush comfort
- Solid base for heavy lifts
- Little to no break-in time
- Grippy
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Cheap
Cons
- Narrow
- Poor lockdown
- Not for running or cycling
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$40
Shoebacca
$40
Shoe Mall
Free shipping
$70
Zappos
Comparison of the 5 best cross-training shoes for women
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