The 7 Best Men's Cross-Training Shoes, Based on Our 2019 Tests of 100+ Pairs

Our assertions are strong, and our assessments are unflinching. We know that keeping our word is crucial to being believed, so we always do the following:

• Spend our own money on a pair of men's cross-training shoes.
• Put the shoes to good use in your workouts.
• Let's talk about our individual shoe experiences as much as possible.

By taking these measures, we can ensure that our evaluations are not only accurate but also impartial. We hope that the information we share with you during our conversations will allow you to make a more informed purchase.

Your leg and calf muscles are being put through their paces at the gym. Running in shoes designed for a light stroll through the park is not a good idea because of the wide range of stresses placed on your feet and lower legs.

If your current pair of gym shoes doesn't give you the support, flexibility, stability, and grip you need, it's time to upgrade.

First and foremost, a good cross-trainer needs to be adaptable:

Stable Lightweight Flexible for squatting and other multi-planar exercises when working on speed, agility, and plyometrics for plyometrics, aerobics, and yoga

Do male and female cross-trainers function differently?

Yes, there is a distinction. There are significant variations between men's and women's cross-trainers, despite their shared multi-sport focus and similar support, cushioning, and stability.

FIt For a safer and more comfortable fit, women's cross-trainers are made with narrower heels. Size Standard men's sizing begins at the 1 Men's sizes are 5 US sizes larger than women's sizes. Style Developed in a variety of silhouettes to meet the sartorial needs of both sexes Cross-trainers for women may feature brighter colors and more girly designs than men's, who may instead opt for a more subdued or masculine aesthetic. Men who have narrow feet should consider purchasing the women's version of the shoe. Make sure you get just one Men, order 5 US sizes larger than your regular size.

Which shoes are better for weightlifting and cross-training?

Cross trainers are a good option if you regularly go to a gym for exercise and are looking for a comfortable, supportive shoe. When it comes to lifting, a weightlifting shoe is for the dedicated athlete who wants nothing but the best.

Therefore, if you spend most of your time in the gym at the squat rack or performing other weightlifting exercises, you should purchase a specific pair of weightlifting shoes.

However, if you plan on doing both squats and other machine and free weight exercises during your workout and don't want to lug around two pairs of shoes, cross trainers are a great option.

Weightlifting shoes vs. cross-trainers: benefits and drawbacks

Shoes for lifting weights

Cross-trainer

The Heel Is Raise

PROS

• More accurate knee tracking
• Squat with a more vertical spine.
• Able to squat more deeply
• Reduced force on the ankle joint
• Deadlifting is not advised.

CONS

• Not recommended for standard gym use.
• Potentially Hiding Inflexibility in the Ankle

Flat Heel

PROS

• Appropriate for most gym routines
• Increases ankle range of motion
• Optimal for light to moderate Olympic lifts and squats
• Apt for use in deadlifts

CONS

• Doesn't encourage a straight back
• Restricted knee articulation
• A deep squat may not be possible.

Poorly Compressed

PROS:

• Enhanced steadiness during lifting
• No energy is wasted.

CONS:

• Having insufficient compression for other workout activities (plyometrics, treadmill running, etc.)

High Compression

PROS:

• Cushions impacts, easing wear and tear on joints.
• Adaptable so as to facilitate agility training

CONS:

• The unstable surface is caused by the padding.
• Negatively impacts power output by soaking up pulling force.

Very Rigid

PROS:

• Materials that are sturdy enough to stop lateral foot movement during construction
• Safe, lockable design to stop foot lift
• Space for your toes to splay out comfortably

CONS

• Constraints on movement make it less pleasant to use.
• Poor ability to breathe

Highly Variable

PROS:

• Plyometric exercises like step-ups, burpees, and squat jumps call for a degree of mobility.
• Superior air-permeability

CONS:

• Reduced ability to lift safely
• Lack of room to splay one's toes

Athletic shoes vs. cross-training shoes

Many people believe that a good pair of runners or trainers can be used for any activity, including going for a run in the woods or working out in a gym. However, you'd be completely wrong to think that way.

Workout shoes and running shoes are not the same thing at all. Because of these variations, each is best suited to a particular form of physical activity. The main distinctions between a running shoe and a workout shoe are outlined below.

Shoes intended for running, whether on pavement or a treadmill, are called running shoes. The following characteristics characterize them as such:

• Advanced methods of forward motion
• Capability to move laterally is restricted.
• The upper is made of a breathable mesh.
• Heel-to-toe drop that is relatively large:
  • Most running shoes have an 8-millimeter drop. 7 mm
  • Typically, training shoes have a 4 5 mm
• Additional shock absorption at the heel:
  • The typical height of a running shoe's heel is 33 mm. 2 mm
  • Training shoes have an average heel stack height of 24. 1 mm

Stack height for a NOBULL Runner: 31 3 mm

Stack height on a NOBULL Trainer is 18 6 mm

The standard gym goer's workout demands are what inspired the design of workout shoes. That's why it's important for them to have a varied fitness repertoire that includes weight training, cardio, machine and free weight exercises, and group fitness routines.

Workout shoes, in contrast to running shoes, need to accommodate lateral movement and directional changes. To strike a balance between the rigidity necessary for heavy lifting and the cushioning needed for plyometric jumping exercises, the cushioning is not as great as on a running shoe.

Workout shoes have a more generous toe box than running shoes. This is because the toes need room to spread when performing exercises like squatting and overhead pressing. Because of the extra room in the toe box, you can make quick adjustments to your footwork.

The toe box on some running shoes may be wider than that of most cross-trainers. 5 mm wider

When selecting a pair of cross-trainers, it's important to keep the following in mind so that you can feel your best and perform at your absolute best in the gym:

Supple Heel

Extra heel support in a workout shoe ensures stability while lifting and limits side-to-side motion. Typically, this takes the shape of a plastic heel insert.

Flexibility

Without sacrificing your agility or balance, a flexible shoe makes it easy to change directions and move in any direction.

Trainers come in a wide range of flexibility. Your preference for a flexible or stiff shoe may depend on the type of exercise you typically engage in.

The Nike Free Metcon 4 is one of the most versatile trainers (outperforming others in HIIT, aerobics, etc.). )

One of the stiffer shoes (ideal for weightlifting) is the NOBULL Trainer.

Toebox

Workout shoes' toe boxes should be slightly wider than normal to accommodate the toes' natural tendency to spread apart when weight lifting.

The average width of a human forefoot is 99. In a pair of cross-training shoes, 2 mm Here are some averages from other groups for comparison:

• shoes for cross training: 99 2 mm
• Boots for Hiking: 98 9 mm
• Shoe Size for Trail Running: 98 9 mm
• Shoes for running on roads: 97 7 mm
• Shoes for basketball, 97 5 mm

The toebox's material should also be bendable so that toes can move freely inside. This allows the forefoot, or the area at the base of your toes, to assist in propulsion.

Cushioning

Find some cushioning, but not too much, in the shoes you wear for exercise. Over-cushioning can cause you to land awkwardly, putting stress on your knees and ankles, especially when performing multidirectional movements. Too much padding will prevent you from maintaining a solid footing when putting your weight down on the ground to propel yourself forward.

Ideally, a shoe's sole would be soft in the forefoot and firm in the heel.

Flatter forefoot

Ankle injuries may be more likely to occur during lateral movements if the heel-toe drop is too great. A lower heel-to-toe drop is an inevitable consequence of the reduced heel cushioning required in a workout shoe.

Cross-trainers typically experience a 4 mm decline.

Nike's Essential Legend 2 (5 1 mm drop)

Invisible to the untrained eye, a 4-mm drop almost feels like nothing at all. The effect is to make the wearer feel more secure in their own skin.

Rubber that is both grippy and durable

Select training footwear with sufficient sole traction to ensure secure footing and rapid acceleration. A good pair of shoes will keep your feet from sliding around when you're walking. The outsole should also give you a firm grip on the ground.

Cross-training shoes have a rubber outsole that is about 5 percent harder than road running shoes.

Make sure the trainer's walls are made of rubber if rope climbs are a regular part of your workout.

Material

The choice of material should be heavily influenced by the individual's taste. Training shoes typically feature a composite upper made from a variety of materials including mesh, plastic, leather, and synthetics.

Trainers with more ventilation holes could be a better choice depending on the weather and where you do most of your training.

Comparing the Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 (5/5) vs. NOBULL Breathability Rating: 1/5 Trainer

Questions about men's cross-training footwear that we hear often

Should I go to the gym with special cross-training shoes?

There are a number of benefits to using the proper footwear during exercise, such as:

Your footing is secure and safe. The right footwear can protect your feet from harm by giving them the necessary support, stability, and cushioning during physical activity. The right pair of cross-training shoes can help you avoid foot injuries when participating in a variety of sports and physical activities. It is possible to give your all In addition to helping you perform better, a good pair of shoes will give you the grip, stability, and support you need for your chosen activities. Cross-training footwear is optimized to help you perform at your best across a wide range of exercises. You're in your element here. The correct footwear can also aid in foot comfort during exercise. Cushioning and stability features built into cross-training footwear ensure your feet stay happy even during the toughest of workouts.

There are advantages and disadvantages to working out without shoes. Some considerations are as follows.

Benefits:

• Because your feet have to work harder to maintain your balance without the support of shoes, training barefoot can help improve your balance and stability.
• When you train barefoot, your feet have more direct contact with the ground, so you can feel and respond more quickly to changes in your environment.

Drawbacks:

• Barefoot training also carries the risk of injury because your feet are exposed to the floor's sharp and hard surfaces. Foot injuries like cuts and bruises are possible results of this.
• Barefoot workouts aren't as safe for your feet because there's no padding to absorb shock or support for your feet. This can cause additional strain on your feet and legs, especially when engaging in high-impact activities like running or jumping.

If you're not sure what to wear, try a pair of minimalist trainers like those made by Inov-8 or Xero Shoes.