5 Best Cross Training Shoes of 2025, Tested in the Gym
Hop off the treadmill and head over to the weights in these top-performing sneakers.
Reviewed by Emma SeymourTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
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If your shoe rack looks anything like mine does, it's overflowing with running shoes and other sneakers for all the different workouts I enjoy doing. Whether you want to be more organized and streamline your collection to one pair or you're a beginner to working out, a cross training shoe is the perfect solution: You can hop off the treadmill, lift weights and do all sorts of workouts wearing the same shoe.
To find the best cross training shoes, our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab considered tons of sneakers that were top-performers in our tests. We evaluated the construction, comfort and functionality of each shoe to determine whether they'd be suitable for HIIT workouts, CrossFit classes, short bursts of cardio, heavy weight lifting, kickboxing and more. Ahead, find the best cross training shoes of 2025 that you can wear to the gym and beyond.
Pros
- The base is firm yet flexible
- Reactive footbed allows for quick movements
- Breathable, durable materials
Cons
- May be too wide for narrow feet
Sizes: 5.5W/4M to 15.5W/14M | Weight per shoe: 6 oz | Heel drop: 7 mm | Colors: 12
Who it's best for: Anyone with regular to wide feet looking for an excellent cross training shoe.
Why we love it: We have tested multiple versions of this legacy style from Reebok over the years at the GH Institute. Our experts in the Textiles Lab were impressed by the firm yet flexible base and responsive footbed that make these shoes perfect for cross training. "They have a firm base great for lifting, but flexible enough for cardio workouts," says Textiles Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour. Plus, the responsive footbed is good for quick movements in HIIT workouts and the knit upper material means the shoes are breathable.
Our testers found these trainers to be comfortable and versatile for all sorts of workouts (some of the 12 color options can even pair well with an outfit outside of the gym!). "They are very comfortable, especially for long durations of time, and super light, making them easy to transport too," shared one tester who tried the Nano X4.
If you have particularly narrow feet, keep in mind that there are no width options and we found them to be on the wider side, so these shoes may feel a bit too roomy for you.
RELATED: The Best Women's Workout Shoes for All Types of Exercise
A tester wearing the Reebok Nano x4 sneakers
Pros
- Bouncy and supportive, according to our testing
- Easy to slip on and off
- Great design for HIIT and CrossFit
Cons
- Runs small
- Not a ton of arch support for those with flat feet
Sizes: 5W/3.5M to 16.5W/15M | Weight per shoe: 6.65 oz | Heel drop: 5.5 mm | Colors: 10
Who it's best for: Anyone who loves a good HIIT or CrossFit session should try these shoes at their next class.
Why we love it: "They're super stylish and comfy for walking around all day and traveling; they're easy to slip on and off without untying," said Jessica Teich, director of editorial commerce & product reviews at the GH Institute. Teich also shared that these sneakers "feel bouncy and supportive," which is great for quick movements in HIIT workouts or short bursts of cardio in CrossFit.
While Teich said she loved these sneakers, she also admitted they don't have the best arch support and they run the slightest bit small. So if you're between sizes, try sizing up and if you have flat feet, this may not be the shoe for you.
However, Teich said she likes the shape of the wider toe box and narrow taper at the arch. Not only does it look nice, but that gives your toes more wiggle room to spread out naturally. There's also more unisex sizes available in the men's design.
Pros
- Comfortable for running and lifting
- Cushioning provides support for cardio
- Stylish
- Lightweight
Cons
- Stained easily while testing
- Not as stable as some other top picks we tested
Sizes: 5–12W | Weight per shoe: 5.01 oz | Heel drop: 6 mm | Colors: 3
Who it's best for: The well-rounded gym goer who needs a shoe for all sorts of workouts will love the versatility of this sneaker.
Why we love it: Designed for explosive movements, these sneakers provide support, low-profile cushioning and stability during workouts. Seymour tested these cross trainers and found them to be flexible and comfortable for both runs and gym workouts.
Overall, these lightweight shoes are great for activities inside and outside of the gym. "I liked the look of them compared to other cross training shoes," Seymour said. The cute, simple style goes well with your favorite workout leggings or jeans.
Seymour said these Lululemon trainers stained easily and didn't feel as stable as other top picks of ours from testing, but they are a great option for a beginner at lifting. And if you're not a fan after trying the shoes yourself, you can even return them for a full refund within 30 days.
Pros
- Encourages foot strength
- Stable while lifting weights
- Uses recycled materials
- Comfortable for shorts walks
Cons
- Takes some time to get used to
- No half sizes
Size range: 5–11 (no half sizes) | Weight per shoe: 4.7 oz | Heel drop: 0 mm | Colors: 3
Who it's best for: Fans of barefoot shoes (or those who lift in their socks) will love how Vivobarefoot shoes allow them to feel the ground beneath them.
Why we love it: The extremely minimal design of these shoes without insoles makes these one of our favorite barefoot shoes to help strengthen your feet and ankles during workouts. In our testing, our pros in the Textiles Lab found the flat design to feel stable when lifting weights yet still comfortable for short walks (although you will feel small pebbles through the shoe walking outside).
"The barefoot design allowed me to feel the ground beneath me, which felt empowering during gym sessions," Seymour said. She also liked that the grippy traction on the bottom helped her feel stable when lifting. Plus, this shoe is made with sustainable materials like recycled polyester for the upper and laces.
"The minimalistic design takes some time to get used to, but I like that they encourage foot strength," shared Seymour. On their website, the brand even advises customers not to run in their shoes until they've strengthened their feet and ankles, went on multiple walks first, practiced quick strides and more. We don't recommend these as your first barefoot shoe option (instead, try easing into shoes with less support), but these are an excellent option if you're already familiar with barefoot shoes.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Vivobarefoot Shoes
Seymour testing the Vivobarefoot shoes in the gym
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight
- Removable insole to make it more stable for lifting
- Wide toe box allows toes to splay out comfortably
- Cushioned for cardio
Cons
- Run small, according to some online reviewers
Size range: 5W/7M–11W/16M | Weight per shoe: 4.15 oz | Heel drop: 4 mm | Colors: 8
Who it's best for: If the majority of your gym session includes lifting weights, these sneakers have got you covered.
Why we love it: Stefani Sassos, Nutrition & Fitness Director at GH and NASM-certified personal trainer, recommends people "wear lifters when lifting heavy weights" (a.k.a. wear shoes specifically designed for lifting). NOBULL is a popular brand among gym goers that are into heavy weightlifting, but their Drive Knit sneakers are also great for cross training due to their flexible and cushioned design with a removable molded insole. When you need an even flatter base for a heavy lift, remove the insole and then add it back in for a HIIT class or short cardio session.
These trainers are also incredibly lightweight (they're the lightest among our top picks!) and breathable. Plus, they have a wide toe box so you can naturally splay out your toes, which is good for stabilizing your feet during lifts.
One online reviewer said these shoes are "so comfortable" and that they felt stable wearing them while training: "I am picky about my shoes I train in as I have had knee surgery and ankle surgery on the same leg. These shoes felt like I was walking on [a] cloud while working out — no stress on my knee or ankle."
Some online reviewers noted that these shoes run smaller than other pairs from NOBULL, so consider sizing up.
How we tested the best cross training shoes
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested hundreds of different types of shoes over the years. Along with evaluating each pair of sneakers in the Lab, we also enlist consumer testers to try sneakers out for themselves while walking, running and exercising. To test cross training shoes, we tried shoes in HIIT, CrossFit, lifting, walking and other workouts.
Our experts also considered the following:
✔️ Support & stability: Cross training shoes need to be supportive yet stable so that you can do a variety of exercises in them. We analyzed the footbed, cushioning and feel of sneakers to determine whether they would be a suitable cross trainer.
✔️ Construction: Our experts evaluate the design and construction of all types of sneakers. We considered which shoes were constructed in a way that would be optimal for cross training so that it would stabilize your feel during lifting and cushion your feet for bursts of cardio.
✔️ Comfort: We also consider our testers' feedback on how comfortable a shoe was when wearing them for different types of workouts or in their day-to-day life.
What to look for when shopping for the best cross training shoes
The best cross training shoes for you depend on your personal preferences and the types of exercises you do regularly. Consider whether you'll be wearing these shoes for lifting, HIIT, CrossFit, cardio, kick boxing or a combination of one or more of these workouts. That will help you narrow down a few options and then you can get into the nitty-gritty by looking at these details:
✔️ Fit: "You should be able to sprawl your toes when lifting for a stable base," Seymour explains. Opt for wide sizing or choose a shoe with a wide toe box if your toes feel cramped.
✔️ Comfort: You should always prioritize comfort (because who wants to workout when your feet hurt!). Make sure to wiggle your toes and note if there is any pinching or rubbing. You can also check if the back of the shoe is bothering your heel and if the sole feels supportive and comfortable when moving.
✔️ Breathability: If your feet regularly get overheated and sweaty when you exercise, opt for knit uppers on sneakers. "Knit uppers allow more breathability and airflow through the shoe," Seymour says.
✔️ Grip: The traction and grip on the base of the shoe can be important for remaining stable and not slipping during quick movements or rope climbing exercises.
✔️ Heel drop: A sneaker's heel drop is the measurement between the heel and forefoot. Most sneakers can be categorized into four types: zero-drop (0 millimeters), low-drop (1 to 4 millimeters), mid-drop (5 to 8 millimeters) and high-drop (8 to 15 millimeters). Zero-drop shoes are suitable for weightlifting, while high-drop shoes are ideal for running. Cross-training shoes should typically fall within the ranges of low-drop and mid-drop shoes. Make sure you weight lift in a low to zero heel drop for better stability and mobility.
What makes a sneaker good for cross training?
"A good sneaker for cross-training is one that provides a stable base for lifting, but also enough cushion to absorb high-impact cross-training movements," says Sassos. "It should also allow you to be agile in your movements and be made of durable materials that can withstand movements ranging from rope climbs to plyometric exercises."
Seymour adds that traditional weightlifting shoes tend to be heavier and less breathable. Plenty of people (myself included!) lift weights in Converse due to their flat base, but these sneakers do not offer enough support to be suitable for most exercises beyond lifting like cardio or HIIT.
Can you run in cross-training shoes?
"You can certainly run short bursts or short casual runs in cross-training sneakers, but I wouldn’t advise relying on them for longer runs or regular long-distance running since they simply aren’t designed for that," Sassos says.
Many cross-training shoes tend to be heavier and more rigid than traditional running sneakers, which tend to have rocker designs to propel you forward. So, while you may not want to run long distances in cross-training shoes, you certainly can use them for quick bursts of cardio in a workout combined with weightlifting. Think: CrossFit class or a short run after a lifting session.
"Cross training shoes combine the benefit of running shoes with a flat base, so you can go from the treadmill to the gym floor," Seymour says.
Is it OK to wear running shoes for cross training?
On the flip side, we do not recommend that you convert traditional running sneakers into your regular gym sneakers because the rocker design can lead to instability while lifting weights. "The overall design, mechanics and build of the [running] sneaker aren’t made for lifting and can create instability during lifts," Sassos explains.
She also says beginners do not necessarily need to splurge on cross-training sneakers or shoes specific to lifting right away. "As you get stronger and start reaching for heavier weights, it may be time to invest in a good quality sneaker that can support that," Sassos suggests.
In the meantime, you can use flat shoes that you already own like Converse (but don't run in these!) or simply kick off your running shoes after the treadmill and lift weights in just your socks if you please.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested all sorts of footwear and athletic gear, including walking shoes, HOKA and Brooks running shoes and workout shoes.
Isabella Cavallo is the assistant commerce editor at the GH Institute. She evaluates and reviews all sorts of fitness gear, drawing on her extensive experience with running and athletics.
To write this story, Cavallo consulted Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour. Seymour oversees Lab and consumer tests for sneakers and running shoes. Before joining GH, she earned a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University and conducted research primarily focused on athletic wear.
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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