6 Best Cross Training Shoes for Women

You’ve heard about running shoes, tennis shoes, and even football boots. These shoe types are evidently made for the specific sports and activities attached to their name. But what, exactly, are cross training shoes?

Well, if you’re someone who likes to mix things up at the gym, cross training shoes provide you with a more versatile option. They’re great for both resistance training, running, and other types of cardio like going on the elliptical machine and the stationary bike.

With constant developments in shoe technology, constant new releases, and all the factors that come into play when choosing the perfect pair of trainers, we’ve decided to craft this shoe buying guide for smart shoppers like you. We’ll help you make the best educated choice to satisfy your wants and needs. After all, the type of footwear you’re wearing can make or break or your workout.

Reasons to Get Cross Training Shoes for Yourself

Whether you’re a serious or a recreational athlete, having a pair of cross training shoes in your footwear closet will afford you several benefits. Still in two minds? Maybe the following reasons will help you make up your mind.

1. They’re versatile. Planning a comprehensive session at the gym? Wearing a pair of cross training shoes will save you time and effort. No longer do you have to switch between a weightlifting-friendly pair and your favorite running shoes in the middle of your session. The result? You get to focus all of your energy into your workout.
2. You get to save money. Having a good pair of cross training shoes will enable you to dive right into various physical activities without worry. Instead of buying multiple pairs for different workouts, you only have to spend your money on one.
3. They’re comfortable and secure. Wearing running shoes while lifting weights or participating in a CrossFit class is simply not as safe as having dedicated cross training shoes. These activities require an entirely different kind of support that you won’t get from traditional running footwear.
4. Cross training shoes provide you with the best of both worlds—wells, the best of several worlds, actually. They combine the desirable features of other shoe types to come up with the ultimate fitness shoes. For example, a pair may be designed to have the reliable cushioning of running shoes, the lateral stability of tennis shoes, and the forefoot cushioning of volleyball shoes—all combined in one convenient pair.

Knowing Your Foot Type

More than fancy shoe tech and innovative construction materials, your foot shape is the most important piece of information you have to know when buying a new pair of cross training shoes. A gal with high arches will need a pair that’s likely different from what a flat-footed fellow will appreciate. Also, do you your feet roll inward when you’re running (overpronation) or do they roll outward (supination)? If you’re having a hard time pinpointing your foot shape, ask someone from your favorite shoe store to help you out.

How to Shop for The Best Cross Training Shoes

No two shoes are the same, but all cross training pairs are made up of a constant list of construction features: the upper, heel support, and the sole. Understanding what these features are will help you narrow down your choices as you shop for cross training footwear.

Visiting a physical store will enable you to try on the shoes before making a purchase. When trying on a pair, you should also check the fit and traction and decide if it works well with your feet. If you’re limited to buying shoes online, however, try to go for a store that will allow you to return or exchange your pair if it falls below expectations.

Check Out the Sole and Heel Support

A good cross training shoe will have a nice amount of flex and excellent traction on the sole. Usually made of lightweight yet durable rubber, the sole should also be a bit wider than normal running shoes in order to provide you with the stability you need.

If you’re flat-footed, we recommend that you go for a neutral or a stability shoe. A more cushioned sole, on the other hand, will work better for a high-arched foot.

If you do a lot of high-impact workouts like plyometrics, go for cross training shoes that have extra heel cushioning for shock absorption.

Look at the Outer Construction

Also called the upper, the outer construction of your cross training shoes should provide you with stability and protection. Choose a pair that features breathable materials without compromising support.

However, if you think that anything with a 100% breathable outer construction simply can’t provide you with the support you need, shoes that feature a leather material in the upper will also work fine.

Any reputable shoe company will design their shoes with durability in mind, but know that some materials survive friction-heavy activities (like rope climbing) better than others. When doing your research, try to look for info on the recommended upper materials for the specific set of activities you’re planning to engage in.

Cross-Training Shoe Tech

Shoe tech isn’t only relevant to professional athletes or sneakerheads. Those fancy terms may seem overplayed and overhyped, but the right kind of technology does bring a noticeable difference in your workouts.

Don’t know what we’re talking about? Think Nike’s Flyknit, Adidas’ Boost sole, Reebok’s Flexweave, and Asics’ MONO-SOCK. These technologies were engineered to provide a specific response. It’s up to you to determine which types of shoe technology will make the most impact on your performance.

Fit and Traction

Wearing shoes that are too small or too big will expose you to unnecessary injury risks—not to mention that they’re probably uncomfortable, too. Also, when fitting a pair of cross training shoes, make sure to wear your own workout socks so that you can assess the fit as accurately as possible. If you regularly wear shoe inserts or foot orthotics, bring those with you, as well.

Another thing that shoppers frequently forget to do when trying out a pair of athletic shoes is to mimic the movements of their favorite activities. Walking straight ahead using the shoes that you’re eyeing is not enough! Move around to really get an idea of how they’ll feel while using them.

Don’t be afraid to shift your feet from side to side. Not only should you feel adequate support around your ankles and toes all throughout, but the traction should be enough to let you comfortably execute your moves without worry.

More Shopping Tips

• Don’t buy shoes in hopes of breaking them in. They should be comfortable and stable from the get-go.
• Try shoes on in the afternoon for the most accurate fit.
• If you’re buying a pair that features a lot of leather, keep in mind that real leathers will slightly stretch after several uses (and that synthetic materials won’t).
• Try on multiple sizes of the same pair to find the best fit.
• According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a correctly-sized workout shoe should allow you to freely wiggle your toes when the shoe is on.

Signs That Your Old Cross Training Shoes Need to Be Replaced

1. You’ve used the pair for more than 100 hours. Fitness experts encourage gym regulars to replace their cross training shoes after they’ve been used vigorously for more than 100 hours. If your workouts involve activities that are kinder to your soles (think an elliptical machine versus rope climbing), you can stretch their lifespan a bit longer.
2. The midsole has deep-set wrinkles. If a shoe’s once-cushiony midsole layer starts looking like a squashed marshmallow, it’s time to grab a new pair of cross training shoes for yourself. Working out with a compromised midsole heightens your risk of injuries and prevents you from performing at your best level.
3. The upper has holes or tears. This should be rather obvious, but if your pair looks clearly worn out, it’s time to say goodbye.
4. The soles are unevenly worn. If you’re an overpronator or a supinator, the soles on your workout shoes are bound to become unevenly worn with time. If you feel that the disparity in wear is already affecting your comfort, chuck them out and get yourself a fresh pair.

We’re in somewhat of a golden age as far as cross training shoes are concerned. These handy little pairs of versatile footwear just get better and better with each iteration, and given the sheer number of shoe models from dozens of different brands, being unable to find something that works for you is almost impossible.

Each pair of cross training shoes will have their own pros and cons. Some pairs will have the upper hand in certain aspects and fall short in others. That said, it will be in your best interest to list down your top needs, then match them with what the benefits that a shoe’s technology and materials promise.