If you’re looking for the best shoes for high intensity training, you’ve come to the right place.
It’s important that your shoes are able to stand up to the demands of your workout, so that you can get the most out of your training session.
We’ve collected ten of our favorite shoes that are designed specifically with high intensity training in mind. Whether you’re looking for a shoe that will help you run faster and jump higher, or one that will support your ankles during plyometric exercises, we’ve got something for everyone.
Best Shoes For High Intensity Training
Best cross-training shoes 2022 for intense CrossFit and HIIT workouts
The popularity of the best cross-training shoes has skyrocketed in recent years. Undoubtedly commercialised by the proliferation of functional fitness and CrossFit-style training, cross-training shoes are a hybrid type of athletic trainer designed to allow wearers to move in different directions while offering the support needed to limit injury. And they look pretty dope, too.
Usually, a good pair of cross-training shoes will boast some decent ankle support, a flexible and breathable upper and high levels of comfort to see you through even the most intense exercises. If this is the type of fitness shoe you’re in the market for, read on to find out which we think are the best cross-training shoes money can buy right now.
Speaking of shoes: if there’s one thing the fitness market is saturated with, it’s shoes. There seems to be a pair of trainers for just about every different type of exercise these days, from the best running shoes and best women’s shoes to the best workout shoes and even best trail running shoes – you name it, there’s a shoe for it, and if there is, we have a buying guide that can help you choose the right one for your needs.
BEST CROSS-TRAINING SHOES TO BUY RIGHT NOW
1. NIKE METCON 7
Best cross-training shoes overall
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 381 grans (men’s UK size 10)
Heel to toe drop: 7mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Ideal for people with wide feet+
Provides stability for heavy lifts and jumps+
Suitable for short bursts of cardio
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Heavier than some other cross-training shoes
Now in its seventh iteration, Nike’s Metcon series (a portmanteau of ‘metabolic’ and ‘conditioning’ in case you were wondering) is by far the best all-rounder when it comes to cross-training shoes.
Nike has not only managed to make these shoes more weightlifting-friendly over predecessors with a lightweight and more breathable upper, but the React foam ensures they perform well in more standard high-intensity interval training workouts, such as those filled with jumps and sprints.
Being some of the most comfortable gym shoes you’ll ever wear, the Metcon 7’s design is pretty sweet, too, featuring a unique abrasion-resistant rubber sole that wraps up around the shoe for gripping ropes while climbing.
Also consider: the Nike Metcon 6 is not a terrible option, albeit a bit narrower than the Metcon 7. It’s much cheaper at this point, though.
2. ON CLOUD X
Best premium cross-training shoes
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 226g
Heel to toe drop: 6mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Brilliant all-rounder+
Lightweight but strong design+
Outsole design for added comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Pricey-
Design is an acquired taste
Based on the same tech that’s found inside On’s running shoe line-up, these cross-training kicks have been redesigned to provide support for activities such as weightlifting, functional fitness and CrossFit.
They boast the same lightweight construction that we’ve come to know and love from On, thanks to a knit-weave upper and those iconic CloudTec sole that’s built from the form’s Zero-Gravity foam to keep weight to an absolute minimum. The Cloud X are not only super comfortable, but they’re strong where it matters, making them ideal for high impact training. At full price, though, this comfort doesn’t come cheap.
3. NOBULL HIGH TOP TRAINER
Best cross-training shoes for style
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 283g
Heel to toe drop: 4mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Super stylish+
Durable upper+
Secure fit+
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Style is not to everyone’s taste
Boxing shoes-style cross-training shoes such as the NoBull High Top Trainer are ever so popular in 2022. CrossFit favourite brand NoBull’s high top trainer features a high-cut collar for added ankle stability and the durable SuperFabric material that’s not only breathable but also resistant to abrasion.
Unlike boxing shoes that will only perform well in the ring, the NoBull High Top trainer’s outsole lug pattern was designed for multi-environment usage. It allows for an easy transition between inside and outside, just want you to need when you go for a jog after completing your barbell snatches.
Most importantly, the NoBull High Top Trainer looks, well, pretty spectacular. It comes in a number of vibrant colours, although if you find the Neon Pink Glitch colourway a bit much, you can always opt-in for the more subtle all-black version.
4. REEBOK NANO X1 VEGAN
Best cross-training shoes for versatility
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 343g
Heel to toe drop: 7mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Super versatile +
Strong yet lightweight thanks to Floatride Energy foam+
Breathable Flexweave Knit upper material
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Lacking the extra support for heavy lifting
The Nano series was the first official athletic shoe specifically designed for CrossFit. That didn’t work out so well in the end, but the range is still going strong, nonetheless, and the X1 is a credit to that. Past Nano shoes were more focused on providing support for heavy lifters, however, that’s all changed with the X1 Nano Vegan.
Now, they’ve been created with all areas of the gym floor in mind and built to support fast-paced impact activities, such as HIIT, jumping and sprinting. Offering exceptional flexibility and sustainability, these vegan cross-training shoes are a great choice if you’re a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ type of athlete.
5. PUMA FUSE
Best cheap cross-training shoes
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 400g
Heel to toe drop: 4mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Cheaper than most competitors +
Nice and stable midsole and outsole+
Good solid construction
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Narrow midfoot means sizing is a little off-
Design and colourways aren’t great
Despite a design that will make minimalists wretch in horror, Puma’s first foray into the functional fitness shoe market is a success. The Fuse cross-training shoes retail for just £80, which represents brilliant value for money, if you ask us.
They might have a narrow midfoot that can throw you when it comes to sizing, but the plus is that they have a versatile design that delivers an all-rounded approach to fitness.
There’s stability where you need it for lifting, and a good level cushioning that should give you the support you need for short sprints or jumps. Apart from an attractive design, these bargain-priced cross-training shoes pretty much have it all.
6. UNDER ARMOUR HOVR APEX 3
Best cross-training shoes for jumping
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 340g
Heel to toe drop: 8mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Lightweight mesh upper with 3D print for added protection +
HOVR foam offers great bounce-back energy
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Bulky design
By the time we’ve reviewed one pair of Under Armour fitness shoes, the company has released another – we can’t keep up! The latest release by the firm is the HOVR Apex 3, a multidisciplinary cross-training shoe that’s exceptionally cushioned – providing the support you need for those explosive cross-training workouts.
We welcome the more slimline design over previous versions of this shoe, especially the original. Still, they’re able to soften hard landings while boosting your energy return thanks to the HOVR foam sole, which helps eliminate the impact.
This makes them especially useful for jumping exercises or quick sprints. The Apex also features UnderArmour’s Tribase tech in the outsole, which maximises ground contact for the foot, allowing for a better grip during lifts.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CROSS-TRAINING SHOES FOR YOU
Finding the right pair of cross-training shoes is hard enough as it is. But since boutique fitness is all the rage and nobody commits to just one type of exercise anymore, finding the pair that’s perfect for all your workout needs can feel near impossible. The fact of the matter is: it’s probably best to buy a pair of shoes for each fitness discipline that you dedicate yourself to.
For example, you might be bogged down with questions like: “I do a lot of running but I love the occasional hit class, so what shoes do I go for?”. In this instance, we’d recommend purchasing a pair of cross-training shoes for those HIIT classes you do, but only if they’re regular, and – if your budget can stretch to it – buy a pair of trainers specifically for running so that you’re best supported in each discipline. No one shoe is perfect for every occasion.
You’re not going to want the stiff heel support in a running shoe as it could cause injury and, conversely, you’re not going to want that overly bouncy and flexible design when you’re throwing dumbbells around in the middle of a CrossFit class. This is why cross-training shoes are crucial. They’ll give you the right balance of support and flexibility to ensure you’re comfortable and safe during functional workouts.
But what else should you look out for?
Construction
It helps to know how the shoe is constructed so you can be more informed when it comes to making a decision and know what features of the shoe are best suited to your needs.
Start with the basics, for instance, that the sole of the shoe is divided into three parts: the insole, midsole, and outsole. The insole is the part that makes physical contact with your feet inside the shoe. The outsole is the part of the shoe that comes in direct contact with the ground, and the midsole is the part in between where most of the cushioning is. This is usually made of a foam-based material.
All designs differ and so can be suited for different needs and users. For example, those mostly partaking in weightlifting will benefit from a flatter outsole, whereas those that prefer fast-paced mobility activities like HIIT will probably prefer an outsole with some decent grip and made from some kind of durable carbon rubber material.
Price
The price of a cross-training shoe depends completely on the brand and the technology as well as the materials used. Still, you can pick up a great, versatile pair of trainers without spending a bomb. We’d suggest going to the upper end of your budget to ensure you get something that lasts, but anything above £120 probably isn’t necessary. On the other hand, anything below £80 probably won’t possess the quality you’d expect to stand the test of time.
