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This Nike trainer is the king of all cross-training shoes because it delivers a good deal of stability and lockdown and is great for lifting; its flexibility is also crazy, making exercises like push-ups and burpees a lot easier to execute; and it also offers one of the softest underfoot feelings ever, keeping our runs protected from impact.

The shoe’s stability and foot containment were the result of a number of factors, but a wide base and good ankle support were the standouts. The platform is noticeably wider in the heel area. The caliper measured that part to be 95.1 mm wide when the average is only 87.0. The additional surface area helps prevent slippage while the generously padded collar securely keeps the rearfoot in place at all times.

In the lab, we saw that the Free Metcon 5 only needed 8.8N of force to reach a 90-degree bend. The average trainer needs way more than that: 22.5N. This flexibility was most felt at the flexion point in the forefoot, which was usually engaged during push-ups and other similar exercises.

Upon wearing it, we already felt that the shoe is definitely soft underfoot. When assessed using an HA durometer, the cushion registered only 17.4 while the average is as high as 27.0. If you want to practice walking on clouds, then this shoe is a good place to start!

We are bummed to learn that this shoe can be a bit too roomy, especially for those with narrower feet. The widest part of the toe box is measured by the caliper to be 107.9 mm. Given that the average is only 100.5 mm, this shoe has 7.4 mm of extra space!

We’ve rounded up over a hundred of the best cross-training shoes and discovered the shoe most targeted for weightlifting — Nike’s Metcon 9. Our lab results and actual workouts confirm its wide base, supportive build, and grippy outsole support all types of lifts.

Despite the absence of the typical raised heel of weightlifting trainers, Metcon 9 offers unwavering stability. It has a vast platform and wide toebox where our toes can splay naturally for more control and better balance. Our caliper shows the midsole is 6.9/7.7 mm wider than average in the forefoot and heel, while the toebox has an extra 8.1 mm space. Such a large area of ground contact stabilizes our form.

Paired with raised sidewalls and a protective upper, it delivers a strong and secure lockdown that keeps us in place. Under the heel is a sturdy and non-compressible Hyperlift plastic that avoids wobbles when lifting heavier loads.

Further enhancing our stability is the excellent traction on gym mats, avoiding slips during jumps and jerks. This is crucial in activating the right muscle groups and avoiding mishaps and injuries.

What Metcon 9 lacks is ventilation for humid days. We found it a good place to be in on cooler days.

We loved the Reebok Nano X3 as a cross-trainer because it was supportive enough to allow us to lift well and firm enough on the forefoot to allow us to be more agile. It also gave us the most comfortable experience among all the cross-trainers that we have worked out in.

In the lab, we identified two factors that contributed to the supportive but non-restrictive clasp of the Nano X3 on our feet. After squeezing and pulling it, the heel counter got a score of 4 out 5 for stiffness. We also twisted the shoe to gauge its resistance to torsional pressures, and it fared moderately well and got a 3 out of 5.

Compared to the heel, the forefoot is a lot firmer. The HA durometer gave a 27.6 reading for it, while it gave a 20.5 for the heel. The firmer forefoot not only allowed us to be quicker, it also gave us more control over finer footwork.

When it comes to comfort, no other cross-trainer comes close. The Reebok Nano X3 reigned supreme through its breathability, which we scored a 4 out of 5, and lush cushioning right under the heel. The well-aerated upper and soft heel allowed us to run and jump without feeling any pain.

Wide-footers, unfortunately, cannot enjoy this shoe as much as we did. The caliper showed that the toebox is only 100.2 mm at its widest, and this number clearly does not do any better for wide-footers than the 100.5 mm average.

Out of all the cross-trainers that we worked out in, it’s the adidas climacool 2018 women basketball shoes nike that stripe us the most when it comes to speed. Aside from the truly dependable bounce that its forefoot delivered, we were also left in awe by the softness of its cushioning system and the amazing breathability of its upper.

Our sprints were made a lot more efficient and fun by the springiness that we experienced in the forefoot. In the lab, we cut the shoe in half and saw that it was the well-implemented Zoom Air unit that gave us all the energy that propelled us to the finish line.

Measurements made using an HA durometer revealed that the midsole is indeed on the softer side. The Zoom Metcon Turbo 2’s cushion got a score of 22.4 when the average could go as high as 27.0. Pain became alien to us during our sprints because of this softness.

When it comes to breathability, this Nike cross-trainer is definitely up there. Smoke and light didn’t have issues passing through the upper material during our in-lab breathability tests. This shoe easily got a perfect 5 for ventilation.

The rigidity of the base is one thing that raised serious concerns. Earning only a 1 out of 5 in this aspect, we never felt confident doing other exercises such as heavy lifting while wearing the Zoom Metcon Turbo 2 from Nike.

The Nike Flex Control 4 rose to the top as the best minimalist cross-training shoe because it allowed us to perform several types of exercises with much ease. Its low-to-the-ground structure gave us more control, so our jumps and other plyometric movements became more precise. Its firm midsole enhanced the shoe’s springiness, allowing us to sprint more efficiently. Finally, its wide footprint gave us the stability that we needed for light to moderate lifts.

In the lab, we learned through our caliper measurements that the stack height of the heel is 19.0 mm while the forefoot is 15.6 mm. Compared to the average, these figures are thinner by 5.6 mm and 2.7 mm.

The average midsole softness is 27.0, yet the HA durometer pegged the softness of the Flex Control 4’s cushion at 32.0. Aside from additional springiness, the firm also helped with stability.

Speaking of stability, we also felt that the shoe’s wide footprint contributed a lot to it. Using a caliper, we learned that the forefoot is 111.0 mm (average is 109.6 mm) wide while the heel has a width of 89.2 mm (average is 87.0).

We just find it too unfortunate that the upper was not really as durable as we would have wanted. After our test workout sessions, we saw that the upper already suffered considerable damage.

A versatile shoe that faces the challenges of the outdoors is how we describe the nice kicks nmd on feet and ankle women boots size. This trainer owes much of its outdoor cross-training excellence to its pretty supportive heel counter, amazingly firm base, and fit-enhancing tongue. 

Upon wearing it, we already felt the stiffness of the heel counter. It’s definitely stiffer than many of the cross-trainers that we worked out in. True enough, the shoe received a 3 out of 5 for stiffness (ave 2.6) after a good squeeze in our lab.

The firmness of the outsole and midsole definitely helped keep our feet safe from being poked by inevitable debris on outdoor surfaces. Pressure from pebbles and other small objects couldn’t get through the 85.5 HC outsole and the 32.0 HA midsole. Based on readings on our durometers, the averages are 84.4 HC and 27.0 HA.

Just by looking at it, anyone would already know that the tongue is quite full. We confirmed this with our caliper which measured the tongue to be 9.9 mm thick while the average is only 5.8 mm. Not only did the thick tongue help with fit, it also tightened the shoe’s clasp on the foot; and this resulted in more confident runs, jumps, and leaps.

Being roughly an ounce heavier than average surely made this shoe feel clunky. The more nimble exercisers among us needed some time to get used to the Nano X2 TR Adventure’s weight.

We crown the Nike Legend Essential 3 as the most bang-for-the-buck pick among all cross-training shoes not only because of its compatibility with several types of exercises but also because of its insanely low price of $65 (average price of cross training shoes is $95). It also had immense breathability and dependable stability to boot.

During our test workouts, we perform several exercises: from the typical push-ups and sprints to the more rigorous weighted squats and jumping lunges. Not once did the Legend Essential 3 falter! Hence, we conclusively say that this shoe is indeed suitable for a wide array of workouts.

In our lab, we literally dissected this shoe. To see if the upper is breathable, we place the upper material on top of a light source. Logically, the parts that let the most light through would be deemed the most breathable. In the case of the Legend Essential 3 from Nike, it was the forefoot mesh that let the most light pass through. During our actual tests, our feet never felt overheated even by a bit.

Our caliper measurements revealed that the midsole platform is 112.2 mm wide at the forefoot and while it is 90.7 mm wide at the heel. These figures add 2.6 mm and 3.7 mm to the average numbers, respectively. Because of the extra space, wobbliness was taken care of when we were lifting.

The Legend Essential 3 would have been a better shoe if not for its overly flexible heel counter. After manually twisting, pushing, and pulling on the shoe in our lab, this part of the shoe only got a score of 2 out of 5 for firmness. We were just not so confident with the support that this shoe gave the rearfoot, especially when we started lifting heavier weights.