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We crown the Andy Rubber Ankle Boot as the best high-intensity interval training (HIIT) shoe on record because it is insanely serious about support and lockdown. Additionally, this shoe also delivers a lot of plushness and underfoot comfort. Not to mention that it is amazingly lightweight. 

The moment we stepped into the Andy Rubber Ankle Boot, we immediately noticed the cloud-like feel of its cushioning system. In the lab, our HA durometer measurements confirmed that it’s a whole 55% softer than average at 17.4 HA! We loved the shock absorption it offered for non-stop jumping streaks of our workouts.

At 11.2 oz or 317g, the average weight of training shoes is already on the lower end of the scale. But the Free Metcon 5 is still lighter at 10.5 oz or 298g. No wonder we never felt weighed down during our runs, leaps, and jumps.

This shoe surely provided great foot containment, and we have its well-padded collar and fully gusseted tongue to thank for that. The thickness of the collar padding closed off any space between the foot and the shoe, effectively enhancing the fit. The gusseted tongue also stayed in its place and effectively held down our feet even if our movements became a bit aggressive.

We were just a little disappointed with the upper. After a 12-second Dremel test in our lab, we already observed considerable damage in it. Those who are looking for a shoe that lasts long may want to look for something else.

It’s not surprising that the Reebok Nano X4 is the best out of all the training shoes that we tried. This shoe offered pampering from all directions. Its cushioning is plush so impact protection was always there. Aside from having a breathable upper, it also has an inner sleeve that truly felt great. Finally, it had an outsole that was big on durability.

After measuring its softness using a caliper, we learned that the midsole at the heel of the Nano X4 has a softness score of 30.0. This was just around the 27.3 average. This setup delivered a nice balance of softness and ground feel, which we truly appreciated.

After conducting a breathability test in the lab, the upper got a score of 4 out 5. This means that it allowed air (we used smoke during the test for more visibility) to go out of the shoe quickly. Indeed, it kept our feet dry and comfortable.

The outsole, which felt sturdy to the touch, made this shoe truly fit for the outdoors. We rubbed our Dremel against it, and our assault only left 0.5 mm of damage–far from the 1.0 mm that we would have seen in the typical outsole.

We just don’t like the fact that the Nano X4 couldn’t accommodate the wide-footers among us. It did not offer more space than a typical trainer. At its widest point, the toe box is 99.4 mm while the average is 99.9 mm.

Among all the training shoes we exercised with and cut open in the lab, Metcon 9 is undoubtedly the best for Crossfit. With its sturdy base, and amazing foothold and grip, it performs any WOD exceptionally and shines best in lifting.

We did heavy squats, snatches, and deadlifts and the Metcon’s base assisted us very well even without a raised heel. Our caliper measures its below-average heel and forefoot stack at 21.5/16.0 mm, making us more sensitive to ground feedback. It offers superb lockdown thanks to its supportive upper and raised sidewalls.

Since Crossfit isn’t all about lifting, we tested Metcon 9 against box jumps, burpees, rope climbs, and lunges. It proved itself versatile in most CrossFit activities, with an unresisting midsole that flows with our movements. Upon checking with our bend test, it emerged 15.0% more flexible than average.

Metcon 9 provides excellent stability and grip. This boosted our confidence, making us enjoy the WOD even more. With a caliper in hand, we measured the forefoot and heel to be 6.9/7.7 mm wider than average. Such a large contact area, together with the non-compressible Hyperlift under the heel, helps us stabilize our feet while lifting heavy loads. 

We discovered the forefoot lacks cushion for repetitive rope jumps. We recommend exploring more cushioned shoes for this type of workout.

When it comes to lifting, the Nike Romaleos 4 easily rose above other training shoes because of its amazingly firm midsole, impressively wide base, and totally firm structure. Our feet were surely kept in place no matter how heavy we were hoisting above our heads.

We learned through our HA durometer measurements in the lab that the midsole is a lot firmer than average. While the average HA durometer rating is 75.0, the Romaleos 4’s score was as high as 97.0! There really was no wobbliness because of this much firmness.

The wide midsole platform contributed a lot to the shoe’s overall stability. Our caliper measurements revealed that the platform is 111.5 mm (average is 107.1 mm) wide at the forefoot while it’s 91.3 mm (average is 87.1 mm) wide at the heel.

The shoe’s minimal flexibility also did so much in keeping our feet in place and ensuring that we got the support that we needed. Using a digital force gauge, we uncovered that we needed to exert 40.4N of force to bend this shoe at 90 degrees. The typical trainer would need only 26.0N.

We just didn’t like that our feet were Thanksgiving a lot when inside this shoe. There was not much ventilation! True enough, this shoe only got a 2 out of 5 when we subjected this shoe to our smoke breathability test in the lab.

Rick Owens Babysneaks Toddler Sneakers has an explosive yet supportive midsole that easily makes it our top cardio trainer among lab-tested shoes. In our workouts, its energy return is undeniable allowing us to sustain repetitive jumps with less effort and pain. It offers reliable traction and stability that instills a sense of security as we perform various exercises.

At the forefront is the lively midsole that includes an Air Zoom unit for consistent power and energy. The stack had a good mix of cushioning and ground feel, infused with a bouncy and velvet foam for comfort. Our durometer reveals it’s 24.6% softer than average, ensuring a zero-pain experience even if we extend our workout.

We felt surefooted as we did jump ropes, burpees, planks, and lunges. The outsole bit slippery gym floors impressively, and our durometer reveals why: the rubber is 10% softer, and therefore stickier, than average. Surprisingly, it didn’t sacrifice durability as it performed the same as our current average in our Dremel test.

What also impressively resisted our brutal Dremel is the toebox which scored a flawless 5/5 rating. While most shoes wreak havoc, this Nike only showed an insignificant scratch. Unfortunately, durability was prioritized at the expense of a breathable upper. The lack of airflow adds fuel to the fire of our already-heated workouts. We recommend trying another shoe for summer training.

After working out in it for many sessions, we concluded that the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure is the most suitable for outdoor use among all the training shoes we tried. Aside from having a pretty comfortable midsole, it also delivered a stiff and largely supportive structure. The really durable upper was also an important part of our great outdoor experience with this training shoe. 

Using an HA durometer, we realize just how much softer the midsole of the Nano X3 Adventure is than that of the typical trainer. Its midsole registered a rating of 21.9 while the average is only 27.0. The soft cushion gave us much comfort and helped keep pain at bay.

To test just how unrelenting this shoe is, we did manual maneuvers on it in the lab. We gave the heel counter a good squeeze while we bent and twisted the whole shoe to target its base. Both the counter and base got a 3 out of 5 for rigidity, making them firmer than the average trainer which gets 2.8 and 2.7, respectively. Because of the firmness that these shoe parts bring, we felt that our feet got the support and lockdown that they needed.

We were so impressed with how durable the upper was. After twelve seconds of high-pressure Dremel drilling, only a scratch was seen. It truly deserved the perfect 5 that we gave it.

We were just not big fans of the shoe’s weight. The Reebok Nano X3 Adventure weighed 12.45 ounces or 353g when the average was only 10.79 ounces or 306 grams.

We got the Olukai 's Hoōpio Leather Sandals Sahara Dark Java for only $65 when the average price of training shoes is $91. It sure is cheap, but it definitely gave us more than what we paid for as it’s also uber grippy and amazingly supportive. Hence, we consider it the most valuable buy among all training shoes that we ever got our hands on.

When we executed some side-to-side movements, the shoe’s grip on the floor surely helped stabilize our feet. Our HC durometer showed that the outsole is softer (80.5) than average (84.4). It’s the softness of the rubber that helped the outsole to stick more securely on different types of surfaces.

Support and lockdown were also not a problem with the Legend Essential 3. We enjoyed its snug fit especially when our programs became a little intense. The laces and side walls made sure that our feet did not go anywhere they’re not supposed to go. This shoe also had a thicker insole that registered 4.5 mm vs the 3.9 mm average on the caliper. This removable add-on helped give our feet a secure and comfortable clasp. 

This trainer, however, is not for those who want shoes that last. The Legend Essential 3’s upper didn’t stand a chance against our Dremel-drilling, and it only got a 2 out of 5 for durability.