The best cross-training shoes for 2025, tested and reviewed

Sizing: Women's 5-11; men's 7-14 | Heel to toe drop: 6 mm | Color options: 11 | Weight: 6.7 oz.

Hokas are well-known for crafting ultra-cushioned, rocker-bottom shoes perfect for running, but the Solimar is equally ideal for the gym. In fact, it's versatile enough to wear for just about any type of exercise, from jogging to strength training. Plus, they're super stylish and comfy.

According to Dr. Hallie Labrador, a sports medicine physician, "The most important part of a cross-training shoe is a comfortable fit." After wearing these for the last month, I can say that the Solimar is easily the most comfortable pair of sneakers I've worn during any workout.

When you think of Hoka, you probably picture the Clifton, a fan-favorite pair of bouncy, cloud-like runners. The Solimar, however, has a few differences that make it a better option for cross-training. Like all Hokas, it has a cushy midsole, but it's noticeably firmer than the brand's other options, so it provides good shock absorption and strong stability. It also features a toned-down version of the brand's signature MetaRocker, so while it still propels you forward during a run, it offers more ankle support.

Along with a firm heel counter and responsive midsole, the Solimar has a flexible forefoot, making it great for HIIT exercises like burpees and mountain climbers. However, while these are fine to wear during a typical strength training routine, they're probably not the best choice for those wanting to lift heavier weights.

Sizing: Women's 6-11; men's 7.5-13 | Heel to toe drop: 10 mm | Color options: 7 | Weight: 8 oz.

Finding a good pair of gym shoes for less than $100 often seems like a pipe dream, but the Nortiv8 ActiveFloat Sneaker comes in at just half that price. With its thick, wavy midsole, breathable mesh upper and bold gradient color selections, it's basically a stunt double for the Hoka Bondi for a fraction of the cost.

It's important to find a sneaker with a larger heel stack for days when you want to really rack up your step count. Since the ActiveFloat has a 10-millimeter heel stack, it's a good option for both walkers and runners. Similarly, the cushioned midsole and heel make it a good pick for HIIT exercises that involve a lot of jumping.

It's worth noting, however, that both of our testers mentioned the lack of lateral stability as a potential downside, so it may not be the best choice for exercises involving side-to-side movements.

Sizing: Women's 5-15; men's 6-15 | Heel to toe drop: 5 mm | Color options: 15 | Weight: 9.7 oz.

Most gym shoes are designed to cater to a specific form of exercise — like running or weightlifting. Then there's the Nike Free Metcon 6.

According to Megan Stewart, a U.K.-based physiotherapist, the Free Metcon 6 is the best choice for those who want a shoe that can do it all. "They're the perfect sneaker for workouts, gym visits, short runs and walking around town," she says. They offer "plenty of support and breathability [and] they have a wide toe-box, providing plenty of space for comfort and stability."

Both flexible and stable, the Free Metcon 6 is incredibly versatile. Thanks to ultra flexibility in the forefoot, it allows a ton of movement during HIIT exercises, like planks, burpees and skaters. It also has a soft foam midsole, proving bouncy and responsive during light jogs and jumping rope during testing. The heel counter, on the other hand, is firm and supportive. The shoe has higher sidewalls, making it a good option for squats and strength training.

While one of our testers said the shoe rubbed the back of their heel a bit, our other tester didn't have any such issues. Both agreed that it was extremely breathable and lightweight. Although it does have a tighter fit, the finger loops on the heel make it easier to put on.

Sizing: Women's 5-11; men's 7-18 | Heel to toe drop: 4mm | Color options: 20 | Weight: 13.13oz

Nobull is a well-known name in the CrossFit community thanks to the unparalleled durability and stability of their footwear. Their shoes were designed to withstand all weather conditions, environments and activities, from rope climbs to weightlifting.

When it comes to weightlifting, Nobull has several good options, but we chose the Impact (formerly known as the Nobull Trainer+) because it offers more versatility. Like the Outwork — another great choice — the Impact has a rigid upper and a wide, stable platform that’s ideal for lifting heavy weights. However, it also features a more cushioned midsole that makes it more comfortable for high-impact movements. That's not to say that it's a plush shoe. In fact, it's far too firm for longer runs. Still, the Impact offers enough shock absorption to make it a good option for plyometric exercises like jumps and squats.

Along with the firm, stable base, the Impact has impeccable grip and ankle support. While all of these factors make it ideal for the weight room, they also come with a few downsides. For one thing, it's heavier and less breathable than all of the other cross-trainers on this list. Also, it's not the most comfortable option for all-day wear. But if you're looking for an excellent pair of sneakers to keep in your gym bag for when you want to hit the weights, you can't get much better than these.

Sizing: Women's 4.5-11; men's 7-15 | Heel to toe drop: 0 mm | Color options: 6 | Weight: 10.6 oz.

In recent years, zero-drop shoes have become increasingly popular, particularly in the gym. Also called barefoot shoes, they have a heel-to-toe drop of 0 mm. In other words, they're completely flat, so they mimic the way your foot moves when walking barefoot.

There are a number of zero-drop shoes on the market, but the Vivobarefoot Motus Strength was designed for cross-training. It has a thick outsole that offers excellent traction, grip and stability for weightlifting, CrossFit and rope climbs. The heel strap provides additional support during heavier lifting. 

Another standout feature are the high reinforced sidewalls, which help keep your foot and ankle stable during lateral movements and HIIT exercises. Of course, like all barefoot shoes, the Motus Strength is also incredibly flexible, lightweight and breathable. Unfortunately, all those benefits come with a fairly high price tag, but for those who want to invest in a high-quality zero-drop option, it may be worth the expense.

Sizing: Women's 5-12; Men's 7-15 | Heel to toe drop: 10 mm | Color options: 15 | Weight: 8.8 oz.

Brooks is one of the most well-recognized footwear brands among runners, and the Glycerin 21 demonstrates why. It offers maximum cushion, comfort and stability and is a particularly good fit for heel strikers, thanks to the high heel stack and stiff counter.

When you run, your foot naturally hits the ground pretty hard, so having a well-padded shoe is an absolute must. "Running shoes are built for cushioning and shock absorption," says fitness expert Chris Mohr. Along with a padded midsole, good running shoes have "a more cushioned heel, which is better for running longer distances." It’s easy to see why this pair from Brooks is our top pick for runners!

The Glycerin 21's most notable feature is its cloud-like cushioning, thanks to the nitrogen-infused foam midsole. One Amazon reviewer said, "I have arthritis in my left knee and ankle, flat feet and very little padding left on the bottom of my feet, so even though I am not a runner I wear running shoes for the support they provide. These are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned." And, according to our tester, an avid runner, it has a soft, springy feel and plenty of shock absorption, making for a wonderfully comfortable stride. While running shoes are primarily focused on forward motion, our tester noted that the Glycerin 21 was equally secure during lateral movements. 

One thing to keep in mind, though, is the thickness of the upper. While the shoe be excellent in cold weather, it may not be the best option on hot summer days.

Sizing: Women's 5-11; men's 7-14 | Heel to toe drop: 8 mm | Color options: 43 | Weight: 7 oz.

Athletic Propulsion Labs, or APL, is a luxury footwear brand known for their ultra-fashionable, innovative training shoes. All APL shoes are stylish, comfortable and airy, but the Techloom Tracer really stood out to us thanks to how light it felt.

These shoes feature Propelium, APL's proprietary midsole compound. The material is strong and lightweight, designed to provide a ton of cushioning and shock absorption while still offering a breezy, flexible ride. After wearing the Techloom Tracer, the difference is clear. These shoes were so light and comfortable it felt like wearing nothing at all. Despite the featherweight feel, they still offered enough support in the gym. The nonstretch upper keeps your foot secure and centered, giving you a ton of lateral stability. Despite its light weight, the midsole was soft and responsive, making this the perfect option for HIIT exercises, plyometrics and weightlifting.

On the downside, they're not cheap. At $250, they're the priciest pair of trainers on the list. And they have a lacing system that, while it helps keep the fit secure during workouts, it can also make the shoes harder to put on quickly.

Sizing: Women's 5-11; men's 7-14 | Heel to toe drop: 8 mm | Color options: 7 | Weight: 10 oz.

The On Cloudpulse, the brand's first cross-training shoe, is perfect for both inside and outside the gym. It offers enough cushioning for cardio, enough flexibility for HIIT and enough stability for strength training while still being accessible enough for everyday life.

Like all On shoes, the Cloudpulse features the brand's unique cushioning technology, CloudTec. This technology uses hollow pods, or "clouds," to make up the outsole. These clouds compress air both vertically and horizontally, creating a soft, responsive landing that gives a distinct "walking on clouds" feeling. The difference is certainly noticeable, and I was impressed by how much bounce the midsole had.

With such a thick midsole and a higher heel stack, the Cloudpulse does have a slightly chunky look. Despite that, it's surprisingly lightweight and incredibly breathable. After wearing them to the gym, I could easily transition to running errands without needing to change my footwear. 

I will note that they're a little snug, particularly at first, so they're not the best option for anyone with wide feet. Other than that, they're a comfortable, stylish pair of everyday trainers.