The Best Cross-Training Shoes for Women in 2024

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Regardless of the type of exercise you enjoy doing, it’s important to have the right equipment. If you are running, for example, the best running shoes are essential. If you are doing walking workouts, you should choose walking shoes that are comfortable and support your feet properly. However, if you like to do a variety of types of exercise, such as weight training, CrossFit, HIIT workouts, cardio, plyometrics and jumping rope, cross-training shoes can be a more convenient alternative to buying multiple pairs of athletic shoes.

In this article, we will share our top picks and reviews of for the best cross-training shoes for women in 2024, including our top pick for the best overall cross-training shoe—the NoBull Trainer+. We'll also break down the important features to consider when choosing the best cross-training shoes for women, the benefits and design features of cross-training shoes and share insights from our in-house experts about their experiences training in these shoes.

Our Picks for the Best Cross-Training Shoes for Women in 2024:

• Best Overall Cross-Training Shoes for Women: NoBull Trainer+
• Best Cushioned Cross-Training Shoes for Women: Nike Zoom SuperRep 4 Next Nature
• Best Cross-Training Shoes for Women with Flat Feet: NoBull Trainer+
• Best adidas Cross-Training Shoes for Women: adidas Dropset 2 Trainer
• Best Budget Cross-Training Shoes for Women: Nike Legend Essential 2
• Best Cross-Training Shoes for HIIT Training: Reebok HIIT TR 3
• Most Versatile Cross-Training Shoes for Women: Nike MC Trainer 2
• Best Stability Cross-Training Shoe for Women: adidas Ultraboost 1.0

Best Overall Cross-Training Shoes for Women: NoBull Trainer+

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5 to 11; whole and half sizes
• Sizing: Standard width, fits true to size
• # of color options: 84 colors and patterns
• Key features: Outsole tread pattern gives traction in every direction, lace system with internal webbing for added stability, durable and breathable fabric

The NoBull Trainer+ was designed to do it all. Made specifically for multipurpose use and workouts, the training shoe for women offers stability, versatility, performance and power. Like the original NoBull Trainer Shoes, you can seamlessly transition from conditioning exercises on the field or turf to circuit training in the weight room while having reliable, steady footwear that keeps you supported and ready to conquer any type of exercise on your diverse training program.

The NoBull SuperFabric technology makes for a surprisingly breathable, durable and abrasive-resistant cross-training shoe, while the EVA midsole provides premium comfort and support. According to our in-house expert Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, you'll feel the springy cushioning no matter how you exercise, whether you're jumping rope, using your favorite CrossFit barbell or sprinting on the treadmill during an Orangetheory Fitness class. She says, “These are great if you need additional cushion and the shock absorption has been a lifesaver for my ankles and knees.” The rubber toe bumper also increases traction for explosive takeoffs and smooth landings during plyometric workouts.

Cross trainers like the NoBull Trainer+ have multi-directional traction both indoors and outdoors thanks to their grippy, herringbone-patterned rubber soles. This makes it easier for you to do intense rope climbs or grip a medicine ball between your feet during ab workouts. The shoes also offer a large outsole surface area and internally-webbed laces that improve lateral and medial stability when doing unilateral balance movements or exercises such as lunges.

Pros:

• You can choose from tons of colorways
• Durable and abrasive-resistant design protects the shoes during intense workouts
• Grippy rubber outsole provides traction on multi-environment surfaces
• Foam midsole increases comfort and springiness for HIIT workouts

Cons:

• Can feel stiff and heavy while running according to reviewers
• A bit expensive

Best Cushioned Cross-Training Shoes for Women: Nike Zoom SuperRep 4 Next Nature

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5 to 15; whole and half sizes until size 12
• Sizing: Standard width, fits true to size
• # of color options: 7
• Key features: Lightweight, specific zones of traction on the sole to improve stability

If you’re going to be doing a lot of high-intensity workouts that involve high-impact movements like box jumps, it helps to have a shoe with good cushioning. The Nike Zoom SuperRep 4 Next Nature is sturdy enough for weightlifting exercises and lightweight and cushioned enough to give you bounce and rebound during HIIT workouts and sprinting.

The rubber outsole has a full-length plate of Nike Zoom Air units to absorb impact, improve balance, and distribute forces as you work out. For side-to-side stability during lunges and agility exercises, the shoe has a large arc on the side and reinforcements in the heel to brace your foot. The fully adjustable tongue and padded collar keep your feet comfortable and minimize friction as you move.

The Nike Zoom SuperRep 4 Next Nature trainers certainly have the design specs to be your next reliable gym shoe, but they’re also comfortable and cushioned enough for everyday walking around town.

Pros:

• Specifically designed to provide cushioning
• Strategic zones of extra rubber on the outside in high-wear areas and enhance the overall durability and traction
• Upper is strategically zoned to contain and support the foot during quick movements

Cons:

• Toe box may feel narrow to some

Best Cross-Training Shoes for Women with Flat Feet: NoBull Trainer+

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5.5–11; whole and half sizes
• Sizing: Unisex sizing
• # of color options: 93 colors and patterns
• Key features: Wide flat sole for added stability, traction grips wrap up the sides for rope climbs and a tab to lock down laces and keep them out of the way

If you’re looking for one of the top-rated cross-training shoes, you can’t go wrong with the NoBull Trainer+. This tried-and-true cross-training shoe has thousands of five-star reviews, with customers raving about how lightweight and flexible these gym shoes for women are. The upper features a seamless one-piece construction of an extremely durable, breathable and abrasion-resistant material called SuperFabric. This keeps your feet cool and protected as you climb, sprint, lift and jump.

For reliable traction on indoor and outdoor surfaces, the NoBull Trainer+ has an outdoor lug pattern designed to strike a balance of flexibility and traction. Capritto says the pattern continues to the medial side of the sole for grip during rope climbs. She states, "The lug on the outsole is supper aggressive and the grip felt sticky during rope climbs. You can feel the traction during box jumps and jump roping." 

For added protection on sidewalls, there are high carbon lateral and medial guards built into the trainers. This feature also makes the NoBull cross-training shoes great for women with flat feet and those who overpronate and require mediolateral arch support.

Pros:

• Thousands of five-star customer reviews
• Supportive sole is great for flat-footed athletes
• Breathable upper
• Deeper shoe allows you to add your own insoles if the stock inserts aren’t supportive enough
• Four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop, which may decrease joint stress

Cons:

• Only available in one color
• Sizing can be a little tricky

Best adidas Cross-Training Shoes for Women: adidas Dropset 2 Trainer

Specs:

• Sizes available: 8 to 16; whole and half sizes from 8 to 14
• Sizing: Wide fit
• # of color options: 4
• Key features: Wide toe box, supportive sidewall and heel, a stable, dual density midsole with an airflow window

While adidas is known for its comfortable running shoes and casual and athletic wear, the brand's Dropset 2 Trainer has a stable outsole, supportive midsole and durable upper ideal for cross-training. These shoes have a roomy toe box and a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) sidewall on the medial and lateral sides of the foot to keep it secure. The outsole widens at the heel for more foot-to-ground contact, creating a stable platform for lifting, jumping, squatting and more. Our tester Rachael Gonzalez, NASM-CPT, says she really likes the fit of the Dropset 2, even though she doesn’t have wide feet. “There is plenty of room for toe splay, and the sidewall feels supportive and helps prevent excessive movement.”

The dual-density midsole has a firmer foam on the outside and a softer foam on the inside to provide stability and shock absorption. Gonzalez states, “These shoes have a six-millimeter drop, so you feel connected to the platform and can find your footing easily while lifting.” The outsole is non-marking rubber traction with a micro herringbone pattern for grip and has flex grooves at the ball of the foot, so the shoe moves with you.

Another prominent feature of the Dropset 2 Trainer is the ventilation window in the sole's midfoot section, which has a mesh screen to allow airflow and keep debris from entering. “I live in a desert climate and found that the airflow window helps manage moisture, wick away sweat and combat the overlays on the upper, which add durability but can sometimes block airflow,” Gonzalez says. These shoes have four colorways and an adjustable lacing system for a custom fit.

Check out our adidas Dropset 2 Trainer review for more information.

Pros:

• Textile upper is lightweight and has protective overlays
• Low-cut padded collar and heel tab
• Rubber outsole flares at the heel for additional stability

Cons:

• Utilizing the six additional eyelets can make taking these on and off more challenging

Best Budget Cross-Training Shoes for Women: Nike Legend Essential 2

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5 to 12; whole and half sizes
• Sizing: Standard width, runs small
• # of color options: 9
• Key features: Wide flat heel for added stability, flexible forefoot for more responsive performance while running and during multidirectional movement

The Nike Legend Essential 2 is a good budget-friendly cross-training shoe that offers most of the features of expensive cross-trainers. The flexible honeycomb mesh upper performs best during speed work and agility drills. However, the support at the midfoot and heel braces are designed to be rugged enough for stability during heavy lifting and circuit training. The rubber sole and flat stable heel help distribute pressure evenly around your midfoot. There are also rubber wraps on the sidewalls and overlays on the upper that envelop your heel to brace your multi-directional movements. These rubber wraps can improve comfort and provide a secure, locked-in feel during quick cuts and directional changes. This feature is also helpful for lifters who perform heavy weightlifting unilateral exercises like lunges or single-leg deadlifts because the women’s lifting shoes enhance internal support.

Pros:

• Lower price point
• Honeycomb mesh pattern promotes ventilation
• Soft knit upper hugs your foot
• Outsole tread pattern helps grip multiple surfaces
• Soft foam core to cushion your foot, with a firmer outsole for durability and stability

Cons:

• Reviews mention the shoe runs small

Best Cross-Training Shoes for HIIT training: Reebok HIIT TR 3

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5 to 11; whole and half sizes
• Sizing: Standard width, fits true to size
• # of color options: 3
• Key features: High traction sole and supportive upper

The Reebok HIIT TR 3 is designed for high-intensity workouts. The breathable mesh upper keeps your feet cool as you work up a sweat, while the grippy rubber outsole provides traction on slippery studio floors, grass, asphalt and turf. For better flexibility during fast-paced work, there are forefoot grooves to support the natural bending of your foot as your run and jump. The Floatride Energy Foam provides lightweight, resilient cushioning that is responsive no matter how vigorous your high-intensity workouts get.

Pros:

• Rubber outsole has varying traction patterns for multidirectional grip
• Breathable upper for increased ventilation
• Ultra-responsive cushioning

Cons:

• May be too wide for narrow feet
• Minimal overlays on the upper may decrease durability 

Most Versatile Cross-Training Shoes for Women: Nike MC Trainer 2

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5 to 12; whole and half sizes
• Sizing: Standard width, fits true to size
• # of color options: 5
• Key features: Wide flat sole for added stability and traction grips wrap up the sides for rope climbs

The versatility of the Nike MC Trainer 2 cross-training shoes eliminates the need to switch your footwear between different portions of your workout. This allows you to stay in the flow and keep your heart rate up as you transition from one activity to the next.

To enhance stability while strength training or performing any type of lateral movement, the Nike MC Trainer 2 has a nice flat base with a widened heel platform from side to side. This increases your base of support to provide secure and stable footing. Adding to the lateral stability, these cross-training shoes offer support wraps from the heel up to the sides. When you tighten the laces, these wraps help hug your heel and foot into place so that you will not slide around within the shoe. The intimate contact should help you feel agile and secure for various cutting and zig-zagging directions, or when doing various forms of exercises such as heavy back squats, box jumps or burpees. Even more, the soft foam that rises along the sides of the shoe provides enough cushioning to help brace your foot during lateral movements.

Nike MC Trainer 2's rubber outsole is one of the reasons we consider the women’s training shoes to be the most versatile cross-training shoe. The whole outsole has a durable rubber tread to give you reliable traction whether you're on grass, turf or gym flooring. An additional unique feature, however, is the varying thickness of the sole across its length.

The rubber is thicker under the heel to enhance stability for heavy lifting exercises like squats or deadlifts, and thinner in the front to be nice and flexible while doing speed training or sprinting drills. Many cross-training shoes are either too stiff for effective sprinting exercises or too flexible and responsive for the amount of stability you’d like on the training room floor. Nike appears to have nailed this sweet spot with the MC Trainer 2.

To improve the durability of the shoes, there are overlays around the toes and laces, which are two vulnerable areas prone to premature wear.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Lateral support wraps to enhance stability
• Grippy rubber outsole enhances traction on all sorts of surfaces

Cons:

• Toe box is a little narrow so it may not be comfortable for wide feet

Best Stability Cross-Training Shoe for Women: adidas Ultraboost 1.0

Specs:

• Sizes available: 5 to 12; whole and half sizes
• Sizing: Standard width, fits true to size
• # of color options: 24
• Key features: Hundreds of BOOST capsules to enhance energy return and adidas Primeknit upper wraps the foot to improve stability and support

The adidas Ultraboost 1.0 are hybrid workout shoes or weightlifting shoes that should feel just like running shoes. These gym shoes for women feature energy-returning BOOST cushioning in the midsole, a 10-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and a high-performance yarn upper for a secure fit. Besides being made from 50 percent Parley Ocean Plastic, this soft, intimate upper also lets air flow more easily around your foot as you move. 

We spoke to Corinthia Bostic about her experience cross-training in these shoes. She said, "I have a narrow foot with a high arch, so these were actually a perfect fit for me. I also used them to walk around NYC a lot and the outsole felt really grippy." A high-traction outsole is ideal because it helps the foot grip during weight training exercises, cardio, lateral movements and plyometrics. Bostic mentions that the midsole and upper were not as supportive as she would have liked. She states, “The sole is soft and the upper material was very flexible, and I prefer a bit more structure.” These shoes have a molded heel counter to add stability and prevent overpronation, and there’s a built-in torsion system in the sole to provide a stable base of support.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly; made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic
• Lots of stability provided by a thicker sole
• Wider toe box can be better for athletes with wide feet

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other shoes on our list
• Upper may feel too flexible for some

What Is a Cross-Training Shoe?

Cross-training shoes are versatile athletic shoes that can handle many different types of exercises and surfaces. As such, cross-training shoes could be considered hybrids of other types of athletic training shoes or "Swiss Army knives" of athletic footwear. The best gym shoes for women can be used to seamlessly transition from weightlifting exercises to quick bursts of cardio and sprinting drills.

Because of this, cross-training shoes are typically stiffer or more rigid than running shoes, and a bit heavier. They are designed to provide more lateral support for agility movements, back squats or lifting exercises. A good cross-training shoe should be stable, durable and versatile across a wide range of activities and movement patterns.

What to Look for in a Women’s Cross-Training Shoe

Need

When choosing the best shoes for cross-training workouts, it’s helpful to think about the primary types of workouts you do. This will help guide the specific features you should prioritize in a cross-trainer. For example, if you are mainly looking for a women’s weightlifting shoe, you can prioritize stability over flexibility. If you’re seeking a women's gym shoe for high-intensity metabolic workouts, getting a lightweight trainer that is cushioned, flexible and responsive is ideal.

Comfort

Whether you’re tackling a HIIT workout, CrossFit or weight training workout, you want your gym shoes to be comfortable. The shoe should fit snugly without being too tight, especially in the toe box. You need to have ample room to permit natural toe splay. The shoe should be snug through the heel and midfoot to keep your foot stable in the shoe.

Stability

Lifters who work with heavy weights will need the best shoes for stability on the gym floor. You also want to have stability for explosive movements, plyometrics and landing from box jumps and burpees. Cross-training shoes that provide stability will give you the confidence to push yourself in your workouts without worrying about your footwear giving out, and may help prevent injuries. All-rubber outsoles, particularly when constructed from TPU, tend to be the most stable. Shoes with a widened heel or deep heel cup can also enhance stability during squats, deadlifts and lunges.

Durability

Cross-training shoes need to withstand a variety of environments and movement patterns. Features that enhance durability include uppers that have areas of reinforced mesh, leather or synthetic materials in vulnerable areas such as around the toe box or eyelets. The rubber outsole should be thick enough and sturdy to provide traction while still being bendable for quick movements.

Price

Whenever you’re buying athletic shoes, you need to consider the price point and your budget. The best cross-training shoes for women usually cost between $80–$150. If you’re on a tight budget, you can sometimes find previous iterations at a discounted price on the brand's website. For example, you can get the Nike Free Metcon 4 instead of the Free Metcon 5 at a lower price.

How We Chose the Best Cross-Training Shoes for Women

To choose the best shoes for cross-training workouts for women, we looked at top-rated cross-training shoes from reputable manufacturers such as Nike, adidas, NoBull and Reebok. Here’s a breakdown of the standout features and other aspects we considered.

Fit and comfort

The fit and comfort of women’s workout shoes can significantly impact a training session, which is why we chose shoes that have ample space for toe splay, a breathable upper, an adjustable lacing system and more. Each shoe on this list has a padded collar to enhance comfort and provides a stable platform for various activities, including lateral movements, jumps and weightlifting.

Traction and durability

We hand-selected shoes with durable rubber outsoles and traction patterns that provide grip on various surfaces, including tracks, gym flooring and mats, wood platforms and pavement. We carefully reviewed each pattern to ensure it is multi-directional so it grips horizontally and laterally. Each shoe’s upper on this list is a breathable material combined with overlays or another abrasion-resistant technology with reinforcements at the toe and heel to increase longevity.

Budget

Budget can vary from person to person, so when considering the best women’s training shoes, we chose options from $80-$149, and many brands run promotions that offer additional discounts. In addition, our choice for the best budget training shoe includes many of the same features that more expensive options have.

Expert testimonials and reviews

We tapped our in-house experts to get honest user feedback on what it’s like to train in each shoe and to gain insight into their experience when choosing the best gym shoes for women. We also scoured the reviews on each brand’s website to gain additional perspectives on the fit, comfort, functionality, durability and more. 

Cross-Training Shoes for Women FAQs

Should cross-training shoes fit loose or tight?

You want a cross-training shoe to be as snug as possible in the width so that your foot is intimately connected to it. This improves stability and gives you better proprioceptive feedback about your positioning during exercises. However, you should have about a thumb’s width between the edge of your last toe and the front of your shoe. This will help prevent your toes from ramming into the shoe when you jump, squat or run.

Is it O.K. to walk or run in cross-training shoes?

You can walk in cross-training shoes, and you can run or sprint short distances. However, cross-training shoes should not be worn for long-distance running because they are too stiff and heavy, and they do not provide as much cushioning as a long-distance running shoe.

What is different about a cross-trainer and a running shoe?

Cross-training shoes are designed to provide more stability, traction and support on different surfaces and when moving in different directions than running shoes. Running shoes tend to be lighter, more flexible and less durable than cross-training shoes. They are not designed to provide lateral support or traction on field, turf or gym flooring the way that high-quality cross-training shoes can.

Final Thoughts

The best cross-training shoes for women will allow you to perform a variety of exercises on different flooring and natural surfaces without needing to change footwear. Your shoes should be comfortable, durable, versatile and supportive. In the gym, you’ll want to wear a good cross-training shoe instead of a running shoe if you will be doing strength training or circuit training and then moving to cardio exercises or speed work. Even if you already have a good pair of running shoes, investing in a pair of cross-training shoes can be a wise investment for your training.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.