The 15 Best Cross Training Shoes for Men
Quick: How many pairs of shoes do you need if you’re a casual runner, part-time weightlifter, and sometimes sportsman? Answer: Just one pair, actually. A great pair of cross training shoes.
Over the years, I’ve tried every specialized type of shoe that there is: Road running shoes for when I go for a jog, hard-soled weightlifting shoes for deadlifting, springy athletic shoes for pickup basketball, and more. But time and time again, I return to cross trainers. Why? Because they’re designed to give you the best combination of attributes for a life of varied and interesting exercise.
With that in mind, we’ve collected the 15 best cross training shoes for men. Each pair has a certain specialty that might appeal to you, but they’re all fully capable of taking you through any exercise program you can throw at them.
GoRuck Ballistic Trainers
If you’re not already familiar with GoRuck’s lineup of near-indestructible gear, their Ballistic Trainers are a perfect introduction. They’re designed by shoe expert Paul Litchfield, inventor of the Reebok Pump, among many other iconic shoes. And where popular opinion has it that zero drop shoes are best for many athletic endeavors, GoRuck put in the extra research to determine that their cross trainers needed to be different. They’re made from ultra-tough ballistic nylon, an eight millimeter heel-to-toe drop, and an immaculately designed footbed and sole that supports all three arches of your feet. If you want one pair of shoes for everything you do, the Ballistic Trainers are the way to go.
Danner Onyx Athletic Shoes
Though they’re better known for their leatherworking, Danner has really learned a thing or two about how to make high quality footwear from any material. Their Onyx shoes are exceptionally lightweight at just 26 ounces for the pair and made from a synthetic mesh upper and a grippy, slip-resistant outsole. As with the GoRuck shoes above, an eight millimeter heel-to-toe drop gives them a versatility that’s lacking in more specialized shoes. And thanks to a polypropylene board in the midsole, these shoes still provide plenty of stability and support for long days spent on your feet.
Nike Metcon 7 Training Shoes
Ever since their first edition, Nike’s Metcon shoes have been nearly synonymous with cross training. And with each new edition, they’ve narrowed in on the exact blend of athletic activities that most guys focus on: Primarily weight training, with a little bit of sports and cardio on the side. They’re rugged and stable shoes, designed to help you hit new PRs on your squats and deadlifts. But with the addition of more foam padding in the Metcon 7’s, they’re pretty great for high intensity interval training and cardio as well. Plus as you might expect from the big swoosh, these kicks can be stylin’ too—they’re available in seven unique colorways, so you don’t have to sacrifice style for substance.
Lems Primal 2 Minimalist Shoe
In my experience, most people will benefit from having a little bit of a heel-to-toe rise in their training shoes. But not everybody is built the same, and some portion of guys really will find zero drop shoes to be more comfortable for walking, standing, jogging, and lifting. If that’s you, check out Lems’ Primal 2 shoes. They’re ultra lightweight and minimalist to a T, with a flexible design and extra-wide toe box that really lets your piggies wiggle. That’s all combined with solid moisture-wicking capabilities, making these shoes great for all-weather activity.
Adidas Futurenatural Men’s Training Shoes
Can’t quite decide between a roomier shoe and a high-tech cross trainer? Check out Adidas’s Futurenaturals. They’re made with a wide forefoot and heel in the style of minimalist zero drop shoes, but given a modest eight millimeter heel-to-toe drop for maximum sport performance. A direct-injected polyurethane midsole further emphasizes this performance, giving a firm platform that’s great for heavy lifting. That’s all paired with breathable mesh uppers that help keep stink and sweat to a minimum, making these shoes a constant companion for on-the-go guys.
Seavees Army Issue Sneaker Classic
And now for something completely different. The Seavees Army Issue classic sneakers are a throwback to a time before computerized imaging and design of outsoles, and far before much discussion of exactly what sort of drop was best for each type of exercise. What they do best is looking cool while being made to last, with durable canvas uppers and a rugged natural rubber outsole. A cushy footbed gives plenty of padding for heel strikes, so you could go for a jog in these—though in my opinion, this sort of shoe does best as a trade-off between everyday style and anytime exercise readiness. Big plus for some: They’re also vegan.
Greats The Wythe Sustainable Shoe
There’s one downside to the high-tech construction and design of a lot of cross trainers: They use a lot more plastic and synthetic materials than other shoes. Eco-conscious buyers will shudder at the prospects, making Greats’ The Wythe Sustainable Shoe all that much more attractive. The entire shoe is made from sustainable materials, with recycled uppers and a unique algae-based outsole that actually removes carbon from the atmosphere. They look great, feel great, and provide solid sport performance at the same time—a real win, win, win for you and the environment.
Columbia Men’s Vitesse OutDry Hiking Shoe
When your idea of cross training takes you far outside the gym and onto your favorite hiking trails, you’ll need a different type of cross training shoe. Columbia’s Vitesee OutDry Hiking Shoe is a great fit, with a waterproof and lightweight construction that lends itself well to just about any activity you can dream up. A grippy rubber outsole makes them great for indoor and outdoor exercise alike, and thick but lightweight cushioning blends comfort and responsive performance. They’re an excellent choice for the outdoor multi-sport athlete, as well as anyone who just loves trying out new types of exercise to mix things up.
Saucony Kinvara 12 Cross Trainers
For those guys who make running their main squeeze and then support it with weight training, Saucony’s Kinvara 12 Cross Trainers are pretty close to the holy grail of shoes. They’re ultra lightweight and designed with road runners in mind, giving plenty of responsive cushioning for putting a lot of miles in each week. But the sole design gives them enough flexibility and stability to support your legs and hips through squats and sprints, too. All that and a four millimeter heel-to-toe drop make the Kinvara 12s an excellent choice for the running-focused guy.
Beckett Simonon Geller Trainers
Have you ever felt a little bit weird heading from your office to the gym, changing from a nice pair of dress shoes to old and beaten up sneakers? Going to work out doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything you know about dressing well—and Beckett Simonon’s Geller Trainers are a good example of how to handle this situation in style. They’re made with the same attention to detail as a dress shoe, with buttery soft leather uppers. But the solid construction and durable rubber outsole make them just as ready for days at the gym as they are for days out on the town. Not great for running, sure, but they look good doing just about anything else.
Altra Torin 5 Luxe Shoes
Altra’s whole lineup of shoes is designed with one thing in mind: Creating footwear that’s really, actually shaped like your foot. Take a look at the sole for a good example. It’s made to mimic the structure of the bones in your foot, giving just the right amount of support and traction while letting each of your tarsals do their natural thing. The Torin 5 Luxe Shoes are particularly nice for cross training, with a generous amount of padding that’s forgiving on tired knees and ankles. They really shine as everyday walking shoes that can double as weightlifting or jogging shoes in a flash.
Xero Shoes Prio Cross Trainers
5000 miles. Read that again: 5000 miles. That’s how long Xero Shoes claims that their rubber outsoles can last—which is about 10 times the amount of miles you can expect to put on a standard shoe. If you manage to wear through the heel or forefoot on their shoes within that mileage, the company will replace them at a substantially reduced cost. That’s cool enough to justify buying the Prio Cross Trainers, but their vegan construction and minimalist style make them even more attractive to “natural foot” athletes.
New Balance 574 Classic Shoes
It doesn’t get much more classic than New Balance’s 574’s. As one of the first NB models to really take off in popularity, they’re a favorite of everyone from weekend warrior dads to streetwear aficionados to everyday dudes who want a solid, reliable shoe to work out in. Suede uppers give the 574s a more refined look than many shoes on this list, and a moderate heel-to-toe drop makes them versatile enough for most activities. Overall, they’re a fine blend of style, comfort, and performance.
Allbirds Men’s Wool Runners
Merino wool might be one of the first materials you think of for base layers—but it’s far from the top of the list for things to make shoes out of. Which is a shame, honestly, especially once you consider how darned comfortable Allbirds’ Wool Runners are. The wool uppers provide excellent temperature regulation and moisture wicking, making them comfortable in any weather. Paired with an innovative sugarcane midsole and castor bean insoles, the whole shoe is made from sustainable materials. And with close to 20 colors, there’s an Allbirds shoe for everyone’s tastes.
Under Armour Men’s UA TriBase Reign 3 Training Shoes
We started this list with a remarkably technologically advanced shoe, and we’ll end with one as well. Under Armour’s Reign 3 Training Shoes use a low, triangular base to make sure that every ounce of pressure you put into the ground is returned and emphasized—making them the shoe of choice for workouts that can go from running, to weightlifting, to bodyweight exercises at a moment’s notice. Plenty of rubber and ridges on the treads give them excellent traction on any surface. And a flexible, cushioned midsole offers responsiveness for any situation. At just two millimeters of heel-to-toe drop, they’re a great middle ground for this style of shoe.
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