The 13 Best Cross-Training Shoes for Women, According to Fitness Experts

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Yes, you really do need a dedicated pair of cross-training shoes — you’re typical walking sneakers, running sneakers, and workout shoes won’t cut it. And that’s because the best cross-training shoes for women have distinctly different features from your everyday shoes. 

“Cross-trainers tend to be a little firmer when it comes to cushioning and shock absorption, as running shoe foam compresses over time when repeatedly absorbing weight,” says Grace Wentzien, project manager for women’s training shoes at Under Armour. “Cross-training shoes, on the other hand, are able to withstand the weight absorption that cross-training requires without compromising stability or longevity.”

Wearing the proper footwear for whatever activity you choose to do is about so much more than style. The best cross-training shoes for women help ensure you have the ankle stability, arch support, and necessary flexibility or stiffness needed to perform your workouts to the best of your ability. Plus, as with the best running shoes or the best weightlifting shoes, shoes specially made for cross-training will help prevent injuries. “These shoes should be less flexible, because they’re designed to keep the foot stable within the shoe,” says Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, is a New York-based podiatrist and a Vionic Innovation Lab member.

Cross-training covers a wide range of modalities — from HIIT to CrossFit or even bodyweight workouts and jumping rope — so, naturally, cross-training shoes on the market come in a variety of styles with different features that are tailored to the type of workouts you’re doing. 

What’s more, your unique foot shape or potential foot concerns, like high arches, bunions, or plantar fasciitis, will change the type of cross-trainer shoes for women you’ll be shopping for.

To help you sift through all the cross-training shoes for women available, we tapped Dr. Sutera and Wentzien, along with Fran Calvert, a competitive CrossFit athlete for their picks. Together, these experts, along with the expertise of the Footwear News team, bring you the ultimate list of the best cross-training shoes for women available right now.

What to Look for in the Best Women’s Cross-Training Shoes

When shopping for your perfect pair, it’s important to consider the types of cross-training activities you’ll be doing. Multifaceted cross-training shoes need to be “jack of all trades” shoes. Compared to modality-specific shoes, they’re more versatile and capable of handling a broad range of activities and movements. These are the key features to look for when shopping for crossing training shoes for women: 

• Lateral support: You’ll likely be moving in multiple planes of motion during your cross-training workouts, particularly if you’re doing HIIT classes. Shoes with good lateral support will ensure you don’t twist an ankle, while also still being able to move freely and efficiently. 
• Heel stability: “A good cross-training shoe includes lateral support and heel lockdown for multi-directional movements, so that your foot is kept in place and secure,” says Wentzien. 
• Flexibility: You’ll likely need to react quickly during many of your cross-training workouts. Whether that’s an interval run on the treadmill or a plyometrics workout focused on producing power, you need a shoe that will move with you. “Flexibility and cushioning are also key, so that your foot can move naturally and freely, which helps when quickly changing directions or balancing,” says Wentzien.
• Cushioning: “Cross-training involves lifting, running, jumping, climbing and a range of other functional movements, so the shoe needs to be stable, flexible, durable and responsive all at the same time,” says Calvert.

The Best Women’s Cross-Training Shoes for Different Foot Types and Foot Conditions

If you suffer from common foot problems, you’ll want to look for additional support features to help you stay comfortable and healthy. 

• Best women’s cross-training shoes for bunions: People with bunions should look for “mesh sneakers or any styles with a forgiving material,” says Dr. Sutera. “Oftentimes, going up a wider size, if necessary, is also more comfortable.”
• Best women’s cross-training shoes for high arches: If you have high arches, you’ll need a shoe with lots of cushioning to disperse force and reduce the chance of injury.
• Best women’s cross-training shoes for HIIT: Look for a shoe that has a good balance of cushion and stability. You may also want a higher-top shoe (similar to boxing shoes) for greater ankle support while moving laterally. You want a shoe that is versatile, lightweight, and flexible.
• Best women’s cross-training shoes for narrow feet: Read online reviews for certain brands or styles to get a sense of which might be known to fit a narrow foot, such as New Balance. Brands that run wide, such as Altra Running, may be better suited for those who need a little more space. 
• Best women’s cross-training shoes for overpronation: Cushion is your friend if you suffer from overpronation or need shoes for flat feet. You want to avoid excessive pressure on your plantar fascia and other sensitive tissue on the soles of your feet. A stability running shoe with cushioning is a solid choice. 
• Best women’s cross-training shoes for plantar fasciitis: “People with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis should avoid shoes with thin, flat insoles and outer soles,” says Dr. Sutera. “Look for styles with a deep seated heel cup, arch support and a cushioned insole [for proper structure and support].” You can also retrofit your favorite pair with plantar fasciitis insoles for a more comfortable feel.

How We Chose the Best Women’s Cross-Training Shoes

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

For a simpler shopping experience, we’ve compiled the best cross-trainer shoes for women based on expert recommendations, user reviews, and product testing. We also consulted experts about which cross-training shoes were best for people with certain foot types or conditions. Customer reviews and footwear market research also helped us make the final selections. The bottom line is you can feel good knowing that this list includes the best of the best cross-training shoes for women no matter what workout you choose to tackle next. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Experts

Grace Wentzien is the project line manager for women’s train footwear at Under Armour. She’s been in the role since 2020 and has been with the company since 2016.

Fran Calvert is the UK-based training marketing manager at inov-8 and a competitive CrossFit athlete. She has competed at the CrossFit Games Meridian Regionals on several occasions. Prior to joining the inov-8 team, she worked in sports nutrition and was the communications manager for British Weight Lifting.

Dr. Jacqueline Sutera is a New York-based podiatrist specializing in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. She is a Vionic Innovation Lab member, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and a member and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the New York State Podiatric Medical Society.

Meet the Author

Alyssa Sparacino is a content strategist, editor, and writer with a focus on fitness, health, and wellness with more than a decade of experience in digital media. She most recently held the role of editorial director at Shape. Her writing has been published in outlets including Shape, Health, What to Expect, Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure, and more. Sparacino holds a personal training certification with the American Council on Exercise. Her extensive knowledge and experience covering the fitness and health industries informed this list of the best cross-training shoes for women.