A cross-training shoe has to do two opposing jobs: stay flat and stable for squats, yet flex enough for sprints and jumps. Our pick is the Reebok Nano X5, with an SR Score of 90: it edged the Metcon 9 in testing for its roomier fit, strong shock absorption, and stable lifting base, at about $140. The Nike Metcon 9 (89) is the better choice if heavy lifting dominates your sessions, and the NOBULL Outwork is the most versatile all-rounder.
The ranking
| Rank | Shoe | Best for | Price (approx) | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reebok Nano X5 | Overall + roomy fit | ~$140 | 90 |
| 2 | Nike Metcon 9 | Heavy lifting | ~$150 | 89 |
| 3 | NOBULL Outwork | Most versatile | ~$130 | 87 |
| 4 | NOBULL Drive Ripstop | Cardio-leaning days | ~$150 | 86 |
| 5 | Reebok Nano X4 | Value Nano | ~$110 | 85 |
| 6 | Nike Free Metcon 6 | Mixed cardio + lifting | ~$130 | 84 |
| 7 | TYR CXT-2 | Wide, stable platform | ~$150 | 86 |
Methodology
The Fitness Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Stability & lifting base (30) — sole firmness and flatness for squats and presses.
- Versatility & cardio (25) — flexibility for running, jumping, lateral work.
- Value for money (20) — price relative to performance and durability.
- Fit & comfort (15) — toe-box width, lockdown, all-day comfort.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — lab and athlete consensus.
Stability and versatility lead because a cross-trainer is bought precisely to bridge lifting and conditioning. Re-weight Versatility to 30 and the lighter, flexier shoes climb.
Reebok Nano X5
The all-rounder. About $140. The best shock absorption in testing with a robust build and excellent foot containment, plus a stable base for lifting. It fits more feet than the narrower Metcon, which gave it the edge for most athletes.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 27/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: priced at the higher end of the category.
Nike Metcon 9
The heavy-lifting pick. About $150. A wider toe box than past Metcons and a rigid Hyperplate shank give a very stable lifting platform. The 13.55 oz weight and stiff plate limit it for cardio-heavy sessions.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 29/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 20/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: heavy and stiff, so it is less pleasant for running and high-rep cardio.
NOBULL Outwork
The most versatile. About $130. A hard insole and minimal heel-to-toe drop keep the foot stable and supported across lifting, conditioning, and lateral work. The do-everything choice.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 26/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the firm ride is less forgiving than cushioned alternatives for longer cardio.
NOBULL Drive Ripstop
The cardio-leaning option. About $150. A lighter, more flexible NOBULL built for sessions with more running and jumping while still handling moderate lifting.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 24/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: less planted than the Outwork for heavy squats.
Reebok Nano X4
The value Nano. About $110. The previous-generation Nano, still widely available and often discounted, delivering most of the X5’s qualities for less.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 25/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 22/25 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: slightly less refined cushioning and containment than the X5.
Nike Free Metcon 6
The mixed cardio-and-lifting shoe. About $130. A flexible forefoot with a firmer heel handles running and jumping better than the standard Metcon while still steadying light lifts.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 22/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: the flexible build is not for heavy squats or deadlifts.
TYR CXT-2
The wide, stable platform. About $150. A broad, planted base with a roomy fit, favored by lifters who want maximum stability and toe splay underfoot.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Stability & lifting base | 28/30 |
| Versatility & cardio | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Fit & comfort | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the wide, stable build feels less nimble for fast footwork.
How to choose
Match the shoe to the ratio of lifting to cardio in your week. If you do balanced CrossFit-style sessions and want one shoe for most things, the Reebok Nano X5 is the safest pick, especially if Nike’s narrow fit has burned you before. If you lift heavy more than you run, the Nike Metcon 9 or TYR CXT-2 give the most stable platform. If your sessions lean toward running, jumping, and lateral work, the NOBULL Drive or Nike Free Metcon 6 flex more. Fit drives a lot of this: Nike runs narrow, Reebok roomy, NOBULL in between. Re-weight the rubric toward Versatility and the flexier shoes climb; weight Stability, as we do, and the Nano X5 wins.
Verification
- Reebok Nano X5 / X4 — specs, fit, and pricing verified on reebok.com and Garage Gym Reviews testing.
- Nike Metcon 9 / Free Metcon 6 — specs, weight, and pricing verified on nike.com.
- NOBULL Outwork / Drive Ripstop — specs and pricing verified on nobull.com.
- TYR CXT-2 — specs and pricing verified on tyr.com.
Related rankings
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- Best Ellipticals 2026: 7 Home Trainers Scored
- Best Exercise Bikes 2026: 7 Indoor Bikes Scored
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best cross-training shoes in 2026?
- The Reebok Nano X5 at about $140. It edged out the Nike Metcon 9 in testing thanks to a roomier fit, strong shock absorption, and a stable lifting base. The Metcon 9 is best for heavy lifting and the NOBULL Outwork is the most versatile.
- Cross-training shoes or running shoes for the gym?
- Cross-trainers, if you lift and do varied workouts. They have a flatter, firmer, more stable sole for squats and lateral moves. Running shoes have soft, high-stack cushioning that feels unstable under heavy weights.
- Which cross-trainer fits wide feet?
- The Reebok Nano line is the roomiest, NOBULL sits in the middle, and Nike Metcons run narrowest. The Nano X5 was preferred in testing partly because it fits more feet than the slightly narrower Metcon 9.
- Can you run in cross-training shoes?
- For short runs and intervals inside a workout, yes. For dedicated runs over a few miles, no, the firm flat sole lacks the cushioning of a running shoe. Buy a running shoe if running is your main activity.
- How much should cross-training shoes cost?
- Most quality cross-trainers cost about $140-160, including the Reebok Nano X5, Nike Metcon 9, and NOBULL Drive ($150). Spending more rarely buys meaningful performance gains in this category.