Can you suggest a pair of cross-trainer shoes?

April 15, 2004 6:22 PM

Training shoes. I need to buy a new pair of crosstrainers. I do cardio and weight training, and need something that is going to last me a long time on the cardio machines without hurting, so cushioning is a big factor. Any suggestions?

And I am willing to pay the bucks for high quality if I have to.

posted by benjh to Shopping (9 answers total)

maybe New Balance?
posted by amberglow at 6:47 PM on April 15, 2004

Check the wear pattern on your heavily worn shoes. Make sure that if you're hard on the instep or heal etc. that the shoe you buy has excellent shock absorption in that area.
posted by Feisty at 7:21 PM on April 15, 2004

For me, its all about the New Balance. I just bought a pair a month ago for $140, and 'twas well worth it.

In fact, my feet are thanking me right now!
posted by Quartermass at 10:03 PM on April 15, 2004

New Balance. Look at Ebay or Frogtrader.They sell overstocked or discontinued ones dirt cheap. I ran my NBs until the tread was flat, and never hurt.
posted by pieoverdone at 10:23 PM on April 15, 2004

That choice is as personal as your feet, but I do similar stuff at the gym, and last time I went out looking for cross trainers I got more of a pure running shoe (Mizuno, although nobody else seems to like them), and was quite happy to have done so.
posted by coelecanth at 10:15 AM on April 16, 2004

not sure spending big bucks makes sense - the padding is similar in different products, i think, above some price point. you might be better buying shoes more often, if the cushioning is critical.

also, if your shoe wears on one particular side at the heel then you may need more support, rather than more padding, there (but maybe this is more for running that stuff in a gym).
posted by andrew cooke at 12:42 PM on April 16, 2004

pretty good resource. i also vote for new balances, based purely on personal experience.
posted by sa3z at 1:45 PM on April 16, 2004

i should add that kicksology is mostly for basketball shoes -- i could've sworn they used to have a broader range of reviews before, including crosstrainers. doesn't seem so anymore, though, so scratch that suggestion.
posted by sa3z at 1:48 PM on April 16, 2004

Kicksology does have some great information about different types of cushioning, which materials will stand up to more abuse, etc. However, this information is mostly buried within the reviews. It might be of some help though, if you're trying to figure out what the difference is between EVA and adiPRENE and other terms you might run into while shopping.
posted by Coffeemate at 2:16 PM on April 16, 2004