There are so many training shoes to choose from that it’s a staggering task to decide which shoe to buy for the gym. You can find everything from cutting-edge, tech-heavy models designed to handle everything in the weight room, to shoes designed specifically for just 1 or 2 types of lifts. It can get tricky to sift through all the available sneakers, especially if you’re looking for the best budget training shoes available.
Why are these the best budget training shoes in 2025?
All of the shoes featured on our list feature all the basics of a training shoe and nothing more or less. They won’t boast premium materials or the highest level of technology, but they do perform well. Our best budget training shoes list is all about top-notch performance at a reasonable price.
At WearTesters, we test hundreds of sneakers each year. To put together this list, we found outstanding budget training performers that can offer a little bit of everything. We chose stable shoes that have the correct training-focused support features and are also affordable. Cross training is no easy task for one shoe, but we think you’ll enjoy our picks for the best budget training shoes.
Categories are used below so you can easily find what’s important to you. If you know what you need, you can simply click the category link. If not, feel free to browse the whole list.
Best Budget Training Shoes Show
Best Budget Training Shoes
GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
GORUCK is an upstart training gear company founded by a Special Forces veteran, that’s also pioneering a whole new sport called Rucking.
GORUCK uses durable Ballistic nylon for the back two-thirds of the shoe. The nylon used on the Ballistic Trainer is tough and soft at the same time. Cordura nylon is used on very few shoes, mostly for cost reasons. It gives off a vibe that the shoe is ready for anything. The knit toe box and tongue are one seamless piece that flexes great and feels minimal on foot.
The shoe’s cushion is what GORUCK calls Gradient Density EVA. The shoe is more cushioned and better at rebounding in the forefoot to accommodate jumping, running, and explosive movement. The heel of the shoe is denser and stiffer to provide a stable platform while doing various lifting movements like deadlifts and squats. Perfect for your ever-changing workouts
On the bottom, what looks to be an outsole made of one type of rubber is actually made of 3 different rubbers. A grippy forefoot, a harder more durable midfoot made for climbing ropes, and a denser heel to endure heel strikes while running.
We recommend buying your normal shoe size for the best fit. Read the full review. Price: $120
Puma PWR Nitro Squared
The Puma PWR Nitro Squared isn’t built for heavy lifting or CrossFit, but it’s built to handle anything your HIIT workout will throw at you including normal lifting. It’s comfortable and bouncy which makes it great for basketball training or any jumping exercises like plyometrics. Single leg exercises aren’t ideal but this shoe can actually handle large amounts of cardio, something you don’t see often in this category. See the full review. Price: $120
Reebok Nano Zero
We have waxed philosophical about the game-changing Reebok Nano line and its impact on modern training. But Reebok surprised us with the launch of the Nano Zero, a zero-drop training shoe that taps into the growing desire for a barefoot (or close to it) training alternative from the big shoe companies.
There are a lot of Pros to be celebrated in the Nano Zero. First off, the price is extraordinarily hard to beat at $100. Its incredible traction and support take you easily through your heavy squats and single-leg movements. Combine that excellent grip with the full toe splay allowed by the wider, more natural toebox, and you get even better stability for lifting. And the Nano Zero fully handles bodyweight training and explosive movements without issue. But one major Con could determine whether or not you’ll get along with the Nano Zero: the lack of traditional structure in the upper. In our reviewer’s case, bending his foot resulted in the upper collapsing on his foot and digging in like a knife. It will be highly individual as to whether the Nano Zero will work for movements that involve a lot of bending and flexing of the feet (for example, rowing and sprinting were especially problematic for our tester). Given this potential pitfall as well as an overall concept that is not designed for energy return, we’d recommend something like the Nano X5 more for things like cardio.
But while not focused on cushion, the Nano Zero is still incredibly comfortable underfoot. And the last shape is nicely accommodating for wide-footers. You can comfortably go with your typical Reebok Nano sizing, and this will fit with room to spare. Unless you have a very narrow foot, we wouldn’t suggest sizing down because the Nano Zero may come up too short at that point. Whether the upper happens to flex favorably (or not) with your feet will be the ultimate determining factor here. But if you’ve been interested in more minimalist or barefoot training shoes, the Nano Zero is a great gateway into that world as it has so much of what makes the Nano line so versatile within your training yet isn’t as extreme a change as jumping to something like Vivo would be. For more details on the Reebok Nano Zero, read the full review. Price: $100
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Reebok Nano X3
The Reebok Nano X3 is a return to form for the greatest training shoe line of all time. It’s been a long time since we enjoyed a Nano this much. And while it isn’t the perfect shoe, we’re confident any typical gym goer that purchases it will have a great experience. The fit is great (though some people experienced heel slippage), and the new LAR Chassis system combined with Floatride feels bouncy but stable underfoot.
You’re also getting a long-lasting shoe that, after a break-in period, is one of the most comfortable Nanos ever. True, $150 feels steep for a cross training shoe, but by the end of 2023 most cross trainers will be around that price point due to our current pricing trends and inflation. See the full review. Price: $150
Nike Legend Essential 3
The Nike Legend Essential 3 is by far the cheapest shoe on this list, but don’t be fooled. You might be surprised about how well these lock down your heel. Honestly, the Legend Essential 3 is one of the best if you’re looking for that solid heel containment and support. For the price, it’s easily a steal. The performance lives up to the name. Read the full review. Price: $70
Nike MC Trainer 2
The Nike MC Trainer 2 is a good budget cross-training shoe that will serve most people well. It is somewhat of a basic training model, but it gets the job done. One thing the MC Trainer does offer is versatility. It will be able to handle almost any exercise you throw at it in the gym, which is pretty dran good for a shoe that retails for just $80. Read the full review. Price: $80
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best budget training shoes list? We’d also like to hear your thoughts on this list and see your best budget training shoes list in the comments. Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
Hi Drew, thank you for sharing this. Wearing barefoot shoes completely transformed my workouts. They allow my feet to move naturally, which improved my stability and form during lifts. Over time, I’ve felt my legs and feet grow stronger. I personally use Hykes Max. They’re minimalist, durable, and really comfortable. It’s like rediscovering how your feet are meant to function.
What do you think about barefoot shoes?
We’ve got some on our other lists but we haven’t tested any barefoot shoes (to this point) that truly qualify as budget. I love training in Xero shoes for example but the price point puts them out of reach of this list.