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Cross-Training: Gym
You need a stable, sturdy shoe fordumbbell workouts.
Winner:Blade-Max Endure, $100;KSwiss.com.
Athlete-engineered sliced soles provide traction.
And who needs Louboutins?
One tester loved the style as much as the function: “They’re sexy as hell.”
Runner-up:NB Minimus 20v2, $85;NewBalance.com.CrossFitfanatics, these shoes are for you.
A low heel lets you sink deeper into squats, generating explosive power.WOD, be warned.
Cross-Training: Group Classes
Sidestep seamlessly in cross-trainers that help you move in any direction.
Winner:Pumagility, $90;Puma.com.
Flex-grooved bottoms welcome lateral moves.
Foam compresses and widens to keep feet stable.
Testers liked them for “quick changes in direction.”
That means you,Zumba.
Runner-up:Under Armour Strut, $87;UA.com.
Cross-Training: Minimalist Trainers
Deconstructed sneaks force otherwise dormant foot muscles into action.
confirm your feet are ready for minimalist kicks with this4-week strengthening plan.
Winner:Lithe Glove, $125;Merrell.com.
Minor cushioning but major flexibility make these the ultimate minimalist multitaskers.
Runner-up:IsoTransition, $120;PearlIzumi.com.
A low profile keeps you closer to the ground, so you’re more fleet-footed.
Tie-free laces let you pull them on (and off) fast, and the lining wicks sweat.
Our testers said, “Socks optional.”
Winner:Wave Creation 13; $150;MizunoRunning.com.
They have a double-decker plastic midsole separated by shock absorbers, which act like a springboard.
“I barely felt the road,” one high-miler said.
Fit tip: Go up a half size.
Runner-up:Trance 11, $140;BrooksRunning.com.
A dense foam midsole makes it durable.
This category of so-called stability shoes is ideal for heavier gals.
Plus, “the arch support is great,” testers agreed.
Winner:GEL-Neo33, $105;Asics.com.
“I felt energized.
My feet weren’t constricted,” a tester said.
Runner-up:Avi-Release A5305W, $60;Avia.com.
What this lightweight lacks in traditional cushioning, it makes up for with shock-absorbing rubber soles.
It’s a smart entry point to the minimal trend.
“My feet felt naked in a good way!”
Cushioned Sneakers
Neutral runners go farther and faster in pillowlike picks that ease the impact.
Winner:ZigNano Fly 2, $100;Reebok.com.
The signature zigzag sole puts bounce in your step, literally.
“The bottoms are like springs, easing you off the ground,” a tester claimed.
Runner-up:Wave Inspire 8, $115;MizunoRunning.com.
A solid rubber forefoot outsole provides cushioning and durability.
“They were supportive yet light.”
Superlight Running Shoes
Superlight sneakers with a firm midsole can help you run faster.
Winner:LunarEclipse+ 2, $135;Nike.com.
A sock liner with two densities of foam cradles your midfoot.
These will fit like a glove.
Runner-up:Single-Track Hayasa, $110;TheNorthFace.com.
“So light!”
Pro racer Tsuyoshi Kaburaki codeveloped this 7.2-oz featherweight (the name means “speed” in Japanese).
The grippy sole acts like cleatsbut with enough padding to feel smooth.
Winner:Devotion, $80;Ryka.com.
Eight squishy triangles create a platform along the bottom of the shoe.
One tester said, “It was like walking on marshmallows.”
Runner-up:Biom Walk, $200;EccoUSA.com.
Splurge-worthy: Buttery leather doesn’t need breaking in.
“They fit from day one.
My feet were never sore on long distances,” a tester raved.
