There are few things in life that I love more than finding great training gear for an affordable price. If you look around a lot of the most popular cross-training shoes on the market are going to cost you $120 USD or more, which is obviously not ideal for those that want to focus on their budget.
Over the last few years, I’ve been on a quest to find the best budget-friendly training shoes on the market. These are all training shoes that might not be the most diehard when it comes to aspects like stability, but for most lifters and athletes that don’t have super niche asks, they’ll excel and work perfectly fine.
To qualify for this list, training shoes had to meet four That Fit Friend criteria.
- They had to have a price point of $100 USD and below.
- They had to be decently stable and I tested each model up to 405 lbs (with exercises like trap bar deadlifts).
- They needed to perform well for plyometrics, classes, and HIIT training.
- They need to be decently comfortable for day-to-day wear.
If a shoe is listed below, then it met these four criteria to varying degrees. Before reading on, make sure you check out my cross-training shoe finder to be matched with the perfect pairs for your needs.
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| Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review | Link to Review |
| Shop | Shop AmazonShop Reebok | Shop On AmazonShop On UA | Shop On AmazonShop PUMA | Shop AmazonShop Reebok | Shop On AmazonShop On Reebok |
Best Budget-Friendly Training Shoes
When reading into the training shoes below, keep in mind that each shoe excels for certain aspects and while they’re listed one through five, they could be interchangeable based on how each model matches your needs.
I don’t believe there’s a “one” perfect model that tops the rest because everyone has different needs. Plus, everyone’s foot anatomy is slightly different, so how one shoe fits could be different from others.
1. Reebok HIIT TR
The Reebok HIIT TR has been one of the most surprising budget-friendly training shoes I’ve tried in 2021. It has a unique sock-liner construction and is super lightweight and breathable which makes it awesome for HIIT training and class workouts.
It’s not going to be the best model for supporting maximal barbell lifts, but it can hold its own for recreational lifting and athletic-focused training.
- Breathable Upper Construction
- Sock-Liner Built In
- Split Rubber Outsole for Traction
- Lightweight
- Price: $90 USD
Who the Reebok HIIT TR is best for: If you’re someone that wants a training shoe for tackling multiple training asks, then this is a good option. It’s a great pick for the person that loves HIIT training, class workouts, and getting in casual lifts here and there.
Reebok HIIT TR
$90
Best For
- HIIT Training
- Class Workouts
- Casual Lifting
- Plyometrics
Falls Short
- For Heavy Training
- For Longer Runs
2. Under Armour HOVR Rise 2
The Under Armour HOVR Rise 2 is in my opinion one of the most slept-on training shoes on the market. It offers a lot of construction features that help it excel in a variety of activities.
It can support casual lifting, plyometric training, HIIT workouts, and it’s super comfortable on a day-to-day basis. This is often a model I recommend for those who want a shoe for daily wear at work.
- HOVR Midsole Technology
- Abrasion Resistant Mesh Upper
- Bootie Construction
- Full Rubber Outsole
- Price: $100 USD
Who the UA HOVR Rise 2 is best for: The UA HOVR Rise 2 is a great model for the lifter that wants okay stability and a shoe to wear on a daily basis and for casual athletic-focused training. This model supports up to 365 lbs in movements with relative ease and feels great and light on the feet.
UA HOVR Rise 2
$100
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- HIIT Workouts
- Classes
Falls Short
- Heavy Lifting
- Longer Runs
3. PUMA FUSE Training Shoes
The PUMA FUSE training shoes are interesting. When you think “PUMA” rarely do more hardcore cross-training shoes come to mind, but this model is the first of its kind from PUMA to break that stereotype.
The FUSE Training Shoe is the first model in this shoe line and it does a fairly good job at tackling a variety of cross-training asks. In terms of hardcore cross-trainers, this shoe does fall short for specific things like rope climbs.
- PUMAGRIP Outsole
- TPU Heel Clip for Additional Support
- High Tensile Mesh Upper
- Wider Toe Box
- Price: $90 USD
Who the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes are best for: Out of every shoe on this list, the PUMA FUSE is one of the best for supporting heavy training. These shoes handled training up to 455 lbs like a breeze and as a first model, I think PUMA did a pretty good job at tackling a lot of different asks. I think the shoes will only evolve from here.
PUMA FUSE
$90
Best For
- Heavy Training
- Agility Workouts
- HIIT Training
- Sprints
Falls Short
- For All-Day Comfort
- For Longer Runs
4. Reebok Speed TR
Like the UA HOVR Rise 2, I think the Reebok Speed TR is also a slept-on training shoe. This model is fantastic for versatile training and supporting heavy lifts. It has a minimal heel-to-toe drop that sits around 3mm and stable outsole/midsole construction.
The Speed TR is one of my go-to budget-friendly cross-training shoes for moving weight. In fact, there’s a running joke with myself and few others on my YouTube channel about this model being sneaky good.
- Flared Stability Zone Support
- Metasplit Flex Grooves
- Textile Upper
- Full Rubber Outsole
- Price: $90 USD
Who the Reebok Speed TR is best for: If you’re someone that wants to train heavy and you like having a no-frills shoe, then the Speed TR is for you. It does fit a bit more narrow, so keep that in mind, but as an all-in-one stable cross-trainer, this shoe is a hit for the price point.
Reebok Speed TR
$90
Best For
- Agility Workouts
- HIIT Training
- Recreational Lifting
- Budget-Friendly Shoppers
Falls Short
- For Daily Comfort
- For Longer Runs
5. Reebok Nanoflex TR
The Reebok Nanoflex TR is marketed as a “budget-friendly Nano” and it does a fairly good job across the board in the gym. It’s versatile enough to support things like HIIT training and class workouts, but stable enough to handle loads up to 455ish lbs.
The only real drawback to this model is that it has an odd fit compared to the traditional Reebok Nano line and the tongue can sometimes slide over to the side.
- External TPU Clip
- Net Mesh Upper
- Flex Groove Construction
- CMEVA Midsole
- Price: $90 USD
Who the Reebok Nanoflex TR is best for: The casual lifter that wants a shoe for tackling a variety of tasks, but also wearing it on a day-to-day basis. This is a good model for rocking to the gym, then getting a casual lift or training session in.
Reebok Nanoflex TR
$90
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Day-to-Day Wear
- Casual HIIT Workouts
- Classes
Falls Short
- For Lifting Heavy
- Super Niche Training Styles
Budget-Friendly Training Shoes
One of the best aspects about all of the budget-friendly training shoes above is that most of the models are marked down further than their original asking price. I’d highly suggest checking out multiple retail options and shop around for different colorways to find the best deals possible.
If you have any specific questions, hit me in the comments below or reach out via Instagram (@jake_boly)
