LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer Review

The LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is the latest training shoe to debut from LANE EIGHT. The HIIT Trainer is designed for tackling a wide variety of workouts and is also intended to be a stylish shoe for daily wear as well.

After testing the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 and being less than impressed, I was excited to test the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer. I was most interested to see if LANE EIGHT updated the HIIT Trainer’s construction to fix a couple of the issues I had with the Trainer AD 1. 

Overall, I think the HIIT Trainer is the strongest LANE EIGHT training shoe. They’re a good shoe for versatile training and HIIT-style workouts and are built with sustainable materials. I do still have a couple of cons with this model which I’ll discuss below.

Who Should Invest In the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer?

The LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer will be best for anyone looking for a training shoe exclusively for HIIT workouts, class-style workouts, light lifting, and daily wear. In these contexts, it’s a strong “all-in-one” style of shoe.

The algae blood midsole gives this shoe a nice level of “pop” for things like box jumps and jump rope. The TPU midsole wrap and rubber outsole are also nice for additional stability and durability support.

I also like that this model is built with more sustainable materials. If you prioritize buying shoes that are more sustainable in nature, then the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer can be a good option to explore and look into.

The HIIT Trainer shoes are not the best for heavier lifting or CrossFit, but for versatile training, they do a pretty good job. They also have a fairly aesthetic appearance which could be important if you want shoes to wear out and about and to train in.

LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer Pros

Over the course of my testing and reviewing of the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer, I’ve found multiple things to like about this model.

1. Good Shoe for HIIT Training and Class-Style Workouts
2. Construction Updates Were Strategic and Well Done
3. Made With Sustainable and Environmentally Conscious Materials

The first thing to like about the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is that I think it delivers in the specific training contexts it’s designed for. For HIIT training, class-style workouts, and versatile training the HIIT Trainer does a pretty good job.

This algae bloom midsole in this shoe has a nice level of responsiveness and the ETPU insole provides an additional layer of cushion and comfort. While the insole definitely takes some getting used to (which I noted as a con in my Trainer AD 1 review), I’ve grown to enjoy it.

I also like the rubber outsole and the tread that it provides for these training contexts. On turf, rubber gym floors, and wooden floors, the HIIT Trainer grips well so I don’t think you’ll have slip issues in this model.

Another thing to like about the HIIT Trainer is that it features notable and positive construction updates compared to the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1. LANE EIGHT currently offers two different training shoes with the Trainer AD 1 being their first model to go live.

I had some issues with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1’s construction and how it impacted performance. For example, I thought the upper in the forefoot lacked security for lateral movement and the lacing system lacked midfoot security.

In the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer, there are updated lateral layers for foot security and the lacing system has been reworked slightly to give this model a more secure fit. There are still areas that could be improved on this shoe, but it’s cool seeing the innovation and improvement in key areas.

The final aspect to like about the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is that it’s made with sustainable materials. If you care about the materials that are used in your shoes, then this could be a big perk with this model for you.

The Tencel knit upper is made with eucalyptus-derived lyocell and cotton and every pair of HIIT Trainers returns 31.5 liters of water to the environment. There are also vegan microfiber overlays covering the toe box and lateral forefoot.

LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer Cons

In my opinion, the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is a stronger shoe than the Trainer AD 1, but I still have a couple of cons with this model.

1. Not a Great Training Shoe for Wide Feet
2. Price Point Is a Little High
3. Will Fall Short for Serious Lifting

The first drawback to the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is that they’re not going to be the strongest option for wide feet. The LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 runs fairly narrow and the HIIT Trainer has a very similar fit and last construction.

On that note, if you have wide feet, I’m not convinced that sizing up a half size would be worth it in this model. Since the length of this model fits true already, I think sizing up would actually give you too much length at the end of the toe which could impact jump performance.

The second drawback to the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is its price point. For $150 USD, I feel as though the price for these shoes is a little high and it can be hit or miss, especially for the performance that this model offers.

I like that this shoe is built with more sustainable materials, however, I wish their performance was a little stronger for that price. My personal price threshold sits around $130 USD and if I’m paying $150 or more, then I want a shoe that seriously delivers over other models.

For versatile training, the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is good and it has some nice dual-functionality, but it’s not a shoe worth breaking the bank for if the $150 USD price point gives you pause or overextends your budget.

The final drawback with the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is that its performance will have some limitations. More specifically, this is not going to be the best training shoe for heavy strength training and things like CrossFit.

The stack height is pretty high in this model which could impact performance in exercises like deadlifts. On the note of lifting performance, the higher heel-to-toe may also not align with everyone, especially those that like training heavier with flatter shoes. 

Performance

To discuss the performance of the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer, I’m going to break this section into a few key parts. I’m going to discuss how the HIIT Trainer performs for lifting, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.

By breaking this section into multiple performance parts, you can better contextualize if the HIIT Trainer is a good fit for your individual training wants and needs.

Testing the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer for Lifting

For lifting, the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is okay. It’s not going to be your best model for heavy weight training or tackling heavy squats, but they can hold their own for some light to moderate lifting.

The midsole doesn’t compress until you start to exceed about 365 lbs. For exercises like deadlifts and heavier barbell movements, I’m not the biggest fan of the HIIT Trainer’s stack height, but again, this model isn’t really intended to perform well for these contexts.

If you can understand this shoe’s limitations for lifting, then I think you will enjoy this shoe’s performance for the most part. I feel like they’ll excel best for more athletic-style lifting sessions and more recreational work.

For example, the HIIT Trainers walk a fine line between being stable “enough” but also responsive so I could see them being decent for some strength and power-focused days.

That being said, I think most recreational lifters who are using these shoes primarily for versatile training with some lifting on the side will get enough stability out of the HIIT Trainer. I do wish this model had a bit more ankle support.

Testing the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer for Versatile Training

For versatile training, I like the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer and I think they’ll be a good performer for most HIIT-focused individuals. The algae bloom midsole is responsive and the outsole provides a nice level of grip for multi-directional training.

Whether you’re training on turf, wood floors, rubber gym mats, or outdoors, I don’t think you’ll have an issue with this model’s tread. The TPU around the midsole is also nice for providing additional durability support with this shoe.

What I like most about the HIIT Trainer for versatile training is that the lacing system has been reworked and there’s an additional lateral overlay for support. These are both key changes that caused the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1’s performance to lack.

The midfoot security in this model is solid for things like jump rope, plyometrics, and lateral movement, and the Tencel upper also feels more supportive compared to the knit in the Trainer AD 1.

My only gripe about the HIIT Trainer is its overall fit and how snug it can feel. If you have to tighten this model a ton to prevent sliding around on the insole, then they can get pretty uncomfortable.

Testing the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer for Short Runs and Daily Wear

When it comes to running, the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer performs okay for a HIIT-focused training shoe. It’s comfortable and responsive for short casual and slow runs so I think if you want to use these for a couple of miles pre or post-workout, then you should be fine doing so.

For sprints and faster-paced runs, I think the HIIT Trainer’s performance could be better. When digging into the forefoot for sprints I noticed that the heel lacked some security. I was also sliding a little bit in the forefoot and had to really tighten this shoe to prevent this.

In the context of daily wear, I like the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer. This model took a minute to grow on me, but overall, they’ve been pretty comfortable and breathable, and their appearance is pretty solid.

Plus, with their rubber outsole and TPU midsole wrap, I could see these being good daily-wear shoes that are pretty durable for different environments. I don’t think you’ll run into durability issues with this model’s sole construction if you’re wearing them on a daily basis.

LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer Sizing

For the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer, most athletes and lifters should be safe going true to size in this model. This shoe’s length fits true and they have a neutral width that airs slightly on the side of being a touch more narrow.

This model fits very similar to the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 and I think they’ll align best with those that have narrow and neutral foot widths. If you have wider feet, then you may want to explore other models because sizing up could make these too long.

• LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer Sizing Thoughts: True to size.

If you have additional questions on the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer’s sizing and fit, drop a comment below, and I can you help out accordingly. Also, let me know what you currently wear as that will help with sizing recommendations.

Price Breakdown

For the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer, you can expect to pay $150 USD. Compared to other HIIT-focused training shoes, this price point is a little on the higher end.

I think if you have the means, enjoy the appearance, and like that the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is made with more sustainable materials, then the price point could be worth it.

At the end of the day, these shoes should last you a while and they do a fairly good job for HIIT workouts and in versatile training settings. If you like higher drops and slightly narrower shoes, then these will also align well with you.

Conversely, I do think you can find training shoes that have comparable if not stronger performances for less, so if the $150 USD price point is making you pause, then I’d suggest shopping around for models with prices that work better for you. In my opinion, the HIIT Trainer is not worth breaking the bank for.

Construction Details

There are a lot of cool details that go into the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer’s construction. Below are some of the most notable construction details that influence this shoe’s performance and durability.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10mm (LANE EIGHT doesn’t list the drop for this model, but they feel similar to the Trainer AD 1 which has a 10mm offset)
• Weight: 14.15 oz (for my size 10)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Tencel Knit Upper
• Algae Bloom Midsole
• Vegan Microfiber Overlays
• ETPU Sockliner
• TPU Sidewalls Cover Midsole
• Rubber Outsole With Lug Tread
• Five Core Eyelets

Takeaway Thoughts

It feels like the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer is the Trainer AD 1’s older sibling. This model has multiple construction updates that I wished the Trainer AD 1 would have had which gives this shoe a better performance across the board.

Overall, I like the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer’s performance for class-style workouts and HIIT exercises. I also like that this model is built with sustainable materials and that LANE EIGHT is trying to create more environmentally-conscious shoes.

I do think the price point is pretty high for this shoe and you can definitely find models that cost less that perform similarly to the HIIT Trainer.

If you have additional questions about the LANE EIGHT HIIT Trainer, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend)!