The LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is a training shoe designed for tackling cross-training sessions, HIIT workouts, and recreational lifting. This model features responsibly-sourced materials and offers a relatively simplistic appearance.
After seeing multiple ads for the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 on social media, I decided to invest in a pair and put them to the test. With their unique construction, I was excited to see how this shoe performs in different training settings.
For narrow foot widths, I could see the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 being a fairly solid training shoe for casual training. However, this model does have a few notable cons you should know which I’ll discuss below.
In this LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 review, I’m going to cover a variety of topics to help you decide if this shoe is a good investment for you.
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Who Should Invest In the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1?
The LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is an interesting training shoe that I think will resonate with a very particular type of gym-goer. I think if you want a trainer with a narrow width for casual training and daily wear, then the Trainer AD 1 could be worth exploring.
This model features a fairly narrow last construction with a snug and form-fitting bootie-style upper construction. I could see this being a perk for those who often feel like they’re swimming in their training shoes due to them being too wide.
For narrow foot widths, the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 will be best for those that want this shoe for casual cross-training, HIIT workouts, classes, light lifting, and daily wear.
If you have wider feet or need a training shoe for serious cross-training, then I’d say pass on the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1. For their price point, there are comparable models that outperform this shoe.
LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1
$130
Best For
- Light to Moderately Heavy Weight Training
- Casual Cross-Training Workouts
- HIIT Workouts
- Class-Style Workouts
Falls Short
- For Serious Training
- For Runs Over 2-Miles
- For Wide Feet
LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 Pros
Throughout my testing and reviewing of the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, I’ve found a few pros to appreciate with this shoe.
- Good Trainer for Narrow Width Feet
- Unique Appearance and Okay for Casual Cross-Training
- Constructed With Responsibly-Sourced Materials
The first pro with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is that I think it can be a good training shoe for those with narrow feet. More specifically, I think if you constantly feel like the trainers you invest in are too wide, then the Trainer AD 1 can be a viable option to explore.
This model’s last construction runs narrow throughout and the upper in this model has a relatively low volume. The blend of the narrow last and lower upper volume give this shoe a snug and form-fitting fit and feel.
Another perk of the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is their appearance is pretty unique and they’re okay for more casual cross-training, HIIT workouts, and classes.
The knit upper and microfiber overlays give this shoe a simplistic and clean appearance which can be good for daily wear.
I think if you like training shoes that have bootie-style constructions and you like knit uppers, then this model will resonate pretty well with your training shoe preferences. For daily wear, this shoe is fairly comfortable especially if you fall into the narrow width pro above.
Regarding performance, this model works pretty well for casual cross-training and working out. The star players of this shoe’s performance are the algae-based BLOOM foam midsole with its supportive TPU wrap and the rubber outsole.
The blend of these two construction details gives this shoe a nice level of “bounce and pop” when doing things like box jumps and jump rope and they provide a nice level of stability for light to moderate lifting. The outsole also has a good level of tread.
The last pro with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is that they utilize responsibly-sourced materials. The upper knit is constructed with recycled polyester yarn and the midsole is built with an algae-based BLOOM foam midsole.
I like that LANE EIGHT is taking some initiative to use better materials to create the Trainer AD 1 and it will be cool to see if they continue to build out more models with materials that are better for the environment.
LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 Cons
The LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 may work well for some athletes, however, there are a few notable cons with this shoe that are worth noting before investing.
- Not Great for Serious Training
- ETPU Insole Can Be Very Hit Or Miss
- Not Great for Wider-Footed Athletes
The first knock that I have with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is that it’s not the best shoe for serious training. At a price point of $130 USD, I find its performance to be fairly sub-par and I have trouble finding its true market fit.
For example, if you want a training shoe for serious lifting, then there are better training shoes on the market and there are multiple models that cost less that outperform the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 in a variety of contexts.
More specifically, there are two reasons why I think this shoe’s performance falls short with serious training. The first reason is that the upper lacks support when getting more explosive with your movement.
I noticed foot overhang when doing lateral explosive work and when sprinting my foot kept sliding to the end of the toe box. I believe this is due to the lack of support around the base of the forefoot in this shoe’s knit upper.
The second reason why this model is sub-par for serious training, in my opinion, is that the outsole and midsole almost feel like they lag behind the foot when doing different exercises. This is related to the upper construction and they go hand-in-hand.
If the upper was tweaked and provided a better “locked-down” feeling, then I think this model would have a lot more going for it. The midsole and outsole do a good job with stability and versatility, but their connection with the upper limits their potential.
The second con that I could see others having with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is the insole construction. This model features an ETPU insole that is composed of a foam pellet structure and this is apparent when wearing this model.
Honestly, it might grow on some and others may learn to like it, but it was a turnoff for me. The bumpy texture was a little offputting for training and for daily wear I wasn’t the biggest fan of this feature.
The third con with the Trainer AD 1 is that they’re not going to be a training shoe for those with neutral width and wide feet. I think many with these foot anatomies will feel limited with this shoe’s performance due to the toe box lacking width for toe splay.
Even if you size up a half size, I’m not convinced that will give you enough width if you have a wide foot or desire more toe box room when training and wearing the Trainer AD 1.
Performance
To break down the performance of the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, I’m going to discuss a variety of training contexts and talk about where the Trainer AD 1 excels and falls short in all of them.
This way, you can better contextualize if the Trainer AD 1 is a good training shoe to invest in for your specific wants, needs, and preferences in the gym.
Testing the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 for Lifting
For lifting, I think the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 will work best in settings where you plan to keep your loading relatively light to moderate. This training shoe would not be my first pick for heavy deadlifts or big squats, but for recreational lifting it’s okay.
As for stability, the Trainer AD 1 was pretty solid up until about 365 lbs. At that weight, I started to notice that this performance started to drop off slightly. This is also why I like this shoe for contexts where lifting is only a small piece of your weekly training.
This model also features a 10mm heel-to-toe drop which is pretty high compared to other cross-training shoes. This is neither a bad nor good thing regarding lifting performance, but it will resonate with lifters differently. If you like higher drops, for example, then you’ll enjoy this.
Testing the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 for Versatile Training
For versatile training, I have a love-hate relationship with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1. What I mean by that is that I like some components of this shoe for this training context, but dislike other components.
If you’re doing more classes or more casual HIIT training that involves exercises like box jumps, jump rope, and kettlebell work, then the Trainer AD 1 performs pretty well. More specifically, I like the midsole’s level of responsiveness for vertically-focused plyometrics.
The outsole also does a good job of gripping different surfaces. Whether you’re training on wooden floors, rubber gym floors, or on turf, traction should never be an issue with this shoe when training.
My dislikes for the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 revolve around its upper construction and how it interacts with the foot, midsole, and outsole when training. The upper security in this shoe just isn’t there and if you’re cutting into the ground, then I think you’ll notice this.
For example, when doing explosive skater hops and broad jumps, I was noticing my foot sliding due to the knit lacking adequate support to lock my foot down. This is problematic for multi-directional activities and more explosive workout settings.
I think if LANE EIGHT reworked some of this shoe’s upper components, then it would be a much stronger performer in this context. This midsole and outsole are good, but the lack of security seriously bothered me when testing this shoe.
Testing the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 for Running and Daily Wear
For running, the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is okay for shorter mileage. If you plan to run a mile or two before or after your workout, then you should be fine and well-suited to do in this model.
Must Read: Best Training Shoes for Running and Lifting | My Favorite Hybrid Picks
Outside of more casual shorter mileage runs, this shoe’s running performance is not the best. This shoe can get pretty uncomfortable for longer runs and for sprints I’m not the biggest fan of the upper construction’s security.
On a daily wear basis, I like this shoe, especially for those with narrow foot widths. The upper in this model is relatively simple and these shoes have a nice casual look and vibe to them.
My only gripes about this model for daily wear include how fast the microfiber overlays get dirty and that it’s going to feel pretty tight for wider feet. If I could go back I would have opted for a darker colorway because my shoe’s toe box was showing signs of dirt after just a few wears.
LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 Sizing
When chatting on the sizing of the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, I think if you have a narrow foot width, then you should be safe going true to size in this model. Neutral width feet that air closer to narrow should also be safe going true to size.
That being said, on their site LANE EIGHT recommends sizing up a half size if you want a less snug fit, but even then, I’m not convinced this shoe will work for wide feet.
If you want to hedge your bets regarding having adequate toe box space with your training shoes, then I’d suggest passing on the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1.
- LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 Sizing Thoughts: Narrow feet, go true to size. Neutral and wider feet, pass on this model.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, drop a comment below and I can you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, you can expect to pay $130 USD. Personally, I find this price point to be fairly high for how this shoe performs, especially when compared to other models.
The price point might make sense if you have narrow feet and love the look of this model, but regarding performance-focused individuals, I don’t think the price makes sense for this shoe — at least until they’re updated.
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Construction Details
Below, I’m going to discuss some of the key construction details that come along with the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 and influence its overall performance and durability.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10mm
- Weight: 13.45 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Algae-Based BLOOM Foam Midsole
- TPU Overlays
- Rubber Outsole With Lugs
- Recycled Knit Upper
- Microfiber Overlays
- Bootie-Style Construction
If you have additional construction questions about the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Can you run in LANE EIGHT shoes?
Q:Are the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 good for wide feet?
Q:Can you lift weights in the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1?
Takeaway Thoughts
The LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1 is an interesting training shoe that delivers a good performance for casual cross-training and lifting. I think this model will work best for those with narrow feet that are much more recreational with their training.
I think the main knocks on this shoe are its width, how fast the microfiber upper can get dirty, and how its performance can lack with serious training.
If you have additional questions on the LANE EIGHT Trainer AD 1, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend)!
I buy and test the products featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training shoes and gear. I may earn commissions on sales made through the links on my site.
