Top News

They have innovative side supports and non-slip outsoles.

It’s almost too easy to wear the wrong shoes to lift weights. After all, who wants the hassle of changing pairs between cardio and strength training workouts? Nonetheless, it’s necessary. When weightlifting, “you want a wide toe box, firm soles and no padding or cushion,” said Ashley Katzenback, PT, DPT, CMTPTowner of Cape Concierge Physical Therapy. That means walking and running shoes with stacked cushions are a no-go, and going barefoot can be just as bad without a stable, non-slip sole. Lately, I’ve been wearing the Flux Footwear Adapt Graphene XT to strength train. It checks Katzenback’s boxes and then some, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

Flux Footwear Adapt Graphene XT Cross Training Shoe

$150 at Amazon

This shoe is all about comfort and stability. As a person with 2E-wide feet, I appreciate that its wide toe box accommodates the actual shape of a foot. Even if you don’t have wide feet, you’ll love having room for your toes to splay during workouts. My heels are also narrower than average, but thanks to the shoe’s ergonomics and a second eyelet on the eyestay, it ties on securely and feels comfortably snug.

The zero-drop format of this workout shoe worried me at first. Zero-drop shoes place your toes and heels at the same height and can lack additional arch support. Thankfully, this shoe has a short but impactful bump at the arch, and it hasn’t wavered in terms of comfort. My oversupination-prone feet feel stable and don’t give way during calisthenic movements, such as quick lunges and box jumps. I believe the increased stability stems from the stable heel counter and the rigid counters Flux built into the arch and outside, or lateral side, of the foot—a genius implementation that gives feet leeway during weightlifting adjustments. For walking and running, I’ll stick to my more shock-absorbent Brooks Ghost Max 3. However, the Flux feels comfortable enough during a five- to 10-minute treadmill warm-up or cool-down for me to forget I’m wearing them.

I’ve found the outsole to be highly dependable and effective at preventing slipping. Most of it is standard rubber, but the forefoot and heel—“high-impact zones” according to the brand—are reinforced by graphene. At one atom thick, graphene is the thinnest known compound to exist and 200 times stronger than steel by weight. On the Adapt Graphene XTthe material keeps the foot stationary and extends the outsole’s lifespan in spots where it would usually wear down more quickly. I’ll continue to keep an eye on these spots over time, but they’re holding up exceptionally well after several weeks of testing.

I couldn’t be happier with the insole, which is lined with game-changing hexagonal nodes: a nod to the atomic shape of graphene. The little bumps are so comfortable that at the end of a workout, my feet feel like they’ve been massaged. Of course, if you have a specific foot condition or already found your forever orthotic insert, the insole is removable. I also like that the insole isn’t fully padded or stacked on cushions. When I asked Katzenback what to look for in good strength training shoes, she said, “You need to be able to feel the ground beneath you.” And despite the massage-like nodes, I still feel grounded under weight in this shoe.

Flux recommends buying the shoe a half size larger than your usual size. I followed that guidance, and the shoe fit perfectly. Unfortunately, Flux doesn’t currently offer different widths, which could pose an issue for anyone requiring ultra-wide or narrow shoes. On my feet, the upper fits just right and has breathable mesh leading all the way to the heel. Near the ankle, you can actually feel between the layers of mesh, where other shoe brands close the mesh off, stifling airflow.

With all that said, you should finally be ready to pull the plug on strength training in your running shoes or unsupportive sneakers. Make the switch to the Flux Footwear Adapt Graphene XT Cross-Training Shoeand don’t look back.

Shop More Workout Shoes at Amazon

Nike Men’s Football Soccer Shoe

$200 at Amazon

Altra Women’s Solstice XT 3 Cross-Training Shoe

$140 at Amazon

Reebok Nano X5 Sneaker

$140 $124 at Amazon

Adidas Dropset 4 Training Sneaker

$140 $110 at Amazon

At the time of publishing, the price was $150.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.