I’ve tested gym shoes from Nobull, Nike Metcon, R.A.D., and Reebok Nano — here’s the cross training shoe I recommend most, and it's under $100 before Black Friday

Reebok Nano X5 shown on a bench with dumbbells in the background — (Image credit: Reebok)

Early Black Friday deals are already ramping up, and you can scoop up serious discounts during the actual sales... but why wait?

The best cross training shoes for gym workouts and running shoes are famously pricey, so sales events are a great time to cash in on discounts.

I'm a fitness editor at Tom's Guide, and I have tested everything from Nobull to Reebok Nano and R.A.D. to Nike Metcon. I can tell you now: the Rebook Nano X5 for $90 at Amazon is the pair you should get for versatility and overall cost.

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The Reebok Nano X5 cross training shoe made it into our line-up for being the best in the Nano series yet. It steers away from the more aggressive Nano X4 design and toward a shoe we’d choose for lifting and HIIT.

The Flexweave upper design is my favorite upgrade, making the shoe feel more flexible and pliable. It feels more natural to move and more responsive during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the foot, meaning your movement mechanics also benefit.

The CMEVA compression-molded foam provides just enough cushioning without losing the stability the Nano series is famed for. A polyurethane NanoShell helps prevent midsole abrasion and offers support for your feet.

I think Reebok has struck the balance between cushioning and stability, which is still really hard to do for cross training addicts. The outsole provides a stable platform with plenty of grip and a neutral feel — the 7mm drop has been retained, which is 1mm more than the R.A.D One shoe, which is a CrossFit favorite.

If you like functional lifting and some HIIT, you're going to love this shoe. It offers a middle ground for most people. However, it wouldn’t suit runs over 1 or 2km; the lack of arch and minimal heel lift means you're not going to want to risk it, either.

The sturdy design might have Olympic lifters rejoicing, but for anyone running a distance, I'd shop elsewhere.

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Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified trainer, a level 2 Reiki practitioner and fitness editor at Tom's Guide. She is also currently undertaking her Yoga For Athletes training course.

Sam has written for various fitness brands and websites over the years and has experience across brands at Future, such as Live Science, Fit&Well, Coach, and T3.

Having coached at fitness studios like F45 and Virgin Active and taken on both 1:1 and group, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, and kettlebells.

She also coaches mobility and flexibility classes several times a week.

Sam has completed two mixed doubles Hyrox competitions in London and the Netherlands and finished her first doubles attempt in 1:11.