5 Best Shoes For Plyometric Workouts [Review 2024]

Step into the world of ultimate performance with our guide to the best shoes for plyometric workouts.

Perfect for high-intensity exercises such as box jumps, burpees, and jump squats, the right footwear can drastically enhance your workout efficiency while offering unmatched comfort and support.

Whether you are a seasoned athlete or a fitness enthusiast, our curated selection caters to all, promising superior grip, optimal shock absorption, and ample mobility.

Discover shoes that are not just designed to endure rigorous routines, but also to boost your plyometric training results.

Here Is The List Of Top Shoes For Plyometric Workouts And Cross Training

• Inov-8 F-Lite 235 Plyometrics Workout Training Shoes

• ASICS Men’s Conviction Cross-Training Shoes

• New Balance 20v7 Minimus Plyometric Workouts Training Shoes

• Mizuno Men’s Tc-11 Cross Trainer

• Reebok Men’s Nano X1 Cross Trainer

Why The Right Plyometrics Workout Shoes Are Important?

The right plyometrics workout shoes are important because they provide the necessary support, stability, and cushioning to enhance performance and prevent injuries during high-impact exercises.

These specialized shoes are designed with features like responsive midsoles, shock absorption, and traction to help athletes jump, land, and change direction effectively.

They also offer proper ankle support and help maintain proper body alignment, reducing the risk of strains, sprains, and other common foot injuries.

Choosing the right plyometrics workout shoes can significantly improve overall performance and protect the body, allowing athletes to train with confidence and reach their maximum potential.

1. Inov-8 F-Lite 235 Plyometrics Workout Training Shoes

Inov-8 F-Lite 235 shoes are built with comfort in mind, so you can rest assured knowing your feet won’t cramp up during your workout.

They are also designed for a wide variety of fitness movements, making them ideal for athletes who participate in plyometrics workouts. 

Constructed with lightweight and breathable materials, these shoes offer superior support and protection from various elements.

These products offer an innovative design that will never go out of style—so if aesthetics is what you’re looking for, it doesn’t get much better than Inov-8 products.

These shoes are highly versatile, as they can be used for indoor and outdoor activities, including cross-training and running.

If you’re an athlete who participates in sports that require a lot of jumping and movement, such as basketball or football, these shoes will work perfectly with your workout routine.

If you’re a beginner, these shoes are an excellent choice for any plyometrics training workout because they offer great support and traction.

They also don’t require breaking in, so you can just buy them and start working out right away.

As part of their technology, Inov-8 includes a patented Rope Guard design on their shoes.

This helps prevent damage to your shoes from ropes or cords you might use during a workout.

It also offers additional traction and protection that can’t be found in other products.

2. ASICS Men’s Conviction Cross-Training Shoes

From a trusted brand, ASICS Men’s Conviction Cross Training Shoes delivers outstanding fit and comfort with a new upper design and improved fit.

It features an integrated Lace Garage to keep laces tucked away and out of sight, a perforated sock liner, and seamless upper construction, which provides great ventilation while walking or running.

Other features include a New upper design that helps provide great fit through the toe box area, increased breathability & improved fit; the Rearfoot GEL Cushioning System absorbs shock during the impact phase and allows for a smooth transition to midstance; Blown rubber forefoot and heel Clutching SystemTM works together to provide excellent cushioning & stability.

These shoes are all about functionality, especially when it comes to running and jumping, making them a great choice for plyometrics.

The ASICS Men’s Conviction Cross Training Shoes deliver all-day comfort with a lightweight upper that provides a natural fit with your foot.

Rubber forefoot and heel Clutching SystemTM provide cushioning and support while on your feet.

Also available in the Women’s version.

3. New Balance 20v7 Minimus Plyometric Workouts Training Shoes

The Best Shoes for Plyometric Workouts – New Balance is one of those brands that has set a high standard for athletic wear and performance shoes.

The 20v7 Minimus is one shoe that people who do a lot of jumping or sprinting absolutely love.

It’s very lightweight, flexible, and stable; it offers enough cushioning but doesn’t cause any additional weight on your body.

If you’re an athlete or someone who wants to get more into their fitness routine, these are great for jogging, running, or plyometric workouts.

The heel of your foot is one of the most important parts to focus on because it helps you when making turns and changing directions.

Not only that but when jogging or running long distances, it also helps absorb shock so that you won’t feel as much pain in your legs afterward. 

The Asym collar with molded foam is comfortable and allows for a more natural heel fit by molding to your ankle and calf muscles. 

The REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning, so you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for performance.

New Balance made sure there wasn’t any overlapping when they designed these shoes so that you have additional space and there isn’t any rubbing while running or exercising vigorously.

4. Mizuno Men’s Tc-11 Cross Trainer

If you’re looking for maximum comfort, look no further than Mizuno.

The comfortable Tc-11 men’s cross trainer features C.O.B.

technology in each shoe to reduce shock and stress on your knees while providing a customizable fit that supports natural movements during exercise.

It features breathable mesh upper and tonal laces for optimal ventilation and flexibility on the go.

The men’s Tc-11 cross trainer features a knitted upper that conforms to your foot for an extremely personalized, customized fit.

The breathable mesh is ideal for when you need to move fast or focus on weight training and plyometrics in addition to speed workouts.

C.O.B.

The TC-11 features a booty construction, with a foam insole that molds to your foot for support, while an air mesh lining wicks away moisture to keep you dry and comfortable.

A variety of tread patterns provide a strong grip, whether you’re sprinting on tarmac or dirt, which is ideal for when you need to focus on lateral movements during speed workouts.

A soft PU midsole provides cushioning and shock absorption, while a flexible rubber outsole provides exceptional traction and grip.

The TC-11 cross trainer is available in an array of color options, ranging from white to black and many shades in between.

With multiple sizes available as well, you can rest assured that you’ll find one that fits your unique foot shape perfectly.

This athletic shoe is ideal for plyometrics workouts and a range of different sports, including basketball, football, and rugby.

5. Reebok Men’s Nano X1 Cross Trainer

If you’re working out with high intensity, these Reebok cross trainers are an excellent choice.

They’re extremely versatile shoes, offering stability and grip during intense workouts.

The soles provide enough flexibility to easily transition from box jumps to squatting, running, and jumping—which is just what you need in a shoe if you’re working out with plyometrics.

You’ll also appreciate how soft and durable these shoes are.

The Reebok Nano X1 Cross Trainer comes with a synthetic upper, which makes it perfect for working out indoors on rubberized floors.

Plus, these shoes feature Flexweave technology, which is an innovative system that fuses a thin layer of synthetic material to enhance flexibility and durability.

The unique design of these cross trainers provides excellent stability and support.

You’ll appreciate that they include a lightweight, yet strong shank plate in each shoe to help stabilize your foot and provide a smooth gait.

The heel portion is also highly flexible to further ensure proper running and jumping form.

The Reebok Nano X1 Cross Trainer is also built for speed.

These shoes are incredibly lightweight and feature an extended forefoot and a flexible midsole, which allows you to transition smoothly from one move to another while providing outstanding energy returns.

Plus, you’ll appreciate how quickly these shoes dry if they get wet during your workout.

Plyometrics Workouts Training Shoes – FAQs

Can I Use Running Shoes For Plyometrics?

A common myth is that running shoes are sufficient for all your plyometric workouts.

While they do provide cushioning and protection, they aren’t best suited for these kinds of activities. 

Instead, look for a shoe specifically designed for explosive movements to protect against ankle injuries and help you build strength faster.

And keep in mind that just because a pair looks cool doesn’t mean it’s good for you—make sure it has high-quality rubber on the sole so that it won’t wear out quickly.

Should You Do Plyometrics With Shoes?

While there’s a lot of debate on whether or not you should do plyometrics barefoot, it doesn’t have to be one or the other.

One thing everyone can agree on is that running barefoot is always better for your knees than running in shoes, so once you have an aerobic base and are doing high-intensity workouts like plyometrics, going shoeless might be a good idea if it works with your workout regimen.

 The first thing to understand about your shoes for plyometrics is what type of workout you’re going to be doing.

If you’re just doing power jumps, you can use any shoe as long as it has a flat bottom with good traction.

But if you want to do more advanced exercises like high box jumps or plyometrics push-ups, those will require a higher level of support.

Can You Do Bodyweight Exercises Without Shoes? 

As a rule of thumb, you can do any exercise without shoes.

But in some cases, you might want to avoid it.

Here’s what to consider when deciding whether or not you should wear shoes when exercising.

If your workout involves training for speed or explosiveness—which is true for plyometrics and other sports-specific training programs—it’s best to wear shoes with a firm soles that have ample traction on different surfaces.

 The risk is that you’ll slip and fall during your exercises, which can injure your muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

This isn’t an issue with bodyweight exercises, because most moves don’t require any equipment and therefore won’t expose you to uneven surfaces.

So unless you plan on doing some sprints or playing sports at full intensity, it shouldn’t matter whether or not you wear shoes when working out.

Do Plyometric Training Shoes Work?

There’s no question that plyometrics are an effective way to build explosive power in your legs, but what you wear on your feet is going to make a difference, too.

It’s best to avoid regular running shoes when it comes to plyometrics; they just don’t offer enough support for all those jumps and bounds.

Try the above 5 styles instead.

Read: Is Plyometric an Anaerobic Exercise?

Conclusion

While there are many shoes on our list of best shoes for plyometric workouts.

We have reviewed some of the above and you should be able to find your perfect pair.

It is now up to you to select a pair that meets your needs and price range.

There is no point in buying expensive shoes if they do not meet your needs, so read reviews carefully before making any purchase or you might end up regretting them later.

However, I hope with these reviews, we will have made it easier for you to choose a shoe that meets all your expectations both physically and financially as well as offers maximum comfort when training.

Useful Links

• https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/plyometric-exercises
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/plyometrics