What is the best athletic shoe for cross-training (weightlifting, plyometrics, etc)?

Brian David does have a point with his theory. The best way is to run barefoot. However, some people can't handle the five fingers. Also, you will get stares at the gym and not because you're lifting a sizable amount of weight. If you can't handle the feel of the five fingers or the stares, go for the Nike Free 5.0 V4. This will provide you the benefits of barefoot training and the comfort of wearing an actual shoe.

I just bought a pair a couple weeks ago and am loving it for my workouts.

just wanted to offer a word of caution to the Vibrams, Newton, and Nike Frees. While I agree wholeheartedly with Brian's comments about the foot and how we should be striving to strengthen and improve our foot, it is also important to understand these products are not for everyone. I am flat footed aka over pronate so for me stability and support is important otherwise I am sure to encounter ankle, knee, and back problems. If you are a neutral (don't over or under pronate)runner by all means check them out. At any rate wear a good closed toe shoe when lifting weights no benefit you can get from a barefoot type shoe like vibrams outweighs a broken toe from a dropped 45 pound plate.

I don't disagree entirely with Russ...FiveFingers aren't for everyone...but not wearing them due to the possibility of dropping a weight on your foot is silly.

The advantages gained by having a very firm connection to the ground, particularly when doing Oly lifts, squats, deadlifts, etc. far outweigh the slim possibility that you'll drop a weight on yourself. Just be careful.

Try doing clean and jerks or heavy deadlifts with a cushioned closed-toe shoe on. Then do 'em barefoot/FiveFingers. You'll feel the difference instantly.

Nike Air Force 1s. Seriously. Amazing ankle support.

For weightlifting(esp. squats and deadlifts) you want flat soles, unless you want to buy powerlifting shoes get chuck taylors

Nike Trainer 1

Best all around shoe I've ever put on my feet. You can feel your feet getting stronger with each exercise you do. Not only with leg lifts, but when I bench I feel an actual connection to the ground helping me to get more power and explode the weights up. During the football season I would use them and go out and run sprints or run the track in them and then come in and lift without having to change shoes.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've actually been looking into the KSOs for a little while now, so It's nice to get some feedback from people that are actually using them.

My wife works for a podiatrist so I asked him the same question and he did caution (as mentioned above) that the "less is more approach" is a great idea, but that it takes some serious time to "retrain" your feet, especially if you've been using stiff and overly supportive shoes.

Up to now, I've never had problems with my running shoes, in fact I've loved them (Asics Gel Kayano) but I have had a hard time finding a good cross trainer... looks like I might be making a switch to something new... plus I'm all about having one pair of shoes to run, hike, climb, lift, etc.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've actually been looking into the KSOs for a little while now, so It's nice to get some feedback from people that are actually using them.

My wife works for a podiatrist so I asked him the same question and he did caution (as mentioned above) that the "less is more approach" is a great idea, but that it takes some serious time to "retrain" your feet, especially if you've been using stiff and overly supportive shoes.

Up to now, I've never had problems with my running shoes, in fact I've loved them (Asics Gel Kayano: http://sportsmedinfo.net/reviews/index.php/shoes-cleats-fins/54-running-shoe-reviews/227-asics-gel-kayano-16-review) but I have had a hard time finding a good cross trainer... looks like I might be making a switch to something new... plus I'm all about having one pair of shoes to run, hike, climb, lift, etc.

I have two matters of contention with previous posts. I have Newton running shoes, and they are purpose-built to be exactly that, a running shoe. They are completely inappropriate for weightlifting, as they are only stable across the midfoot and are the furthest thing from a flat sole that you can get.
Russ, you are also mistaken, the beauty of Newtons is that someone (like me) with a flat foot does not experience further injury and loss of arch, because YOU ARE NOT HEEL STRIKING! Landing on the ball of your foot (mid-foot running) means that no level of arch is affecting your running.

I lift in lowtop basketball shoes (modern B ball shoes not chuck taylors).

As a owner/fan of Vibram Five Fingers I can recommend them for a range of activities, but they require lots of adapting. It's also recommended to try a few different sizes to find the best fit.

A good xtraining "shoe" would be the Phaser Infernos If you don't care about looks, and focus on durability and comfort then these shoes are a good choice.

I would be extremely cautious when running barefoot. I would limit yourself you strides on a soft surface, such as a grassy field. Before doing that I would walk to area about to be run on to ensure it is clear of any rocks/debris. Running barefoot is a good way to strengthen the muscles in your foot and improve your form, but only if done so properly. Running for extended periods of time barefoot if unaccustomed to it can do more harm than good.

I am going to 'third' Brian David's post, as I am a happy Vibram five Finger wearer. I think the 5-Fingers are a great all around training shoe. I completely disagree with Russ regarding open toe v. close toes shoes in the gym....if you drop a 45 lb iron plate, short of steel toes, it isn't going to matter what your wearing.

It took me a long time to adapt to anything resembling distance running in the 5 Fingers, sprinting however felt very natural.

For the Power lifts (backsquats and deadlifts) and when I'm doing the Olympic lifts I use Oly shoes, because of the geometry and the stability. Cushiony running shoes are absolutely awfully when your making a heavy deadlift, let alone trying to make a stable landing at the bottom of a full squat clean.

One other items about barefoot running, when I used to run in cushiony running shoes, after a few months my knees would start hurting and I knew it was time for new shoes. Five fingers, there is no cushion to wear out and your technique is very different.

Disclaimer, I'm not much of a runner anymore. I have a powerlifting total in the 1000lb range and an Oly total in the 175kg range.

I am a big fan of New Balance shoes. Very comfortable.