Skechers Shape-Ups had me at the Black Hydro XW (for Extended Wear, not extra-wide like I thought...). With knee and lower back issues AND bunions (on a size 5.5 foot), it's very difficult to find comfortable shoes that don't bind and pinch. Skechers Shape-ups did it for me! The day the Hydros were delivered, I put them on, went into the city and walked... for hours. No lower back pain, no knee pain, and NO foot fatigue, pain, pressure, or pinching! Criss-cross Z-straps with Velcro closure (albeit, you have to be into Velcro). They do give the glutes and hamstrings a workout too--secondary benefits to having a comfortable shoe I can stand or walk in for extended time.

Completely motivated, I purchased 2 more pair (Hyper Blast Mary Janes, in pewter/gray and toffee/brown.) Ahhhhh! More heavenly comfort! I was quickly becoming a Shape-Ups fanatic. First time in years that I'm not compelled to kick off my shoes the first chance I get. I pretty much live in them now.

So I thought it was a no-brainer to purchase the Shape-Up SRT Kinetix Response sneaker for athletic cross-training shoes. I wanted to like these so much! I was looking forward to longer, more productive workouts at the gym. Thanks to other astute reviewers, I purchased a half-size larger.

When I first put them on, they were different from the other Shape-Ups. Even at 1/2 size larger, they were still binding across the toe box (although they fit lengthwise). I walked around the house with them trying to break them in (which I didn't have to do for the other Shape-Ups). This style definitely improved the side-to-side stability while keeping the marshmallow-comfy sole. But after an afternoon, my bunions were red and swollen and my big toe was numb. Alas, not a comfy shoe for the gym after all, and I returned them.

If you do not have bunion issues or wide feet, I think these Shape-Ups are great cross-trainers for the gym. Their comfortable rocker sole will both prolong your workout and increase the intensity. The roll bridge and Advanced Stabilization insole provides great lateral stability and support.

I remain a staunch fan of Shape-Ups, and holding out hope for the SRT Kinetix in a wider width. But the quest for comfy, supportive cross-trainers continues. (Meanwhile, it's beach season... and I'm eyeing a pair of Shape-Ups X-Wear sandals...)