The Best Gym Shoes Of 2024: Styles For Training, Running And Lifting

Sizes: 7.5 to 15 (men), 5 to 12 (women) | Features: Wide fit, TPU Stability Wrap, secure lacing system | Colors: 14 options (men), 15 options (women)

Pros:

• A TPU Stability Wrap gives the shoe superior stability 
• The flexible forefoot allows for more agile movement
• An extended toe guard for excellent traction

Cons: 

• Full range of sizes limited to some colors

If your gym sessions blend a mix of workouts—a few rounds of cardio interspersed with weights, for example—you’ll need a shoe that’s adaptable and versatile to work as hard as you do.

I’ve chosen the TYR CXT-2 Trainer as the best overall gym shoe for this reason. It’s a solid pick for all types of workouts, designed with the full spectrum of armor for protection and to help improve your performance. From the laundry list of tech and specs, the shoe tackles stability with a TPU Stability Wrap on both sides and heels. It has High-Density Heel Foam for comfort and its trademarked rubber Tyrtac Outsole for high traction during movements. It also boasts an “ultra responsive” foam midsole for ample cushioning and protection.

At $150, they’re pricey, but this should translate to quality. “Gym shoes are an investment, as the right pair can improve performance and reduce injury risk,” says Manning Sumner, founder and CEO of Legacy and No Days Off. The right pair of gym shoes can also boost your confidence: “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you perform better,” Sumner adds. With this particular shoe available in many colors, you're sure to find one to match your personality.

Sizes: 6 to 15 (men), 5 to 12 (women) | Features: Forefoot flex grooves, foam midsole, outer rubber | Colors: 6 options (men), 5 options (women)

Pros:

• Made with a breathable upper mesh 
• A flat base is great for stability 
• Half sizes available

Cons: 

• Its “moderate” flexibility may not best serve dynamic movements 

If your workouts are more sporadic than set, you may want to save on splashing out without skimping on quality. “Poorly constructed shoes often lack the proper support and cushioning needed for beginners, leading to discomfort or even injury as your body adapts to new movements,” explains Valadares. When buying a shoe from a mega-brand like Nike, you can step out with a fair amount of certainty that it will perform well on the gym floor. 

The MC Trainer 3 is an all-rounder, meaning it suits many types of workouts. This is due to its thoughtful design combo—a flat base adds an element of stability during lifts, while forefoot and heel cushioning pads your feet from impact and rubber enhances your floor grip.   

One drawback, and as remarked by a handful of reviews, is its simplicity (in color choices, too). In other words, it’s a basic shoe that can fit the bill for a variety of low- to medium-intensity workouts, but probably won’t last in the long run due to weekly HIIT class poundings.

Sizes: 7 to 18 (men, availability depending on color), 5 to 11 (women) | Features:  Removable anatomical insole, breathable ripstop, outer rubber | Colors: 8 options (men), 8 options (women)

Pros:

• Lightweight for lightning movements
• A grippy rubber outsole provides stability 
• Breathable material

Cons: 

• Expensive

It’s no secret that HIIT classes are intense. It says it in the name. “High exertion” requires a shoe that not only performs across multiple fitness disciplines but don’t wear out fast. The Nobull Allday Ripstop is the ideal HIIT partner to meet the demands of this challenging workout.

The shoes are made from a perforated material that shouldn’t tear easily, and you don’t have to worry about them stinking up the place thanks to ample airflow. Coupled with lightweight (yet dense) cushioning for soft landings and solid outer rubber, you can burpee, box jump and lunge kick your way through a grueling HIIT session without worrying your footwear can’t keep up. Aside from these specs, the vibrant neon pink and blue options pack an extra punch.

An ongoing issue that I flagged from reviews was sizing, with some customers finding the shoe runs big and others small. You may want to order two sizes together as other reviews note shipping can be slow. 

Sizes: 7 to 15 (men), 5 to 11 (women) | Features: TPU heel stabilizer, EVA midsole | Colors: 6 options (men), 9 options (women)

Pros:

• The wide toe box gives a large support base (especially for lifting).
• TPU heel stabilizer for added stability 
• The dense heel gives a more stable lifting base

Cons: 

• The design may not be to everyone’s taste

CrossFit blends many disciplines like weightlifting, running and jumping, explains Valadares, and so your shoes need to keep up with a range of movements. The Born Primitive Savage 1 has a dual-density molded footbed, offering stability at the heel during heavy lifts. Plus, there’s a TPU heel stabilizer and TPU toe overlay for enhanced lateral stability.

These features are key in a Crossfit shoe: “Stability is key for lifting exercises, where you want a firm, flat base to distribute weight evenly across the foot and prevent excessive pronation,” Valadares says. Another aspect of a superior CrossFit shoe is flexibility. With dynamic movements part and parcel of this workout, the front thickness at the shoe’s front drops off so that while it cushions, you can move freely during running and jumping spurts. And, for weightlifting, a wider toe box should allow your toes to splay to improve balance. 

Sizes: 3.5 to 15 (men), 5 to 16.5 (women) | Features: Adjustable midfoot straps, sturdy base| Colors: 4 options

Pros:

• Secure straps lock down your feet
• Rigid midsole gives support during intense movements
• Rubber tread provides high traction

Cons: 

• Expensive 

There’s a lot more to weightlifting than hoisting heavy steel. This demanding sport also requires flexibility, cardio output and good balance. Before loading on the weights, consider upgrading to a shoe that delivers on all these fronts and more.

First off, a sturdy base is non-negotiable. This is where a powerful shoe like the Nike Romaleos 4 steps in. With an elevation of just over 19mm that allows for a better range of motion (particularly at the ankles) and a super stiff platform that doesn’t compress, these shoes will keep you steady during liftoff. The heel is wide, too, for a steadier base, while the rubber sole grips the floor for added confidence during explosive lifts.

Doubling down on stability, the two midfoot adjustable straps (which Velcro in both directions) lock you in place for added security. Although the $200 is on the higher side, these shoes are worth it if weightlifting gets your blood pumping.

Sizes: 6 to 15 (men), 5 to 12 (women) | Features: Energized cushioning, woven upper | Colors: 16 options (men), 14 (women)

Pros:

• FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning provides a bouncier run 
• Woven upper fabric allows feet to breathe
• Outside is “trampoline-inspired” for a spring in your step

Cons: 

• Not designed for over-pronated feet

For avid runners whose runway of choice is the treadmill, what gives a good shoe the edge is ample cushioning and shock absorption, according to Valadares. This helps reduce the impact on your joints, especially your knees and hips. Running also involves repetitive heel strikes, requiring a shoe with a heel-to-toe drop of between 8mm and 12mm to help shift some impact away from your Achilles tendon, he adds.

Asics, a brand synonymous with running shoes, channels design technology into every new model, and the Novablast 4 is no different. While the design is quirky, and the colors are equally eye-catching, there’s so much more to this shoe.

Featuring a heel drop of 8mm and energized cushioning with its FF Blast Plus Eco for soft landings, it already ticks the box. But there’s more: The energized outsole has a “trampoline-inspired” bounce as you strike, while the breathable woven upper and mesh tongue wing (which should negate rubbing) promote good airflow and comfort.

Something to note—the model is geared toward neural and under-pronated (supinated) feet. If you fall on the over-pronated end of the scale, these may not be a match. 

Sizes: 7 to 15 (men), 5.5 to 11 (women) | Features: Zero drop, sticky rubber outsole | Colors: 4 options (men), 3 options (women)

Pros:

• Zero drop for a “close-to-the-ground” feel
• Breathable upper mesh to keep sweat at bay 
• A 6mm Boomerang Footbed offers cushioning for impact protection

Cons: 

• Limited color options

Working out barefoot has its benefits, including improvement in balance and stability. However, not all gyms allow you to train sans shoes. If you crave the feeling of the ground beneath your feet, the Inov8 Bare-XF shoes may become your gym sidekick. Compared to traditional gym shoes which feature thicker soles, these shoes have a 0mm drop to mimic working out barefoot, yet with protective elements.

First off, the Boomerang Footbed provides 6mm of cushioning to safeguard joints against impact. There’s also 2.5mm sticky rubber outside for exemplary grip and traction, especially during dynamic or explosive movements. Rope climbers will love the built-in Rope-Tec technology for durability during climbs that protects against friction.

The breathable mesh upper should also let air circulate to ward off sweat. Plus, the toe box is wide and anatomically shaped to hug your foot without compromising space for your toes to splay. At 7.4 ounces, they’re lightweight, too, adding to that barely there sensation. If I had to pinpoint a drawback, there’s a limited range of colors. And while the minimalist design matches its theme, it may not spruce up your gym attire like more fashion-forward models.