The Very Best Workout Shoes for Women

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Support:Thick upper construction and wide, flat heel|Cushion:Medium |Outsole:Maximum grip

The Metcons are our top recommendation because they feature a comfortable, wide toe box; a grippy, flat sole; and a firm heel plate, which provide a stable fit and feel for a variety of workouts, from trap-bar squats to box jumps. For the past few months, I’ve used my Metcon 10’s for various strength-training workouts, including weight lifting, pushing a weighted sled, and short sprints. Throughout these activities, I found the sneakers to be lightweight with enough flexibility for dynamic movements but also plenty of support for when I needed it during heavy lifts. The design features Nike’s strong Hyperliftplate plus the firmReactXfoam, which gives me a stable base. The grippy pattern on the outsole also offers plenty of traction on a variety of surfaces, including turf, a rubber gym floor, and cement.“When you’re weightlifting, you want a shoe that mimics a barefoot feeling,” explainsBarry’schief instructorKate Lemere, who’s been working out in the Metcon for over a decade. “A shoe with a flat and hard sole and wide toe box is going to be the best shoe for lifting. Nike remakes these shoes every year or two and I haven’t found a single version that I don’t love because they’re so flat.”

Lemere is one of many fitness experts who recommend theMetcons.Yoga teacher and authorShona Vertueprefers shoes that are “varied in flexibility and stability” to accommodate the diverse motions required by cross-training workouts. The Nike Metcons — which she calls her “go-to all-around shoe” for working out — fulfill both requirements, because “they’re flexible at the front of the foot, which allows for good movement through things like lunges or running,” while also having a “stiff heel, which creates stability in movements like heavy deadlifts and squats.” Melanie Miracolo, the former head of retail atyoga studio Y7, loves the Metcons because they have a “sleek design, incredible fit, perform great, and stabilize your foot when doing any cross-training workout.”Jen Romanelli, the co-founder of Trooper Fitness, agrees the Metcons create stability but says they also allow lateral movement, exactly what she needs for HIIT classes: “It’s a sturdy shoe, yet light enough to change directions and sprint.” (Vertue, Miracolo, and Romanelli initially recommended theMetcon AMP, which is just an exclusive color of the Metcon, so it offers the same stability and versatility in a slightly different design.)

Support: Wide toe box, high cushioned heel counter |Cushion: Heavy |Outsole: Medium grip

While we typically don’t recommend doing gym workouts inrunning shoes, Hoka’s Clifton is the exception to that rule. It’s long been a great all-around running-walking-workout shoe because it’s super-cushioned yet stable and just plain comfortable for most people (it’s also available inwide sizing). Though I often gravitate toward stability shoes because my feet tend to overpronate, Itested the new Clifton 11, which is considered a neutral shoe, both while working out and during long runs. The Clifton 11 features a softer open-cell sock liner than the Clifton 10 as well as a new mesh upper. It offers a purely plush ride with nice breathability, plus the same eight-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and compression-molded EVA foam platform.

Hoka also released the Hoka Clifton Pro, which is ideal if you’re a runner looking for a more responsive ride. But for those wanting a cushioned shoe that works for everyday fitness or movement, then the Clifton 11 is your best bet (although by sticking with theolder Clifton 10model, you can score a nice discount right now).

Support:Wide toe box, medium stability, reinforced mesh upper |Cushion:Medium |Outsole:High grip

This year, On released the Cloudpulse 2, which is an upgraded version of the gym and HIIT-training shoe we previously recommended here. These have an improved outsole for better traction across all the types of surfaces you might find at the gym, plus a new CloudTec midsole and refined Focusboard for even better balance. The extra heel padding and the new, wider toe box provide plenty of stability during forward and backward motions, such as bear crawls, and for moving laterally, as in a curtsy lunge. Just note: If you are lifting heavy or participating in CrossFit, you’ll want to opt for the more stable Nike Metcon 9.

Support:Low profile, flat sole, and high-top lacing |Cushion:Medium |Outsole:Medium grip

Chucks are a solid choice for weight lifting because of their flat, grippy sole that provides a stable base when you’re loading your bones and joints with heavy weight. Rellosa and I have both worn our Converses in the weight room (and have spotted many other gymgoers in their Chucks), and we also like how they can be worn with outfits outside of the gym. If you have wider feet, consider getting them inwide sizing, because the regular versions can run a little narrow. And if you’ve never worn Chuck Taylors before, make sure to order at least a half-size down — they run a little large.

Support:Plush tongue and heel counter |Cushion:Maximum |Outsole:Medium grip

For lighter workouts or everyday wear, you can’t go wrong with New Balance’s 990s. Strategist writerTembe Denton-Hurstrecommends the 990s for their “incredible support”at the gym. “I wear a gray pair, which goes nicely with everything and transitions easily from the treadmill to the squat rack. I like that it comes in a bunch of different widths (from X-Narrow to XX-Wide). I have a wide foot, and the wide width fits me like a glove,” she writes. Denton-Hurst also picked the 990s as one of themost comfortable shoes to wear all day.“They make everything more pleasant and are the one shoe I absolutely have to have with me no matter where I go.” Rellosa likes these as well and says they’re one of his favorite pairs of casual shoes because they go with pretty much any outfit but are also great for light gym sessions.

Support:Low profile |Cushion:Medium |Outsole:Medium grip

The Fe Lo sneakers, which also appear in our roundup of thebest men’s workout shoes, have the features of a solid gym shoe, whether you’re weight lifting or doing light cardio: a flat, cushioned sole and a supportive canvas upper construction. Rellosa says he has been alternating daily between two pairs of Fe Lo 1920s for the past two years: “I wear them mainly for walking around the city but also for weight lifting,” he says. “The primary areas of wear are in the heel counter, which is thin and has frayed but hasn’t caused any irritation against my heel.”

Strategist U.K. contributor Anna Fielding spotted these sleek and (very) affordable sneakers fromFeiyueand decided to do some digging. “The trainers originated in 1920s Shanghai, where they were adopted bymartial arts practitioners,” she writes. “These days parkour enthusiasts use them too, as do Chinese schoolchildren duringPE lessonsand Shaolin monks. They are lightweight plimsolls, with a canvas body and acushioned sole. They have bounce. They have grip. And unlike other plimsolls, they’re actually supportive.”

Support:Low profile |Cushion:Medium |Outsole:Medium grip

We’ve spotted these simple, flat-soled shoes around various gyms and workout classes in New York. Fitness director and personal trainerBari Liebermanloves the “versatile and durable” NOBULL shoes, she initially introduced us to when we investigated the nextstatus gym sneakers for women. The NOBULL shoes have a flatter sole, Lieberman explains, which allows you to stay more “grounded and stable during heavy lifts.” Well+Good senior beauty editor Zoë Weiner agrees: “I fell in love with these shoes before I actually put them on because of how sleek and minimalist they looked, so I was very happy to discover that they are also the most comfortable shoes my foot has ever become acquainted with.” She adds that they have great traction and support during workouts: “It feels like I’m standing on a cloud.”

Support: Water-resistant mesh upper construction |Cushion: Maximum |Outsole: Maximum grip

There’s nothing worse than training in wet shoes and socks, but sometimes, rain or shine, you just need to get your workout done. This waterproof version of the new Cloud 6 features a wider opening and a waterproof membrane, including a tighter-structured mesh to prevent moisture from seeping in. The outsole also features connected rubber pods for improved traction and grip. Formica from Barry’s recommends these sneakers for training in wet weather, saying that they “do a very good job on slushy days,” particularly in wet urban environments like the streets of New York City, where she runs. “I have bad circulation, so to have my feet not wet when it’s slushy on the ground has made such a difference.”

Thanks to On’s speed-lacing system (basically elasticated laces), the waterproof Cloud 6 is easy to put on and take off — an invaluable feature if you’re always on the go. The shoes require only a single tug (with either lace) to get them secured, so they’re very easy to slip on when you’re running out the door. They’re also made with On’s “Cloud” technology — the bubblelike cushions on the sole — which Strategist managing editorKelsie Schraderdescribes as having “plenty of cushion and a nice bounce” and is what makes them one ofour favorite walking shoes.

Support:Low profile |Cushion:Medium |Grip:Maximum grip

Tennis shoesmake great workout sneakers because the sport requires lots of lateral movement and quick bursts of speed. Plus, sliding around on a court calls for durability under your feet. The Gel-Resolution 9s are my go-to tennis shoes because they have a flat sole that offers excellent stability — and that makes them ideal for gym exercises like side-to-side lunges, box jumps, and burpees. “While they might feel a little heavy during the first wear, they start to open up and feel much lighter the more you move in them,” Rellosa notes. They’re also our recommendation for the best overallwomen’s tennis shoe. Claire Ann Pollard, head coach of Northwestern University’s women’s tennis team, calls the Asics Gel Resolution her favorite, and Karen Moriarty, co-owner of theTennis Professionals — Sportechin Rye Brook, New York, says they are consistently a top pick for her customers.

Support:Narrower fit with velcro strap |Cushion:Medium |Outsole:Medium grip, SPD-compatible

The best part about spin shoes with integrated clips is their versatility: You don’t have to bring a separate pair of shoes to class. “Despite the fact that I spin multiple times a week, investing in spin shoes always felt like a huge waste of money, because you can’t actually wear them on the street,” says Weiner from Well+Good. She loves these Tiem sneakers because you can “hop straight from the street onto the spin bike without having to change your shoes.” If you prefer your workout sneakers to pop, the shoes also come in nine other colors, including bright pink, red, and blue.

Support:Foam sole to help prevent over-pronation |Cushion:Maximum |Outsole:Maximum grip

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, consider working out in a stability shoe with a firmer sole that locks your heel in place and prevents the bottom of your foot from straining, such as the Arahi. I’ve worn several versions of the Hoka Arahi for the past six years — ever since I experienced painful plantar fasciitis in one foot that caused me to sit out for weeks of my junior-year cross-country season in college. These shoes have enough room in the toe box to allow my mid-foot to flex properly, which prevents myfasciafrom overstretching.Compared to the Arahi 7, which had a J-shaped piece of foam on the inner side of the shoe, the new Arahi 8 features Hoka’s H-frame technology, which essentially means there’s a rear-to-mid-foot foam frame that cradles the foot on both the lateral and medial sides. This should give your foot more all-around stability. Another feature I love is the two millimeters of foam the brand has added to the midsole, giving the Arahi 8 some much-needed extra cushioning. They’re also surprisingly lightweight for stability shoes, so I often wear them to the gym, even if I’m not doing a workout that involves running.

Support:High, cushioned heel counter |Cushion:Medium |Outsole:Medium grip

As mentioned above, you shouldn’t use your running shoes for workouts that require a lot of lateral movement. However, if you’re looking for a basic gym trainer with running in mind, consider the Pegasus. Its classic design — including a mesh upper, a wider forefoot fit, a soft-foam midsole, and a grippy waffle tread — has made it a go-to pick for a wide range of abilities, from beginners to seasoned athletes. The Pegasus appears in our guide to thebest running shoes, where we recommend it if you just want an easy option that won’t make you think too much about your running shoes.

Support:Low profile, flat sole |Cushion:Light |Outsole:Maximum grip

We had a readeraskif there were any workout shoes that wouldn’t take up much space in their luggage.Rellosa recommended the slim Primus Lite from Vivobarefoot, which features a thin sole (only two millimeters thick), and they can even berolled up into a ball. “If you’re going to be doing quick workouts or using machines in the hotel gym, these are a great option for travel,” he says. However, if you prefer more cushioning, these might feel a bit too thin, especially if you’re not accustomed to shoes with a barefoot feel; they have almost the opposite sensation of a Hoka shoe.

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