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I have been using workout shoes for as long as I can remember, and those shoes have evolved over the years from the pair of beat-up Nikes I wore in high school to the Asics and Converses I had for the weight room and gym throughout college and after. Nowadays, I have a rotating cast of different pairs because most workout shoes are built for specific activities, like running, weight lifting, basketball, tennis, or hiking, among others.
Finding a good do-it-all sneaker is a harder task than it seems. Though wearing your running shoes for all your workouts might not be the worst crime in the world, it should be avoided as much as possible, because the vast majority of running shoes are built specifically for forward movement, and their constructions don’t provide the stability needed for lateral movement that a basketball or tennis shoe would lend. (It’s the perfect recipe for a rolled ankle.)
In testing numerous pairs over the past decade, I have learned a good workout shoe meets a few key criteria: It is cushioned and grippy and gives extra support without just propelling you forward. Even though there are differences between the type of support you need depending on the activity you do most often, most of these sports share similar movements that require the same thing: a stable, comfortable base for a variety of forward and lateral movements. That’s why a lot of the shoes in this list are cross-trainers; they lend stability and are made to move, push, jump, and jog in.
Based on my personal testing (using them in gyms and in weight rooms) and the recommendations from the experts I spoke to for this article — including personal trainers, weight-lifting coaches, fitness writers, and product designers who have spent hours working out in gyms and fitness classes — these are the best all-around men’s workout shoes. I’ve noted where each of these shoes excels most: be it for jogging with a mix of HIIT, lots of heavy weight training, or hitting the trails for a sweaty uphill hike. And when it comes to style, don’t fret — a few of the pairs I featured below can double as the pair you lift in but also wear to a weekday-night bar hang with friends. (And if you’re looking for something to run in, check out my guide to the best running shoes.)
What we’re looking for
Support
A supportive build is crucial for running, moving side to side, and for any workout involving weights. I look for features like flat soles, secure, non-flimsy upper constructions around the forefoot, and reinforcements around the shoe’s tongue, the toe box, and your ankle — all of which will help to give you a stable base to push off from, and thus help prevent foot or leg injuries. (“Rule No. 1 in fitness is don’t get hurt and rule No. 2 is reread rule No. 1,” says trainer and entrepreneur Percell Dugger, who says the right shoes are critical to following these rules.)
Cushion
Shoes more geared toward weight lifting will have a flatter, denser midsole with less cushion, while some of the running-focused shoes on this list will have a thicker midsole with a plusher feel. Louis Coraggio, a health coach and the founder of Body Architect and TrampoLEAN, says good workout shoes should feel comfortable right away — they shouldn’t feel as if you have to break them in. At the end of the day, it comes down to what’s most comfortable for you, and I’ve included for each shoe on this list how much cushion you can expect by rating it from heavy to light.
Outsole
Good workout shoes will provide solid traction to keep you on your feet, whether you’re doing box jumps, lunges, or jogging on pavement. I’m looking for shoes with good “tires” that are suited to their activity: Some outsoles have balder rubber bottoms, built for flatter gym surfaces, while others in this list have deeper lugs that can handle surfaces like asphalt and dirt trails.
Best workout shoe overall
Support: Thick upper construction | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Maximum grip
I’ve been wearing the Metcons for gym workouts for the past four years, and besides some light tread wear on the soles, they’ve held up to all types of workouts, including weight lifting, rowing, HIIT sessions, and treadmill warm-up runs. The Metcon’s stable sole and accommodating fit make it my top recommendation for any sweat session — minus training for a marathon.
While some folks opt to wear running shoes for lifting and cardio, most fitness pros I spoke to say it’s worth investing in a pair of shoes better suited for all-purpose workouts — like Nike’s Metcon. Sean Sewell, a personal trainer who runs the gear-review site Engearment, says that while running shoes have “a bit of a lift in the heel that helps for comfort when running,” that can make it hard to achieve “proper alignment” in other kinds of workouts. Todd Brandon-Morris, the founder of inclusive fitness brand Out-Fit, says the Metcon should be “the standard for any versatile athlete” because they’re “firm enough for heavy weight lifting” but also great for jumping and running. Sewell tells us they’re also very popular in the CrossFit community: “They are lightly cushioned and have little to no heel lift, making them good for proper biomechanics when performing deadlifts, squats, swings, and snatches,” he says, adding that they have “good tactile feedback too.”
“For general gym-training purposes, I’ve been wearing Nike Metcons for years,” says Dr. Clinton Lee, a Brooklyn-based certified strength and conditioning specialist. “They’re lightweight, and many models have a relatively flat sole (which I prefer for lower-body training), and they look good. There are options to get previous editions from outlet stores for inexpensive prices, and Nike always has new iterations popping up in case you want something more recent.”
Best (less expensive) overall workout shoe
Support: Wide, stretchy toe box with laced, socklike tongue | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip
The Nike Free was my main workout shoe for about five years, and I’ve used various versions of it since the Nike Free Flyknit was released in 2013. The Nike Free Run 5.0 is similar to its predecessors: It has a stretchy fabric upper, a relatively low profile, and a medium amount of cushion. If you want an easy shoe to wear to the gym for all types of sports and the occasional run — at an affordable price — I highly recommend the Free Run 5.0. (Plus, I always spot it on sale for well under $100.)
Chris Chung, a New York–based running-and-fitness-content creator, says lifting in the Nike Frees feels “almost like wearing a sock.” Chung uses an older model of the Nike Free — the Flyknit 3.0 — but the knit upper of the latest version, the 5.0, offers the same flexibility and socklike feel. “I like to have more freedom in my feet when I’m lifting,” says Chung, who prefers a more flexible sole that allows him to feel the ground. “It feels more natural to me.”
Best workout shoe for weight lifting
Support: Wide toe box and lacing reinforcement| Cushion: Light | Outsole: Medium grip
Altra shoes are known for two main features: a generously wide toe box that allows you splay out your feet, and a zero-drop heel, which means your heel and toe are level within the shoe. Many customers love the brand for this one-two punch of comfort, especially for hiking and outdoor pursuits. But it turns out that this design is perfect for the weight room, too. I’ve been testing the Solstice for a full year now (I even reviewed it previously as an editor at Outside), and its wide and flat base gives me — and my legs — confidence during heavy lifts. It also has a rubbery reinforcement cage around the forefoot and laces, which keeps my feet even more locked in.
When it comes to lifting weights, Dugger and many other experts say you want a shoe with as much of a barefoot feel as possible. This allows you to fully plant your feet into the ground, which helps avoid injuries. “Research has shown that a lot of shoes with very thick soles can weaken your ankles over time,” explains Dugger, who adds that “injuries like ankle sprains and knee problems all start with your feet and footwear.” The Solstice XT 2’s lightly cushioned sole and zero drop are just what you need for that barefoot feel.
Best trendy workout shoes
Support: Tight speed-lacing system | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip
As I spend time in gyms around New York City, I always try to keep track of the workout shoes I see most often. Right now, On is by far the most popular brand, which has been our observation for the past couple of years: When my colleagues reached out to fitness influencers and experts to find the next status gym sneaker for men, On Running’s Cloud line was the clear choice when it came to both style and substance. The Cloud 5 is still the statusy workout shoe I see the most. Master personal trainer Ariel Brill told us that these “are my favorite for running,” adding, “I ran a marathon in this exact pair and I felt like I was truly running on a cloud, when in reality, I was on hard pavement.” While these are branded as a running sneaker, many find they also make a great all-purpose gym and training shoe. As style editor Ted Stafford told us when we asked him about status gym sneakers, “Guys who are looking for a training sneaker with the latest innovation for comfort and performance should try On Running training sneakers as soon as they can. They’ll be hooked.” A few associates at Fleet Feet in New York told me that the On Cloud 5 is one of the most popular shoes they sell. They did say that the “cloud”-shaped cushions are polarizing, and that customers often either try them on and love them or hate them. So before you buy these, my advice would be to make sure you’re shopping at a place with a flexible return or exchange policy.
Support: Tight speed-lacing system | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip
The Cloudstratus is similar to the Cloud 5 above, but it’s built with slightly more cushioning that will favor runners. That extra oomph in the sole makes it a comfortable option for all types of gymgoers, though. Ralph Lauren creative producer Yale Breslin says the Cloudstratus are his go-to shoes for a variety of workouts thanks to their plush cushioning. “The sole gives a little bit of bounce, which makes what I think is the most mundane activity a little more fun,” he says. “Plus, in a plethora of black tank tops and black shorts at Equinox, these stand out.”
Best workout shoes for everyday wear
Support: Wide toe box, high, cushioned heel counter | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip
While I don’t recommend working out in running shoes, I do make some exceptions — like the Clifton 9. It’s the first gym shoe I recommend to people if they’re looking for more cushioning, or if they tell me they want a comfortable shoe for walking. It has a thick sole that’s easy on my knees and it’s relatively low to the ground, so it provides more side-to-side stability than a taller, higher stacked running shoe (so I haven’t worried about rolling an ankle). I’ve put in over 100 miles in the Clifton 9 for distance running, and while its cushioning has lost its springiness a bit, I started using them solely for walking or running errands, and they’ve been easy on my feet. The Clifton 9 should fit most people, but it’s also available in wide sizing.
Support: Thick tongue | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip
A pair of 990s is suitable for just about everything: travel, date night, walking around, and the gym. Its cushioned midsole and discreet dad-sneaker look make it a shoe you can dress up or down and wear for both relaxed and more active pursuits. I reach for my 990s when I want to give my feet a break after a long day of being stuffed into stiff dress shoes. And because I like to wear them for so many different occasions, I try to keep them clean by using them strictly for gym sessions and not outdoor workouts, where they’d likely get grimier. The 990s will fit most feet; they come in a ton of sizes and widths. (We also selected the 990v5 as the best women’s workout shoe for everyday wear.) Strategist writer and self-described gym rat Tembe Denton-Hurst likes her 990s because they offer “incredible support and are super-comfortable to walk in.”
Support: High ankle support | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip
While a pair of classic Dunks may seem more fitting for wearing out, it also fits the bill as an ideal gym shoe: It has a low profile, ample cushioning, and support — particularly around the ankle. Lee prefers doing squat workouts in Jordan 1s and Nike Dunks in various colorways. “Not for any performance-related purposes,” he tells me. “It’s just that they’re fun, I love the way they look, and for the amount of time I spend in the gym, I need something different than typical sneakers or weight-lifting shoes, so I rock these for the fashion aspect.”
Support: Thick, cushioned heel counter | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip
Brooks is known primarily for its running shoes, but the brand also makes more casual models, such as this suede pair for walking. Since the Addiction Walker isn’t meant for running or quick movements, it’s highly cushioned and offers a supportive feel. Coraggio likes it for everyday workouts. “I have low arches and tight calves that have forced me to be very foot-conscious since I was 12 years old,” he tells me. “I am very focused on gait and foot mechanics.”
Best less-expensive workout shoes for everyday wear
Support: High laces lend ankle support | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip
Another sneaker that also appeared in our status gym-shoe roundup, the high-top Converse All Star has a cult following among weight lifters due to its completely flat sole. (It’s also the only weight-lifting shoe we heard about multiple times.) When I know I’m going to be weight lifting and not doing any cardio-related exercises, I throw on my Chucks. Product designer Amardeep Singh also uses his flat-soled All Star high-tops for weight lifting: He prefers the ’70 model featured here, which has a thicker sole, telling us you’ve “got to keep it flat if you’re lifting.” Sewell seconds the Converse recommendation, adding that they’re the next best thing to going barefoot (which he says “allows for the most beneficial alignment of the body if you really want to train hard with heavier weights”). There’s killer value here: It’s good for your wardrobe (and your wallet) that one of the best weight-lifting shoes is also an iconic, classic sneaker.
Support: Reinforced toe, flat sole | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip
I’ve been alternating daily between two pairs of Fe Lo 1920s for two years, and I wear them mainly for walking around the city but also for weight lifting. They’re flat to the ground and don’t have much ankle support, but if you’re looking for a super-affordable gym shoe that you can beat up (and slide into your bag), I recommend the Fe Lo. 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 is a fan of these stylish, affordable trainers from Feiyue that have their roots in versatile movement. “The trainers originated in 1920s Shanghai, where they were adopted by martial arts practitioners,” she wrote. “These days parkour enthusiasts use them too, as do Chinese schoolchildren doing PE lessons and Shaolin monks. They are lightweight plimsolls, with a canvas body and a cushioned sole. They have bounce. They have grip. And unlike other plimsolls, they’re actually supportive.” Feiyue’s Fe Lo sneakers have a canvas upper that won’t bust open like a flimsy running shoe upper might. “You can easily wear them without socks, and — good for the sockless to know — I’ve also found they stand up to repeat washing-machine cycles,” Fielding continues. “They stay looking fresh, whites white and colours sharp, longer than any pair of Converse. They don’t fall to pieces, as Keds can, even if you treat them badly and kick them off without bothering to undo the laces.”
Best workout shoe for tennis and pickleball
Support: Low profile and cushioned collar | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Heavy grip
Tennis shoes naturally make up some of the best all-purpose workout shoes. That’s because the sport requires both forward and lateral movement, and shoes that have a durable construction and thick tread to meet the demands of shuffling around the hard court. The Gel-Resolution is my top pick for the best men’s tennis shoe, and it got nods from five experts I spoke to for its versatile fit. Unlike other tennis shoes, the Gel-Resolution should fit anyone comfortably regardless of the width or volume of their feet. NYU’s head tennis coach, Horace Choy, said the Resolution is “very popular” with his team in part because the shoe’s low profile means you’re “closer to the ground, which I personally think makes you feel a little faster.” The Gel-Resolution is a relatively light shoe, and its secure fit allowed me to change up my game by playing faster and more aggressively. I also recommend this shoe for pickleball, which incorporates many of the same movements as tennis.
Best workout shoe for outdoor pursuits
Support: Zero heel-toe drop, wide footbed | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Lugs with high grip
Altra is known for its shoes with a “zero-drop” design (meaning the heel-to-toe drop is flat) and wide footbed, which allows your toes to splay out — two features intended to boost comfort. The brand’s most popular model is its Lone Peak, designed primarily for hiking, but I prefer the nimbler Outroad 2 — which has a slimmer footbed than the brand’s other models — for trail runs and walking on dirt and gravel trails. While the outsole has big lugs for gripping loose terrain, I’ve found that the Outroad doesn’t feel out of place on shorter road runs too.
Best workout shoe for running
Support: Cushioned tongue and collar | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Grippy tread for road running
Yes, you don’t want to use running shoes for all of your workouts, but if you’re looking for a basic running shoe that can also handle other activities from time to time, the Pegasus is your pick. In my guide to the best running shoes, I recommended the Air Zoom Pegasus if “you’d rather not think too much about your running shoes.” It’s been a staple of Nike’s running lineup ever since it was introduced nearly four decades ago, and its cushioning comes from a layer of the brand’s proprietary React foam in the midsole. It’s a workhorse of a shoe that is meant to be used for logging miles with daily training, so it will more than satisfy the occasional road run in addition to other aerobic workouts.
Other workout shoes we’ve written about
Our experts
• Yale Breslin, Ralph Lauren creative producer
• Ariel Brill, personal trainer
• Sanibel Chai, former Strategist junior writer
• Louis Cheslaw, former New York Magazine associate editor
• Horace Choy, NYU’s head tennis coach
• Chris Chung, running-and-fitness-content creator
Louis Coraggio, health coach and founder of Body Architect and TrampoLEAN
• Tembe Denton-Hurst, Strategist writer
• Percell Dugger, strength coach and founder of Fit for Us
• Anna Fielding, Strategist contributor
• Karen Iorio Adelson, former Strategist senior writer
• Steven John, runner and Strategist contributor
• Dr. Clinton Lee, certified strength and conditioning specialist
• David Notis, former Strategist writer
• Sean Sewell, personal trainer and owner at Engearment and Mountain Fitness School
• Amardeep Singh, product designer
• Ted Stafford, Men’s Health fashion director
Additional reporting by David Notis.
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