There seems to be a pair of the best gym shoes for just about every different type of exercise these days. If there’s one thing the fitness market has plenty of, it’s shoes, even if you take running shoes and cycle shoes out of the equation. Cross-training, general gym shoes, and even specific weightlifting shoes: you name it, there’s a shoe for it. But how do you know which is the right one for you? That’s what we’re here to help you with.
One type of trainer that’s grown popular in recent years is the all-rounder gym shoe. And let’s be clear: when we say gym shoes, we don’t mean running trainers. Also referred to as “workout shoes” or “cross-training shoes”, gym shoes are made for all types of exercise but differ somewhat from most other types of sports shoes on the market.
While buyers of gym shoes might do their fair share of running, they’re more aimed at adding support for weight lifting or other general gym workouts, such as HIIT or circuits - anything involving a lot of movement, basically.
If this is the type of fitness shoe you’re in the market for, read on to find out which are the top contenders for your hard-earned dollar. But if you're after a dedicated running shoe instead, check out our best running shoes buying guide, and if you're looking for a great workout companion, check out our best fitness trackers.
Lee Bell is a freelance journalist & writer specializing in consumer technology, health, and lifestyle. A qualified PT, Lee has personally tested most of the shoes on this list.
The quick list
Want to get straight to the best gym shoes for your needs? Use our quick round-up below to immediately find a workout shoe that suits you – and you can read more about it by jumping to our full write-ups and explanations using the links.
The best gym shoe for most people
The Nike Free Metcon 5 is our top pick for the ultimate gym shoe. With out-of-the-box comfort, this versatile shoe can handle anything you throw at it.
The best gym shoe for heavy lifting and CrossFit
Reebok’s Nano X3 is a great-performing and well-balanced training shoe that offers great support for those into heavy lifting.
The best gym shoe for stability and movement, especially HIIT training
The Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is an excellent gym shoe that not only offers great stability - making it perfect for high-impact activities such as HIIT training - but also represents great value for money.
The best gym shoe for agility and functional fitness
Branded as Inov-8’s top fitness shoe, the F-LITE G 300 is a versatile yet sturdy pair of kicks that provides the support and stability needed for weight lifting while retaining a lightweight, flexible feel.
The best gym shoe for versatility
These bouncy, well-cushioned trainers are not only supportive - they’re also super flexible, making them highly versatile and ideal for all kinds of fitness
Best gym shoes overall
We love the Nike Free Metcon 5, a more general-purpose gym shoe made by Nike as an alternative to the original Metcon line. You get fantastic out-of-the-box comfort and versatility, as well as great style thanks to that fantastic silhouette.
The Free Metcon 5 offers very good stability for lifting weights, as well as cushioning for your cardio sessions, making them perfect for mixed sessions and all-around gym activities.
They lack some of the upper stability of a very heavy weightlifting shoe, but that's what makes them an ideal choice for basically everything else.
Read our full Nike Free Metcon 5 review
Best for CrossFit
The Reebok Nano X3 is known throughout the industry as the cross-training shoe, and for good reason. Designed with CrossFit enthusiasts in mind (despite no longer carrying the logo due to the controversy some years ago), the shoe has been made especially to support the throwing around of weights.
Boasting well-rounded performance and top-notch comfort levels, the Nano X3 isn’t only an improvement over previous iterations. It touts some cutting-edge features, such as the shoe’s L.A.R. Lift and Run (L.A.R.) chassis system, which has been built into the heel unit to offer added support and cushioning thanks to some top-performing Floatride Foam.
Despite its slightly higher price over earlier models, the Nano X3 is a great-performing and well-balanced training shoe that offers great support for those into heavy lifting.
Read our full Reebok Nano X3 review
Best budget gym shoes
The Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is an excellent gym shoe that not only offers users great stability - working perfectly for high-impact activities such as HIIT training - but also now represents great value for money.
They’re ideal do-it-all shoes, with excellent grip for lifting weights, enough cushioning for high-impact moves like box jumps and burpees, but never enough that you feel like you’re sinking, or taking any explosivity away. They might not be suitable for longer cardio sessions, especially lots of running, but they’re still a great value, great-performing all-round gym shoe.
Read our full Under Armour Tribase Reign 4 review
Best gym shoes for agility
Branded as Inov-8’s top fitness shoe, the F-LITE G 300 is a versatile yet sturdy footwear offering that provides the support and stability needed for weight lifting, while retaining a lightweight, flexible feel that offers users the agility they need to move around in high-impact fitness classes and functional training.
Reinforced with a super sturdy graphene heel, the F-LITE G 300 is ideal for movements that require a solid footing, especially squats. At the same time, this strong foundation doesn’t prevent you from moving around at speed thanks to the shoe’s lightweight, flexible upper that also proves to be breathable to ensure moisture doesn’t get locked inside, great for those extra sweaty gym sessions.
While a little extra cushioning would be nice, the Inov-8 F-lite G 300 offers a great balance between stability and flexibility.
Read our full Inov-8 F-lite G 300 review
Best for versatility
The Lululemon Chargefeel is the American brand’s first foray into the world of workout shoes. These bouncy, well-cushioned trainers are not only supportive - they’re also super flexible, making them highly versatile and ideal for all kinds of fitness. What’s more, the breathable upper and springy midsoles offer a supportive yet flexible way to train, whether you’re going for a jog or lifting heavy weights in the gym.
The Chargefeel trainers, which are specifically designed for women, also include a mid-top version, with an ankle liner supporting the foot. This gives the shoes a unique but stylish look that means they can easily be worn in or outside the gym.
Read our full Lululemon Chargefeel review
How to choose the best gym shoes for you
Before we delve into which shoes are best suited to each kind of gym goer or exercise type, let’s walk you through some top kicks-buying tips (try saying that after a heavy HIIT class).
Firstly, let’s highlight that it’s unlikely to be obvious which trainers out there - among the vast array of options - are specially tailored more for general workouts and which are made for running. Most brands aren’t that good at communicating this to their customers, either, which makes things harder.
One thing to look out for is the curve of the sole. Make sure it’s flat. If it isn’t, then it’s probably a running shoe. The fit is important, too. Running shoes generally should have a little space at the end to allow for the swelling of your feet as you run over long distances. Workout shoes should have a slightly more snug fit for added support, especially around the ankle for when (or if) you’re lifting heavy weights.
When it comes to pricing, a decent pair of workout shoes will probably cost you around $130 / £100 / AU$160, but there are of course cheaper options around for those on a budget. If the latter applies to you, I’d advise having a nosey in the sales or at older models of popular brands, which often update their flagship shoes meaning older generations like the Tribase Reign 4 can be picked up for a much lower price despite, in most cases, being almost identical.
How we test gym shoes
We put all gym shoes to the test in real, sweaty gyms and classes. We'll put them through several weeks of work including lifting, cardio and machines to figure out how responsive and comfortable they are under pressure.
Are they stable in the squat rack? Do they feel too squishy during sprint training? Do they cope with lateral movement well? Have they worn down at all during this initial testing, indicating poor durability? We test all these things, and more, also assessing whether they're good value compared to today's market leaders.
