10 Gym Shoes for Men for All Kinds of Exercise
Aside from your strength and cardiovascular fitness, your gym trainers are probably the most important thing you could take into the gym. They're also the most overlooked. While the average gym-goer will get away with wearing an old pair of trainers or running shoes to get through a workout, if you want to push your training to the next level – particularly if you're into weightlifting – a dedicated training shoe is essential.
Read more gym wear and wearable tech reviews from Men's Health
Not only will it help you lift more efficiently, but investing in the right shoes for the exercises you do will ensure that you’re moving correctly and more safely, too. For example, if you're into CrossFit, you'll need something versatile to handle the variation of exercises you'll do – from deadlifts to rope climbs. If you're more of a weightlifter, consider a shoe that will keep your form strong and secure – think fastening straps instead of laces, raised heels and grippy soles.
That said, we recognise that not everyone has the same spending power. With that in mind, we've assembled a range of gym trainers — for sprinting, squatting and everything in-between — at a range of price points, to ensure that you’re working at your best capacity. Stick around for our edit of the best gym shoes for working out in 2024.
More shoe reviews: Best cross training shoes | Best weightlifting shoes | Best running shoes for men | Best barefoot training shoes | Best CrossFit shoes | Best walking shoes
What to Look for When Shopping for Gym Shoes
The best gym trainers are versatile, allowing you to alternate between HIIT, CrossFIT, plyometrics, spin and basically anything else you throw at them. Serious weightlifting requires a more purpose-built shoe, but for the majority of workouts, a cross training gym shoe will put you in good stead. Here's some things to look for when shopping for a pair.
Grip
Grip is key. The same as you wouldn't want to slip around on wet tarmac when running, you also don't want your feet to slide around the gym floor when squatting or pushing sleds. Rubber soles generally offer the best traction, as do shoes that are specifically designed for things like rope climbs.
Stability
Stability is more of a concern for weightlifting than it is for running – although if you over pronate when you run then you may want to look for a runner with extra stability.
For lifting, look for shoes with plenty of heel support and a secure fit so your feet don't move. A flat sole and wide toe box will give you greater ground feel.
Durability
Dynamic movement like rope climbs, cleans, sled pushes and box jumps will inevitably take their toll on your cross training shoes. The best are built with this in mind with toe caps and wraps on the outsole and midsole to ensure they last.
The Best Gym Shoes for Men
Metcon 9
Now synonymous with CrossFit’s global popularity, there’s a reason five-time CrossFit games champion Mat Fraser swears by the Metcon. This versatile shoe provides a strong, stable base and is just as durable when it comes to functional training — think sled pushes, rope climbs and battle ropes — as they are with traditional training and Olympic lifts.
For lifting, the heel is stable and rigid, and it's fitted with a plate that allows you to achieve the correct positioning when performing barbell exercises like squats and dead lifts.
For more dynamic movements, the wide toe box allows your feet to spread, while the rubber wrap-around at the centre of the shoe provides additional grip.
It's not the most flexible, so if you're a CrossFitter who prefers a more pliable shoe, or you're someone who incorporates a lot of running into their gym sessions, the Metcon 9 may not be a good fit. Otherwise, it can handle pretty much anything you through its way.
Similar shoes: Reebok Nano X2, Under Armour TriBase Reign 6
Deviate Nitro 3
If you're on a hybrid run and gym plan in search of an out-and-out running shoe that you can wear for intervals and basic strength training, the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 can seamlessly transition between the road and the weights section.
It's one of the most popular shoes for Hyrox (and is worn by 3 x Hyrox world champion Hunter McIntyre) thanks to its grippy sole, heel counter (for a secure fit), and lightweight feel.
As you'd expect from a carbon plated running shoe, it's not the most stable shoe for the gym, not least because of its lofty 39mm stack height (or cushioning). So while it's fine for run-heavy workouts and something like a Hyrox race where speed is important, it's not the best by any means if what you're mostly doing is lifting or functional training.
Similar shoes: Hoka Rocket X 2, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, Brooks Hyperion Tempo
Free Metcon 6
For something with a little more cushioning and greater flexibility than the Metcon 9, while still retaining some stability at the heel, consider the Nike Free Metcon 6.
Better suited for HIIT-style training, it's a more versatile shoe than the Metcon 9 for anyone whose workouts combine strength exercises with short bursts of cardio and when your workouts entail quick changes in direction.
The Free Metcon 6 has traction and grip in abundance, offering great stability on different surfaces, and ensures you have both a stable base for weightlifting and confidence during multidirectional movements.
As Nike puts it, the Free Metcon 5 is 'perfect for flying through a cardio day or enhancing your agility'.
Similar shoes: Inov8 F-LITE G 300
Nano X4
For well over a decade, Reebok's Nano range has a been a go-to for fitness types in search of a well-rounded gym shoe, and the newest iteration, the Nano X4, is no exception.
A true cross training shoe, it's capable for tackling heaps of workout scenarios, from weightlifting to CrossFit-style training, and even some short cardio efforts, thanks to its responsive midsole, heel plate, grippy rubber tread on the outsole, and flexible upper.
Similar shoes: Nike Metcon 9
Reign 6
The Under Armour Reign 6 is another gym shoe that positions itself more towards weightlifting and CrossFit-style training than cardio-heavy workouts.
The Reign 6 has three points of ground contact and a 2mm offset at the toe (positioning the shoe as one of the more flat options) for a stable base when weightlifting.
The Reign 6 also features a removable, drop-in midsole, which is softer in the forefoot and firmer in the heel. This gives the shoe great flexibility for lower body exercises and multi-directional movements, while maintaining stability in the heel for weightlifting.
Similar shoes: Nobull Gum Trainer, Reebok Nano X4
R.A.D® ONE NAVY
It's one of the newest shoes on the scene, but the R.A.D One is already receiving a lot of praise for being a dependable all-rounder training shoe for pretty much any kind of strength training.
With a cushioned foam midsole for plyometrics, a rubber sole with plenty of traction, a spacious toe box and secure heel lock for lifting, it not only looks the part, but will perform just as well, too.
The 6mm drop feels natural for strong pulls, and the grip enables plenty of agility. These deliver stability for squats, bounce for plyos, and comfort for walking about.
At £130, they’re an investment, but if you’re looking for a shoe that handles everything, the R.A.D Ones are worth it.
Gum Impact
A brand that's closely associated with CrossFit, the Nobull Gum Trainer is a popular choice among CrossFit athletes thanks to its versatility and durability.
The Gym Trainer+ is similar to the standard Gym Trainer, featuring the same general shape and breathable upper, but instead of a circular tread, the Trainer+ has a herringbone outsole pattern which provides more traction for multi-directional movements.
The stack height and cushioning on the Trainer+ is also noticeable bigger than the Gym Trainer's, making it a better (albeit more chunky) option for high impact exercises.
Motus Strength Mens
Barefoot shoes have become popular for working out in thanks to their zero heel-to-toe drop for stability, a wide toe box for balance, and thin soles that bring you closer to the ground. The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength has all these qualities as well as extra support on the sole for added protection during strength training.
Romaleos 4 SE
If the squat rack is your second home, this is the shoe for you. The Romaleos is Nike's out and out weightlifting shoe, designed specifically to support the demands of lifting heavy weights. The Romaleos 4 draws upon the popular Romaleos 2, featuring two adjustable straps for support, a TPU rubber sole for stability and spacious front section to allow you to spread your toes.
Named the 'best overall weightlifting shoe' in our guide to the Best Weightlifting Shoes, we found the shoe's rigid midsole and rubber tread provided great traction when performing heavy barbell lifts such as squats and deadlifts.
Chuck Taylor All Star Classic
Let's change things up here. Powerlifters love Converse. It’s not uncommon to see experienced weightlifters rocking a pair of Chuck Taylors, and there’s a simple reason why. The next best thing to lifting barefoot, the flat sole of Converse Chuck Ts mean that you can keep your foot extremely close to the ground, helping you drive the weight more efficiently and remain planted more effectively. Similarly, there’s no heel cup in Converse, meaning that you can drive your energy straight into the ground.
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