The best gym shoes can make or break your fitness experience. You can’t saunter into the gym in a pair of loafers and expect to set a new squat PR. (Though if you do, get it on video.) Workout shoes provide the proper foundation upon which all of your exercise happens, ensuring you're calm, cool, and collected as you sweat it out. Comfortable yet functional, they’re essential to getting the most out of your workouts, and they make an excellent gift for the fitness fanatic in your life.
Everyone works out for a different reason, so narrowing down the list can be tricky—that's where we come in. Across 12 different categories, we’ve selected the best workout shoes in the game, so whether you’re a diehard gym rat who never skips leg day, looking to PR in a half marathon, or recently caught the pickleball bug, we’ve got all the top picks you need to paint your athletic masterpiece or find the perfect present for the gym rat in your life.
For more workout-ready gear and apparel, check out the GQ Gym Shop.
The Best Gym Shoes, According to GQ
Best Overall: Reebok Nano X5
The Reebok Nano X5 does just about everything and does it well. Just as capable of handling a regular lift as a CrossFit session or even a Barry's class, it’s practically a one-stop shop for all your gym-related needs. Flexible enough for dynamic movement but still stable enough to ground hardcore lifts, these gym shoes do it all with a Goldilocks amount of foam cushion. While it’s not the best shoe for powerlifting or olympic weightlifting, it gets the job done, and it’s more than well-equipped for accessory movements and the activities that most of us will do in a gym workout—deadlifts, lunges, basically anything dumbbell related—while maintaining a good amount of breathability that keeps it feeling light. Versatility is the name of the game here, and if you’re looking only to get one shoe for the gym, this is it, hands down, because it just transitions so well from exercise to exercise. If you do any form of working out, here's the shoe you'll need.
| Material | Mesh upper, grippy outsole |
| Special Features | Lightweight and breathable |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 7mm |
| Sizes | 4-14 |
| Colors | 13 options |
Best for Lifting: Vivobarefoot Motus Strength
Few shoes are as likely to elicit a “What are those!” on the streets as a pair of Vivobarefoots. In the gym? Well, seeing a dude rocking these is a sure sign that this guy's about to get low and break a new PR. The Motus Strengths are about as close to lifting barefoot as possible but with the bells and whistles that'll keep him on his feet when he's lifting overhead. The sole is super responsive so you can get a full-body feel for your movements, and with the high midfoot sidewalls, you can get into cross training during the same lifting sesh. It's grippy, it's stable, and it's a damn great shoe for going beast mode at the gym.
| Material | Mesh upper, rubber outsole |
| Special Features | PU foam sole |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 0mm |
| Sizes | 7-15 |
| Colors | White, grey |
Best for Climbing: La Sportiva Katana Lace
Tired of renting shoes every time you go bouldering? La Sportiva is one of the leading brands in climbing shoes and its Katana Laces are at the top of the pack. Eschewing the typical velcro closures for laces, these kicks have a dramatic downturn shape, which helps them perform better on slabs wiggle their way into thin, typically inaccessible cracks. They're shockingly comfortable—or as comfy as one can get with a pair of climbing shoes—and while they might not help you figure out the beta on a V8, you'll at least look like you know what you're doing.
| Material | Polyester, microfiber, rubber |
| Special Features | Downturn shape for better support |
| Heel-Toe Drop | N/A |
| Sizes | 2.5-12.5 |
| Colors | Yellow/black |
Best Recovery Shoes: Kane Revive
How are your feet doing? A little achey? Time to throw on a pair of recovery shoes. We're fans of the Kane Revives, a pair of airy slip ons that. From raised footbed nodes to support along the heel, arch, and forefront, these offer up every possible detail that can help you spend less time on your ass and more time going back after it (on your feet). The super-supportive soles give you the cushioning you need to just walk around, whether it's bopping in your apartment or heading out for a protein shake. Are these kicks you'd work out in? No, but if you work out, this is a pair of footwear you want in your rotation.
| Material | Sugarcane-derived foam |
| Special Features | Slip-on style, toe-to-heel support |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 9mm |
| Sizes | 3-18 |
| Colors | 9 options |
Best Squat Shoes: TYR L-2 Lifter
Love hitting Tom Platz-esque leg days? These L-2 squat shoes (a.k.a. weightlifting shoes) from TYR are your best bet—they're the new and improved version of the L-1s, which won a GQ Fitness Award last year. “For the price of a brutal bar tab, you’re looking at a windfall of benefits to your squat and leg development that you wouldn’t get squatting barefoot or in flats,” GQ senior commerce editor Ian Burke says about the first iteration. “If you have trouble hitting depth on a squat, have ankle mobility issues, or want to target your quads more by putting them in a more stretched position in the hole, you’ll love squatting in a heel. If you have wide feet or just want a well-made squat shoe trusted by some of the world’s best squatters, you can’t go wrong with these. And anecdotally, squatting in these shoes changed my entire leg day experience—I used to squat barefoot, but when I made the switch to heels, my legs blew up, my numbers rose, and the nagging shin pain I had for years while squatting finally went away.”
| Material | Mesh heel support, rubber outsole |
| Special Features | anatomical toe box, 21mm heel to toe drop, back heel support |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 21mm |
| Sizes | 4.5-14 |
| Colors | 11 options |
Best for Race Day: Nike Vaporfly 4
We published a more in-depth review of the Vaporfly 3, Nike’s super running shoe, earlier this year, with the TL;DR being that it absolutely lived up to the hype for long-distance runs at high speeds. But the Vaporfly 4? Woo, boy—this is one helluva follow-up, with a lighter, more stable sole that is, however, maybe a bit more narrow than some would prefer. While it’s a bit overkill for simple runs on the treadmill at the gym, it is beneficial if you’re doing speed work on a treadmill or if for some reason, your gym is swanky enough to have an indoor track for some Olympic-level training. Oh, and it just looks cool as hell, especially if you snag a pair in that bright crimson colorway (not exactly minimalist, but they’re sick). Springy and supportive, thanks to its Zoom sole, you’ll feel like you’re flying as you soar through treadmill work with ease because these are truly some of the best running shoes we’ve tried.
| Material | Sock-like mesh upper, foam cushion sole |
| Special Features | ZoomX Cushioning, insanely light, very stable |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 6mm |
| Sizes | 6-15 |
| Colors | 4 options |
Best for Trail Running: Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4 GTX
Leave it to the experts from one of the best outdoor brands in the world to engineer one of the best trail runners, too. The Arc’Teryx Norvan LD 4 GTX is your first and last stop when it comes to hitting the trail thanks to Gore-Tex upper and a textured, 4mm lug pattern Vibram sole that provides the perfect grip for any surface you’ll come across while running. Breathable and supportive, your feet will stay cool without overheating. Everything you could possibly want or need to hit the dirt is here in one striking package, now it’s just up to you to put one foot in front of the other.
| Material | Gore-Tex upper, Vibram sole, InFuse midsole |
| Special Features | Gore-Tex, DWR-treatment |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 6mm |
| Sizes | 7-13 |
| Colors | 4 options |
Best for Cross Training: NoBull Outwork Edge
The NoBull Outwork Edge is perhaps the grippiest option on this list. Thanks to a herringbone-style pattern that allows for intense traction on all kinds of surfaces, these shoes are great for strength training. While some gym rats swear by cheap Converse, they’ll get a kick out of how much more stable they'll feel when they lace up in these. The flat sole ensures constant, even contact with the floor, and they’re almost as comfortable as being barefoot (almost).
| Material | Mesh upper, rubber outsole |
| Special Features | Herringbone pattern outsole, padded elements, water-repellent upper |
| Heel-Toe Drop | 15.5mm |
| Sizes | 7-16 |
| Colors | 8 options |
More Workout Shoes We Love
R.A.D.
One V2
Pop into any CrossFit box and you're bound to see a pair of R.A.D.s—and for good reason. They're tailor-made for functional workouts and heavy lifting (though if you're only doing squats and deads, you might want something with a flatter sole) and have a unique wave design that looks the part, too.
Converse
Chuck Taylor All Star High-Top Sneaker
Chuck Taylors are pretty universally beloved for being a great lifting shoe. Their flat soles make them great for even contact with the ground, and hell, these used to be the shoes for playing basketball. Sure, they've fallen out of favor for some more technical footwear (highlighted above) but if you've just got a pair of Chucks lying around and you want to get a good lift in, well, you could do way worse for way more money.
Lululemon
Beyondfeel Running Shoe
Can Lululemon make a good running shoe? You bet (and we know because we tried them). These offer a superb cushy ride against miles and miles of terrain. It's not a stability shoe, so keep that in mind, but for something that'll keep your dogs feeling comfy during your runs, these are a damn good pair of running shoes.
TYR
Dropzero Laces
TYR already makes a great a squat shoe, but for a more affordable option from the brand, go for the Dropzero. They have a stable base and low profile, excellent for deadlifting or just general purpose lifting. Anyone looking for a zero drop gym shoe (hence the name) could do worse than these $120 joints.
What to Look For in Workout Shoes
Much like any good pair of shoes, how you select a pair is going to boil down to what kind of activity you’re doing. Are you doing lots of static lifts? Then you probably can get away with something that’s a little stiffer because you won’t be moving a lot and don’t need that flexibility. Are you doing HIIT training? You might want something that’s really responsive so your feet aren’t killing you at the end of the day. Are you trail running? You’ll want traction. Once you’ve locked into what it is you’ll be doing, it comes down to some key factors like grip to keep you grounded, support to ensure your lower body isn’t hurting, breathability to fight off blisters, and cushioning.
Workout Shoes FAQ
What are the best gym shoes for men?
In our testing, the best gym shoes for working out overall are the Reebok Nano X5, which can easily handle most kinds of exercise. From lifting to running, the shoes easily transition from one activity to the other while being comfortable and supportive. For general-purpose gym shoes, check out the NoBull Outwork Edge.
Do I need shoes for working out?
You wouldn't wear flip-flops to lift, would you? A good pair of workout shoes will ensure you stay safe while lifting weights, and they may even help you perform better. You'll want to consider the type of exercise or workout you do the most and get a pair of shoes that work for those activities.
What are the best good affordable workout shoes?
Depending on your price range, our top overall pick, the Reeboks, might be out of your price range. While we think they're a great value given their versatility, you can't go wrong with a cheaper pair like the Nike Free Metcon 6, which are $120 but currently on sale for $79. The super flexible and offer top-tier support and comfort, while a high-traction sole makes sure you stay on your feet.
Do I need recovery shoes for post-workouts?
If you've done a particularly strenuous workout, like a run, or hit leg day pretty hard, swapping out those beat-up Asics for a good pair of recovery shoes or walking shoes will help you recover more quickly so you can get back at it again sooner. Recovery shoes will give your feet the extra support you need, which in turn will benefit your legs, hips, and back.
Where can I buy the best gym shoes for men?
From Adidas to Zappos, there are a ton of retailers that will ship the best gym shoes for men straight to your door, but if you're in a pinch, there are also a bunch of great options on Amazon.
How should your shoes fit?
It depends on the activity you're doing. Squat shoes and climbing shoes should be pretty snug, while you'll want to give yourself some room for your feet to swell in runners (we like to go a half size up).
How should you clean them?
Our advice? Don't—at least not the outside. A nice patina on gym shoes shows you're getting after it. As for the insides, that's a must, and we've got a whole guide on how to do it.
Do you need a different pair for different workouts?
Totally. We know you might be strapped for closet space, but just try rock climbing or high-intensity interval training in a pair of squat shoes and then get back to us.
Do socks make a difference?
Definitely—the shoes you wear are only as good as the socks on your feet, no matter if you get your fix from sprinting, lifting, CrossFit, or cycling. (Do you like blisters or hot spots?)
How We Tested
With so many different options on the market, the only way to see how these shoes perform is to, well, test them. We scoured the internet for personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts' opinions on their favorite workout shoes, eventually pairing those selections to a final list of the pairs that appeared the most frequently. From there, we put the shoes through a variety of different activities where comfort and support were among the most important factors, and those guided us in making our final selections.
