Top Gym Shoes for 2024: Expert Reviews

Finding the perfect gym shoe can be daunting when considering the variety of exercises and equipment in most gyms.

From squat racks and deadlift platforms to treadmills and ellipticals, each requires different support and functionality.

While using a different shoe for each type of exercise would be ideal, it’s neither practical nor cost-effective.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you choose versatile gym shoes that can handle various workouts.

We’ve focused on shoes that offer excellent traction, robust support, and ample cushioning to keep you comfortable during your sessions.

Each shoe in this guide has undergone rigorous testing over two weeks, encompassing a range of workouts.

This thorough process allows us to evaluate their performance, identify any weaknesses, and highlight standout features.

Let's get started with our top gym shoe picks!

Best Gym Shoes of 2024

Most Versatile Gym Shoes

Puma PWR Nitro Squared

The Puma PWR Nitro Squared is perfect for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and general lifting, although it’s not ideal for heavy lifting or CrossFit. It excels in providing comfort and bounce, making it suitable for basketball training and plyometric exercises.

While single-leg exercises may not be its strong suit, this shoe can handle extensive cardio sessions, which is rare in this category.

Price: $120

Reasons to buy: Bounce, comfort, accommodating fit

Reasons not to buy: Stability on heavy lifts

GORUCK Ballistic Trainer

The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer stands out with its tough yet soft upper made from Cordura nylon, a material rarely used due to cost.

The knit toe box and tongue offer seamless flexibility and minimal feel.

The shoe’s Gradient Density EVA provides better cushioning and rebound in the forefoot for jumping, running, and explosive movements, while the denser heel offers a stable platform for lifting.

The outsole is made from three different rubbers—a grippy forefoot, a durable midfoot for rope climbing, and a dense heel for running.

Note that this trainer runs about half a size larger than other athletic trainers; we recommend sizing down for the best fit.

Price: $125

Reebok Nano X4

The Reebok Nano X4 is not only an excellent weightlifting shoe but also our favorite Reebok Nano to date.

It’s versatile, handling plyometrics and sprinting well enough for CrossFit. Although it’s not the best for cardio, it’s reliable and should be a top choice for serious gym-goers.

Price: $140

Reasons to buy: Stability, forefoot cushion, comfort, durability

Reasons not to buy: Not great for cardio

TYR CXT-1

The TYR CXT-1 is among the top weightlifting shoes and one of the best for CrossFit. Its upper is basic but comfortable, and while it could be better for cardio, it manages jumping rope and sprinting effectively.

The star feature is its stability, providing a solid base for heavy lifts, one-legged movements, and exercises requiring various foot positions.

Price: $140

Reasons to buy: Stability, responsiveness, comfort

Reasons not to buy: Not great for cardio

Inov-8 F-Fly

The Inov-8 F-Fly offers a unique experience, balancing between a heavy cross-trainer and barefoot trainers.

It’s versatile, flexible, and surprisingly cushioned, thanks to the Powerflow Pro system.

The outsole grips well, and the basic engineered mesh upper is both flexible and comfortable.

This shoe accommodates big PR lifts and a few miles on the treadmill, giving your feet the freedom to perform various activities.

Price: $130

Reasons to buy: Stability, ground feel, cushion, versatility

Reasons not to buy: Minimalist feel, basic upper

RAD One

The RAD One stands out with its premium materials, stable base, and exceptional traction, making it suitable for any weight room exercise.

While it’s not ideal for running, it excels in other workouts. This stylish yet practical weightlifting and cross-training shoe offers a unique retro vibe that sets it apart at the gym. Price: $150

• Reasons to buy: Herringbone traction, high-quality materials
  
  
• Reasons not to buy: Running in it feels clunky
  
  

Best Gym Shoes for Weight Training

These shoes are top picks for weight training due to their excellent performance and versatility.

Reebok Nano X4

The Reebok Nano X4 performs exceptionally well on all lifts, providing great stability and a highly comfortable Flexweave upper.

It's our favorite Reebok Nano to date and one of the best training shoes of the year. This dependable, comfortable, and versatile shoe is a must-have for every gym goer’s shortlist. Price: $140

GORUCK Ballistic Trainer

The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer features a ballistic Cordura mesh upper which is soft and flexible.

Its Gradient Density EVA foam cushion means the shoe is more cushioned in the forefoot while the heel remains dense and stiff for a stable lifting platform.

The traction is also noteworthy, with an outsole made from three different rubbers. Note that the GORUCK Ballistic Trainer fits longer than other training shoes, so it's recommended to go down half a size. Price: $125

• Reasons to buy: The best cross-training shoe on the market
  
  
• Reasons not to buy: None
  
  

Best Budget Gym Shoes

Puma Fuse 3.0

The Puma Fuse 3.0 is a minimalist cross-training shoe offering ultra-stability and incredible traction.

It features Puma Grip, a proprietary rubber compound that ensures you won't slide or shift during lifts. The shoe's stability is top-notch, with an outrigger at the lateral forefoot, raised midfoot sidewalls, and a beefy TPU heel counter keeping the foot secure, no matter the weight.

The cushion is very thin, so it’s not ideal for running, but it allows for excellent ground feel when lifting weights. Price: $120

UA Project Rock BSR 4

The UA Project Rock BSR 4 builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the Project Rock BSR 3, offering great value at $100.

The Under Armour design team has improved the upper and fit to accommodate more foot types and provide longer wear.

The BSR 4 is a great choice for those looking for a solid gym shoe that performs well and looks good, even if you're not aiming for personal records on Olympic lifts. Price: $100

Best Agility Training Shoes for the Gym

Nike Metcon Turbo 2

The Nike Metcon Turbo 2 is perfect for those seeking a training shoe that enhances agility.

It features a react drop-in midsole with a forefoot Zoom Air unit, providing springiness, reactivity, and good impact protection.

The shoe’s wide base ensures stability during various exercises, and its traction is reliable on most surfaces. Price: $150

• Reasons to buy: Awesome cushion, wide base, excellent traction
  
  
• Reasons not to buy: Lack of arch support
  
  

Best Gym Shoes for Jumping

GORUCK Ballistic Trainer

The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer is a versatile gym shoe that’s also excellent for plyometric training.

Its Gradient Density EVA foam cushioning offers a springy forefoot, making it ideal for box jumps, rope jumping, and other plyometric exercises. Price: $125

Best Classic Gym Shoes for Squatting and Deadlifts

Converse All Star

The Converse All-Star, while not ideal for general gym use, is a timeless piece of footwear history and excellent for weightlifting.

Originally basketball shoes, they have evolved into everyday casual shoes that many have found perfect for lifting due to their flat base and lack of cushioning, providing exceptional stability. However, be prepared for the hard toe cap. Price: $60

This roundup highlights the best gym shoes of 2024, each tailored to specific needs, from weightlifting to agility training.

Whether you're looking for versatility, budget options, or specific training needs, there's a perfect pair waiting for you.

Best Gym Shoes for Wide Feet

TYR CXT-1

The TYR CXT-1 stands out as a top-notch weightlifting shoe and an excellent option for cross-training. It is available in wide fit versions, besides the normal fit, which is already quite accommodating. Price: $140

Best Gym Shoes for Stability

Under Armour Reign 6

The Under Armour Reign 6 features here because of its TriBase system. The Reign 6’s design ensures your feet remain flat on the floor, providing unparalleled stability. Price: $130

Best Minimalist Gym Shoes

Inov-8 F-Fly

The Inov-8 F-Fly makes it to our list as it strikes a balance between a traditional workout shoe and a minimalist option.

If you want a minimalist-style shoe robust enough for running and jumping in the gym, the Inov-8 F-Fly is your go-to. Price: $130

Best Gym Shoes for Court Sports

Puma All-Pro Nitro

The Puma All-Pro Nitro follows the Clyde All-Pro, enhancing an already great shoe with a premium feel. Puma continues to demonstrate their expertise in making high-performance court shoes.

The Puma All-Pro Nitro excels across all court sports thanks to its minimalist yet secure upper, excellent traction, and effective cushioning. It’s currently our top pick for volleyball and features in our best basketball shoes list. Price: $130

Nike LeBron 21

The Nike LeBron 21 is a formidable choice on the court. Seen as a remix of the Nike LeBron 20, which was last year’s best basketball shoe, the LeBron 21 remains one of the year's top models.

It is versatile, comfortable, and a great substitute for Kobe’s shoes. Although some more design innovation could have made it an all-time great, the Nike LeBron 21 still leaves little to be desired. Price: $200

How We Test Gym Shoes

At WearTesters, we employ a rigorous testing method tailored to the product and its role within the sport. For gym shoes, we seek a balance of performance and versatility given the variety of exercises performed in the gym, each requiring different footwear attributes.

• Weightlifting: Requires a flat, stable base with minimal cushioning.
  
  
• Plyometric Training: Needs support, traction, and cushioning.
  
  
• Cardio: Likely demands even more cushioning.
  
  

Our testing for gym shoes includes criteria from our basketball and running shoe reviews, such as traction, materials, support, cushion, and fit.

We then provide an overall rating. For training shoes, we give extra points for universality and versatility, ensuring they meet the needs of most gym activities and users.

Source: weartesters

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.