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Best Workout Shoes for Men of 2024

By: Sheryl Cannes
Updated on: February 02, 2024

The right workout shoes help you run faster, jump higher, and push yourself harder to reach new physical heights. The best shoes cushion and support the feet to accommodate the unique pressures and stress of the specific sports and activities you do most.

Runners need more cushioning than weightlifters, while men who focus on functional fitness need a supportive pair of cross-training shoes for multiplanar moves. You don’t necessarily need a different pair of workout shoes for each activity, but the shoes should offer good protection from injury within your sport. In today’s market, a good pair of men’s workout shoes can also look good outside of the gym for casual, everyday wear.

We reviewed five of the best workout shoes for men, from running shoes to those meant for squats and snatches. We’ve also included a shopping guide with the ins and outs of workout shoes, including the latest technologies to boost your performance.

5 Best Workout Shoes for Men of 2020

Best Workout Shoes for Men Overall:
Nike Air Max 270

The Nike Air Max 270 combines the technical needs of the gym—cushioning, responsiveness, breathability—with style. It looks good in or out of the gym but offers support for weight training and light running.

$160 from Amazon.com

Best Workout Shoes for Men Overall: Nike Air Max 270
Best Running Shoes for Men: Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit
Best Weight Training Shoes for Men: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars
Best Lightweight Workout Shoes for Men: Altra Solstice XT
Best Waterproof Workout Shoes for Men: ASICS Gel-Cumulus 22 G-TX

Best Weight Training Shoes for Men
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From: Converse.com
Best Weight Training Shoes for Men:
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars
  • Low heel helps transfer force through the lift
  • Light cushioning helps the lifter feel grounded
  • High-top provides flexible ankle support
$55 from Converse.com

Chuck Taylors have been around for decades, and they’re still favored by many weightlifters. These affordable, classic shoes naturally cater to the three most common lifts—squat, bench press, and deadlifts. Each requires a low heel with low, firm cushioning. That’s exactly what Chuck Taylors provide. The low heel lets you feel the ground and press through it for more force in your lifts.

You can buy them in a high or low-top version, but the high tops provide you with slightly more support through the ankle. However, even the high-tops leave the ankle free to flex through each lift.

Tip: A shoe with little cushioning may be perfect for weightlifting but not so much for running. If you want to run before or after you lift, make sure you’ve got a shoe with adequate arch support and cushioning.

Best Lightweight Workout Shoes for Men
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From: Amazon.com
Best Lightweight Workout Shoes for Men:
Altra Solstice XT
  • Weighs in at a light 8.4 ounces
  • Rubber outsole that’s grippy indoors or out
  • Wider toe box for better stability and balance
$110 from Amazon.com

The Altra Solstice XT is a cross-trainer built for speed and agility. Most of the time, lightweight shoes aren’t equipped to support the body while lifting weights. However, the low cushioning and heel in the Solstice XT are more like a minimal shoe, so what cushioning there is doesn’t compress under heavy weights. You can ground your feet to push through lifts. A wide toe box built around the natural foot helps you feel the floor through the shoe, so you can plant yourself on powerful lifts.

That same low cushioning gives the Solstice XT a minimal feel when you hit the pavement for a run. If you’re not used to a minimal shoe, give your feet time to adjust to this model, whether you’re using it for running or weightlifting. Once your feet have adjusted, the balance of cushioning with the flexible but sturdy sole makes it a great shoe for a wide variety of workouts.

Tip: Minimal shoes, and footwear like the Solstice that mimic their feel, aren’t for everyone. If you heel strike when you run, a minimal sneaker could lead to bruised heels and unhappy feet.

Best Waterproof Workout Shoes for Men
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From: Asics.com
Best Waterproof Workout Shoes for Men:
ASICS Gel-Cumulus 22 G-TX
  • Gore-tex upper keeps water out but lets the foot breathe
  • Vertical flex groove in the outsole helps guide the foot through a neutral gait
  • Ortholite sock liner absorbs moisture and promotes breathability
$130 from Asics.com

Wet weather shouldn’t keep you from a workout. The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 22 G-TX provides waterproofing in the upper and comfort everywhere else. A breathable Gore-tex upper keeps the rain out but lets the foot breathe to optimize temperature control. Breathability is fully supported with an Ortholite sock liner that absorbs moisture while letting air continue to circulate.

The G-TX is designed for a neutral gait, meaning there’s no overpronation (turning in at the ankle and foot) or supination (rolling outward of the foot). A vertical flex groove in the outsole helps guide the foot through a neutral stride to keep body mechanics in line from foot strike to toe-off.

ASICS’s propel technology enhances energy return for excellent responsiveness and less fatigue. Every time the foot lands, gel pockets in the heel and forefoot absorb shock, preventing it from cascading up the legs.

Types of Workout Shoes for Men

RunningCross-Training
Many men jump right to classic running shoes when heading to the gym. Running shoes are great for running, but not necessarily weights or plyometrics.
This type of shoe offers the ultimate in cushioning to absorb the impact of multiple footstrikes. Long-distance runners need extra cushioning to keep up with the pounding they put their bodies through. Running shoes also feature stability and support features like medial posts and guard rails to prevent overpronation.
However, running shoes could compromise your lifts in the weight room. The foams used in running shoes aren’t designed to hold up under heavy weights. Instead, they compress, reducing stability and potentially reducing the amount of weight you can lift.
If you do both running and weightlifting, start looking at a good pair of cross-trainers or minimal shoes that support both activities.
The best cross-training shoes give you a good feel for the groumnd when weightlifting yet have the cushioning to protect the feet and joints when running.
The cross trainer outsoles often wrap around the side of the shoe to provide traction during lateral movements, rope climbs, and other dynamic, multiplanar exercises.
However, if you’re doing heavy lifting, you might want to consider a weightlifting shoe on the heaviest weight days. Otherwise, even a good cross trainer could get in the way of reaching a new PR.
WeightliftingMinimal
Weightlifting shoes have a low-profile, firmer cushioning, and midfoot straps to lock the foot into the shoe.
The firm foams used in weightlifting shoes don’t compress under heavy weight. They let you ground yourself through the heels and take advantage of the force of your body and the ground to push through each lift.
Depending on the kind of lifts you do, different weightlifting shoes may have a raised heel that allows you to press deeper into a squat with heavier weight while maintaining correct form.These shoes don’t have enough cushioning for running, nor do they have the lateral support of a cross-trainer. Some weightlifters use a minimal shoe to lift, which allows them to move from running to lifting without changing shoes. However, it depends on your feet and the weight you can handle.
Minimal training shoes have an offset below three millimeters. Weightlifting shoes may have a low offset, too, but minimal sneakers have greater flexibility, without the firm support in the heels.
Minimal shoes are used for weightlifting or running. However, you should fully adapt your feet to them before running a full workout or packing on heavy weights.
Wear them for a few minutes each day, gradually extending the wearing time as the feet strengthen and adapt. Many weightlifters like the grounded feel of a minimal shoe. However, if you lift heavy weights (over 400 to 500 pounds), stick to weightlifting shoes or a cross-trainer with a low profile and minimal cushioning.
Court
Basketball, volleyball, and tennis are a few court sports with their own shoe designs. If your workouts include a court sport, you can either buy a specialty shoe or opt for a cross-training shoe that accommodates your sport.
For example, tennis and basketball players need good lateral support for quick cuts and turns. If you only play once a week, you can probably get by with a cross-trainer. However, if you’re playing several hours a week, a basketball or tennis sneaker offers better foot protection and support for movements unique to each sport.

What Makes a Good Workout Shoe for Men?

CushioningThe right shoe has the amount and type of cushioning for the activities you do most. Lifting heavy weights requires firm cushioning, whereas running requires extra cushioning to absorb the shock of repeated footstrikes.
Athletes who do functional fitness typically prefer cross trainer sneakers with less cushioning than a long-distance runner would need. Consider the force, tension, and stress you put on your body and the level of cushioning you’ll need to support the feet and legs.
Traction PatternTraction keeps athletes upright, decreases sprint times, and lets you make quick moves. Some traction patterns and outsole materials work better in certain types of workouts. For example, gum rubber can almost feel sticky, working well on indoor courts but breaking down quickly on rough pavement.
Weightlifting shoes have traction patterns designed to help the foot grip in the two or three high-pressure areas. Cross-trainers may have thicker rubber in high wear areas and thinner rubber in low wear areas to enhance grip and traction while reducing weight. Again, it’s about matching the shoe type to the activities you do. The better you know yourself, the better able you’ll be to pick a shoe that supports your fitness goals.
Offset/Heel to Toe DropA workout shoe’s offset is the difference in height from heel to the toe. A high offset generally ranges from 9 to 12 millimeters, and a low offset is under 3 millimeters. Running shoes typically have higher offsets to help propel the runner forward. (Minimal shoes would be the exception.) Cross-trainers and court shoes fall into the mid-range offsets between 4 and 8 millimeters. Weightlifting and minimal shoes are typically in the low offset range at or below three millimeters.
Lateral SupportLateral support features include guard rails, internal support frames, and wide outsoles that wrap up the shoe’s side to protect the foot while you do quick cuts and direction changes.
A cross-trainer’s internal frame, outsole, and tread design offer excellent lateral support. Court sneakers are another shoe type that offers lateral support to protect the feet during intense moves. In comparison, running shoes are designed for heel to toe movement, where there’s little need for lateral support.
WeightA shoe’s weight affects your performance, and most types of shoes have a lightweight option. The key is to match the shoe’s weight to the workout because a lightweight sneaker reduces the energy needed for every step, reducing overall fatigue.
However, lightweight isn’t always the best option for everyday training. For example, runners may choose a lightweight shoe for races but a well-cushioned stability shoe for long training runs.
A lightweight cross-trainer may work perfectly well on a day with lots of running. However, on a day where you’ll max out your squats, lightweight footwear won’t provide the support needed to safely do your best. Make sure that any lightweight shoe you use still has the support and stability features you need to safely navigate your training routine.

Sport Specific Shoes

The best gym shoes are targeted to your chosen sport or workout type. Basketball players will get better traction, ankle protection, and explosive power with a basketball shoe designed to enhance or protect the foot for multi-directional movements. Tennis shoes have flat soles with herringbone traction patterns for quick direction changes. Some also feature toe caps to protect the shoe during sliding stops on clay courts. Weightlifting puts unique stresses on the body that a weightlifting shoe better supports than a cross trainer or running shoe.
Can you get away with using a non-sport specific shoe—of course, you can. However, your performance may suffer. If you want to push the limits and see what you can do, chances are a sport-specific design will help you get there faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I replace my workout shoes?

It’s time to replace a workout shoe after 300 to 500 miles or 50 to 70 hours. It’s easier for runners to measure the shoe’s life in miles, while weightlifters or basketball players get a better idea of shoe life in hours. After 500 miles or 70 hours, the shoe’s cushioning foams may not return to their original shape, meaning they’ll absorb less impact as time goes on.

Keep an eye out for shoe breakdown even before you hit one of these milestones. A worn tread pattern, over-flexibility in the midsole, or peeling rubber on the outsole are all signs that it might be time to replace your shoes. Wearing a shoe when it’s well past its prime could lead to injuries in the arch, forefoot, ankle, or knees.

Should I buy my shoes a ½ size bigger than normal for swelling?

It depends on the sport. Unless you’re packing on the miles or doing long, intense workouts, you’re safe to buy your shoes in a size that’s comfortably snug. The feet don’t usually swell enough during weightlifting to require buying a ½ size bigger than usual. Weightlifters should buy a shoe that’s comfortably snug with about ¼ to ½ an inch between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Any extra space leaves room for sliding or slipping, which can compromise your lifts.

However, in other sports like running, buying a shoe in larger sizes is normal and helpful. Men who run over four miles per day may want to buy their running shoes in a ½ size larger than normal to give the feet room to swell without pinching or chafing. If you run even longer than that per day, consider buying your running shoes a whole size bigger.

Can I use cross trainers for running?

Cross-trainers work for short distances, and some well-cushioned cross trainers may work for mid-distance runs. However, the impact and forces of running may break down a cross trainer’s thinner foams faster than a running shoe’s. A running shoe offers better, thicker cushioning and support features in the arch for distances over three or four miles.

Final Advice

A good men’s workout shoe should let you focus on form and not worry about what your footwear is doing. When they fit well, provide the right level of traction, and let you harness energy for explosive moves, you know you’ve found the right shoe. Plus, many of the best workout shoes look as good walking on the street as they do in the gym.

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