12 Best Workout Shoes for Men 2023

Support: Thick upper construction | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Maximum grip

While some folks opt to wear running shoes for lifting and cardio, most of the fitness pros we spoke to say that it’s worth investing in a pair of shoes better suited for all-purpose workouts — like Nike’s Metcon. Sean Sewell, a personal trainer who runs the gear-review site Engearment, says that while running shoes have “a bit of a lift in the heel that helps for comfort when running,” that can make it hard to achieve “proper alignment” in other kinds of workouts. Todd Brandon-Morris, the founder of inclusive fitness brand Out-Fit, says the Metcon should be “the standard for any versatile athlete” because they’re “firm enough for heavy weight lifting” but also great for jumping and running. Sewell tells us they’re also very popular in the CrossFit community: “They are lightly cushioned and have little to no heel lift, making them good for proper biomechanics when performing deadlifts, squats, swings, and snatches,” he says, adding that they have “good tactile feedback too.”

“For general gym-training purposes, I’ve been wearing Nike Metcons for years,” says Dr. Clinton Lee, a Brooklyn-based certified strength and conditioning specialist. “They’re lightweight, and many models have a relatively flat sole (which I prefer for lower-body training), and they look good. There are options to get previous editions from outlet stores for inexpensive prices, and Nike always has new iterations popping up in case you want something more recent.”

Because of their versatility, the Metcon is our top recommendation for any sweat session — minus training for a marathon.

Support: Wide toe box and lacing reinforcement| Cushion: Light | Outsole: Medium grip

Altra shoes are known for two main features: a generously wide toe box that allows you splay out your feet, and a zero-drop heel, which means your heel and toe are level within the shoe. Many customers love the brand for this one-two punch of comfort, especially for hiking and outdoor pursuits. But it turns out that this design is perfect for the weight room, too.

When it comes to lifting weights, Dugger and many other experts say you want a shoe with as much of a barefoot feel as possible. This allows you to fully plant your feet into the ground, which helps avoid injuries. “Research has shown that a lot of shoes with very thick soles can weaken your ankles over time,” explains Dugger, who adds that “injuries like ankle sprains and knee problems all start with your feet and footwear.” The Solstice XT 2’s lightly cushioned sole and zero drop are just what you need for that barefoot feel. I’ve been testing the Solstice for a full year now (I even reviewed it previously as an editor at Outside), and its wide and flat base gives me — and my legs — confidence during heavy lifts. It also has a rubbery reinforcement cage around the forefoot and laces, which keeps my feet even more locked in.

Support: Tight speed lacing system | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip

When we reached out to fitness influencers and experts to find the next status gym sneaker for men, On Running’s Cloud line was the clear choice when it came to both style and substance. Master personal trainer Ariel Brill told us that these “are my favorite for running,” adding, “I ran a marathon in this exact pair and I felt like I was truly running on a cloud, when in reality, I was on hard pavement.” While these are branded as a running sneaker, many find they also make a great all-purpose gym and training shoe. As style editor Ted Stafford told us when we asked him about status gym sneakers, “Guys who are looking for a training sneaker with the latest innovation for comfort and performance should try On Running training sneakers as soon as they can. They’ll be hooked.”

Support: Tight speed lacing system | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip

Ralph Lauren creative producer Yale Breslin says the Cloudstratus are his go-to shoes for a variety of workouts thanks to their plush cushioning. “The sole gives a little bit of bounce, which makes what I think is the most mundane activity a little more fun,” he says. “Plus, in a plethora of black tank tops and black shorts at Equinox, these stand out.”

Support: Thick tongue | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Medium grip

A pair of 990s is suitable for just about everything: travel, date night, walking around, and the gym. Its cushioned midsole and discreet dad-sneaker look make it a shoe you can dress up or down and wear for both relaxed and more active pursuits. The 990s will fit most feet; they come in a ton of sizes and widths. (We also selected the 990v5 as the best women’s workout shoe for everyday wear.) Strategist writer and self-described gym rat Tembe Denton-Hurst likes her 990s because they offer “incredible support and are super-comfortable to walk in.”

Support: High ankle support | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip

Lee prefers doing squat workouts in Jordan 1s and Nike Dunks in various colorways. “Not for any performance-related purposes,” he tells me. “It’s just that they’re fun, I love the way they look, and for the amount of time I spend in the gym, I need something different than typical sneakers or weight-lifting shoes, so I rock these for the fashion aspect.”

Brooks is known primarily for its running shoes, but the brand also makes more casual models, such as this suede pair for walking. Coraggio likes the Addiction Walker for everyday workouts. “I have low arches and tight calves that have forced me to be very foot conscious since I was 12 years old,” he tells me. “I am very focused on gait and foot mechanics.” Since the Addiction Walker isn’t meant for running or quick movements, it’s highly cushioned and offers a supportive feel.

Support: High laces lend ankle support | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip

Another sneaker that also appeared in our status gym-shoe roundup, the high-top Converse All Star has a cult following among weight lifters due to its completely flat sole. (It’s also the only weight-lifting shoe we heard about multiple times.) Product designer Amardeep Singh is among those who like the flat-soled All Star high-tops for weight-lifting: He prefers the ’70 model featured here, which has a thicker sole, telling us you’ve “got to keep it flat if you’re lifting.” Sewell seconds the Converse recommendation, adding that they’re the next best thing to going barefoot (which he says “allows for the most beneficial alignment of the body if you really want to train hard with heavier weights”). There’s killer value here: It’s good for your wardrobe (and your wallet) that one of the best weight-lifting shoes is also an iconic, classic sneaker.

Support: Reinforced toe, flat sole | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Medium grip

Strategist UK contributor Anna Fielding is a fan of these stylish, affordable trainers from Feiyue that have their roots in versatile movement. “The trainers originated in 1920s Shanghai, where they were adopted by martial arts practitioners,” she wrote. “These days parkour enthusiasts use them too, as do Chinese schoolchildren doing PE lessons and Shaolin monks. They are lightweight plimsolls, with a canvas body and a cushioned sole. They have bounce. They have grip. And unlike other plimsolls, they’re actually supportive.” Feiyue’s Fe Lo sneakers fit the bill of a solid weight-lifting shoe: they have a flat base, a cushioned sole, and a supportive canvas upper that won’t bust open like a flimsy running shoe upper might. “You can easily wear them without socks, and — good for the sockless to know — I’ve also found they stand up to repeat washing-machine cycles,” Fielding continues. “They stay looking fresh, whites white and colours sharp, longer than any pair of Converse. They don’t fall to pieces, as Keds can, even if you treat them badly and kick them off without bothering to undo the laces.”

I’ve been alternating daily between two pairs of Fe Lo 1920s for less than a year. I wear them mainly for walking around the city but also for weight lifting. The primary areas of wear are in the heel counter, which is thin and has frayed but hasn’t caused any irritation against my heel.

Support: Low profile and cushioned collar | Cushion: Medium | Outsole: Heavy grip

Tennis shoes naturally make up some of the best all-purpose workout shoes. That’s because the sport requires both forward and lateral movement, and shoes that have a durable construction and thick tread to meet the demands of shuffling around the hard court. Former Strategist junior writer Sanibel Chai picked the Gel-Resolution as the best men’s tennis shoe: “Five experts call the Asics Gel-Resolution a fantastic option that, unlike many of the pairs on this list, should fit anyone comfortably regardless of the width or volume of their feet.” In her reporting, she cited NYU’s head tennis coach, Horace Choy, who said the Resolution is “very popular” with his team in part because the shoe’s low profile means you’re “closer to the ground, which I personally think makes you feel a little faster.”

Support: Zero heel-toe drop, wide footbed | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Lugs with high grip

Altra is known for its shoes with a “zero-drop” design (meaning the heel-to-toe drop is flat) and wide footbed, which allows your toes to splay out — two features intended to boost comfort. The brand’s most popular model is its Lone Peak, designed primarily for hiking, but I prefer the nimbler Outroad for trail runs and walking on dirt and gravel trails. While the outsole has big lugs for gripping loose terrain, I’ve found that the Outroad doesn’t feel out of place on shorter road runs too.

Support: Cushioned tongue and collar | Cushion: Heavy | Outsole: Grippy tread for road running

Yes, you don’t want to use running shoes for all of your workouts, but if you’re looking for a basic running shoe that can also handle other activities from time to time, the Pegasus is your pick. In her guide to picking the best running shoes, former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson recommended the Air Zoom Pegasus if “you’d rather not think too much about your running shoes,” she wrote. “The Pegasus has been a dependable part of Nike’s running lineup ever since it was introduced nearly four decades ago. Its cushioning comes from a generous layer of Nike’s proprietary React foam in the midsole.”