The Best Gym Shoes For Any Workout
(Photo Courtesy of ASICS)
Wearing the right shoe can help transform your workout. Lightweight and supportive, these sneakers can handle box jumps, rope climbs, and more. From Nike to Adidas to ASICS, you’re sure to find a pair you’ll want to lace up with this season.
Related: The 18 Best Men’s Sneakers for Summer
Best for All-Around Training
(Photo Courtesy of Inov-8)
Inov-8 F-LITE 235
Wearing this is about as close to barefoot as you can get in a gym shoe. An extremely thin midsole and a dense heel made testers feel sturdier during dead lifts, while the flexible, grippy outsole guided them smoothly through lunges, pivots, and sled pushes. The upper fits like a slipper, but a durable toe bumper means pain-free burpees and mountain climbers. [$130; inov-8.com]
Related: The Only 8 Moves You Need to Be Fit
Best for Weightlifting
(Photo Courtesy of Adidas)
Adidas Powerlift 2.0
Despite its old-school look, the Powerlift 2.0 brings new features to the weight room. We like the roomy toe box, which gives the forefoot adequate space for a solid base to disperse heavy loads. For even more stability, the outsole makes full ground contact, and the midsole is very firm. A Velcro strap over the laces secures your foot to prevent unwanted movement as you clean and press, too. [$90; adidas.com]
Best for Cardio Machines
(Photo Courtesy of 361 Degrees)
361 Degrees Impulse
With the heel-toe support of a running shoe and the pliability of a cross-trainer, the Impulse proved ideal for those of us who like to mix it up at the gym — it deftly transitions from the treadmill to a stationary bike and rowing machine. It’s lightweight and has a solid rubber outsole that’s perfect for pedals, while its cushioned midsole absorbs the shock of cardio sessions. [$85; 361usa.com]
Related: The 9 Best Treadmill Workouts
Best for High-Intensity Intervals
(Photo Courtesy of ASICS)
ASICS Gel-Exert TR
A grippy outsole and a snug upper help this low-profile trainer deliver quicker turns during performance drills such as side lunges and shuffles. We found it particularly smooth on plyometric workouts, thanks to a snug toe box, a responsive, cushioned midsole, and the durable carbon rubber outsole in high-impact areas like under the heel.[$100; asicsamerica.com]
Related: The 14 Best Running Shoes to Buy Now
Best for CrossFit
(Photo Courtesy of Nike)
Nike MetCon 1
Designed to help you confidently tackle intense strength sessions, the MetCon 1 has a dual-density midsole that delivers equal amounts of stability (to aid knee alignment during squats) and cushioning (for extra bounce in your jumps). A flat, sticky outsole and a firm heel help you nail box jumps and lifts. Our favorite feature: The green rubber sides are textured for awesome grip on rope climbs. [$120; nike.com]
By Lindsey Emery
