The best workout shoes 2024 to squat, leap and lift your way to fitness

If you’re looking for the best workout shoes to train in, you’ve come to the right place. I've clocked up more than 4,000 hours on the gym floor, dabbled in Olympic weightlifting, completed a HYROX and even trained with top CrossFit athletes, so I feel that I can confidently say I know what makes a training shoe go the extra mile! Plus, with Black Friday around the corner, there are some top trainer deals about.

When choosing the best workout shoe, it’s key to know exactly what type of training you’ll be using it for. For example, if you’re doing strength training with heavy squats and deadlifts, then a running shoe is a no-go, as their thick, foamy soles won’t offer any stability and can increase your range of motion (making lifts harder).

Below, are the 10 workout shoes that we’ve settled on as being the best, many of which our team still train in today (the R.A.D One is my go-to training shoe). Whether you're looking to partake in weightlifting, CrossFit, HIIT, cardio, or even a HYROX, we've got a shoe to suit your training style.

Best workout shoes to buy right now

Best overall

We fell in love with the Vivobarefoot Motus Strength shoes while testing them and the fact we gave them 5-stars is proof of that. This is the first barefoot training shoe that's been designed specifically for strength training, CrossFit and functional fitness and we found them brilliant for all three. Even explosive movements, like burpee broad jumps and box jumps, are comfortable in the Motus Strength shoe. The jigsaw lugs on the soles provide phenomenal grip for all training disciplines, the wide toe box is perfect for toe splay and they're incredibly comfy.

Is the Motus Strength shoe for everyone? Probably not. Although we could sing this shoe's praises all day, if you’re not used to barefoot shoes then they'll take some getting used to. Although, we don’t think it’ll be too long before they become a firm favourite. Also, we'd avoid using them to run in, for obvious reasons.

Read our full Vivobarefoot Motus Strength review 

Best affordable

Not everyone needs cutting-edge technology in their workout shoes. The majority of people need cheap, reliable gym shoes that can be worn on the gym floor and on the road, too. The New Balance MXTRNRV1 are designed to perform on any surface, for any sport, anytime.

Although these shoes don't excel in any sport, the responsive and plush Dynasoft midsole will help you move forward nevertheless, whether you're on a treadmill or doing a HIIT class. The MXTRNRV1 comes in two colourways, navy with white and grey with neo flame, and these look...fine. No one's going to stop you on the street to compliment your shoes, but that's okay. It's a workout shoe that's affordable and practical.

Best Nike shoe

Nike's Metcons are loved by athletes and are considered a gold standard workout shoe, particularly when it comes to CrossFit and functional fitness. However, the Nike Metcon 9s are the best model at present.

This shoe can handle multiple training demands. We found them extremely stable during our heavy squats, deadlifts and Olympic lifts, thanks to the large hyperlift plate in the heel. This was complimented by the wide toe box that allowed us to spread our toes evenly. If your feet are on the wider side, this shoe will be good for you. The large rubber rope guard also provided extra protection from hefty rope climbs, while we found the dual density foam provided enough energy return for plyometrics and quick treadmill sprints. The fact they can also be put in the washing machine is also a big win.

Read our full Nike Metcon 9 review.

Browse our Nike discount codes to snap up some savings.

Best for everyday wear

The R.A.D Ones are one of the newer cross-training shoes on the block, loved by CrossFit athletes, such as Laura Horvath and Danielle Steel, and we can see why. They’re stable for weightlifting, comfortable for high-intensity exercises and look good enough to wear all day, every day (there's some really cool colourways).

The full-length herringbone traction pattern on the sole of the shoes provided insane grip, especially when doing multidirectional movements. Plus, it barely picks up any dirt and debris either, helping them stay in mint condition. The midsole is made from R.A.D's Swell Foam, which is made partly from sugar cane rather than solely fossil-based materials, which provided us with enough cushion for plyometric movements but didn't compromise our heavy lifts. They're light for gymnastic movements too and durable for rope climbs. Those who have wide feet though are best avoiding as they're quite narrow. 

Read our full R.A.D One review

Best for cross-training

Whether you're into your CrossFit, HIIT, weightlifting or enjoy a light bit of cardio, the Nano X4 will be a decent shoe for you. This is partly due to Reebok's innovative Lift and Run Chassis System where the heel has been crafted with special technology. This makes it stable under heavy loads, but it then softens when it's not, so it's ideal for heavy lifting and dynamic movements. We found the Floatride Energy Foam in the midsole provides enough energy return and comfort for short running intervals, but you're not going to want to do a 10K in these, they're best for short sprint intervals or 3 kilometres max.

Admittedly, they're not the sexiest workout shoe out there, they venture slightly on the larger side in terms of size and the laces are short. But, we can't fault their performance. 

Read our full Reebok Nano X4 review

Best for weightlifting

Under Armour's first-ever weightlifting shoe provides comfort, stability and style — the brand should be applauded for creating such a great shoe the first time. It's very secure and stable to squat in, and you can rest assured your feet won't slip during heavy lifts; these shoes have 'got you'. However, the ventilation in the shoes isn't the best, so expect your feet to get a little toasty.

Overall, the UA TriBase Reign shoes are probably the best all-around training shoes from Under Armour and are also suited for weight lifting. When it comes down to specifically just weightlifting, though, the mechanics of what's needed is very different to something for overall functional fitness, and the UA Reign Lifting Shoe provide that little extra that makes them more suitable for this kind of training.

Read our full Under Armour Reign Lifter Training Shoes review.

Best for HYROX

The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 was recommended to us by the Fittest Woman in the UK 2023, Jennifer Muir. She dubbed them the 'winning HYROX shoes' and it is a great shoe that carried us well throughout our first HYROX race. What's better, is they won't cost you the earth either.

As this is a running shoe, it can handle the 8 kilometers of running that you do for HYROX well (and further). We also found the grip is decent for the sled pull and push. Obviously, it's not the most cushioned trainer in the world, however, you don't want that for HYROX, otherwise, you may find it more difficult to remain stable and find your balance during the other exercises. This shoe offers the best of both worlds: it's comfortable and versatile. 

It comes in some great colourways too. If you practice your runs in them the rain in , be warned, your feet will get a bit soggy and they pick up dirt fast. They wash brilliantly in the washing machine though, so jobs a goodun.

Best for cardio

If you're the king or queen of cardio you'll need a shoe with more cushioning and ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 hits the sweet spot. Around the midsole there's plenty of foam which contains ASICS' PureGel technology for increased shock absorption. Then there's a generous amount of padding around the heel which we found made our runs, indoors and outdoors, extra comfortable. The mesh upper ensures your feet remain cool and comfy too, particularly important if you're looking to rack up some miles on the treadmill.

Best for durability

To our relief, despite their robust – rigid, even – look, the Ballistic Mid-Top Trainers are flexible and comfortable to wear for workouts. Goruck claims the updated design provides three times the support and stability in the three arches of the foot (the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch and the anterior transverse arch).

Indeed, the Ballistic Trainers feel supportive – sometimes a little too much. Especially in the heel area, some might find the TPU heel counter's guidance obtrusive. Weirdly enough, though, we wouldn't call it uncomfortable – you're just strangely aware that the heels are being cupped by the heel counters almost all the time.

That said, we didn't experience chafing in the shoes, even when we wore them all day to test out the heel counter. The upper is comfortable enough, and the Cordura panels lend a sense of durability without making the shoes too rigid. The toe box feels generous, even for people with wide feet. If you need rugged, military-style workout shoes for CrossFit and hybrid workouts, consider the Goruck Ballistic Mid-Top Trainers!

Best for outdoor training

Building off the design of the mega-popular Reebok Nano X1, the Nano X1 Adventure Shoe was designed specifically for outdoor use. Imagine a proper CrossFit workout shoe but with a lot more padding and weather-proofing and bags more style. The Nano X1 Adventure has an updated rubber lug outsole to help maximise traction outdoors.

The upper is different, too (compared to the standard Nano X1): it's made of a stretch ripstop material to protect your feet from the elements better. It's also well-padded and provides plush cushioning but can get warm after a while when the weather is hot. We found the laces too long, but you can easily tuck them under so they aren't in the way. On the plus side, the toe box is roomy and allows the foot to expand.

How we test the best workout shoes

The only way to test if a shoe is decent or not is to do just that, by testing it. That's exactly what we do here at T3, we head on down to the gym and put each pair of shoes through their paces. It's the only way to determine if it's a best workout shoe or not.

We then use the shoe for various styles of training including weight lifting, HIIT, circuits, CrossFit-style workouts, and even short runs (the longer ones are saved for our running shoe guide). We'll then assess how comfortable the shoe is, how much support they provide, the materials used and design features. Every single shoe in this guide has gone through this process. It's one of our favourite parts of the job.

Read more about how we test at T3 by clicking on the link.

FAQs

How to buy the best workout shoes for you

Here are a few things to consider before making your purchase, so you pick the right shoes for you:

Workout style: What type of training are you looking to do in these shoes - is it just weight lifting, HIIT, or a bit of both? Different shoes will be designed with different training in mind, so it's important that you know what you want to use them for, so you pick the right shoe for you.

Comfort: This is a non-negotiable, you simply won't have a good training session if you don't have something comfortable on your feet. Cushioning in the midsole will help absorb impact and you want it to feel supportive around the ankle too.

Grip: No matter what type of workout you're doing, having shoes with good traction is key, particularly if you're doing lots of explosive movements. Good grip will help keep you stable and ensure you don't slip and injure yourself.

Fit: No workout brand's shoes fit the same, but it's important to get a shoe that fits properly. Too tight and your foot will be restricted and uncomfortable, too big and you'll lack support and it may even come off. To reap the a shoes' full benefits, you need to get your correct size.

Style: Functionality is the most important thing when it comes to workout shoes, but that doesn't mean you have to compromise on style. These days, there are loads of great looking shoes out there that will not only perform well but make you feel good too.

Budget: Just because some workout shoes cost the earth doesn't mean you have to get them (unless you want to, of course). However, there are plenty of brilliant shoes that don't require you to splash too much cash. Have a budget in mind and do some research; don't just go with the first most expensive shoe, you may be surprised with what you can get for your money.