The Best Gym Shoes You Can Buy, Ranked

What We Look for in a Pair of Gym Shoes

Stability 

Generally, training shoes can be put on a stability-responsiveness spectrum. Stability manifests as design that keeps the feet and body in as advantageous and safe of a position as possible during lifting movements—heavy compound movements like a deadlift, as well as balance-focused movements like the pistol squat. 

What does stable design look like? Stable, lifting-focused shoes often have little to no cushion in the heel, rigid ankle support, and very little give from the middle to the back of the shoe. Features like these help you keep your balance concentrated in the right places on your feet.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness is a bit less clear than stability, but it’s also a bit simpler. A responsive shoe is a shoe that has some bounce or spring to it; it’s a shoe that, when jogging, feels like it’s propelling you forward—or at the very least not hindering every stride. 

The most responsive shoes are those designed for distance running. Cushioned rides with springy foams or carbon plates that harness energy and push you where you’re going, faster. Responsive design is important to gym shoes—mid-range cardio, HIIT sessions, some CrossFit work, and other gym workouts are all made more comfortable with some extra oomph—but for most gymgoers, a balance between responsive and stable design will offer the best bang for the buck.

Fit (in the right places)

A shoe fitting a little snug or a touch too big isn’t a real problem when you’re going about your day, but at the gym, it can be. Take your time before you click “checkout”—does the product page mention fit at all? Does it recommend sizing up or down? In testing, we found gym shoes often run a half-size small (closer to a full size in the case of the Puma Fuse). Mercifully, almost all retailers offer free returns for a period after delivery, so it’s not too difficult to go up a size if needed after buying. 

Wearing shoes that are too big or too small while working out can be unsafe, especially if doing so while lifting heavy weights. Don’t ego lift, and don’t risk injury because you really wish you were a size 11. 

Above all, match your fitness goals and routine

One of the shoe testers for this guide runs a couple miles to the gym as a warmup (and a nice way to save money on gas). Another does almost entirely HIIT work, with some lifting sprinkled in. Another almost exclusively lifts and folds in cardio occasionally because it is unfortunately a very healthy activity. Point being, there isn’t necessarily a shoe for everyone and everything—if you don’t run and prefer to lift, get something that supports your routine. If you’re constantly doing agility work, sprints, and box jumps, look for responsive and comfortable shoes to keep your feet happy. It’s important to drop brand loyalties and ego when shopping for performance wear.