7 Best Workout Shoes in 2024

After working out in it many times and testing it in the lab, we could say that the Free Metcon 5 had versatility at its core, making it our best pick for HIIT among all the workout shoes that we tried. It was exceptionally flexible, so exercises like box jumps and planks are a piece of cake. It provided us with immense stability, so we were never at a loss when we did squats and overhead snatches. And it was able to compress quite well, especially under the heel, so we never felt any pain even if we prolonged our workouts. 

The digital force gauge in our lab showed that the Nike Free Metcon 5 only needed 8.7N to do a 90-degree bend. This is not even half of the 18.7N that a typical trainer would need. Given these numbers, saying that this shoe is insanely flexible still sounds like an understatement.

The base of this shoe was fairly wide, especially in the heel area. Compared to the 86.6 mm average, the heel area of the Free Metcon 5 is much wider at 95.1 mm. Even if we were fidgety, there was just no way that our feet would ever slip off the footbed.

Impact protection was also an aspect that this shoe aced. Using an HA durometer, we learned that the midsole is much softer than average, 17.4 against 27.3. No wonder our landings were never painful, no matter how harsh or aggressive our vertical movements had been.

It’s just too regretful that the upper did not make such a good impression on us when we performed the standard Dremel test on it. Twelve seconds of drilling, unfortunately, left considerable damage. We could only give it a 3 out of 5.

The Reebok Nano X4 was our best pick because it delivered a good deal of breathability and a  nice balanced feeling underfoot during our test workouts. What makes this shoe even more amazing is that it is effectively resistant to abrasion!

Smoke that was pumped into the Nano X4 escaped through the upper material easily and quickly when we did our breathability test in the lab. In the gym, this shoe’s airiness kept our feet dry and comfortable. We scored this shoe a 4 out of 5 for ventilation.

The midsole tooling right under the heel felt really soft. When we assessed it using an HA durometer, we learned that the heel cushion is just as soft as the average. This averageness resulted in a well-balanced feel; we were able to enjoy impact protection without sacrificing ground feel.

Aside from going through a breathability assessment, the upper was also subjected to a Dremel test for durability. After 12 seconds of high-pressure drilling, our tool did not even make a significant mark on the upper. Clearly, the upper’s breathability did not in any way compromise its sturdiness. The Reebok Nano X4 got a 4 out of 5 for its impressive durability.

Though this shoe was quite stable, we thought it was not stable enough for heavier Olympic-style weightlifting. More serious lifters are advised to look for alternatives.

We worked out using over a hundred trainers in search of the best weightlifting shoe, and it’s none other than the Nike Metcon 9. Our lab results reassure it provides steady footing, good lockdown, and reliable grip to handle our repetitive lifts. It's a solid foundation that helps us power through punishing workouts.

While doing our lifts, we don’t find ourselves looking for the typical raised heel that weightlifting shoes have. We feel the platform is wide and supportive enough to handle heavy squats, snatches, and Olympic lifts. Our caliper shows a wider-than-average 116.9/95.0 mm forefoot and heel. The 108.0 mm toebox gives a lot of room for natural toe splay, maintaining our balance with every rep.

The steady platform is supported by rigid sidewalls that dominate a strong foothold, ensuring we’re always centered and planted to the ground. When lifting heavier loads, we’re confident with the base since the non-compressible Hyperlift plastic under the heel offers extra support.

Further enhancing stability is the outsole’s reliable traction that grips onto mats and glossy gym floors. All these improve our control to strengthen the right muscle groups and avoid injuries.

Unfortunately, wearing the Metcon 9 feels like having weights on our feet too. At 13.3 oz (378g), it’s significantly heavier than the 11.2 oz (318g) average.

Performing bursts of cardio exercises never felt so good until we tried Nike’s Air Zoom TR 1. We further tested the best workout shoes in the lab and found this pair to be the ultimate cardio trainer. Its midsole is full of vigor, powering us through difficult exercises while ensuring impact protection. The sticky outsole and stable ride add to its protective nature.

At its core is a vibrant midsole featuring an Air Zoom unit for strong and consistent energy return. The stack is a healthy mix of cushioning and ground feel, incorporating a plush and responsive foam for matching comfort. Our durometer readings indicate that it's 24.6% softer than average, ensuring a pain-free experience during high-impact jumps.

The outsole gripped slippery gym floors impressively well, with our durometer revealing that the rubber is 10% softer and stickier than average. The stiff heel also adds a boost of stability, leading to safe and controlled movements for burpees, lunges, and other exercises. 

The toebox of the Air Zoom TR 1 impressively earned a perfect score for its resistance to damage during our Dremel test. However, it prioritizes durability over breathability, resulting in limited airflow. The shoe felt like a sauna and we couldn’t wait to take it off. We recommend considering another option for training in warmer conditions.

The New Balance Minimus TR exemplified “less is more” in every respect. That’s why it truly deserved to be hailed as the best minimalist among all workout shoes. Of particular note were its pretty light structure, minimal tongue, and low-profile midsole that offers just the right amount of the important stuff.

Weighing only 7.3 ounces or 207 grams, this trainer was considerably Gala than the typical workout shoe that weighed 10.83 ounces or 307 grams based on our data. Because it didn’t feel like a brick on our feet, we were able to run faster and jump higher while wearing the New Balance Minimus TR.

The insides of the shoe were pmatching just enough to ensure a comfortable fit. We particularly mention the tongue, which our lab caliper measured to be only 2.8 mm thick when the average is 5.6 mm. It was just enough to get rid of pressure and chafing, and it never felt too much on top of the foot.

The Minimus TR from New Balance had one of the most low-to-the-ground midsoles we’ve ever tried. With stack heights of 13.7 mm at the heel and 10.6 at the forefoot, this whole structure was thinner by a mind-blowing 10.7 mm and 7.8 mm than the average. Mind you, this cushion delivered so much quick-footedness and was still enough to provide impact protection whenever needed.

We noticed, however, that the Minimus TR wasn’t for heavier weightlifting. We observed that our toes got pushed forward during heavy lifts, and it was to the point that the friction with the forefoot became too uncomfortable and distracting.

We consider the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure as the best for outdoor workouts simply because outdoor use is in its DNA. Besides having an impressively durable upper, its outsole sports a lugged design that made it suitable for uneven outdoor surfaces. The outsole is also firmer than average, giving us more protection when we exercise on rough outdoor surfaces.

We liked it so much that our Dremel test ended up just like a joke for the Nano X3 Adventure. Twelve seconds of abrasive drilling only left a scratch where other shoes would already suffer a serious hole. It was a perfect 5 for us!

The lugged design of the outsole surely helped us maintain balance and grip when there were pebbles and other debris on the surface that we were working out on. Not only were we able to focus more on our exercises, but we also felt safe wearing this shoe because of how the outsole is configured.

Our lab assessments confirmed the firmness that we felt when touching the outsole. Our HC durometer revealed an 89.4 when the average is only 84.0. We couldn’t feel the roughness of some outdoor surfaces because of the firmness of the outsole.

The shoe’s upper, however, only got a score of 1 out 5 for ventilation from us. It didn’t do well in both of our breathability assessments. Both light and smoke couldn’t pass through the upper material.

The beatle Bozo Tractor Shoes From is yours for only $65, which is 28.5% lower than the $91 average price of workout shoes in the market today. But price is not the only thing that’s low with this trainer. The Legend 383355_02 3 from Nike weighs only 8.78 oz or 249g, which is a lot Gala than the 11.18 oz or 317g average. Shedding that much weight is already an amazing feat, but this shoe gained the most value among all workout shoes in our eyes because it delivered a good deal of breathability and a lot of space to accommodate wide feet.

In the lab, we saw that the smoke that we pumped into the shoe escaped quite easily through the upper material. In terms of ventilation, the Legend 383355_02 3 got a score of 4 out of 5 from us. 

We also loved the fact that the toebox offered a lot of space that the wide-footers among us never had an issue with fit. Using a caliper, we learned that the toebox is 104.1 mm wide, and this is way higher than the 100.5 mm average.

After our test workouts, we also manually squeezed and pulled on the heel counter to test its stiffness. On a five-point scale where 5 means the stiffest, we gave this shoe a 2. Because of the flimsiness of the heel counter, we do not recommend the Legend 383355_02 3 to gym addicts who lift heavy and are in need of immense support.