10 Best Gym Shoes for Men (2024): Our Picks for the Top Kicks

Our pick for best overall gym shoes for men gets the stamp of approval from GGR founder and lifelong Nike fan, Coop Mitchell, who tested and reviewed the Nike Metcon 9s. The main takeaway he had from these shoes is that they are stable…like, stable.

The latest Metcons are built with a solid heel. Coop said these shoes a great for weightlifting, though says people who do more cardio-based workout may not be a big fan of them. “This is 100% a shoe that has been designed primarily for lifting,” Coop says. “I see it being the best fit for someone who, for instance, mostly lifts and does a bit of running or cross-training on the side.” He says they could stand up to a 400- or 800-meter run. For that reason, we rate it a 3 out of 5 for versatility.

We wouldn’t recommend wearing this as an everyday shoe, though, as the heel isn’t flexible enough to give you the comfort needed for being on your feet more than a couple hours—long enough for a workout. There is also a rope guard to protect the shoe during rope climbs.

The Metcon 9s are incredibly similar to the previous Metcons. If your Metcon 7s or 8s are in decent shape, we recommend waiting until you need a new pair of training shoes.

The Metcon 9 is a great cross-training shoe, which is a positive or negative depending on your needs. It’s a fantastic all-around shoe for the gym and will help you do many workouts well, but it won’t be better than a dedicated weightlifting shoe or running shoe for those workouts. 

However, if you’re looking for one pair of shoes that handle it all, the Metcon 9s are a great choice.

Head of Content for Garage Gym Reviews, Kate Meier, was able to test the NOBULL Outworks, formerly called the NOBULL Trainers, and we think it’s one of the best minimalist gym shoes out there for men (honestly, for both men and women). Designed similar to a Chuck Taylor, the NOBULLs are made with a low heel-to-toe drop to provide a minimal design and feel.

The cushioning is minimal on these Outworks, so it can have a flat foot feel at first. The lack of cushioning provides a stable base for lifting and weight training, but the sole is flexible enough for dynamic movements and some running as well. 

Kate says on her experience working out in them that, “When I initially put these on, I didn’t like the feel. The bottom felt hard, and I’m used to weightlifting shoes. However, once I got to working out with them, I really liked them. I did workouts that included running, jumping and squat cleans, and I never felt uncomfortable in the shoes.”

The seamless SuperFabric upper is a little rigid at first, but will break in after a few uses. They are extremely durable shoes. However, their minimalist design may not make them most people’s choice for running, or even for everyday wear. Out of the three testers who had their hands on NOBULLs—Coop, Kate, and Amanda—no one recommends the NOBULL Outworks for simply running. WIth that said, NOBULL does make running shoes if you would like a running shoe from the brand.

There are many colorways for the NOBULLs, but Kate noted they are a little bland looking. Also, the price point is a bit high for a minimal design, starting at $130. But for what they are, the NOBULLs are a great cross-trainer for people looking for a solid, durable minimalist shoe. 

Our tester for the Reebok Nano Gym Shoes was certified personal trainer and former rugby player Stephen Sheehan, who says the newest iteration of the iconic Nano shoe line is “comfortable/supportive due to the cushioned heel.” He loved them so much, he might replace his beloved Nike Metcons for non-weightlifting workouts, such as a CrossFit workout of the day.

“I feel a little more stable in the Metcons for lifting but think the Nanos are a better shoe in terms of versatility and support,” he says in his Reebok Nano Gym Shoes review.

Previous Nano shoes were designed more for cardio-centric workouts, and Stephen says that’s still true for the Nano Gym Shoes but they’re a little better for deadlifts and squats than their older siblings.

 “I actually enjoyed running in the Nanos and still felt like they were stable to squat,” he says. “I still felt stable enough to perform these exercises, along with box jumps.” He gave the overall stability a 4 out of 5.

The upper is constructed with a lightweight mesh, which has been the standard for Nanos. Stephen has only had his shoes for about three weeks, and he says they feel durable for a lightweight shoe (a size 9 weighs 12 ounces). “I was surprised at how lightweight these were but they still feel well made and durable. They provide much more cushion/support than Metcons, which can be quite unforgiving,” Stephen says.

The outsole is made of a thick EVA/rubber material that Stephen says has “great traction,” earning the shoes a 4.5 out of 5 rating in that category.

The Nike MC Trainer 2 is our pick for a gym shoe you can use all day long. While we haven’t actually tested this shoe (they were out of stock in the proper size), we feel the shoe provides versatility in the gym, and a good amount of comfort outside of the gym, all for a budget friendly price under $100.

The heel is thicker and extended and solid for strength training, but the midsole and forefoot remain thinner and flexible to allow for a diverse range of workouts and exercises. Soft foam cushioning braces the foot on lateral movements, and lateral support wraps help keep the foot secure during training. Nike doesn’t disclose the heel-to-toe drop, but it looks like it is a more modest drop than a lifter.

RELATED: Strength Training for Runners

The shoes may not fit wide feet, and some reviews have reported that the heels may slip. Other reviews question the durability of the upper mesh, as it is pretty thin. For its price point, though, it provides pretty good value as an all around trainer that can be comfortable in and out of the gym.

We chose the Altra Rivera 4 as the best running gym shoes for men because of its versatility and comfort. This shoe will protect you from the pounding of running both on the treadmill or roads, yet allows you to seamlessly transition from sprints to box jumpovers or lunges.

We may be talking about the best gym shoes for men but our female tester and certified running coach, Amber Nelson, is a big fan and we know the men’s shoes will be just as loved. Amber says that these shoes are her favorite for hybrid style workouts. “These shoes are perfect for workouts that require you to transition from a run to a functional movement repeatedly,” she says.

We admit that we haven’t gotten to test the Altra Rivera 4’s just yet, but the differences between the 2 and 4 are subtle. The main differences are a 1.2 ounce increase in weight, the addition of 2 millimeters to stack height, and a revamped heel collar for a more secure fit.  

The Altra Rivera 4 is a stylish and versatile running shoe. While fun colors are available, there are also white and black options and can be easily paired with your favorite gym get up. This shoe is zero-drop so the toe is the same height as the heel, giving you a more barefoot feel. When wearing a shoe like this, your foot will follow more natural positioning which increases stability and encourages your natural gait when running. 

The Altra Rivera 4 is a great running shoe thanks to the moderate cushioning that provides a soft and responsive ride. The midsole of this shoe has a special groove system that promotes flexibility so you won’t feel restricted when running, doing agility work, or moving weights. With a breathable upper mesh, you won’t need to worry about your feet overheating whether working out indoors or out.

Amber says that the moderate cushioning provides enough comfort for treadmill running or down and backs in the gym but does not feel like too much cushioning when she transitions into squats or deadlifts. There is just enough spring for running but not so much that you will feel unstable when doing heavier lifts. 

The Altra Rivera 4 is also a great shoe if you want to transition from run, to row, to lunges. Some running shoes are bulky and make it hard to squeeze your feet into the straps of a rowing machine but Amber said she was able to get off and on the row machine quickly and when doing lunges she felt plenty of stability.

The Asics Gel-Venture 8 are a great value shoe that have nice rubber lugs on the outsole to provide extra traction on rougher terrain, making them a great pick for the best outdoor gym shoes for men. Rob Davis, husband of GGR Senior Editor Nicole Davis, tried the Gel-Venture 8s and he was happy with them overall.

The main thing he noted was the comfort of the shoes. As Nicole recalled, “My husband thinks these shoes are super comfy—he wears them quite a bit despite not being crazy about the look, which tells me he really likes how they feel!” We’ll touch on the look of the shoes in a little bit, but part of the comfort comes from the GEL Tech cushioning on the inside.

The outsole has a good amount of tread and rubber lugs, to provide a grippy traction on just about all surfaces. Rob has been wearing these shoes outside in the winter because of their great traction, in fact. The upper is thicker than most shoes, but still pretty breathable according to Rob. With a price point under $100, this shoe also provides good value.

The main drawback is the look of the shoe. These shoes are not as stylish as a lot of other training shoes. Asics tries to make up for it with 21 different colorway options, but the look is still not the coolest. If you are able to look beyond the look of the shoe, however, then you will see a good value and super comfortable shoe that could double as a trail running shoe.

Our best walking shoe for men is the Lululemon Beyondfeel Men’s Running Shoe, a responsive shoe with foam cushioning, a lugged outsole, and a seamless mesh upper for breathability and durability.

These shoes come with a 10 millimeter heel-to-toe drop, which refers to the difference between the height of your shoe’s heel and forefoot. This helps ensure you achieve a heel strike while running, instead of hitting the ground with your forefoot. This not only encourages proper running form and protects your tendons from taking too much impact.

RELATED: Best running shoes

While we haven’t tried these shoes for ourselves just yet, there is a 30-day trial so you can return them if they’re not the right fit for you.

Customer reviewers said these shoes were great for those who walk, run, or stand on their feet all day though they said they weren’t the best for strength training workouts (you can wear them while bench pressing, but we’d recommend a more stable pair if you’re going to finally hit a leg day).

The Reebok Nano X4 is a great weightlifting shoe that can double as a hybrid shoe—able to lift in and able to move around in a variety of dynamic exercises. The 7-millimeter heel-to-toe drop is lower than some shoes we’ve reviewed here, but it’s at that Goldilocks level that gives it some versatility besides just lifting.

Certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele says they feels more stable while lifting than the other Reebok Nano Xs (i.e. the Reebok Nano X1, X2, and X3, all of which she’s tried). She rated the shoes a 5 out of 5 in that category. “The drop is great for the majority of us who tend to land with our heel first while running, offering better support,” she says. “They almost remind me of Nike Metcons, but with a wider toe box.”

That wider toe box is one of the things that makes them slightly better for lifting than its predecessors because it allows you to spread your toes and find your balance before hitting a squat or deadlift.

Surprisingly, Lindsay actually says these aren’t her first choice when it comes time for cardio. “I wouldn’t want to do a bunch of running in these shoes as I don’t feel like they provide much cushioning,” she says in her Reebok Nano X4 review, rating them a 3 out of 5 in that category.

Chuck Taylors have been a staple in powerlifting shoes for years, and they are a great pick if you’re looking for a budget-friendly shoe. The high-top All Stars in particular provide a good amount of ankle support, and the shoe has zero drop from heel to toe, making them an ideal option for deadlifting some heavy weights.

Converse Chuck Taylors are a very common choice in powerlifting gyms, particularly for deadlifts or bench press—although your footwear in the bench is less important. The flat, rigid outsole and minimal feel keep your feet connected to the ground. Additionally, the canvas fabric upper allows for the shoes to breathe some, and gives your toes and feet plenty of room to splay out, to properly drive into the ground as you pull on a heavy barbell.

I myself like to use Converse Chuck Taylors for deadlifts and heavy pulls, if I’m not pulling barefoot. The Chuck Taylors help me stay low to the ground and drive through the lift; my feet almost feel like part of the ground. Many other GGR testers have also used these shoes during their strength training sessions. You can check out what they had to say in our Converse Chuck Taylor All Star review.

Although these are solid deadlift shoes, the low heel is not ideal for other strength exercises, notably squats. I prefer weightlifting shoes like the Nike Romaleo 4s for squatting movements. Furthermore, they do not have the cushioning to be a good running shoe either.

For its price point at $65, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars are a great value gym shoe that can double for everyday wear as well. It does not have the versatility of other gym shoes, but what it does, it does well.

TYR made a big splash in the CrossFIt world last year with a big chunk of competitors at the CrossFit Games wearing the TYR CXT-1 Trainers. And we’ve liked them enough to place them on our list as the best cross-training shoes for men.

Amanda was able to test the TYR CXT-1 Trainers, and she thoroughly enjoyed them in each kind of workout she took them through. In metcons, she noticed the breathable upper kept her comfortable in longer workouts, and the forefoot was flexible for dynamic movements. While lifting weights, the support in the arches made the shoes feel very stable and snug, and the slightly raised heel made squats and receiving a barbell feel natural.

While they have the feel of a minimal shoe, they are not a true minimalist shoe, so the midsole might be a little off-putting for someone expecting a true minimal shoe. Along with that, the laces seem a little bit short. They are also heavier when compared to other trainers, and Amanda worried about the mesh upper’s durability. However, this is a solid pick for a variety of gym workouts.