Best Gym Shoes for Men

The 7 Most Versatile & Stylish Training Shoes of 2024

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My oh my how the times have changed. For those of us old enough to remember the pre-social media gym era, things today are very different. The gym used to be a place where people wore raggedy, baggy clothes, often with holes or stains prominently displayed, and didn’t think much about their footwear beyond size and functionality.

To say the introduction of smartphones, Instagram and TikTok have changed the game is a massive understatement. Today, both men and women treat their gym sessions not as mere workouts but as occasions for dressing up and being seen. In fact, to judge by the proliferation of tripods and “fitluencers,” chances are good that if you’re working out in a commercial gym today, you’re being recorded by someone, somewhere.

What has that meant for fitness, you might be wondering? Well, because the gym has become a social nexus, brands have taken aesthetics into consideration like never before. Gym shoes used to be functional; they’re still functional, but now they’re also stylish. So no, you’re not being vain if you make appearance a priority in selecting a gym shoe, but with so many options out there, it isn’t easy to find the right pair for you. 

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Don’t stress: we’ve picked out the best gym shoes of 2024, encompassing not only high-performing models suitable for weight training, HIIT and CrossFit-style workouts, but also good looking shoes that you can flaunt on the ‘Gram without fear.

Reebok Nano Gym Training Shoes

Built with the DNA of their popular Nano training shoes, but with the style and versatility of a running shoe, Reebok’s all-new Nano Gym was made to show off and show out. An engineered mesh upper, built with dedicated ventilation zones, helps control internal temperatures, while a TPU cradle in the heel adds stability and improves lock down, so you can execute explosive movements with total confidence. Meanwhile, the durable rubber outsole helps cushion your feet on impact while increasing the overall durability of the shoe.

$100 at Reebok.com

NOBULL Impact

NOBULL is famous for making some of the most aesthetic workout shoes on the market, but they’re also performance beasts, offering an incredibly sturdy (“nearly indestructible” according to their website), one-piece upper to stand up to your toughest workouts, as well as a herringbone outsole that grips even sweat-drenched gym floors with ease and extra padding in the heel, collar and tongue to minimize foot discomfort. The Impact adds a molded insole, reflective elements for better visibility, and a perforated, microsuede tongue to reduce heat and increase airflow within the shoe.

$139 at NOBULLProject.com 

TYR CXT-2 Trainer

TYR might be a niche brand, but that hasn’t stopped it from making a massive impact in the fitness world, thanks in no small part to their CXT-2 trainer. High-density foam in the heel, a 7mm heel drop, and an extra-wide base all provide excellent comfort and stability, helping lend you confidence during heavy lifts or explosive movements, while the breathable mesh upper helps eliminate hot spots, even after extended training sessions. There’s even an extended toe guard, helping to protect your smaller joints from jams or missteps.

$150 at TYR.com 

Nike Metcon 9

Nine iterations deep and Nike’s famed Metcon 9 is still a standard-setter in gym’s across the world, thanks in no small part to its good looks and versatile performance. A Hyperlift plate in the heel disperses weight evenly across the shoe sole, giving you the feeling of total stability when you need it most, while the dual-density foam midsole offers enough cushion to handle dynamic and explosive movements with ease. And want proof Nike truly thought of everything? There’s a rubber wrap around the outsole designed to make it easier for you to use your shoes to climb up ropes, just in case your workouts are that intense.

$190 at Nike.com 

Reebok Nano X4

The latest iteration of Reebok’s best-selling Nano training shoe, the X4, takes an already incredible performance shoe and makes it even better. A rigid TPU heel cup offers superior lockdown, giving you the confidence to cut, leap, bound or shuffle at maximum speed, while the FLEXWEAVE upper manages to increase the durability of the shoe without sacrificing comfort or breathability. The midsole deploys Reebok’s proprietary LAR (lift and run) chassis system, stabilizing the shoe through multiple planes of movement. If you need a shoe to keep up with your most dynamic workouts, the X4 will get the job done.

$150 at Reebok.com 

Adidas Adipower 3

Gym shoes aren’t all one-size-fits-all. In fact, some shoes are made for very specific purposes, such as these squat shoes from Adidas. The Adipower 3 are worn by heavy squatters all over the world, who love their elevated heel, extra-wide base, and the combination of laces and a velcro strap to help you achieve the perfect level of tightness in the fit. The original Adipowers were amazing shoes, but their looks left something to be desired; the Adipower 3, on the other hand, have finally matched beauty to brawn, resulting in some head-turning squat shoes that will also help you add weight to the bar — a big win-win, as far as we’re concerned!

$230 at Adidas.com 

SABO Deadlift PRO

Just as the squat movement places unique demands on both your foot and your footwear, so does the deadlift require its own special approach. While an elevated heel benefits squatters by allowing for greater range of motion, it actually hurts your deadlift form, making it hard to keep the tension where it belongs: on the posterior chain. You could lift barefoot, of course, but for both style and hygiene reasons, we favor the SABO Deadlift PRO shoes. With a minimal, 1mm heel drop and an anatomical shape designed to mimic the contours of a human foot, these shoes get you close to the sensation of a barefoot pull while still protecting your feet and offering superior grip

$109.99 at Amazon.com 

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