What to Look for When Shopping for Gym Shoes for Men

• Shoe Type: Gym shoes should be sport-specific, Spielfogel says. For example, powerlifters or weightlifters should wear shoes with flat soles that anchor them to the ground. If your gym time involves treadmill running, choose a pair of well-cushioned running shoes. Lightweight and supportive cross-trainers are a great choice for an all-around gym shoe because they’re designed to move between different types of exercises.
• Support: To choose the right level of support, consider your foot type and preferred activity. If you like running or agility workouts, look for shoes with responsive cushioning and shock absorption. For sports with quick side-to-side movements, like basketball or boxing, pick ankle support shoes with lateral stability. And if you have specific foot issues, you can add condition-specific orthotic inserts, like insoles for flat feet.
• Grip: Gym workouts require shoes with a durable, grippy outsole that will keep you sure-footed on slick gym floors, treadmill belts, and more. When shopping, look for rubber outsoles with textured patterning. This will provide a strong stickiness and prevent you from slipping and sliding so you can work out with maximum focus, safety, and confidence.

How We Tested the Gym Shoes for Men

To find the best gym shoes for men, we tested 10 pairs through a series of typical gym workouts and activities—totaling more than 50 hours of testing. As we test gym shoes for men, we keep these criteria in mind.

• Fit: A properly fitting shoe will have a snug (not tight) fit and about a thumb's width of space between your toes and the end of the shoe. When we try each shoe on, we consider whether it runs large, small, or true to size. We also pay attention to how its width would suit different foot shapes. As we work out, we note if our feet slide around and our heels stay in place.
• Cushioning: A well-cushioned midsole provides comfort, support, and shock absorption. When we first put the shoes on, we note the level of cushioning—does it feel pillow-like or firm? Is the cushioning even throughout the shoe? We also consider whether the shoes absorb impact when our feet hit the ground during various activities.
• Responsiveness: While working out, we ask: Does the shoe propel us forward with each step? Does it feel springy and bounce back quickly? How fresh do our legs feel after each workout session? Different activities require different levels of responsiveness, so we consider what type of workout each shoe would best suit.
• Comfort: If your gym shoes aren't comfortable, you will be less motivated to work out in them. During testing, we first make sure the shoes fit securely without being too tight. We then consider whether the upper feels flexible and breathable, noting whether or not our feet feel sweaty after a workout. We also check for any pressure points, hot spots, or irritating seams.
• Stability: Each shoe's level of stability is dependent on the type of activity it's specifically designed for—from weightlifting to walking. To evaluate stability, we consider whether our ankles and knees feel properly supported throughout each workout. We also perform a bend test by holding the shoe at the heel and toe and twisting it—a stable shoe mostly resists twisting.
• Blister Prevention: Blister prevention is a high priority in gym shoes, and the fit is a big factor in preventing blisters. After wearing the shoes, especially for long workouts, we take note of any hot spots, irritating seams, uncomfortable rubbing, or painful areas. We also pay attention to whether our feet feel excessively hot and sweaty. We only recommend shoes that don't give us blisters.
• Overall Value: To determine each pair's overall value, we wait until the end of our testing period, after we have evaluated all other categories, to check the price. Based on the shoe's performance in each key category, we consider if it's priced fairly. We only recommend shoes we'd personally purchase or recommend to a friend or family member.

Our Experts

We spoke to three experts to better understand what features set quality gym shoes apart. We also asked each expert for any brand- or shoe-specific recommendations. While we always choose products independently, we use expert input to inform our decisions.

• William Spielfogel, DPM, board-certified podiatrist and specialist for The Good Feet Store
• Noah Neiman, CPT, certified personal trainer and co-founder at Rumble Boxing
• Lauren Jenai, co-founder of CrossFit
  

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you replace gym shoes?

How often you should replace your gym shoes depends on the type, frequency, and intensity of your workouts. In general, lighter shoes (like running shoes) need to be replaced every three to six months or every 300 to 500 miles. General training or weightlifting can last about six to eight months, Jenai says.

Are running shoes good for gym workouts?

Some running shoes may be supportive enough for gym workouts, but they’re probably better suited for the treadmill. Since running shoes are lightweight and designed for forward motions, they may not be supportive enough for other modalities, Jenai says. You’ll get better performance from shoes that are made specifically for your activity.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

A certified personal trainer, running coach, and Verywell Fit writer, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, spends countless hours researching and testing the latest exercise gear and gadgets. She only recommends products that she can genuinely stand behind and believes would be a good investment for her readers. Christine has tested multiple accessories including running shoes, jackets, belts, water bottles, and socks, plus GPS watches, leggings, hats, and more.