Whether you’re going for a HIIT class, weightlifting, long run or a tough hike, you definitely want your legs to feel good. And that’s what the best training shoes can do: They’ll help you feel stable, supported, and most importantly, comfortable, in all your favorite activities.
Over the years, SELF has compiled our list of road-tested, highly-tested footwear for everything from weightlifting to cardio to leisurely strolls. We’ve featured some of our absolute favorites below, as well as tips on how to find the best gym shoes to suit your needs. All of these are recommended by experts or have won a SELF Sneaker Award in recent years. Read on to find your next favorite pair of shoes.
Our top picks:
- For walking: Hoka Body 8
- For running: Nike Invincible 3
- For lifting weights: Xero Shoes Forza Trainer
- For HIIT and cross-training: Reebok Nano X3
- For hiking: Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid
- For indoor cycling: Tiem Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoes
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The best walking shoes
Hiking shoes should be well cushioned and offer enough support in your forefoot and heel. The SELF Award-winning Sneaker Hoka Bondi 8, Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0, and Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 from New Balance are three iterations with extra foam—they’re great choices if you spend a lot of time on your feet and like your shoes to they almost feel like marshmallows. Slightly less padded but still very comfortable—even when walking long distances—is the ASICS GT-1000 12, which won our award for the most supportive walking shoe of 2023. Ryka’s Sky Walk is a great budget shoe , while the Kuru Quantum sneaker is our top pick for walkers with plantar fasciitis.
The best running shoes
Most of our running picks are SELF Sneaker Award winners, meaning they’ve been rigorously tested and reviewed against expert criteria, then rated for the best fit. Everyday runners and beginners will be well served by the SELF Award-winning Nike Invincible 3 Sneaker and the SELF Certified Adidas Supernova Rise, while the Brooks Adrenaline GTS is a more supportive option for those with flat feet. If you want a shoe with foam and cushion, try On Running’s Cloudmonster, which won the 2022 SELF Sneaker Award for its soft feel. Anyone with a need for speed should take Under Armour’s Flow Velociti Elite sneaker for a spin — it took home the title of Best Race Day Shoe in our 2023 sneaker awards. And for those looking to take their runs off-road, there’s the New Balance FreshFoam More Trail v3, which features a breathable mesh upper and a thick foam midsole for protection against rough terrain.
The best weightlifting shoes
If you’re going to prepare for a strength workout, there are two types of lifting shoes to consider: those with flat or raised soles. Flat shoes like Converses, Nobull sneakers, SELF Certified Lululemon Strongfeel sneakers, or Nike Metcons are for those who prefer a more grounded feel and little or no arch support or heel lift when lifting. Higher-heeled shoes, on the other hand, can increase your ankle’s range of motion, which can help you deepen your lifts while maintaining proper form, Tiffany Thompson, a NASM-certified performance coach, tells SELF in Future. Whatever type of shoe you prefer, all of our options are stiff enough to provide a solid base underfoot to help you generate power through your legs for powerful squats and deadlifts. If you want to minimize side-to-side foot shift, look for shoes with laces and midsole straps, like Inov-8’s Fastlift or the SELF-award-winning Xero Forza Sneaker.
The best HIIT and Cross-Training shoes
If you do plyometrics, aerobics, Crossfit or HIIT, you need a gym shoe with a sturdy and durable sole and shock absorption. These are workouts that require you to be quick on your feet, even when jumping, lunging or running – a shoe that moves with you while providing support and cushioning the impact of your feet will be ideal (bonus points if it’s breathable) . Two major bestsellers—the Nike Free Metcon 5 and the Reebok Nano X3—won SELF Sneaker 2023 Best Cross-Trainers awards for checking these key boxes. The York Frank Trainer, a previous SELF Sneaker Award winner, has also been a long-time favorite of ours for its support, flexibility and roomy mesh toe box (the retro colors don’t hurt, either). Another solid choice is Ryka’s SELF Certified Dauntless cross-training shoe—it has a firm sole and bouncy cushioning and comes in two widths.
The best hiking boots
Do you prefer trails? These best-selling hiking boots all have super-sticky soles for slippery terrain, as well as extra ankle support to prevent rolling when the going gets tough. Some are also waterproof, like the expert-recommended La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX and the SELF award-winning Sneaker Keen Targhee III, in case you’re walking through puddles or rain. If you want something super sturdy (and don’t mind a little extra weight), check out the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid. Merrell’s ultra-comfortable Moab 3 boot, which is similarly compact but with slightly less bulk. And if you want the feel of a sneaker with the grip of a boot, check out Adidas’ Terrex Free Hiker 2 and Salomon’s Outpulse Mid Gore-Tex Boots—both of which have won SELF Sneaker Awards for their hybrid designs and lightweight sensation.
The best indoor cycling shoes
Cycling shoes, which have cleats that attach to clip-on pedals, help align your hips, knees and feet to reduce the chance of injury. They also lock your feet into the bike, meaning there’s no chance they’ll slip, and instead of just pushing down on the pedals with your quads, you can use your hamstrings to pull up, which makes your ride more effective. Our personal favorite is the Tiem Slipstream: It won a SELF Sneaker Award for 2022 due to its cross-trainer-like sole and recess, making them ideal for hybrid classes where you hop on and off the bike to exercise. If you’re looking for a more stylish option, check out Nike’s sleek SuperRep shoes (they’re one of New York-based cycling guru Erica Osberg’s top picks).
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