Best Shoes For Lateral Movement

When it comes to lateral movement, we’ve got your back. We know that when you’re out there on the field or court, you need shoes that are going to be up for whatever you throw at them. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best shoes for lateral movement—we want you to have all the tools in your arsenal. Whether you’re looking for a shoe that helps with quick changes in direction or one that makes it easy for you to stop on a dime, we’ve got something for everyone. If you’re an athlete who plays on grass or turf, these shoes are also great for keeping your feet comfortable and dry during outdoor sports activities as well.

Best Shoes For Lateral Movement

The Best Gym Shoes for Every Type of Workout

Don’t sweat it. Put your best foot forward with these kicks ready for any fitness endeavor. When it comes down to it, so to speak, shoes can make or break your gym or home workout experience. Training ill-equipped can leave you disinterested, uncomfortable and, worst case, injured. To get the most out of your exercise regimen, it’s best to have a go-to pair of gym shoes. But which shoe is best for your routine? Which features should you look for to give your workouts some traction? From CrossFit to running and every discipline in-between, we’ve traversed the landscape to determine the best gym shoes for every fitness goal. Let’s lace up and get into it.

• BEST OVERALL GYM SHOENike Metcon 7 Training ShoesRead MoreSHOP NOW
• BEST UPGRADE GYM SHOEAthletic Propulsion Labs TechLoom TracerRead MoreSHOP NOW
• BEST BUDGET GYM SHOEPuma Fuse Training ShoesRead MoreSHOP NOW
• Reebok Nano X2 Training ShoesRead MoreSHOP NOW
• Nobull Black Gum TrainerRead MoreSHOP NOW

Running Shoes vs. Gym Shoes

If your main fitness activity is running, or if you frequent the treadmill more than the weights, there are some great running shoe options available to fit your needs — we’ve included a handful below. Kind of like how different sports have different cleats, running shoes and training shoes are designed for their specific activity. Training shoes often offer a lower heel drop to keep your feet closer to the ground. This can help add stability to your frame, especially when lifting heavy weights. Running shoes, on the other hand, are designed to cushion your steps as you move forward, returning your energy in an efficient manner to propel you forward. To keep your feet comfortable and your progress on the right path, it’s best to have separate shoes for training and running. Plus, having separate kicks can help preserve your running shoes for more cardio-focused endeavors, like say, taking off for your fastest mile.

How Your Gym Shoes Should Fit

Unlike buying your favorite pair of sneakers, you want your gym shoes to be snug and ready to perform. A common practice for other types of sneakers is to leave a little space in the toe box to allow your feet to splay out. While this may be helpful for running shoes, you want your training shoes to support your feet during unilateral movements. A snug, locked-in fit is the better choice for your workouts.

New and Upcoming Releases

Our recommendations are based off real-world testing. Here’s a snapshot of new and unreleased gym shoes our testers are considering for future updates to this guide. Puma Fuse 2.0 Training Shoes: One of our favorite budget-friendly workout shoes is set to get a facelift this October. The Fuse 2.0s will boast higher sidewall coverage for improved traction and grip, as well as a new TPU heel clip for support where it’s needed most. According to Puma, the Fuse 2.0s will retail for $90. ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW Under Armour UA HOVR Phantom 3: Released September 7, this all-new silhouette from Under Armour builds off previous Phantom iterations with an improved HOVR midsole technology spanning the full length of the midsole. Available for $140, these versatile sneakers also features a highly-textured UA Intelliknit upper for added breathability, stretch and flex. TYR CXT-1: TYR made quite the splash in the CrossFit community when six of the top 10 male finishers at the 2022 CrossFit Games took the podium dawning the brand’s yet-to-be-released CXT-1 trainers. While TYR states the CXT-1s should be available sometime in November for roughly $130, we’re more than anxious to test the patent-pending stability platform and uncommon 9mm-heel-to-toe drop. With a dominating Games performance already under its belt, who wouldn’t be excited?

How We Tested

As fitness enthusiasts ourselves, we’ve taken to training in our fair share of gym shoes. Across multiple regimens and specialties, we’ve tested a number of these kicks to their full potential, highlighting how well they felt under the bar, across the agility field, atop the treadmill and beyond. There’s practically a gym shoe for every exercise imaginable, but these footwear phenoms stood out the most when it came time to perform at our best.

Nike Metcon 7 Training Shoes

  Courtesy BEST OVERALL GYM SHOE Nike Metcon 7 Training Shoes nike.com $130.00

pros

• React foam midsole is the perfect blend of spring and comfort
• Lace lock tab keeps laces in-place during agility training

cons

• Heel strikers might feel some discomfort when running
• Slimmer midfoot construction can deter those with wider feet

Nike’s Metcon is always a top contender in the gym space, and the latest iteration is the most feature-packed yet. The Metcon 7 boasts a breathable mesh upper and minimal drop for high stability during heavy lifts. The wide, flat heel and interior plate were a welcomed perk during squats and deadlifts, and the updated React foam midsole provided plenty of energy return when sprinting. Would we recommend taking on a marathon in the Metcon 7s? Absolutely not. But for any other training endeavor, these kicks are an easy top pick.

APL TechLoom Tracer

  Courtesy BEST UPGRADE GYM SHOE Athletic Propulsion Labs TechLoom Tracer athleticpropulsionlabs.com $250.00

pros

• TechLoom fabric provides ample breathability
• Molded Lycra collar and tongue make for easy on-and-off

cons

• Laces sit inside, which could be awkward for some
• Premium pricing

We’ve covered APL’s innovative designs before, so it’s no surprise that the TechLoom Tracer piqued our interest. Boasting the familiar TechLoom fabric for superb breathability, the Tracer reinforces the upper for non-stretch construction. This helps keep your feet centered on the footbed for improved stability. And as you trudge through your training, the Propelium midsole is there to provide a nice blend of cushioning and energy return, all in a low-profile silhouette.

Puma Fuse Training Shoes

  Courtesy BEST BUDGET GYM SHOE Puma Fuse Training Shoes puma.com $90.00

pros

• Comfortable, fashionable gym shoe at less than $100
• 4 mm heel-to-toe drop keeps feet close to the ground

cons

• Recommended to order a half size up
• Limited colorways available

Keep your workouts on track with this wallet-friendly training essential. The Puma Fuse boasts a wide toe box for ample stability, while the high tensile mesh upper is capable of withstanding any movement you throw at it. A 4 mm heel-to-toe drop keeps your feet close to the ground, creating a great base for squats, presses, kettlebell swings and more. And don’t worry about losing traction, either. The PUMAGRIP outsole and rubber wrap-ups help ensure your paws are locked in for optimal grip when grinding through your workout.

Best Gym Shoes for CrossFit and HIIT

Reebok Nano X2 Training Shoes

  Courtesy Reebok Nano X2 Training Shoes reebok.com $135.00

pros

• RopePro outsole midfoot teeth provides great traction for rope climbs
• Great structure and stability for heavy lifts

cons

• Stiff sole can be uncomfortable during runs
• Limited breathability in the toe box

We’ve been big fans of Reebok’s Nano lineup for quite some time, and the latest Nano X2 carries the torch well. The more defined heel clip helps provide plenty of support for intense training in the box. The lightweight Floatride Energy Foam provided a nice ride through weighted exercises as well. The Nano X2 is not an all-around all-star, however. The stiff sole, while great for HIIT training, left a little to be desired in agility or running exercises.

Nobull Black Gum Trainer

  Courtesy Nobull Black Gum Trainer nobullproject.com $129.00

pros

• Many colorways fit for any style
• Flat sole provides a stable, secure base

cons

• Minimalist design might not be everyone’s cup of tea
• Rigid upper takes a while to break in

Along with eye-catching looks (in numerous colors), the Nobull Trainer boasts a number of features to keep you shining at your local CrossFit box. A SuperFabric upper gives these kicks exceptional durability while still remaining breathable. Do note, however, that the rigid upper does take a few workouts to fully break in. A flat sole and minimal, 4 mm heel-to-toe drop combine for plenty of traction and support, too. And for those outdoor training sessions, the outsole lug pattern transitions easily between environments for boosted flexibility, traction and support.

Inov8 F-Lite G 300

  Courtesy Inov8 F-Lite G 300 inov8 $150.00

cons

• Premium stability and grip
• Wrap-around upper cages provides a stable, locked-in feel

pros

• Bootie-style construction is not for everyone
• 6 mm heel-to-toe drop is higher than others on this list

If durability is a top concern for you, the F-Lite G 300s should definitely be on your radar. These lightweight gym shoes come in at just 300 grams — hence the name — and are constructed using one of the world’s strongest materials, Graphene. A resilient knit upper is breathable for comfort but can still withstand normal training wear and tear without flinching. Extended Rope-Tec protection along the midfoot improves grip for climbs, as well, which made them an easy favorite for rope climbs in our list of the best CrossFit shoes.

Best Gym Shoes for Status

Athletic Propulsion Labs McLaren HySpeed

  Courtesy Athletic Propulsion Labs McLaren HySpeed athleticpropulsionlabs.com $450.00

pros

• Three-piece segmented midsole provides a nice underfoot feel with a good blend of cushioning and responsiveness
• McLaren Senna-inspired heel padding gives a plush, locked-in feel to every step and stride

cons

• Supercar-inspired footwear brings supercar-inspired pricing
• Higher stack height and carbon plate creates a profile that’s more in-line with running-style workouts

If you can’t afford a supercar, these all-new sneakers from APL are a fantastic compromise. With McLaren-inspired notes throughout the profile, these kicks can take any gym wardrobe from lacking to luxe in one fell swoop. While we like the midsole for its cushioning and energy return, the geometry doesn’t lend itself to every exercise. In the same sense that you save your supercar for nice driving weather, it’s best to save these kicks for running or accessory work — no squats or deadlifts in these bad boys.

Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Training Shoes

  Courtesy Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Training Shoes nike.com $120.00

pros

• Lighter and less bulky than previous iterations
• Two Zoom Air units at the forefoot provide plenty of spring and energy return

cons

• Not the grippiest in outdoor training settings
• Midfoot bridge could be a weak point over time

Building off the successes of the SuperRep 2, the latest Nike kick tackling HIIT training is still a looker. Featuring two Air Zoom units at the forefoot for maximum energy return in every step, the SuperRep 3s also feature a midfoot bridge that give this silhouette a truly unique vibe. There’s also a divide at the natural flex of your toes, allowing you to effortlessly hold those pesky planks or bust out endless burpees.

Adidas Ultraboost 22

  Courtesy Adidas Ultraboost 22 adidas.com $190.00

pros

• BOOST midsole provides superior energy return
• Iconic Ultraboost profile that fits in anywhere

cons

• More style than overall function
• 10 mm heel-to-toe drop is aggressive for a gym shoe

These sneakers put the “athlete” in “athleisure.” With a lighter profile than the previous UB 21s and a revised Strobel lasting underneath the insole for improved comfort, the Ultraboost 22s are just as comfortable in a weeknight training session as they are at a weekend get-together. The BOOST midsole is energetic enough to power your workouts, and the plethora of colorways ensures you’ll be able to find the right pair for any stylish fitness fit.

Best Gym Shoes for Weightlifting

Do-Win Weightlifting Shoes

  Courtesy Do-Win Weightlifting Shoes roguefitness.com $95.00

pros

• Leather upper improves stiffness
• 17-ounce weight for more versatility than other lifters

cons

• Take some time to break in
• Wider profile may be too roomy for those with narrower feet

You may not be familiar with Do-Win, but if you favor Olympic lifts and have wide feet, it’s time to get acquainted. These shoes feature a 0.75-inch (about 19 mm for you metric types) hard plastic heel — the optimal height for Olympic lifting — and the brand is notable for its width, intended to improve comfort and stability. The leather and mesh upper provides a nice mix of durability and breathability, too, while the double metatarsal strapping system creates a secure lockdown fit ready to crush those PRs.

Adidas Adipower Weightlifting II Shoes

  Courtesy Adidas Adipower Weightlifting II Shoes adidas.com $180.00

pros

• Flexible forefoot makes it ideal for Olympic lifts
• Eco-friendly build, composed of at least 50% recycled content

cons

• Not the best for powerlifting movements
• Premium pricing

Support those big-time lifts with these colorful clogs from Adidas. A firm TPU midsole provides a great platform for stability and stance, while a flexible forefoot gives your toes the room they need to splay for added comfort. We enjoyed the lockdown feel of the Adipower Weightlifting IIs, thanks to the reinforced upper, lacing system and midfoot strap. But for more powerlifting movements like deadlifts or the bench press, we didn’t feel as much feedback as we would have liked.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneaker

  Courtesy Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneaker nordstrom.com $60.00

pro

• Very approachable price point
• Flat sole and minimal cushioning create a super stable base to push off of

cons

• Not ideal for agility training
• Other, more advanced weightlifting shoes out there

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW Yup, you read that right. Despite its persona as a go-to street shoe, the Converse Chuck Taylor is still one of the best weightlifting shoes you can lace up. Chucks are cheap, provide a flat sole and are durable enough to withstand plenty of static lifts. While the lack of an elevated heel can be a negative on some movements, if you’re just getting into weightlifting and testing how your shoes play into the equation, Chuck Taylors are an easy entry point.

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