Best Workout Shoes for Men: What I Wish I Knew!

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A great pair of workout shoes is a must-have for all men looking into nailing their routines.

These companions provide stability for heavy lifts, flexibility for circuits and cushioning for cardio sessions.

Finding the right pair of workout shoes for men can be a challenging process.

Worry not as in this article, we have put down crucial information that should help you land the perfect pair of workout shoes.

Here’s a rundown of what we’ll provide in this Best Workout Shoes for Men review:

We will start with a list of 10 best workout shoes, a quick overview of the type of workout shoes, a comprehensive buyer’s guide and an FAQ section on the same.

Ler’s dive in!

Best Workout Shoes for Men Reviewed

1. Nordic Powerlifting Shoes

2. Nike Men’s Train Prime

3. Adidas Adipower

4. Nike Men’s Romaleos 3

5. Reebok Mens Crossfit Nano 8.0

6. ASICS Men’s Gel Venture 6

7. Reebok Men’s ROS Workout TR 3.0

8. New Balance Men’s Roav V1

9. NOBULL Men’s Training Shoes

10. Under Armour Men’s Tribase Reign  2.0

10 Top Workout Shoes for Men Compared

1. Nordic Powerlifting Shoes

Nordic Lifting Powerlifting Shoes for Heavy Weightlifting - Men's Squat Shoe - MEGIN (Black, 12 US)

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These maximum lifting performance shoes spot a striking blue-black exterior.  They offer excellent stability with good foot support.

A mesh fabric dominates its upper section with a nice blend of leather patterns that continue to the front. The quality of the sole is great with the use of TPU leather.

The pair comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Great design
  • Durable materials
  • Excellent foot support
  • Great customer service
  • Provides improved posture

Cons

  • High heels make it unsuitable for running and related activities

2. Nike Men’s Train Prime

Nike Men's Train Speed 4 Training Shoe Pure Platinum/Black/Cool Grey Size

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The Nike men’s train features an all-rubber sole with multi-directional treads to provide maximum traction. This allows you to perform all range of exercises.

The foot hole looks great with the all-black mesh upper with excellent breathability.

The pair makes for a good looking, durable, functional gym shoe for powerlifting.

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Great colour
  • Well padded
  • Versatile for all gym activities
  • The great shock absorption capability

Cons

  • May be slippery on tiled floors

3. Adidas Adipower

adidas Men's Adipower Weightlifting II Cross Trainer, Black, 9.5 M US

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The Adidas Adipower is a flagship workout shoe with great aesthetics.  They are uniquely made of 100% PU-coated leather.

They are comfortable and offer a heel lift of 20.1mm. A comfortable textile lining goes around the lower sole section.

The anti-slip rubber outsole provides excellent foot grip for added stability. Ventilation is great with the vent flow openings on its upper.

Pros

  • Excellent grip
  • Great user reviews
  • Sufficient heel raise
  • 100% pure leather foot deck
  • Adjustable hook and loop instep strap

Cons

  • Highly-priced

4. Nike Men’s Romaleos 3

Nike Romaleos 3.5 Men's Training Shoe Black/MTLC Bomber Gry-Black 12.0

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Made to compete with the Adidas Adipower, the Nike Romaleo 3 is a premium weightlifting shoe. It’s made of durable little synthetic leather and toughened rubber.

This combination runs to the front. A flexible forefoot portal allows for natural motion. The heel is raised for added leverage.

The honey-comb pattern at the upper rear half provides a stable feel.

A single, thick, Velcro foot strap locks down the shoe on your feet for the best fit. An additional 20mm offset gives you an expanded range of motion.

Pros

  • Good fit
  • Stable feel
  • Raised heels
  • Well padded
  • Great finishes
  • High-quality material
  • Additional lockdown dynamic bootstrap

Cons

  • Not ideal for HIIT training

5. Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 8.0

Reebok Men's CROSSFIT Nano 8.0 Flexweave Cross Trainer, Black/Alloy/Gum, 9.5 M US

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With a small arch in the heel, these CrossFit pair gives excellent postural support. This enhances joint safety during intensive activities such as weighed runs.

Toe tection maximizes durability in the toe area to allow you to freely engage in any workout. The new heel bootie construction maximizes performance and comfort.

The flex weave upper design looks great and provides excellent support for the foot.  Combine this with the low cut design and you have unparalleled stability and utility

Pros

  • Stable
  • Comfortable
  • Several colour options
  • Looks and feels premium
  • Perfect for a variety of weightlifting routines

Cons

  • The hind sole area may be too narrow for some people

6. ASICS Men’s Gel Venture 6

ASICS Men's Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom/Mid Grey, 11 Medium US

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The shaft gently slides low top from the arch of this premium men’s running shoe.

The rearfoot gel cushioning absorbs shock effectively during impact protecting your knees.  A removable sock liner allows for the accommodation of a medical orthotic.

An orthotic is a brace or splint used to support, align and correct the function of movable body parts.

The outsole features reversed lugs which provide uphill and downhill traction for all-terrain.  A high abrasion rubber is placed in critical areas for extended sole durability.

Pros

  • Good design
  • Decent pricing
  • Excellent traction
  • Durable materials
  • Great shock absorption
  • Comfortable padded interior

Cons

  • May run small in both length and width

7. Reebok Men’s ROS Workout TR 3.0

Reebok Men's ROS Workout TR 2.0, Stark Grey/Primal red/Black, 10 M US

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Perfect for just about any WOD, these shoes can remain comfortable all day.  The toe box is nice and wide.

The upper is well ventilated.

The mesh cam textile combo on the upper are durable and look great. The shaft measures approximately low-top from arch.

They feel great on jump ups, box jumps and in the good old running

Pros

  • Feel stable
  • High quality
  • Great pricing
  • Comfortable
  • Great aesthetics
  • Shock-absorbing sole

Cons

  • Lose grip when they get wet

8. New Balance Men’s Roav V1

New Balance mens Fresh Foam Roav V1 Sneaker, Lead/Light Alluminum, 10.5 Wide US

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If you want all the premium features of a costly flagship workout shoe at a moderate price, consider the new balance men’s roav.

It pairs a bold, attractive look with a plush of comfort.

The interior is well cushioned with a soft mesh fabric. The outsole made of fresh foam and is raised on the heel side to deliver an authoritative feel.  The overall fit is cosy and snuggly.

Pros

  • Fits well
  • Look great
  • Very comfortable
  • Durable fabric material
  • Well-padded for heel support
  • Endurance rubber outsole with excellent traction

Cons

  • Larger than average toebox

9. NOBULL Men’s Training Shoes

NOBULL Men's Black Ivy Trainer 11.5 US

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The flexible, breathable super fabric makes these shoes comfortable. Additional infused, tiny dots make the fabric flexible and strong.

This allows for free toe movement.

Thus providing the much-needed stability for all your strenuous workouts. With seamless, one-piece construction, the Nobull delivers a close to ground sensation.

The outsole has a lug pattern, designed to allow for easy indoor-outdoor transition.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Flexible toe deck
  • Great low-cut design
  • Excellent fit with a stable back
  • Durable Indestructible fabric upper
  • Excellent traction with the multidirectional lug pattern in the sole

Cons

  • Not good for running

10. Under Armour Men’s Tribase Reign  2.0

Under Armour Men's TriBase Reign 2 Cross Trainer, Black (002)/Steel, 13 M US

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Closing our list is this gorgeous unique, ripstop material upper Under Armour flagship.

The full rubber outsole is proven to support heavy usage.

It maximizes your contact with the ground for superior upwards flexibility. The larger external heel counter improves on posture control for deadlifts.

An engineered zonal flex and traction in the forefoot allow for faster speeds during short runs.

These are great for a dynamic of high mobility exercises including jumps, runs etc.

Pros

  • Nice colour
  • Improved stability
  • Excellent overall design
  • Low to the ground sensation
  • Full-length Micro G foam delivers maximum cushioning
  • Full rubber wraps around the lateral and midsections for added durability

Cons

  • Not great for walking long distances

Best Workout Shoes for Men Buying guide

The following are some of the best tips for choosing workout shoes:

Price

While cost is not always a good indicator of quality, you should opt for reputable brands. I don’t mean famous names, but at least those that boast a decent number of satisfied consumers.

Online reviews on e-commerce websites can be a good place to shop for such feedback from real users.

Quality

The quality of a shoe is entirely dependent on personal preferences. However, the type of material used to make the pair should retain its shape, colour and finish after repeated usage.

The manufacturing process may also highlight utility elements of a shoe such as waterproofing and grip.

You are likely to spend more money continuously replacing low-quality shoes than going for a one-time chunky purchase of premium shoes.

Size

Discomfort is the last thing you want at the gym.

You know how tight shoes can be disturbing! But so are larger shoes, probably even worse!

Rubber-based shoes tend to expand over time and mostly dominate the market.

Although there are a ton of advantages that come with a rubber construction, you may consider a pair that offers the exact fit. This ensured continued comfort as the shoe ages.

A laced gym shoe promises a good fit every time regardless of the age of the shoe.

Durability

First off, you need to define the number of times you anticipate to use the shoe.

The purpose and condition of usage also come into play here. Some key durability factors include the type of material used and the type of joints.

Rubber, textile, mesh and leather are some of the most common, reliable gym shoe materials. Whichever the material, go for a shoe that can endure dust, sweat and tear.

On that note, ensure that the pair requires minimal maintenance to stay clean.

Comfort

The cushioning and padding are the two factors that determine how comfortable a workout shoe feels.

Aside from easing intense activity, a well-padded shoe can protect you from unwanted fractures, feet and ankle injuries.

Types of Workout Shoes

Running Shoes

These are primarily designed for joggers and long-distance runners. They provide snuggly fit, are lightweight and have excellent shock-absorbing capabilities.

They are meant to prevent injuries during prolonged periods of activity.

Sports Shoes

These are designed for different games such as football, basketball, etc. Each type is well adapted to provide maximum support, flexibility and stability for the sport.

For instance, football shows have studs to add grip and support for the player during speedy movements.

Basketball shoes are shock absorbent and extremely stable to protect the player from high jumps by ensuring safe landings, and so on.

Cross-training Shoes

These are a jack of all trades. They can be used for various fitness activities such as weightlifting, running, machine cardio and jumping rope.

They are mostly made of mesh with a combination of rubber and synthetic/real leather. They provide decent traction and fit for all kinds of usages.

Weight-lifting Shoes

These are specially designed to provide ankle stability and absorb shock. They help provide a stable ground for lifting heavyweights.

What are the best workout shoes?

Various fitness activities may need custom shoe specifications as discussed earlier in this article.

However, good fit, firm grip, proper ventilation, excellent shock-absorbing capabilities and minimal maintenance requirements make for a great gym shoe.

Attractive design and choice of colour are supplementary elements of a great pair of workout shoes for men. It doesn’t hurt to look good!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#Are CrossFit shoes good for walking?

CrossFit shoes are the most versatile of all workout shoes. Therefore, they are also good for walking, thanks to their firm support and grip.

#Can I wear running shoes for the gym?

Yes. But, they will wear out much quicker. They are also not designed for weightlifting and may contribute to injury.

#Is it okay to wear workout shoes every day?

Yes. However, it’s highly recommendable to have at least two pairs for hygiene purposes.

#How long do workout shoes last?

Researchers have estimates that shoes can be used for between 300-500 miles. As such, it has been concluded that shoes should be replaced after that mileage window or six months. Whichever comes first!

#Can I wear workout shoes with jeans?

This is dependent on your style preferences. In general, a nice pair of fitting jeans can go with just about anything.

Bottom Line

Workout shoes provide the foundational support, literally, that we need for perfect training sessions. To get the best pair of shoes for your budget, consider the quality, size, durability, ventilation and comfort.  All the best as you keep trying to live forever!

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