These 13 Expert-Recommended Workout Shoes Will Help Level-Up Any Sweat Session

We asked the fitness pros for their recommendations of the best workout shoes for women. Explore 13 pairs for all types of workouts.

Finding the perfect workout shoes is a crucial element that can make or break your exercise routine. Whether you’re a crushing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, sweating out a challenging run, conquering the tennis court, or perfecting your yoga poses, having the appropriate footwear is essential for optimum performance and injury prevention. And, while you certainly can rock any old sneakers during exercise, the best workout shoes for women are shoes that are designed specifically for your preferred type of workout.

“Your feet are the foundation of the body,” says Or Artzi, NCCPT-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Equinox in New York City. “[They] provide the groundwork for our upright weight-bearing posture and therefore, choosing the proper footwear for your workout is essential for your comfort, safety, and optimal performance.” So before you hit the gym, read this first—we’ve rounded up 13 of the best workout shoes for women for every exercise and activity, so you can take one step closer to crushing your fitness goals.

Best workout shoes, at a glance:

• Best overall workout shoes: Reebok, Nano X4, $140

• Best gym shoe: Nike, Metcon 9, $150

• Best running shoe: New Balance, Fresh Foam 1080v13, $165

• Best workout shoe for narrow feet: On, Cloud X 3, $150

• Best workout shoe for wide feet: Nobull, Gum Impact, $139

• Best walking shoes: Klaw, Women’s Walking Shoes, $148

• Best weightlifting shoes: Adidas, Powerlift 5, $130

• Best budget workout shoes: Nike, In-Season TR 13, $85

• Best for HIIT: Lululemon, Chargefeel 2 Mid, $148

• Best for arch support: Ryka, No Limit Training Shoe, $130

• Best for long runs: Saucony, Endorphin Pro 3, $225

• Best minimal workout shoe: Xero, Prio, $90

  • Best tennis shoe: K-Swiss, Hypercourt Express 2, $109

    What type of shoe should I wear to the gym?

    Depending on your preferred workouts, you’ll want to look for different features in a shoe. For the cross-training or everyday functional fitness workouts (think: deadlifts, lunges, kettlebell movements, jump roping, rowing, etc.), Cole Francum, NASM-certified personal trainer and weightlifting Level 1 coach, recommends getting a flat shoe for feedback and stability on the floor.

    “Any shoe that has too much sole or added cushion is going to be less stable and less grippy,” he explains. “The flatter the shoe, the closer your feet are to the ground. These shoes are also going to be the most versatile and can be used for various purposes.” As a result, some of the best workout shoes for women will look flatter than a more casual, athleisure sneaker, so that’s something to consider while you shop.

    Running shoes vs. gym shoes

    Running shoes are designed to cover long distances, absorb impact, and support the runner’s ankles, says Artzi. You can wear these to the gym if you’re primarily working out on the elliptical, treadmill, or stair stepper, says Kasia Gondek, DPT, CSCS, orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist at Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy. Gym shoes, on the other hand, fall into two categories: cross-training shoes and weightlifting shoes.

    Designed for well-rounded workouts like HIIT circuits, cardio workouts, and CrossFit sessions, training shoes offer a blend of cushion for shock absorption and a low profile for stability. You could run a couple of miles on the treadmill, but they won’t serve you well on a long run. Weightlifting shoes are a different breed. They generally have a slightly elevated heel to increase the range of motion in the ankle joint and will also have a much firmer heel, “resulting in increased force production,” says Artzi, as you drive through the floor to move the barbell or kettlebell. “You don’t want a shoe with too much cushion—you shouldn’t be able to compress the sole—as this will compromise your balance, stability, and power during your lifts,” says Gondek.

    Weightlifting shoes fill a certain niche—they “should be worn only while lifting, as the platform and rigid structure are not designed to handle much else,” says Matt Tanneberg, CSCS, an Arizona-based chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist. But if you’re looking for a shoe to take your lifts to the next level, the Adidas Powerlift 5 is one of Tanneberg’s preferred designs. Its angular platform elevates the heels (check out the high drop—16 millimeters—way higher than anything else on this list.)

    “This changes the hip and knee angles when you are performing a squat and allows you to put up more weight,” says Tanneberg. You’ll get additional stability through the secure closure that features both a strap and laces and the grippy rubber outsole that ensures your feet stay firmly planted on the floor at all times. 

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