The Best Fitness Shoes of 2023

From the gym floor, to the open road and winding trails, here’s the best footwear picks for a fit new year.

4 pairs of fitness shoes in various colors laid out on black rubber gym flooring with text stating fitness awards shoes laid over top the photo

Published January 10, 2023

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

This story is part of the 2023 Fitness Awards. To see the full list of winners, click here.

To kick off your fresh, new fitness journey, it helps to have the right footwear. Whether eyeing up a new PR in the gym or setting your sights on completing a marathon (or two), there are plenty of innovative, premium shoes on the market to help you achieve your goals.

To take the conundrum out of finding the proper training kicks, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite silhouettes spanning multiple workout disciplines. Now, let’s lace up and get to work.

a black nike fitness shoe with gum sole laid overtop a photo of a black rubber gym floor

BEST OVERALL GYM SHOE

Nike Metcon 8

$130.00 at Dick's Sporting Goods

The reworked upper of this top training shoe improves durability over previous iterations, and the underfoot energy return of the Nike React foam is prime for massive gains.

RELATED: The Best Gym Shoes

a black tyr fitness shoe with gum sole and orange and green accents laid overtop a photo of a black rubber gym floor

BEST GYM SHOE FOR OLYMPIC LIFTS

TYR L-1

$150.00 at Rogue Fitness

$220.00 (32% off)

A wider toe box allows your toes to splay more naturally, perfect for finding that premium footing for huge lifts in the squat rack or on the platform.

a black hoka fitness shoe with white sole and orange accents laid overtop a photo of a black rubber gym floor

BES CARBON-PLATED RUNNING SHOE

Hoka Carbon X 3

$200.00 at hoka.com

The sock-like performance knit upper gives this runner its comfortable feel, while the Super Critical Foam midsole marries well with the springy and responsive carbon fiber plate.

RELATED: Hoka Carbon X 3 Review

a blue and black innov fitness shoe with orange accents laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

MOST COMFORTABLE WINTER RUNNING SHOE

Inov-8 Roclite Ultra G 320

$170.00 at inov-8.com

$190.00 (11% off)

This all-new winter running shoe features graphene in both the rubber outsole and foam midsole to help improve energy return by 25 percent while still providing a comfortable bounce.

a grey and black brooks fitness shoe with laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

BEST OVERALL NEUTRAL RUNNING SHOE

Brooks Ghost 15

$140.00 at Brooks Running

We admire the updates to the latest Ghost iteration, particularly the DNA Loft v2 foam midsole that gives each step some added rigidity — no more unwanted mushing.

a blue yellow and pink hoka fitness shoe laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOE FOR RACE DAY

Hoka Tecton X

$200.00 at hoka.com

Blaze through your trail runs with these lightweight, innovative runners. A split carbon plate design is an industry first, providing plenty of pop and energy return in each quickened stride.

a white new balance fitness shoe with blue and green accents laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

BEST CUSHIONED RUNNING SHOE FOR STABILITY

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4

$115.00 at New Balance

$150.00 (23% off)

A data-driven outsole helps create natural flex zones to better improve your step’s stability, and the high stack height easily showcases the plush cushioning underfoot.

a white no bull fitness shoe with blue and black accents laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

MOST STYLISH GYM SHOE

Nobull High-Top Trainer+

$159.00 at NOBULL

We like the upgraded outsole of the stylish High-Top Trainer+s from Nobull, which creates better traction ideal for agility training and other in-gym movements.

a black reebok fitness shoe with red accents laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

BEST CROSSFIT SHOE FOR HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING

Reebok Nano X2 Froning

$150.00 at Reebok

A lightweight, breathable, open-mesh upper gives this performance-ready silhouette its charm, staking claim as the lightest profile in the already impressive Nano X2 stable.

RELATED: The Best CrossFit Shoes

a white saucony fitness shoe with orange and black accents laid over top a photo of black rubber gym flooring

BEST UPGRADE MARATHON RUNNING SHOE

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3

$250.00 at Saucony

The Endorphin Pro 3s are ready for any starting line thanks to an S-Curve carbon plate and plush PWRRUNPB foam, giving each step plenty of bounce and cushioning.