15 Best Workout Shoes, According to the Experts (2024)

Lardiere’s favorite gym sneakers are these Lululemon ones. “I was skeptical about Lululemon’s line of sneakers at first, but I am pleasantly surprised by the Strongfeels. They’re so soft and light that you feel gently held. They’re the friend that quietly likes all your Instagram Stories but never texts.” They run true to size and her only complaint is that the laces sometimes loosen up. Lululemon does offer a 30-day free trial to test them out, and you can get a full refund if you’re less than satisfied.

Even as a frequent traveler, the category that remains a packing pain point for me is footwear. I want shoes that can be worn as a fashion sneaker and a workout sneaker because packing multiple pairs feels frivolous — especially for a short trip. Enter the New Balance 530. They’re durable enough for a hotel-gym workout or a quick run and cute enough to wear during the daytime while exploring a new city.

Trainer Erika Hammond knows all about cardio as the creator of the brand-new Knockout program at Equinox. She loves any of the Adidas Ultraboost styles for cardio, but specifies the Stella McCartney ones if you’re in the market for a fashion-forward training shoe. She says they’re stable and well-cushioned, and tends to use them for running, strength training, and group fitness classes. The 2023 version of the Ultraboost is lighter so you’ll feel untethered with every stride.

Alexis Fischer, a Pilates instructor and the founder of MOVE by lexfish, turns to this lightweight pair for high-intensity sessions. “You don’t want a shoe to weigh you down or interfere with your balance or form, and the Streamlines feel like you aren’t wearing a shoe at all.” The “FutureFoam” midsole gives you all the bounce needed for explosive movements, and the “AeroLux” knit upper is made of a fabric that reduces drag and makes it breathable.

Fischer also recommends this pair for any outdoorsy activity like walking, running, or hiking. She says the heel cushion is great for those who are more flat footed, so if you have super-high arches, you might want something that conforms more to your foot shape. If the all-terrain capabilities don’t convince you, the eye-catching color combinations will.

Fitness instructor and run coach Ceren Kalyon uses these Asics for runs from three to five miles to runs for half-marathon training and everything in between. She’s logged 150 miles on them and they still feel fresh and light on her toes as the day she got them. As someone who has completed four half-marathons, she turns to this pair for their unparalleled fit and support — and the cute color options, of course.

For those who are planning to go the distance (pun absolutely intended, sorry), these super-shoes are definitely worth looking into. Mia Lardiere, emerging platforms director at Cosmopolitan, says they’re worth the investment to get you through longer slogs. She’s completed two half-marathons and one full, so she knows how important extra cushion is. “In my mind, I am supermodel height when I wear them. The FuelCell foam combined with a carbon plate helps drive you forward, even when you’re feeling fatigued.” She does specify that carbon plates aren’t for everyone, so make sure to rotate into your running shoe gradually to make sure that they work well with your feet. Lardiere also says she goes up a half-size because your feet swell while running. Cute!

Our senior shopping editor, Bianca Nieves got to test Adidas’s latest running sneaker: the Supernova Risa. Made with comfort in mind, Nieves can attest the reformulated design featuring the Support Rod System and Comfort Heel Fit is great for running a hilly 5k upstate New York route or walking 45 minutes a day on a treadmill.

It’s been quite the year for French footwear brand Salomon. First Rihanna wore a pair at the Super Bowl, and now designer Sandy Liang launched a collab with the label. Georgia Wood Murphy, founder of New York–based TERA Studio & Pilates Club, dubs the XT-6 Expanses the ultimate intersection of fashion and function. “From teaching Pilates at my studio, to walking to meetings, to drinking a spritz with friends at Sartiano’s, I live in these sneakers, as anyone that knows me knows, due to not only the chicness but also the comfort and support,” says Wood Murphy. Plus Ryan Norville, founder of Oat Cinnamon Studio and new resident of Paris, grabs these for her endless walking. “I spend long days buried in flowers at my studio and early mornings stepping in mystery puddles at the flower market and walk a minimum of 10,000 steps going around Paris, so I need a shoe that is comfortable, not too precious, but also makes me feel dressed at the same time,” she says.

When I’m not writing, I’m teaching Pilates classes around the city, and oftentimes it requires long days in the studio sans supportive footwear. If you’re like me and typically only attend workout classes that don’t require footwear, you’ll realize that you still need solid support pre- and post-class. The Alo Recovery Mode sneaker has a firm outsole for a strong foundation and is detailed with a high-rebound recovery-foam sole to soothe pressure points after a tough workout.

Let’s face it: Half the fun of working out is testing a new activewear set or styling your look for a “hot girl walk” that actually just leads to brunch with the girls. No matter your plan of action, the Asics Gel-1130 is the perfect finishing touch and approved by Hyla Nayeri, founder of cool-girl activewear label 437. “I find the style is so classic and neutral. It’s easy to style with my athleisure looks and pairs perfectly with my new favorite Shorts Onesie from the 437 Summer Active Collection,” she says. “These sneakers are so versatile and comfortable, and transition easily from fitness outfits to day-to-day style.”