As the new year rolls around, the fitness resolutions start rolling in. For most men, this means new gym memberships, revamping their pantry, or buying free weights for their home gym. But if you really want to make a difference, you need to invest in a top-notch pair of workout sneakers for men.
Now, we know what you’re thinking. You can just swap workout shoes with your regular sneakers, right? Wrong!
In recent years, exercise footwear has gained a lot of traction in the academic world. The verdict? You need to have the right type of footwear that best suits different exercise routines.
And that’s where this post comes in. If you want to start your new fitness regime on the right foot, keep reading for a comprehensive guide on the best workout sneakers for men to invest in 2021.
The 10 Best Workout Shoes For Men in 2021
1- Nike SuperRep Go
Good for:
- High Intensity Interval Training
- Bodyweight training
- Other fast-paced exercises
If your workout integrates high-intensity and high-impact movements such as jumping squats, mountain climbers, or box jumps, the Nike SuperRep Go has got you, and your feet, covered.
The outer construction of the SuperRep is ideal for fast-paced movements. The breathable and versatile fabric will keep you cool and comfortable.
The midsole provides moderate stability for calisthenic movements. Better still, the reactive cushioning optimizes your performance during fast-paced cardio exercises. Additionally, the rubber outsole provides added support to the heels and toes.
If you’re going to stick with the gym and focus on HIIT and cardio training, you can’t go wrong with the Nike SuperRep Go.
2- Loom Waterproof Sneakers For Men
Good for:
- All kind of workouts
- hiking/ trekking
- running
It’s almost as if Loom’s Waterproof Sneakers have been made by workoutaholics! Not only are they impact-resistant, comfortable, breathable and waterproof, they are also extremely snazzy and elegant.
The double-lined merino wool cushion minimizes your body weight pressure, making it ideal for vigorous, prolonged workouts. Additionally, the slip-resistant rubber soles make it easier to shuffle through rugged tracks.
What’s more, Loom Workout Sneakers are 100% waterproof. The shoes feature an unlikely fusion of waterproof and knit-layered uppers, making it both breathable and impervious at the same time.
However, these high-performance sneakers can be used for any exercise. They feature the Excelcast shock-absorbing design, making high-impact movements such as jumping and running easier on your joints.
In a nutshell, Loom Waterproof Sneakers have it all. From comfort and hygiene to diverse functionalities, these shoes check all the boxes for the best workout sneakers for men.
3- New Balance Minimus Prevails
Good for:
- Cross-training
- Weight training
- Mild running
There’s been a lot of rave about New Balance’s Minimus line in the cross-training community. With its anatomical collar, heel stabilizer, and the trademark Vibram outsole, the Previals are the perfect fit for high-impact trainers.
Don’t confuse the minimalist, retro design of the Minimus Prevails with limited functionality. On the contrary, the mesh knit upper is flexible, unrestrictive, and comfortably cocoons your feet. Furthermore, the padded asymmetrical collar fits snugly around your ankles, ensuring both support and comfort.
But it doesn’t end there. The REVlite midsole boosts the padding, yet the foam itself is extremely lightweight. To top it off, the Vibram outsole cushions the most high-impact areas of the foot, making it ideal for weight-training.
4- Reebok Nano 9
Good for:
- Plyometrics
- compound-lifting
If you’re in the market for a pair of shoes to withstand intense weight-lifting, look out for Nano 9 by Reebok. With a perfect balance of flexibility, stability, and grip, these shoes shouldn’t slip past your radar.
Let’s kick things off from the bottom-up. The rubber outsole minimizes wear and tear, even on the most jagged surfaces. This decoupled outsole envelops an additional layer of midsole padding.
On top of that, a Polyurethane Nanoshell blankets the midsole, reinforcing its durability. If you’re doing a lot of weighted compound movements, the midfoot support cage will ensure that your feet stay locked-in. To tie it all up, the stretched Flexware upper guarantees movement and flexibility.
With sturdy padding to endure the high-impact movements and a heavily reinforced midsole, the Nano 9 is the perfect all-in-one sneakers for men.
5- UnderArmour Tribase Reign 2.0
Good for:
- CrossFit
- Agility exercises
If you’re into CrossFit, you’re probably always on the lookout for a pair of workout sneakers for men that sustain high-intensity interval training. Well, look no further! The UA Tribase Reign 2 promises traction, mobility, and comfort.
The outer material is a blend of mesh fabric and synthetic layer, making the sneakers breathable yet resilient.
The midsole is made of UA’s proprietary Micro G Foam, featuring firm yet responsive cushioning. This facilitates jumping and mild running. Combined with an abrasion-resistant full rubber outsole, they’re even better for heavy lifting and weight training.
But the real kicker is UnderArmour’s characteristic TriBase technology that promotes maximum floor contact. The extra support under the toes and heels makes it perfect for lifting weights.
6- ASICS Frequent Trail Men’s
Good for:
- Trekking
- Trail Running
It’s in the name; these shoes are ideal for trekking and hiking. They are specially designed to endure long trails, whether it’s snow, ice, dirt trails, or concrete city streets. Let’s break down the design to get a better idea.
The utility lies in the outsoles construction and design. The outsoles are specifically built to provide maximum traction, with both uphill and downhill strides. Furthermore, the reinforced toe cap protects your toes from painful stubbings, especially if you’re going downhill.
The outer material is composed of synthetic and mesh construction. This makes the shoe lightweight and breathable, which is important for long treks. At the same time, the fabric is resistant to wear and tear.
If you’re looking for hiking shoes, the Frequent Trails will help you hold your ground in the toughest terrains.
7- Brooks Men’s Ravenna 9
Good for:
- Long-distance running
- Causal running
The Ravenna 9 Running Shoes are the answer to your swollen ankles, sore joints, and painful blisters. If you want to reach your running goals, these will be a good addition to your collection of workout sneakers for men. Let’s have a closer look at the specs.
Ravenna 9 integrates a BioMoGo DNA technology, characterized by heavy-duty cushioning. The rubber midsole is heavy around the balls of the foot. Combined with shock-absorbent and rebounding material, this enables an almost perfect landing.
But what about stability? The diagonal rollbar and midfoot transition zone will give you reinforced stability. Experience a smooth and natural transition from heel to toe with the Ravenna’s flat arch.
Let’s not forget about the fit. The upper is composed of a lightweight mesh fabric that fits snugly around your feet. To lock everything into place, the reflective saddle buckles around the midfoot section. And that’s how you get comfort, mobility, and stability all in one place.
8- On Running Cloud Shoe
Good for:
- Mild running
- Urban exploration
- Travel
If you’re looking to make a smart, one-time investment in everyday wear shoes that can double as workout sneakers for men, look no further than On Running’s Cloud Shoes. But what makes these shoes such a fan-favorite product?
The true selling point of these shoes is the company’s signature technologies. For example, CloudTec,. which is integrated into the outsoles. The zero-gravity padding absorbs the impact-force upon ground contact.
Additionally, Speedboard technology aids with shock absorption and smooth transition. The combination of these technologies aids with perfectly cushioned landings.
When it comes to materials and design, the Clouds stay true to their name. The upper is made of a mesh of soft, breathable fabrics. This blend of fabrics keeps the shoes antimicrobial even after long periods of wear, which is ideal for traveling.
Lightweight, padded, and flexible, these shoes really will make you feel like you’re walking on clouds.
9- Adidas Adizero Boston 8
Good for:
- Daily training
- Casual Running/ Jogging
- Racing
No workout sneakers for men list can be complete without the Adizero Boston series. These lightweight shoes are ideal for daily and steady training, but can be used for competitive, short distance running as well.
The utility of the Boost 8 is focused on their soles. The Boost midsoles feature responsive cushioning with great energy feedback. But beyond that, it provides a firm and stable ride.
Similarly, the outsoles are made of the Adidas trademark Continental rubbers. On the one hand, the stretchweb outsole reinforces the padding of the midsoles. On the other hand, they provide great underfoot traction for all surfaces.
The design of the Boston 8 leaves little to be desired as well. While the lace-top and heel lockdown ensure a snug fit, the knitted mesh upper promises comfort and mobility.
With optimal traction, responsive cushioning, and comfortable wearability, the Boston 8 are great for steady, sustained training.
10- Merrell Men’s Bare Access XTR
Good for:
- hiking/ trekking
- Fast trail running
If you don’t like the weightiness of heavy-duty hiking shoes, the Bare Access XTR by Merrell could be the perfect shoes for you. The shoes are designed to provide moderate cushioning with a barefoot feel.
The shoes are low to the ground, with FlexConnect dual-directional midsole grooves. The flex grooves and zero heel-toe offset maximize ground contact, which concurrently increases grip and stability.
With a weight of less than 500 grams, the Bare Access go the extra mile when it comes to lightweight hiking shoes.
Should You Buy Separate Workout Shoes?
The short answer is yes; you should have individual pairs of shoes that are best suited for a certain activity.
Here are a few more reasons why you should invest in workout sneakers for men.
- Each type of shoe is built to optimize a certain activity. For example, running shoes are built in a specific way to maximize your performance. Similarly, you need stable shoes for weight-lifting.
- The right type of workout shoes will help you achieve proper form for your exercise.
- Having the right workout shoes will help minimize the risk of sustaining a serious injury. Workout shoes are built with special padding that every-day shoes don’t have.
- If you keep your workout shoes separate from your regular-wear shoes, you won’t wear either of them out too quick.
How to Buy the Right Workout Shoes For You?
Now you know the importance of having at least one pair of shoes meant specifically for working out. But how do you know which one is the right fit for you, so to speak?
● Refer to Your Workout Regime
Decide which workouts you’ll be focusing on. You don’t need to have a different shoe for each activity, but it helps to know what to look out for generally.
For example, if you want to incorporate some intense weight-lifting and casual trekking into your workout routine, you can get away with good traction and durability.
● Check out the Specs
Now that you know what you’re looking for, try to find the shoes that best cater to your needs.
You can easily find this information online. Cross-reference your requirements with the shoes’ specifications.
● Read Reviews
If you’re shopping online, read as many reviews as you can. Admittedly, online shopping for shoes isn’t easy, or even advisable. But if you know your size, all you need to do is read detailed reviews, and you should be good to go.
Ideally, you should read reviews of trusted bloggers, and not only from the company’s official website.
● In-store Consultation
The best thing to do is to purchase the workout shoes from a specialty store. This way, you can not only consult with the staff, but you can also choose from a wider selection.
More importantly, you can try on the shoe and check the fit. A good fit should be snug around your feet, but still give you enough room to wiggle your toes.
Lastly, you should walk a few steps so that you can feel how the shoes shift around your feet.
● Change Your Shoes Regularly
Workout shoes have special cushioning that will wear out after some time. If you don’t replace your shoes regularly, you’ll risk injury and your routine will fall apart.
Conclusion
By now, you should have an intuition on what to look for in a shoe. Maybe you’ve even found your perfect fit.
Purchasing the perfect pair of workout sneakers for men might be a daunting task, but take our word for it. It’s the first step towards your healthier lifestyle.