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Best Overall

nike Metcon 9

1

Best Overall

nike Metcon 9

Now synonymous with CrossFit’s global popularity, there’s a reason five-time CrossFit games champion Mat Fraser swears by the Metcon. The trainer provides a strong, stable base and is just as durable when it comes to functional training — think sled pushes, rope climbs and battle ropes — as they are with traditional training and Olympic lifts.

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Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 Training Shoes

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Under Armour TriBase Reign 5 Training Shoes

Though without doubt a great all-rounder, where the Reign 5 really excels is lifting. With a triangular midsole unit for stability, rubber forefoot outsole grooves for grip and subtle micro-studded overlays for durability, this training shoe has all the additional features that will see you through heavy lifts without the extra weight of a traditional weightlifting shoe.

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Nike Legend Essential 3 Next Nature

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Nike Legend Essential 3 Next Nature

Now 25% Off

If you're looking for a decent pair of gym shoes for less than £50, you can't go wrong with the Nike Legend Essential 3 Next Nature. Built with versatility in mind, the shoe is designed to support you wherever you find yourself in the gym – from the weight room to a workout class. Standout features include a flat heel, groves on the sole and a foam midsole.

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Reebok Nanoflex TR 2

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Reebok Nanoflex TR 2

If you follow a varied gym program, the Reebok Nano X3 is one of most versatile training shoes you can buy. Stable, lightweight, grippy and durable, it's marketed as a fitness shoe as opposed to an out and out weightlifting or running shoe, sitting somewhere in the middle of the two but leaning more towards the former.

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NOBULL Gum Trainer

5

NOBULL Gum Trainer

One of the best (and most popular) options for CrossFit, the NOBULL Gum Trainer is a versatile and durable shoe that's designed to suit a diverse workout program. It has a low stack height of 4mm and the soles feel flat and relatively hard, which means they offer plenty of stability when lifting. The upper material is both breathable and durable, and is designed to combat repeated abrasion during more aggressive workouts.

If you do pick up a pair, make sure to use the size chart to determine your US size.

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On Cloud X 3

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On Cloud X 3

Not only is On one of the hottest street-style brands of the moment, their Swiss Alps-inspired Cloud shoes are rivalling the likes of Asics, Nike and Hoka for performance – both on the road and in the gym. Just as capable on the pavement as in the weight room, the Cloud X 3 is On's all-rounder trainer. Super lightweight, cushioned and responsive, you won't want to use them for really heavy lifting, but capable of handling pretty much everything else – from the treadmill to the Smith machine – the X3 is a highly versatile and stylish training shoe.

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Vivobarefoot Motus Strength Mens

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Vivobarefoot Motus Strength Mens

Barefoot shoes have become popular for working out in thanks to their zero heel-to-toe drop for stability, a wide toe box for balance, and thin soles that bring you closer to the ground. The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength has all these qualities as well as extra support on the sole for added protection during strength training.

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Nike Romaleos 4 SE

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Nike Romaleos 4 SE

Now 26% Off

If the squat rack is your second home, this is the shoe for you. The Romaleos is Nike's out and out weightlifting shoe, designed specifically to support the demands of lifting heavy weights. The Romaleos 4 draws upon the popular Romaleos 2, featuring two adjustable straps for support, a TPU rubber sole for stability and spacious front section to allow you to spread your toes.

Named the 'best overall weightlifting shoe' in our guide to the Best Weightlifting Shoes, we found the shoe's rigid midsole and rubber tread provided great traction when performing heavy barbell lifts such as squats and deadlifts.

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R.A.D One

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R.A.D One

It may be new to the footwear scene but R.A.D is already receiving a lot of praise. Named the best gym trainer of 2023 by none other than former Nike shoe designer and plastics engineer Tiffany Beers, R.A.D has positioned the One trainer as a dependable all-round shoe that's 'ready for anything'.

With a cushioned foam midsole, a rubber sole with plenty of traction, a spacious toe box, and secure heel lock, it's designed for everything from basic lifts to plyometrics to rope-climbs to gymnastics.

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Nike Pegasus Trail 4

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Nike Pegasus Trail 4

In an ideal world, you'll only use your gym shoes when you're actually at the gym. For a lot of people, that just isn't practical. In the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 you get an outdoor running shoe that will also do a job in the weight room.

Designed with winter workouts in mind, think of this as a transitional gym shoe. It has a sturdy mesh upper, an abrasion resistant outsole for regular cardio commutes and a grippy bottom for a confident HIIT workout.

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Fuse 3.0 Training Shoes

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Fuse 3.0 Training Shoes

Now 33% Off

Built with insights from athletes and runners, the Puma Fuse 3 is a great gym shoe for functional movement training. It features a firm, cushioned heal for secure lifting, while its grippy rubber outsole provides the traction you need when performing compound exercises.

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Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic

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Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic

Let's change things up here. Powerlifters love Converse. It’s not uncommon to see experienced weightlifters rocking a pair of Chuck Taylors, and there’s a simple reason why. The next best thing to lifting barefoot, the flat sole of Converse Chuck Ts mean that you can keep your foot extremely close to the ground, helping you drive the weight more efficiently and remain planted more effectively. Similarly, there’s no heel cup in Converse, meaning that you can drive your energy straight into the ground.

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