10 Best Workout Shoes For Women Of 2024, Tested By Fitness Experts

Editorial assistant Addison Aloian says the Bondi 8s changed her relationship with running. "Prior to a few months ago, I knew next to nothing about what type of shoes to wear when running," she says. "Then, when I began research, I learned that running shoes should be comfortable, supportive, and still light, so you can run your fastest—all of that describes the Hoka Bondi 8s down to a tee."

Aloian adds that these sneakers are the most comfortable she has ever worn—whether she's running or walking—and that they're her go-tos when she wants to log a few miles in style. "They're light, flexible, and sleek, and give my feet balance and comfort the entire time," Aloian says. "I also feel like they give me a good springy, bounce-back feeling from the ground." One of the best parts of these shoes? They clean easily in the washing machine.

Read more: Best Hoka Running Shoes

These babies are double approved—by both a Women's Health editor and expert trainer. That's right, these are some of Aloian's favorite lifting shoes, and Tatiana Lampa, CPT, a corrective-exercise specialist and the founder of the Training with T app, says the same. Yup, she deems them "one of my forever favorite lifting and plyometric shoes," she says. So, what's so special about these guys? Well, "It has the flat heel to lift heavy and the flexibility toe movement so you can jump," Lampa says. "It also provides flexibility and stability in your workouts—no need to change shoes at the gym for each exercise!" she adds.

Aloian says she wears these sneakers to the gym about four times a week. "I love lifting heavy weights in them because not only are they ultra-comfy and my foot feels super secure in them, but they're also flat," Aloian adds. "So, it's the next best thing to being barefoot so your foot can gain stability through the floor."

These Asics come at the recommendation of Lampa, who legit walked around in them for a week—sans pain, even with high arches. "I personally used my Asics Gel Quantum 360s to walk around Paris for a week and did not once have any issues with my feet," she says. "I highly recommend for long-distance walking, jogging, and running."

Reviewers love these shoes, too, with one writing that they're "one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn." They have awesome cushioning, yet they're sturdy. They're clean and sleek, but also durable. Since the heel is stable, multiple reviewers also say that they use them for a variety of workouts—such as weightlifting, using the treadmill, and biking. Plus, they're high-quality, so they've lasted customers a long time.

These shoes are "an excellent selection" for group studio classes thanks to a traction outsole and footprint design made with pivot points, according to Mendeszoon. They're made for dance fitness and low-impact classes, and are legit made for women, with a narrower heel, roomier toe, and all-around softer foot cushioning. The outsole also includes an ergonomically-shaped rubber tole for maximum durability.

Reviewers are totally obsessed with these shoes, especially those that say they struggle with painful feet. "These have just the right amount of support (I find Hokas have too much sole for me); the toe box is roomy and the heel narrow—perfect," one user wrote. Another raved about how she's tried 40-5o different pairs of shoes and these are her first pair in a while that have allowed her to walk around pain-free with plantar fasciitis and MS flare-ups.

"Metcon 8s are my favorite for lifting," says Spencer. It's not hard to see why, as they are made with a comfy base, great grip, stability for lifting, and lightweight mesh for breathability. Note taken!

These are also a WH staffer fave for food producer Tina Martinez, a "diehard Metcon fan for years," she says. In fact, she stopped wearing weightlifting shoes at all when Nike dropped this training sneaker. "It provides the perfect amount of stability to do heavy squats, but also allows the flexibility for a quick run or a metabolic conditioning piece," she says. Well, there you have it.

Read more: Best Cross-training Shoes

Nied is a massive fan of these cycling shoes from Pearl Izumi. Previous rented shoes or older styles usually make her feet cramp up or cause her toes to lose sensation about half an hour into wear. But not this pair: It's a game-changer for her. The nylon sole provides a stiff platform for maximum support and the mesh upper maximizes ventilation to keep your foot breathing even during the sweatiest SoulCycle classes.

But one feature rose above all others to make them worth it for Nied: The multiple velcro straps to adjust how snug her feet are by zone. "My toes can wiggle all they want while my ankle and mid-foot are secure," she says. Yup, these ultra-adjustable babies provide stability and support on every ride.

Two podiatrists we spoke with would go to bat for these shoes. Mendeszoon likes them for workouts that include weightlifting, like Crossfit. What stands out for him is the caged upper that offers added support for lateral movements and the balanced cushioning platform for stability. However, podiatrist Chanel Perkins, DPM, is also a fan since they're lightweight and made from seamless mesh material. "The spacious foot-shaped toe box offers wiggle room for the toes, which is important since the feet expand when we run," she says.

So, these shoes can basically do it all, nbd. Reviewers love this shoe for their comfort, whether they're walking or lifting weights. One user even wrote that they spend hours on their feet all day as a personal trainer and these shoes are great for their cushioning and supportive feel. If you like a barefoot feeling, these are the do-it-all shoes for you, another customer wrote.

Read more: Best Crossfit Shoes

The Gel-Kayano is a go-to for runners dealing with issues like flat feet and overpronation. "This shoe has firm foam support throughout the arch," says Perkins. "In addition to being lightweight, it’s also very soft, highly-cushioned, and largely breathable." The sneaker offers gel pods under the heel and forefoot for extra cushion and shock support, plus firm foam on the medial side for pronation issues.

WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos is also a fan. She's been wearing them since her foot doctor recommended them to her back in high school when she was recovering from an injury. "I *always* come back to them," she says. "They are sturdy and supportive and allow me to run and jump without any pain."

Read more: Best Arch Support Running Shoes

WH associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner calls herself a mega-fan of these shoes—along with her roommate—and wears them for literally everything. "They're awesome for cross-training, they're our go-to walking shoes, and they even protect your joints on a run," she says. "Plus, they look so stylish no matter what workout (or errand) you're doing." Wohlner says she often forgets she's wearing shoes when she has them on—they're that cozy. Enough said!

Perkins recommends the Brooks Glycerin Running Shoe. "This style comes with a built-in OrthoLite sock liner which really grips into the arch and mimics the support of athletic taping of the arch," she says. The shoe also comes with a soft underfoot base that helps its durability, even if you're running on the roughest roads.

The Glycerin 20's thick-but-well-cushioned sole also makes it ideal for runners with plantar fasciitis, since that padding can help absorb impact from each stride, taking away the stress from your arches and their surrounding areas.

Read more: Best Brooks Running Shoes