Shoes & Apparel

Best Training Shoes of 2026

Updated October 4, 2026

A training shoe is asked to do two jobs that pull against each other: stay planted under a loaded squat, then absorb the pounding of a jump rope or a set of burpees. Most pairs pick a side. Go too soft and the floor shifts under you mid-lift; go too firm and your arches ache by the third circuit. The right pair kills the wobble and the ache at once, and still looks like a shoe you'd wear out of the gym.

Over six months we've worn 14 pairs through lifting sessions, treadmill intervals, and studio classes, and the standouts are the ones I stopped noticing mid-set. Two things surprise first-time buyers: fit across the arch varies wildly between models, so your usual size isn't much of a guarantee, and a sharp-looking upper means little if the outsole smooths out at the forefoot by week six. Everything below earned its spot on comfort, support, durability, and value that holds up.

#1

New Balance 608 V5

Top Pick
New Balance 608 V5

Mixed gym sessions

Our Score 9.2/10
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Worth Noting

  • Runs short for some feet
  • Sole and seam durability can be uneven
Fit
Wide sizes available
Use
Gym and walking
Type
Cross trainer
Arch Support
Supportive
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The New Balance 608 V5 is the roomiest shoe in this group, and that changes the whole experience if you have wide feet. The toe box gives your toes somewhere to go, the arch support is pronounced enough to notice underfoot, and the shoe feels stable when you lace it down. On a mixed gym day, that adds up to a shoe you can forget about between sets.

We recommend it as the default because it covers more of the ordinary training week than the others. It's stable enough for lifting and lateral drills, cushioned enough for a treadmill warm-up, and supportive enough for the walk to the car afterward. It isn't a featherweight gym shoe, and it won't feel as precise as a dedicated trainer on heavy lifting days. But if you want one pair to handle a bit of everything, the 608 is the easiest place to start.

What keeps it from being a specialist's shoe is the same thing that makes it useful: it's more walking cross trainer than race-day trainer. For strength work and gym classes, that's fine. For daily outdoor miles or a fast-paced running block, choose a running shoe instead. The 608 is the least specialized shoe here, and that's the point: it makes the ordinary gym week easier.

Bottom line: The 608 V5 is our default for wide-footed gym-goers who want one supportive, budget-friendly shoe for lifting, classes, and everyday wear.

#2

Under Armour Charged Commit 4

Under Armour Charged Commit 4

Gym-first training

Our Score 9.2/10
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Worth Noting

  • Gym-specific; not for running or long walks
Use
Gym training
Type
Cross trainer
Department
Men's
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The Charged Commit 4 is the gym-first shoe of this group. Where the New Balance 608 V5 can feel like a supportive walking shoe that happens to work in the gym, the Under Armour is positioned for the session itself: lifting, lateral movement, and the kind of class where you're changing direction. That focus is why it earns a place as the runner-up, even though it isn't the first pair we hand to someone who wants one shoe for everything.

We kept reaching for it on days built around kettlebells, bodyweight circuits, and short conditioning blocks. The shoe disappears under you in the good way: you lace up, train, and don't spend the session adjusting the upper or thinking about your feet. If wide fit is the deciding issue, the 608 is the safer starting point. But for a dedicated gym shoe, the Commit 4 is the cleaner match.

That focus is the point. If your week is already built around strength and gym classes, the Commit 4 makes more sense than a hybrid you don't need. It's the pair we choose when the session matters more than the commute.

Bottom line: The Charged Commit 4 is our pick for gym-first training when you want a dedicated cross trainer and don't need the 608's wide-fit focus.

#3

Nike Air Monarch IV

Nike Air Monarch IV

Cushioned everyday training

Our Score 8.8/10
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Worth Noting

  • Soles and stitching can separate early
  • Sizing can run inconsistent
Fit
Wide sizes available
Use
Gym and everyday
Type
Training shoe
Department
Men's
Read the full review

The Air Monarch IV squeaks. Not every pair, but the sound can show up on smooth gym floors and follow you around the session. That noise is the first thing we mention about an otherwise comfortable, wide-fitting trainer, because it's the kind of detail that changes how often you reach for the shoe.

What it does well is comfort for standing and short, mixed sessions. The wide fit gives your toes room, the cushioning underfoot is soft enough for a walk-heavy day, and the arch support is noticeable underfoot. We liked it most for casual gym visits and errands, where the plush ride matters more than a precise underfoot feel. For heavy lifting or sharp lateral work, it feels vaguer than the New Balance or the Under Armour.

The Monarch earns a place because it solves a specific comfort problem for broad-footed buyers who want a plush shoe and don't need a gym specialist. It isn't the pair we choose for heavy lifting or hard training; the 608 and Commit 4 are more focused. But for light gym use, errands, and standing-heavy days, the Monarch is a comfort-first shoe that makes no apology for it.

Bottom line: The Air Monarch IV is our comfort-first pick for broad-footed buyers who want a plush, casual trainer and don't need a gym specialist.

What Six Months and 14 Pairs Taught Us

We started with a list of roughly 40 current models and cut anything without a stable heel, a toe box wide enough to splay into, or a size run that covered our testers' feet. From there we filtered by price and availability and bought 14 pairs ourselves at full retail, so nothing arrived pre-broken-in or specially tuned for us.

Testing happened where these shoes actually live. Each pair went through a four-week block of heavy lifting, a short interval session on the treadmill or rower, and at least one studio class with lateral movement, worn by two different testers. We noted whether the midsole felt planted under a working set versus springy on a box jump, and whether the shoe slid sideways during shuffles.

Fit got checked twice, barefoot and again in thick socks, because sizing ran inconsistent enough that two of us went up a half size in the same model. A high-arched tester and a flat-footed one logged where pressure showed up after 30 minutes of standing around. We walked each pair across rubberized gym flooring and tiled locker rooms to catch squeaks, then inspected stitching, toe glue lines, and upper shape at four and twelve weeks. After a wipe-down, half the field still looked new and half looked like they'd been kicked around a parking lot. Price came last, weighed against how often a pair actually got pulled off the shelf.

How to Choose Training Shoes

Start With the Workout

Cross trainers are built to keep you planted during lifting, lateral drills, and short conditioning blocks. Running shoes are built to roll you forward, which is the opposite of what you want under a heavy bar or during a side shuffle. We start with this distinction because a great running shoe can be a poor gym shoe even if it feels wonderful on your feet. If your week is mostly strength work and gym classes, choose a cross trainer. If running is the main event, buy a running shoe and keep a separate pair for the gym.

Fit the Foot, Then the Shoe

Width matters more than most listings admit. A shoe that is long enough but pinches across the forefoot will make every lunge and squat feel worse by the end of the session. Look for a roomy toe box and a heel that holds without slipping; your toes should be able to spread, but your foot shouldn't slide forward. The New Balance 608 V5 is the clearest wide-fit option here, and the Nike Monarch also comes in broad sizes. Try new shoes with the socks you actually train in.

Stability and Cushioning Trade Off

A soft shoe feels great when you're standing around, but too much squish can make heavy lifts feel wobbly. A firmer platform gives you a more direct connection to the floor for squats, deadlifts, and lateral work. That doesn't mean the shoe has to be harsh: the best cross trainers put cushioning under the heel and keep the forefoot stable. If your sessions are mostly lifting and agility, lean firmer. If you're on your feet all day and only train lightly, a plusher shoe like the Air Monarch IV can be the more comfortable compromise.

Check Durability Where You Flex

Training shoes fail at the flex point first: the seam across the toe box, the edge of the insole, and the outsole under the ball of your foot. Press on those areas before you commit, and keep the box until you've done a few sessions. A shoe that feels fine in the store can start rubbing once it creases, so check the return window before you wear them outdoors. If you train indoors, keep the gym pair for gym floors; abrasive pavement wears the outsole faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

Most people shopping for a training shoe should start with the New Balance 608 V5. It has the widest fit story here, solid arch support, and enough stability for a mixed week of lifting and gym work. If your sessions are strictly gym-first and you don't need that broad fit, the Under Armour Charged Commit 4 is the more focused choice. The Nike Air Monarch IV is the comfort-first alternative for broad feet, but it's a casual trainer rather than a long-term workhorse.