ActiveWorkoutsWhat shoes are the best for indoor workouts?What are the most important features to consider when buying indoor workout shoes and how to choose the best one for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWorkoutsWhat shoes are the best for indoor workouts?What are the most important features to consider when buying indoor workout shoes and how to choose the best one for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What are the most important features to consider when buying indoor workout shoes and how to choose the best one for you?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Nike/Inov-8)
(Image credit: Nike/Inov-8)
Indoor workouts come in many shapes and sizes and so do workout shoes. And don’t believe gym bros who’ll give you unsolicited advice on shoes; just because you’re a seasoned lifter, that doesn’t mean you know anything about shoes. Let us, workout shoe experts, explain what shoes are best for indoor workouts!
Here at T3, we pride ourselves on being very knowledgeable about workout shoes. After all, ourbest workout shoesandbest cross-training shoesguides rank well onGoogle, meaning many people trust our opinion on these types of footwear. We thoroughly test each and every pair of workout shoes to ensure our reviews are as unbiased and well-informed as humanely possible.
We came across a number of excellent indoor workout shoes over the years, and below is a selection of the ones we think are ideal for specific types of workouts, from stable CrossFit favourites to jumpy HIIT pumps.
But before we go on to recommending shoes, we must talk about what to look out for when buying shoes for indoor workouts.
Indoor workout shoes – Features to consider
There are four key areas to consider when buying indoor workout shoes: ventilation, grip, comfort and cushioning.
Ventilationis super important when working out indoors as there is generally less air movement, meaning your feet can get warm and stuffy. Swollen, warm feet can be a major source of discomfort during long workouts, so you must make sure the shoes you wear for indoor workouts are well-ventilated and have a thin upper that lets air in and out as you exercise.
Shoes with a lightweight upper also tend to be more comfortable, and indeed,comfortis an important factor to consider in workout shoes for indoor use. Comfort can mean extra padding in critical areas such as the heel, a supportive fit, and a toe box that follows the contour of your foot.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Gripis of paramount importance for indoor workout shoes. People sweating and getting hot can cause the air to be more humid and the floor wetter, so you need shoes that grip the surface properly and keep you stable even during the jumpiest HIIT workout sessions.
Speaking of jumping: let’s not forget aboutcushioning. A well-cushioned shoe can help preserve your legs on thetreadmilland workouts where you jump around a lot. Cushioned shoes are also better for walking and people with joint problems, although barefoot-style shoes might also help some people strengthen the ankles and less-used muscles in the foot.
(Image credit: Under Armour)
(Image credit: Under Armour)
What shoes are the best for indoor workouts?
Best indoor workout shoes overall - Nike Metcon 7
We weren’t the biggest fans of theNike Metcon 6but the newNike Metcon 7shoes are brilliant. They are designed for CrossFit, but we found them equally as good for strength training and HIIT due to the stable midsole construction, the React foam and the mesh upper.
Best shoes for CrossFit – Reebok Nano X2
Reebok’s Nano workout shoe series(retailer link) is a firm CrossFit favourite. These shoes are especially well-suited for short bursts of cardio workouts and all sorts of CrossFit exercises. Double unders and box jumps have never been easier to perform!
Best shoes for HIIT – Nike SuperRep Go
Nike toned down the weird looks of the OG Nike SuperRep, and theSuperRep Go shoes(retailer link) now look like something you can wear outside the gym, too. that said, the SuperRep Go are still very much HIIT shoes, and the thick foam will help cushion the impact on the joints as you jump, squat or run.
Best shoes for strength training – Adidas Dropset
Adidas' Dropset trainers feature a stiff heel that adds stability as you lift and a dual-density midsole to help you move forward in case you step on a treadmill (which won’t happen often, we agree). These wide-fit trainers run a bit short; please be mindful of that before placing your order.
Best shoes for bodyweight workouts - Inov-8 BARE-XF 210 V3
The Inov-8 BARE-XF 210 V3 shoes are perfect for bodyweight workouts: they are super flexible, lightweight and provide excellent grip for pistol squats. Even if you don’t care much about barefoot shoes, the BARE-XF 210 V3 is worth a look.
The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Amazon upgrades Kindle Colorsoft already – new model addresses customer complaintsAmazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Amazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Is SUP good for fitness? 3 reasons why you should add paddle boarding to your workout routineStand-up paddle boarding is still riding the wave of popularity, but will it get you fit?
Stand-up paddle boarding is still riding the wave of popularity, but will it get you fit?
How do I know what size running shoes to buy?Buying the wrong size running shoe can spoil your running experience – here is how to pick the right size, every time
Buying the wrong size running shoe can spoil your running experience – here is how to pick the right size, every time
Which telescope is best for viewing planets?The planets are the first thing most beginners want to see up close, but you’ll need a ‘slow’ telescope to get the best views. Here’s how to find the right telescope for viewing planets
The planets are the first thing most beginners want to see up close, but you’ll need a ‘slow’ telescope to get the best views. Here’s how to find the right telescope for viewing planets
Can yoga get you fit? Yes! Pro tips for getting startedWe asked a yoga conditioning instructor for their top tips for using yoga to improve endurance and tone up
We asked a yoga conditioning instructor for their top tips for using yoga to improve endurance and tone up
What size telescope do you need to see the rings of Saturn?The sixth planet from the Sun is a jaw-dropping sight, but how big it looks depends on your telescope. Here’s how to choose the right telescope to see the rings of Saturn
The sixth planet from the Sun is a jaw-dropping sight, but how big it looks depends on your telescope. Here’s how to choose the right telescope to see the rings of Saturn
Which telescope is best for viewing galaxies?Seeing outside of the Milky Way requires a ‘fast’ telescope. Here’s what you need to know about which telescope is best for observing galaxies
Seeing outside of the Milky Way requires a ‘fast’ telescope. Here’s what you need to know about which telescope is best for observing galaxies
What can you see with a 90mm telescope?Will a small telescope like this let you see the Moon? What about planets, galaxies and nebulae? Here’s what you can hope to see with a 90mm/3.5-inch telescope
Will a small telescope like this let you see the Moon? What about planets, galaxies and nebulae? Here’s what you can hope to see with a 90mm/3.5-inch telescope
