The 8 Best adidas Gym Shoes That Marry Performance and Style
If you look around any given gym, chances are, you’re going to see a whole bunch of adidas sneakers. They’ve earned the ubiquity: adidas makes some of the best gym shoes around. That encompasses all types of workouts, too. Whether you’re hitting heavy weights, running sprints, or taking a HIIT class, there’s an adidas gym shoe designed to power you through that workout safely and comfortably.
Getting the right sneakers for your specific workout is not just for athletic performance, although that’s certainly going to help. It’s safety that’s key here. Running sneakers, for example, can be fitted to your stride type, whether you over-pronate, under-pronate, or move neutrally. Extra cushioning for longer runs keeps your joints cushioned, and a wider toe box lets your toes grip the ground in the most ergonomic way possible. Keeping your toes and the base of your foot in a comfortable, neutral position sets up your entire kinetic chain for success. Sustained correct form lowers your risk of foot, ankle, knee, and back injuries in the gym. Good form starts in the feet.
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Safety and performance aside, adidas also makes some of the best sneakers of all time — ones we actually want to wear. The brand has been turning its innovative shoe materials and tech into stylish sneaker silhouettes since 1949. That innovation, matched with an eye for detail, has made adidas’ running shoes and adidas’ walking shoes some of the best in the game.
A fresh pair of adidas sneakers can turn your workout leggings or athletic shorts into a whole look. Just look to some of the most stylish celebrities for inspiration. For example, Olivia Wilde wears her Ultraboost 5.0 DNA sneakers with leggings, a crop top, and an oversized jacket while Jennifer Lopez styles her adidas Edge Lux 3 with cool metallic leggings and a graphic tank top.
adidas has loads of gym shoe options to choose from in varying styles and levels of support. Here, we created this adidas gym shoe guide that puts all the research in one place, with expert tips and product picks — all to find the best pair for anyone’s gym needs.
Top adidas Gym Shoes for 2023
Best for Running: adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 Shoes
Best for Walking: adidas SuperNova 2 Shoes
Best All-Around Sneakers: adidas 4DFWD2 Shoes
Best for Distance Running: adidas Adizero Boston 11 Shoes
Best for Tennis: adidas Defiant Speed Shoes
Best for Weightlifting: adidas Adipower Weightlifting 3 Shoes
Best for Cycling: adidas Velosamba Cycling Shoes
Best Outdoor Shoes: adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Shoes
adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 Shoes
Best adidas Running Shoes
Size range: M4-18/W5-12
Colorways: Core black and cloud white; all white; white and solar red; all solar red; and more
Best for: Running
Materials: Boost midsole; PrimeKnit and textile upper; Continental rubber outsole
Special features: New lightweight Boost midsole; recycled upper
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: High heel height
Retailer Availability: adidas.com, Dicksportinggoods.com
adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 is the latest and lightest edition of the uber-popular BOOST technology. It maintains that optimal balance of cushioned comfort and energy return — comfy, but won’t weigh you down — but this time in an even lighter formulation. Similar to the styles that have come before, like the Ultraboost 22, the Ultraboost Light has a stretchy knit upper that lets the feet breathe and not feel squished as long runs wear on.
What Reviewers Say: “I like this better now. It’s slightly wider in the toe box…my pinky toes thank you, adidas.”
adidas
Men’s adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 Shoes at adidas
Men’s adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 Shoes at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Women’s adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 Shoes at adidas
Women’s adidas Ultraboost Light 1.0 Shoes at Dick’s Sporting Goods
adidas SuperNova 2 Shoes
Best adidas Shoe for Walking
Size range: M4-18/W5-12
Colorways: White; black; beige and white; black and white; gray and white; and more
Best for: Walking or short runs
Materials: Boost and Bounce midsole; TPU outsole
Special features: 275g in weight; 9mm midsole drop
Pros: Bouncy
Cons: Tongue moves around
Retailer Availability: adidas.com, Amazon, zappos.com, DSW.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods
The adidas SuperNova 2 is super lightweight, and one of the more budget-friendly sneakers adidas offers. The midsole is made up of both Boost and Bounce technology, making it a little more responsive than an Ultraboost silhouette. The standout on these is the padded heel and tongue, which hug the foot and secure it softly. For long walks and traveling, the fact that they’ll never rub your feet the wrong way is reason enough to grab a pair. For a more in-depth review, read our editor’s review here.
adidas
Women’s adidas SuperNova 2 at adidas
Women’s adidas SuperNova 2 at Amazon
Men’s adidas SuperNova 2 at adidas
Men’s adidas SuperNova 2 at Amazon
adidas 4DFWD 2 Shoes
Best All-Around adidas Gym Sneakers
Size range: M4-16/W5-13.5
Colorways: Black; black and white; beige; mauve; and more
Best for: Sprinting and HIIT
Materials: 3D-printed Midsole; PrimeKnit upper
Special features: Upper made with 50% recycled materials
Pros: Lattice midsole nearly impossible to break down over time
Cons: Flexible on top foot but stiff fit underfoot
Retailer Availability: adidas.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker
The adidas 4DFWD 2 is one of adidas’ latest additions to its 3D-printed midsole universe. While other midsoles might focus on a soft landing or bouncy response, these are designed to help guide your feet forward after hitting the ground. According to our editor’s in-depth review, the futuristic lattice design is not just for show — the shape and flexibility add to its forward motion purpose. Use them for walking, jogging, long runs, jumping — pretty much any movement works with these.
What Reviewers Say: “Magnificent. Feel like I’m walking on air.”
adidas
Women’s adidas 4DFWD 2 at adidas
Women’s adidas 4DFWD 2 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Men’s adidas 4DFWD 2 at adidas
Men’s adidas 4DFWD 2 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
adidas Adizero Boston 11 Shoes
Best Adidas Sneakers for Distance Running
Size range: M4-15/W5-12
Colorways: Ecru; white; gray and white; black and white; orange; pink; and more
Best for: Long-distance runs
Materials: Mesh upper; Lightstrike pro cushioning; Continental rubber outsole
Pros: Durable
Cons: Heavier
Retailer Availability: adidas.com, Zappos.com, REI
adidas Adizero Boston 11s are meant to keep you supported and comfortable on long runs. The thicker midsole is a welcome addition to half or full-marathon training since it absorbs some of the shocks so that your feet don’t have to. This also makes them great for long walks or exploring a new city. If the soft sole and durable construction can get you through a marathon, they are more than able to get you through long days of any kind.
What Reviewers Say: “Expensive, but worth the money. It’s got to be said: quite an effort to put on. But once they’re on, they’re great.”
adidas
Men’s adidas Adizero Boston 11s at adidas
Women’s adidas Adizero Boston 11s at adidas
Women’s adidas Adizero Boston 11s at REI
adidas Defiant Speed Shoes
Best adidas Shoes for Tennis
Size range: M6.5-13.5/W5-11.5
Colorways: White and purple; blue; black; white and lime green
Best for: Tennis
Materials: Bounce midsole, Adiwear outsole, mesh upper
Special features: Adituff toe
Pros: Extra toe protection and added heel support
Cons: Runs small; size up
Retailer Availability: adidas.com, zappos.com
adidas’ Defiant Speed tennis shoe is one of the latest in the brand’s long-running repertoire of tennis sneakers. (Lest you forget, the classic Stan Smiths were made for the tennis court.) And the tennis technology has come a long way: not only do these incorporate that responsive Boost midsole you might love in a cushioned running shoe, but they’ve also done up the outside to keep your feet extra protected. The Adituff toe and heel support keep toes from stubbing and heels from rolling.
What Reviewers Say: “Been playing three to four times a week for three weeks and the shoes feel like new. Durable so far. I had to go up one whole size from my usual adidas size. Fairly narrow around the toes.”
adidas
Women’s adidas Defiant Speed at adidas
Women’s adidas Defiant Speed at Zappos
Men’s adidas Defiant Speed at adidas
adidas Adipower Weightlifting 3 Shoes
Best adidas Shoes for Weightlifting
Size range: M5/W6-M14/W15
Colorways: Black and white; black; light green; blue
Best for: Strength training, weightlifting, powerlifting
Materials: Canvas upper; rubber outsole
Special features: Lace strap
Pros: Stable, dense midsole
Cons: Limited uses; runs narrow
Retailer Availability: adidas.com, zappos.com
adidas’ Adipower Weightlifting 3 shoe has a high-density midsole and 22 mm drop for the ultimate stable platform for heavy lifts. While you can get away with a running sneaker for a HIIT class or light resistance training, you need something more stable for heavy lifting. The higher, cushioned midsole of a running sneaker can mess with the way your feet grip the ground and alter your natural form. These secure, stable, and protective shoes will do no such thing.
What Reviewers Say: “The support is really good and the drop from heel to toe puts you in great position.”
adidas
adidas Adipower Weightlifting 3 Shoes at adidas
adidas Adipower Weightlifting 3 Shoes at Zappos
adidas Velosamba Cycling Shoes
Best adidas Shoes for Cycling
Size range: M3/W4-M14/W15
Colorways: White and navy; all white; black with gum sole; blue and white; blue with gum sole
Best for: Cycling
Materials: Vegan materials; stiff nylon insole
Special features: Two-bolt cleat compatible;
Pros: Water-resistant
Cons: Rigid construction
Retailer Availability: adidas.com
For anyone who has committed to the bike-to-work commute life, the adidas Velosamba Cycling Shoes are for you. These are designed for city biking: they’re two-cleat compatible but don’t look anything like your standard cycling shoe. Unclip and you’ve got a sneaker that goes with a suit, jeans, and leggings. The vegan suede is water-resistant, too, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught riding in the rain.
adidas
adidas Velosamba Cycling Shoes
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
Best Outdoor adidas Shoes
Size range: W5-11
Colorways: Black and white; black and red; blue; slate blue; taupe
Best for: Outdoor activities
Materials: Mesh upper; Boost midsole; Continental rubber outsole
Special features: Gore-Tex
Pros: Waterproof, stable
Cons: Pricey, runs small
Retailer Availability: adidas.com
The adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 is one of the best sneakers you can take on outdoor adventures of any kind. Walking, hiking, climbing, whatever you’ve got. The high ankle, tough outer, and Gore-Tex construction make them basically a rain boot, but with performance capabilities. They’re the best middle ground between an outdoor sneaker and a hiking boot, with the ankle support and coverage of a boot but the bouncy Boost midsole of your favorite adidas sneaker.
adidas
Women’s adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
Men’s adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
How to Find the Best adidas Workout Shoes for You
Consider the Workout Type: First, consider what your movement looks like. Running? Walking? Lifting? Your foot needs vary depending on the activity, says podiatrist Dr. Mike Rushton, co-founder and medical director of custom orthotics lab Forward Motion.
Walking: For the best adidas walking shoes, look for styles with a strong heel counter, Rushton says. “You may want a shoe that’s firm, without too much stretch, that will hold your forefoot in place. With walking shoes, you’re not pounding the pavement as much as when you’re running, so you don’t need quite as much cushioning.”
Running: Finding the best running sneakers for you is a whole industry unto itself, but if you’re looking for something that can work for you indoors on a treadmill (where there aren’t unexpected changes in elevation or uneven footing), look for a running sneaker that’s cushioned and you like the response feel of. The best running sneaker is the one that you feel good running in.
Cross-training: Cross-training might include running, walking, jumping, or lifting, and a cross-training shoe is a good middle-of-the-road option. “It has less cushion than a running shoe but is softer than a walking shoe,” Rushton says, and is a great all-purpose shoe that lets you switch between activities. “Don’t get a plain walking shoe to use as a cross-trainer,” he adds. “You may want cushioning for pickleball one day and stability for hiking the next.” A true cross-training shoe will offer a little bit of everything.
Consider Your Foot Type & Conditions: Rushton also recommends considering your own specific anatomical requirements to avoid the most common foot conditions and ailments. For plantar fasciitis woes, seek out shoes with “decent arch support, good stability side to side and a solid heel counter,” Rushton says. You’ll want to look for the same features in a pair if you have heel spurs, though anyone with heel-specific pain might want extra, but not gratuitous, cushioning in the heel to avoid too much impact.
Best adidas Gym Sneakers for Common Foot Types and Conditions
Best adidas Gym Shoes for Flat Feet: The best adidas gym sneakers for flat feet should have a wider-lasted design with a regular heel area but with more space around the forefoot and ball of the foot than a typical shoe. A wider shoe option will help cradle the foot and avoid painful pinching, chafing, and rubbing for people with flat feet.
Best adidas Gym Shoes for High Arches: Sneakers for high arches should have soft support. “High-arched feet are best treated with supportive, softer and more flexible, lightweight types of soles to accommodate the high arch,” says NYC-based podiatrist Dr. Jackie Sutera. “Avoid rigid, stiff, and thin flat shoes. The purpose of insoles and orthotics for those with high-arched feet is to accommodate, absorb shock, and cushion.”
Best adidas Gym Shoes for Wide Feet: Wide feet need room to breathe so you can keep all ten toes on the ground rather than smushed up together. For the best gym shoes for wide feet, a roomy toe box is essential.
Best adidas Gym Shoes for Overpronation: Stability running shoes can help limit some of the excess motion and stress that’s placed on overpronated feet, Dr. Splichal says. Special features found in running shoes for overpronation can help improve foot control and posture to prevent injuries and strain from impact forces.
Best adidas Gym Shoes for Diabetes: The best shoes for diabetics should also be roomy in nature: Wide-fitting shoes with “plenty of depth,” Rushton says, are key to avoiding rubbing and chafing that can lead to greater sores and injuries. So are wide-toe boxes and soft shoe interiors and linings. “There are diabetic shoes on the market that boast all these qualities, as well as special insoles that decrease friction on feet,” explains Rushton.
Best adidas Gym Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis: Comfort is key when shopping for the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. Dr. Brian Eckenrode, Associate Professor and Director of the Running Injury Clinic at Arcadia University, recommends that “motion-control or stability-type running shoes are often preferred for runners with severe to mild pronation, respectively,” and that “runners with plantar fasciitis should also consider the amount of heel drop in the construction of the shoe.” A higher heel drop might help make up for some mobility restriction.
How We Selected the Best adidas Gym Shoes
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
Just as adidas is always innovating and coming out with fresh materials, we’re always testing those new designs. For our best adidas gym shoes story, we tapped a few experts to tell us what they look for in great workout shoes, as well as what details could hinder certain types of workouts. We talked to those experts, researched the current state of the sneaker market, and tried our hand at a few sneakers ourselves to come up with this list of the eight adidas workout sneakers that truly do it best.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Mike Rushton is the co-founder and medical director of custom orthotics lab Forward Motion. He has 13 years in private practice specializing in conservative care and orthotic therapy. He is also the Co-Founder of JM Orthotics and developer of semi-rigid heat molding material utilized for direct molding in podiatry.
Dr. Jackie Sutera is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) and Vionic Innovation Lab member. She believes in a holistic approach to foot care, guiding patients at City Podiatry in Midtown Manhattan of New York City, to discoveries that are related to every part of the body, not just the foot.
Dr. Brian Eckenrode is the Associate Professor and Director of the Running Injury Clinic at Arcadia University. He received his Master of Science degree in physical therapy from Arcadia University, transitional DPT from Temple University, and PhD in Health Sciences from Rutgers University. Dr. Eckenrode has over 20 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist and has been a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist since 2005. Dr. Eckenrode has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles, written book chapters, and presented at national and international physical therapy and orthopaedic professional meetings.
Meet the Author
Christine Flammia writes about style, grooming, and more; she is the former associate style editor of Esquire and is currently pursuing a PhD in communications at Columbia. When Flammia is not at school, she can be found in the gym testing the latest and greatest workout sneakers, especially from adidas.
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