Footwear

Slip-on, two Zoom Air units in the forefoot, Cushlon foam at the heel

Another shoe designed specifically for HIIT workouts and circuit training. And man, they thought (over-thought?) of everything. This futuristic-looking shoe has "brake pads" to help you cut hard from side to side, and even a "burpee break" – a small groove right where your foot flexes. This is designed to help your foot flex properly when doing push-ups, planks, short sprints, and of course burpees... if you actually enjoy those. The duel Air Zoom cushions absorb your energy and shoot it right back—springing you into your next move. Yeah, a minimalist shoe this is not... but it sure is comfortable.

– Chris Shugart

SuperFabric guard plates, flexible mesh base layer, multi-environment outsole lug pattern.

Think of these as classic Chucks, but juiced up on steroids just like your favorite all-natty Instagram trainer. High-carbon lateral and medial guards add protection on the sidewalls. With just the right blend of flexibility, padding, traction, and support, you'll be wearing these for more than squats. Like doing ninja stuff. They look like they'd be great for ninja stuff. – Chris Shugart

Light and flexible design, ROPE-TEC technology, welded toe bumper.

Sometimes you want a flexible, versatile shoe that does anything you want it to do. You know, like your side piece. This shoe is clearly aimed at CrossFitters, but if you like to do a little running, rope climbing, and box jumping to balance out your heavy lifting, this shoe can handle it. – Chris Shugart

Waterproof, TPU chassis for stability, molded heal counter, generous toe box.

I prefer to get my cardio in the mountains... and I prefer to not fall down those mountains while screaming like a little bitch. After a few precarious slips while hiking around in gym shoes, I decided to invest in a pair of real hikers.

These shoes have a grippy lug outsole that digs deep on the inclines and defeats scree on the declines. You can slosh through puddles and step on the sharpest of rocks without ever feeling a thing.

They're tough too. If I'm ever eaten by a bear, at least they'll be able to identify my remains by my perfectly intact feet. That's a thing, right? – Chris Shugart

Hyperlock TPU film heel counter for security, breathable mesh lining, integrated insole

Your feet and ankles have over 100 muscles. And they don't get much work in over-built gym shoes. This can create problems all the way up the chain, even leading to hip issues and back pain. Barefoot training can help you strengthen those underused muscles and re-educate the nervous system.

Problem is, you have nasty feet. Really, everyone says so. And no one wants to see them at your gym. So what you need is a shoe with minimalist construction that gets you as close to the ground as possible. These zero-drop Merrells may be just what you're looking for.

They're also certified vegan. So I guess you can eat them without guilt or whatever. – Chris Shugart

Waterproof upper, insulated with fleece lining, outsole made for icy conditions.

You know how the T Nation coaches are always recommending that you take long walks to boost your NEPA and speed recovery? Great advice, but it gets tricky in the winter. Your gym shoes aren't going to cut it. It's time to invest in a shoe built for ice and snow.

This one is waterproof and insulated. And it has the "M Select ICE" outsole, meaning you're less likely to bust your big ass on a slick spot. Now bundle up and hit the road, because beach bodies are made in the winter. – Chris Shugart

Vibram outsole with flex grooves, midfoot wrap, high-traction outsoles.

Though technically a trail running shoe, lifters who want to keep things minimal love this design. It's super flexible and light with a 4 mm drop, but the forefoot wrap keeps it secure. I wore these while being trained by Christian Thibaudeau. The shoes survived. I barely did. – Chris Shugart

Synthetic skins at the toe and heel for durability. Drop-in midsole enhances lateral stability.

CrossFitters love their Metcons, as do fitness fanatics who like to do a little bit of everything, from lifting to running to box jumping. This lace-less model is built for general lifting, but has been tweaked for speed drills and agility work. And anyway, who has time to tie their shoes when they're trying to beat the dreaded WOD timer? – Chris Shugart

Flat-soled shoe for bodybuilding, MMA, and wrestling with extra ankle support.

There was a time when you really weren't considered a bodybuilder if you didn't rock a pair of these. All the pros wore them, along with their baggy, Rex Kwon Do "muscle pants." (American flag pattern, naturally.) Well, they're still around and their fans are rabid for them. Lifters love their thin, flat soles and feather-light feel. Are they ugly? You're damn right they're ugly! But man, they feel great under a heavy barbell. – Chris Shugart

Narrow, snug fit. Lightweight, locked-down feel. Lace closure with a hook-and-loop strap. Open forefoot and flexible toe design.

Olympic weightlifting shoes used to be simply designed: canvas, big ugly strap across the top, elevated heel. They were cheap too. Today you can find $200 weightlifting shoes with all the bells and whistles. But do you need that? Probably not. ADIDAS Powerlifts are old school. Their simple, platform-tested design will get the job done. – Chris Shugart

Leather high-top sneakers. Rubber sole and toe cap.

You know this shoe. You probably already own a pair or three. So what sets these Chucks apart? Instead of canvas, they're leather. Studies show that deadlifting in leather adds 20 pounds to your top lift. Okay, I just made that up, but they look cool and I've been wearing the same pair for years without a single sign of wear and tear. – Chris Shugart

Minimal drop. Wide toe box. TPU heal wrap. Flexweave upper provides flexibility, durability, and security.

It's the official shoe of CrossFit, but Nanos have also become the go-to footwear for those who like to mix up their fitness modalities and want a pair of do-it-all shoes. People loved the earlier Nano models, but weren't big fans of the 5.0s. (That Kevlar acted like a cheese grater on the toes.) This new model though scores high marks and seems to have redeemed the brand. Nanos are back! – Chris Shugart