6 Best Adidas Gym Shoes of 2025 (Properly Tested & Reviewed)

The Adidas Everyset is taking my top pick as the best budget training shoe from Adidas, and for me, this shoe wins by a considerable margin especially compared to other Adidas budget shoes like the Trainer V.

The Adidas Everyset is a good “jack-of-all-trades” training shoe for a decent price. This model costs around $90 USD, but you can typically find them on sale. For example, I bought my pair for around $66 USD and for that price, these shoes have been stellar.

This model features a dual-density EVA foam midsole that has a nice blend of responsiveness and stability, especially for beginner and intermediate lifters. This shoe is stable enough for things like 405 lb deadlifts and it feels good for exercises like jump rope.

I also like that this shoe has a full rubber outsole so traction is never an issue in them and they have a simplistic appearance. The Adidas Everyset is a good versatile training shoe that can also work for daily wear.

What to Buy for CrossFit: Dropset 3

Despite not being built for CrossFit, the Dropset 3 has proven to hold its own against other top dogs in the CF shoe scene. It’s durable enough to withstand abrasion from rope climbs and burpees while delivering a nice stable platform to lift on.

Specs to Know

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm
• Weight: 10.15 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Width: Medium/Slightly Wide
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info: Read My Review

I know I’m not the only one who’s enjoyed using their Dropset 3s for CrossFit. I regularly have conversations with homies on YouTube about how they’ve been sneaky strong for this type of workout, even though they’re not technically built for CrossFit.

If your CF box programs a lot of strength work, then I think that’s where the Dropset 3 makes the most sense. It’s not going to be the best option for running WODs, and for that, I’d grab an Inov8 F-Fly or F-Lite. However, for heavy squats, cleans, and pulls, the DS 3 doesn’t miss.

It also has reinforced midfoot wraps, which help give it additional bite for rope climbs. I’m not sure if Adidas meant this intentionally since they don’t call attention to it, but they work great for durability and performance in this vertical. I also like the outsole grip in this shoe when you’re transitioning between exercises at a faster pace.

At the end of the day, while there are definitely more “dialed” CrossFit shoes on the market, the Dropset 3 can be a great choice if you love Adidas and want to keep it in their wheelhouse.

What to Buy for HIIT/Classes: RapidMove ADV 2

For HIIT and class workouts, you’ll want a training shoe that has a nice responsive midsole for energy return and bounce, along with a good secure upper. This will give you the best bang for your buck when tackling class workouts that entail a large variety of movements.

Specs to Know

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A (feels like 6mm)
• Weight: 11.55 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Width: Medium
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info: Read My Review

I’ve been impressed with the RapidMove ADV 2’s performance for my HIIT training. I like to program workouts where I blend things like box jumps, sled pushes and pulls, and multi-directional exercises and these shoes have stood up well to all of my tests.

I also like that you can do some light strength training in them without completely compromising your stability, balance, and performance. For example, you can lift up to 185-225 lbs in the RapidMove ADV 2s without getting too much compression, so for my general strength folks, you’ll be fine in this model.

I think the star players for this shoe include the Lightstrike Pro midsole and Continental rubber outsole. The midsole in this shoe has a nice medium-density feel and it feels responsive when jumping and running. Any midsole that doesn’t beat you up a ton and feels good for short runs is a hit in my book for class-style training.

The full rubber outsole has also been solid from a grip standpoint on different surfaces. The Torsion System through the midfoot gives you a bit more stability, too, when doing single-leg work, which is never a bad thing. For pure HIIT training with a little strength, the RapidMove ADV 2 gets my nod of approval.

What to Pick for Strength Training: The Total

If you’re a powerlifter or someone looking solely for a shoe for strength work, the Total does a good job. This is actually a pretty unique shoe for Adidas, and I was surprised when they rolled this model out. The zero-drop construction with the wide toe box and the midfoot strap are all solid.

Specs to Know

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Weight: 12.1 ounces (size 10 model)
• Width: Wide
• Sizing: True to size. Narrow feet, go down a half size.
• For More Info: Read My Review

The Total is Adidas’ flagship shoe for strength training that has gained a nice level of popularity with all types of lifters. I’ve primarily used this shoe for powerlifting and strength-focused sessions and regularly language them as a dream for zero-drop shoe lovers who don’t want to go full-on barefoot shoes.

In the context of supporting lifting performance, this shoe has three features to like. First, this model’s midsole features a high-density EVA which is designed to be more rigid and stable under your heaviest lifts. I’ve deadlifted up to 540 lbs in this shoe with no issues.

Second, this model features a wider toe box and it has a relatively low arch so this is a good model for promoting toe splay. Plus, if you have wider feet, then you should feel like you have plenty of room with this shoe.

Third and lastly, the outsole does a good job of promoting traction on different surfaces and the midfoot strap gives you additional upper security. For sumo deadlifts and heavy strength work where you’re driving into the upper of your shoe, you should feel locked down.

Top Pick for Weightlifting (the sport): Adipower 3

Adidas has made weightlifting shoes for countless years and they offer different models at different price points. Right now, they have two core weightlifting shoes available and these include the Adipower 3 and Powerlift 5.

Specs to Know

• Effective Heel Height: 22mm/.86″
• Weight: 17.60 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Width: Narrow/Medium
• Sizing: True to size (neutral width)
• For More Info: Read My Review

The Adidas Adipower 3 is my top pick as the current best Adidas weightlifting shoe. This model has been a nice improvement over its predecessor the Adipower 2 which was arguably a big step backwards from the original Adipower.

The Adipower 3 has a nice level of stability and its TPU midsole and heel provide a nice level of ground feedback. When catching clean and jerks in this shoe, I like how snappy the midsole and heel feel.

Outside of its stability, the Adipower has a good level of midfoot security. The midfoot strap in this model has been durable for all of my sessions and I like how well it locks down the foot when squatting and doing Olympic lifts.

Another perk of the Adipower 3 over its more budget-friendly peer the Powerlift 5 is the ripstop upper and overall construction feel more well-built and premium. If you can find the Adipower 3 on sale, I think they’re a good and consistent weightlifting shoe to invest in.

What to Look for In Adidas Shoes for Working Out

When looking into Adidas shoes for working out I think there are three construction features to consider based on your training needs and wants. Every shoe is built a little differently with niche features.

1. Stability of the Midsole and Outsole

The first feature that I think is important to assess is a shoe’s overall stability. Stability with training shoes generally comes from a model’s midsole then aspects like a shoe’s outsole can play a role in how dense or plush a shoe feels.

This is why it’s a good idea to cross-reference how you train with different materials used in Adidas shoes. For example, if you lift heavy, then you’ll want a denser midsole and you’ll want to go with options like the Dropset Trainer 2 or The Total.

Both of those models feature higher-density foam midsoles so they’ll get good options for lifters and athletes that plan to train heavier. Conversely, if you’re primarily doing HIIT, light lifting, and short runs, then you’ll want a model with a more responsive midsole.

My advice is to always check out reviews regarding the stability of certain shoes in different training verticals. Then you can formulate a good idea of how a shoe will perform stability-wise for your training needs.

2. Upper Durability

Another aspect to look at when buying new Adidas training shoes is the durability of a shoe’s upper — and really the durability of the shoe overall. Upper durability can be huge for activities like CrossFit and HIIT.

For these training verticals, you’ll want to make sure that your Adidas shoes have reinforced layers. A good example here is the Everyset versus the Dropset Trainer 2. For general training, both of these shoes are fine as they both have some reinforced layers.

However, for CrossFit where you’ll have a lot more abrasion, you’ll want to go with the Dropset Trainer 2 because its materials are a little more built-out and strategic in placement.

Similar to the stability component, reviews are an awesome tool for assessing how long an Adidas shoe will likely last for your training needs. Everyone puts different stresses in their shoes and trains in their own way, so building a durability framework can be useful.

3. Sizing and Fit Preferences

The final aspect to consider with your Adidas training shoe is its sizing and fit. Adidas shoes can vary pretty greatly, especially in the context of width as more Adidas shoes trend towards anatomical toe boxes.

If you know your foot’s anatomical needs then you can better decide on Adidas shoes that will fit you better and more naturally. For example, if you have narrower feet then you’ll resonate with models like the Everyset and Adipower 3.

If you need more width, then you’ll probably enjoy the fit of the Dropset Trainer 2 and The Total better, but remember, you’ll want to make sure that these shoes resonate with your training style as they’re all different regarding their performance intent. 

Final Verdict

The last few years have been pretty solid for the development of Adidas shoes for working out. Adidas hasn’t always built the best shoes for cross-training, in my opinion, so it’s nice to see them offering stronger options.

Whether you’re looking for a weightlifting shoe, an Adidas cross-training shoe, or an Adidas shoe that’s a little more flat for lifting, there’s likely an option that will resonate with your needs.

If you have additional questions about any of the Adidas training shoes featured in this article, drop a comment below or reach out via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend)!