Best High-Top Shoes for the Gym (2025 Update)

Author’s Note: This article is hyper-focused on high-top training shoes and generalist high-top shoes for working out. If you’re after high-top barefoot shoes for training, then you’ll want to check out my barefoot-shoe-focused article.

High-Top Training Shoes for CrossFit

If you like tackling functional fitness workouts in mid-top and high-top training shoes, then you’re going to need a model that provides you with stability, but not so much that it limits your abilities to be dynamic.

To be honest, I think mid-top and high-top models can be a bit limiting at times for this style of training, however, you can still use them for this context if you prefer to do so and they’ll likely be fine for you.

Top Pick: NOBULL High-Top Trainer

• Best For: CrossFit-Style Training and Lifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
• Weight: 11.2 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info: Read My Review

The NOBULL High-Top Trainer is making the list as a top pick once again. In the context of CrossFit, there are three key reasons why I like this model more than other options for CrossFit and cross-training.

First, the shoe as a whole is pretty lightweight and it never feels super heavy during training sessions and WODs which is not always the case for mid-top and high-top training shoes.

Second, I like the blend of versatility and stability with this model’s midsole. The stability is really solid in this shoe and the high-density midsole does a good job resisting compression in squats, cleans, deadlifts, and pretty much every exercise you can throw at this model. The midsole also provides an okay amount of responsiveness for things like box jumps and burpees.

Third and lastly, this model as a whole has good durability and that’s due to the simplistic construction utilized in this model and its SuperFabric upper. The SuperFabric is good for abrasion resistance and won’t break down easily from things like rope climbs or dragging the toes during burpees.

Runner-Up: GORUCK Ballistic Trainers Mid-Top

• Best For: Casual CrossFit, Cross-Training, and Lifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 15.1 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes (comes with two insole options)
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info: Read My Review

My second pick for CrossFit is the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers Mid-Top. This model is similar to the NOBULL High-Top Trainer in the context that it’s a follow-up and continuation to the popular GORUCK low-top training shoe. I like the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers Mid-Top model for CrossFit for two key reasons.

First, the upper construction is super durable and is a good option for abrasion resistance from rope climbs and other areas of training where friction may occur on this shoe’s upper.

The toe box of this model features a breathable, yet durable knit, and the midfoot and boot utilize a CORDURA Nylon that is super durable and easy to clean.

Second, the dual-gradient midsole is stable with a subtle level of responsiveness, and the outsole provides a nice level of traction and supports this shoe’s overall stability. The outsole is designed with three different types of rubber to provide you with a blend of ground feedback, stability, and versatility. 

Best High-Top Workout Shoes for Versatile Training

When it comes to versatile training, I define this as a training style that could be described as being more athletic in nature. Workouts may include lifting, plyometrics, and different exercises that would help one improve their abilities in different sports.

Top Pick: Reebok Nano UNKNWN

• Best For: Cross-Training and Lifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
• Weight: 13.8 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Sizing: True to size. Wide and flat feet, pass on these.
• For More Info: Watch My Review

The Reebok Nano UNKNWN is the first high-top iteration we’ve seen in this line since the beloved Nano X UNKNWN which was a cult favorite for lifting, CrossFit, and cross-training for Reebok fans.

I’ve enjoyed the Nano UNKNWN for my workouts, and it’s one of the more versatile options on the market at the moment. The Lift and Run Chassis System makes this shoe a little more runnable and jumping-friendly. For workouts where I’m hitting short runs in WODs or doing conditioning work, these have been solid.

The Floatride Energy Foam midsole is also stable for heavier training. I’ve deadlifted up to 455 lbs and reverse lunged 215 lbs in these, and they’ve been pretty solid for those stability asks. That said, they’re not as great for lifting as the older Nano X UNKNWN, but they should work for most recreational lifers.

My one concern with this model that you should keep in mind is that the LAR system can press into the midfoot if you have flatter and wider feet. I’m kind of bummed about this, and it seems like a design oversight, so these foot anatomies will probably want to pass on this option and explore the GORUCK or NOBULL shoes in this list.

Runner-Up: NOBULL IMPACT High-Top

• Best For: CrossFit-Style Training, Versatility, and Lifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
• Weight: 14.85 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info: Read My Review

The NOBULL IMPACT High-Top is another fantastic option to explore if you’re after a high-top trainer for versatile workouts. This shoe’s thicker EVA midsole makes it more responsive than its OUTWORK peer, and it’s easier to wear for longer durations.

I’ve enjoyed rocking this shoe for my workouts, where I’m blending jumping with lifting and conditioning. For example, if I’m doing things like power cleans, then jump rope, burpees, and box jumps, and want some ankle support, I’ll grab these for my session.

Outside of the midsole, I also enjoy the upper and outsole in this shoe. The herringbone tread is wicked aggressive and does a good job promoting grip on different surfaces. The SuperFabric upper is easy to clean and tends to be durable in most training settings.

The one thing to keep in mind with these shoes is that they can run pretty warm, so if you’re rocking these in hotter gyms and climates, expect your feet to be pretty toasty in these. This is stereotypical with NOBULL shoes, though, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who’ve worn their models before.

High-Top Shoes for Training and Daily Wear

One of my favorite aspects about rocking mid-top and high-top training shoes and shoes that you can lift weights in is the fact that they also work really well for daily and casual wear.

I know not everyone likes how mid-top and high-top shoes look, but if you do, then you’d likely agree that this is one of the best perks of this style of footwear.

Top Choice: GORUCK Ballistic Trainers

• Best For: Daily Wear, Casual CrossFit, and Lifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 15.1 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes (comes with two insole options)
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info:Read My Review

If you want a shoe that looks great for casual wear and that can hold its own when lifting weights, then the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers Mid-Top is a great option to look into. In my opinion, the simplicity of this shoe is what gives it an edge for casual wear.

This shoe looks great with shorts, jeans, and pretty much any style of pants. On top of having a simplistic look that goes well with multiple outfits, I also think this model is pretty comfortable for all-day wear.

If you plan to do a lot of walking, wearing them to work, or standing, then I think you’ll enjoy this shoe as a whole. Plus, this model’s upper construction, midsole, and outsole are all pretty easy to clean which is a perk for rainy days and dirty settings.

The fact that this shoe also works well in the gym is an added bonus. I like this model most for recreational lifting and it’s also an okay shoe for some casual CrossFit training.

Runner-Up: Nike Blazer Mid 77′ Vintage

• Best For: Lifting and Daily Wear
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm
• Weight: 13.8 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: No
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info:Read My Review

Honestly, the Nike Blazer Mid 77′ Vintage could also swap in and take the top spot as the best high-top shoe for daily wear and working out. This model is great for daily wear due to its vintage appearance.

I find it super easy to style the Nike Blazer Mid 77′ Vintage and enjoy wearing them in a wide range of contexts. This shoe is easy to wear out and about to run errands and even out to things like dinners depending on the settings, obviously.

On top of being a great high-top shoe for daily wear, the Nike Blazer Mid 77′ Vintage is also a really solid shoe for recreational lifting, especially for those with a heavy bodybuilding and strength bias.

I think if you’re someone who typically enjoys how Nikes fit and like vintage shoes and apparel, then it’s hard to miss with the Nike Blazer Mid 77′ Vintage for daily wear.

Budget High-Top Shoes for Working Out

For my friends looking for high-top shoes on a budget, you have options — which is always nice. Outside of the Converse and Vans listed below, I’d also suggest looking into older colorways and models of the NOBULL Outwork High-Top and GORUCK Ballistic Mid.

Top Pick: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High-Top

• Best For: Recreational Lifting and Casual Deadlifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
• Weight: 14.3 ounces (size 10 high-top model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Sizing: Size down .5-1 full size
• For More Info: Read My Review

The Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High-Top obviously had to make our list. This shoe is a tried and true classic and it’s tough to beat that simplistic and iconic Chuck Taylor All-Star appearance and look.

Whether you’re rocking shorts or pants, this shoe will look good and I like rocking this model a bit more loose to give them a nice casual look. In addition to looking great for daily wear, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High-Top is also a great shoe for lifting weights.

This shoe features a stable rubber sole and 0mm heel-to-toe drop which makes them an awesome model for lifters and athletes that love training with a flatter foot position. The price is also a pro with the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High-Top.

Most standard canvas models come in at $60 USD which is an awesome price point for a shoe that doubles as a daily driver and a model that can be used for lifting weights. The only area where this shoe falls short is for CrossFit and more versatile training, so keep in mind that that’s a limitation of this model.

Runner-Up: Vans Sk8-Hi

• Best For: Casual Wear and Lifting
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
• Weight: 17.5 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Sizing: True to Size
• For More Info:Read My Review

If you’re interested in a high-top model for more static strength work, then the Vans Sk8-Hi is a good model to look into. This shoe is similar to the Converse Chuck Taylor in the sense that it’s not designed for lifting, but it works really well in the context of strength training and recreational lifting.

The Vans Sk8-Hi has a 0mm heel-to-toe drop, which is good for anyone who prefers lifting with a flatter foot position. This model features a full rubber sole that also does a good job of resisting compression, which is why a lot of powerlifters and recreational lifters use these for barbell training and machine work.

The waffle tread on the outsole of this model gives this shoe a good amount of traction on rubber gym floors, wooden platforms, and other surfaces you might be training on.

Potentially, the best part about the Vans Sk8-Hi is their upper construction and how well they work for daily wear. For a pretty fair price, this shoe is a great option for both lifting and wearing casually.

Are High-Top Shoes Good for Working Out?

If you look around the training shoe space, then you’ll likely notice that the most prominent shoes are typically made with low-top boot constructions. This is due to low-top shoes generally offering a slight edge for versatility and the fact that many prefer training in low-top shoes compared to mid-top and high-top shoes.

This doesn’t mean that mid-top and high-top shoes are bad for working by any means. However, I do think there are a couple of important construction aspects to note with mid-top and high-top shoes for working out. For example, this style of footwear may not work well in every training setting.

A good example here would be using mid-top and high-top shoes for CrossFit workouts that vary greatly in nature. If you’re tackling a WOD with lifting, jumping, and running, then you may find that a shoe with a higher boot isn’t the most comfortable for ballistic exercises and even running.

In this example and context, the potential limitation of ankle mobility due to the shoe’s boot construction would be something to consider for this style of training. If you have a higher boot and lace them tightly, then you may find that you feel limited when moving into deeper ranges of motion.

Outside of this, the weight of the shoe in question could be another factor to consider when looking into mid-top and high-top shoes for working out. Typically, mid-top and high-top shoes will be slightly heavier than their low-top peers which may hurt their performance for jumping and running.

Mid-Top Vs High-Top Shoes, Differences

The main difference between mid-top and high-top shoes is the height of the boot. High-top shoes have boot constructions that cover and come well over the ankle. Mid-top shoe boots will be slightly lower and can vary slightly in height based on how a company is defining its shoe.

For example, in this list, the GORUCK Ballistic Trainers Mid-Top and NOBULL Trainer High-Top both have similar boot heights. However, GORUCK calls their shoe a mid-top while NOBULL calls their model a high-top.

That being said, when looking into a company’s shoe, always try to look for imagery for how the shoe fits on the models used on their product page. Even if a company calls their shoe a mid-top, it’s worth looking at where the boot falls on a model’s ankle as this can suggest how they’ll fit for you.

Takeaway Thoughts

I don’t always wear high-top and mid-top shoes for my training, but I do enjoy swapping them in here and there for certain training sessions. For example, I prefer to lift in mid-top and high-top shoes but often opt for low-top models for jumping, running, and tackling versatile training.

All of the mid-top and high-top shoes in this article are awesome picks for working out in certain contexts. Before investing in any of the shoes above, it’s worth noting where they excel and where they tend to fall short so you can make the best selection per your training needs.

If you have any additional questions on the shoes listed in this article, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).