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When it comes to working out, I’m the kind of person who’s always up for trying something new and chasing a fresh goal. Weight lifting? I’m in. Kickboxing class? Count me there. Run club? You’ll find me lacing up and ready to go.
No matter what my workout looks like, I need sneakers that can adapt alongside my ever-evolving workout routine. I’m talking about shoes that are versatile, supportive, and comfy enough to take me from strength training to running to whatever comes next—no matter how my goals change. The keyword? Hybrid.
For the 2025 Women’s Health Sneaker Awards, we focused on shoes that deliver the most value and performance. While each shoe is designed with a primary activity in mind—like running or cross-training—the selections in this year’s Awards are all still built to handle a wide variety of workouts with comfort and confidence. Whether you’re walking, lifting, running, or even taking a tennis lesson, these sneakers go the distance—seamlessly transitioning from one activity to the next better than most on the market.
Each pair on this list is either a brand-new release or a fresh color and design from the past year. They’ll support you through your fitness highs, the days when goals shift, and even those moments when you’re just looking to take it easy. From reaching running PRs to staying pain-free during heavy lifts, these sneakers have been the secret weapon for us, and we know your shoe unicorn is on this list too.
Behind the Testing—And What Sets Our Awards Apart
Our fitness team—including associate health and fitness editor Addison Aloian, CPT; executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, CPT; fitness editor Talene Appleton, CPT; and health and fitness editorial assistant Olivia Luppino—researched hundreds of new sneakers throughout the year and selected a curated list worthy of team and expert testing and review, evaluating each pair on performance, comfort, style, and versatility.
What sets our package apart is the diverse range of activities that our team at Women’s Health engages in. From weight lifting and running to yoga, cycling, and HIIT, every member of the WH staff brings their own fitness preferences and goals to the table during testing. This allows us to test-drive each sneaker across a variety of exercises to ensure they excel in a range of workouts. We know exactly what makes a quality, high-functioning workout shoe, no matter the sport, because we live it every day.
Plus, as insiders in the fitness world, we’re always first to know about sneaker launches and get early access to the latest releases and updates, meaning we’re ahead of the curve in testing and reviewing the cutting-edge innovations. Our team’s extensive knowledge, combined with firsthand experience, means you can trust that our selections are based on real-world use—not just hype.
We also tap the best of the best professionals in the space to help with the rigorous testing and review process. This year, Jessica Gallina, MD; Kelly Roberts; and Jordan Farrell (read more about them below) brought their expert knowledge to this year’s winners list, applying their specialized experience in orthopedics, running, and exercise physiology to ensure every winner meets the highest standards of comfort, performance, and injury prevention.
Jump to a category:
Strength Training
Jogging and Running
Cross-Training
Walking and Lifestyle
Sport and Trail
Meet our expert panel:
Jessica Gallina, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle injuries. She is based in the New York and New Jersey area and serves as the orthopedic consultant to the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet.
Kelly Roberts is an RRCA-certified run coach based in Brooklyn. She is also the founder of Badass Lady Gang, a running community that helps recreational athletes ditch diet culture and focus on feeling strong.
Jordan Farrell is an exercise physiologist, online fitness coach, and Women’s Health Strength In Diversity alum, based in Knightdale, North Carolina. She runs her own holistic wellness brand, Move With J.
Reign 6
WH copy chief Marli Higa used to strength train in thick, cushioned running trainers—but wearing these transformed her workouts by allowing her to really root her feet into the ground. “The smooth, thin sole made turning and lateral movements easier, and I could really feel the floor through the low-profile outsole,” she says. The flat sole also helped her feel stable during elliptical workouts and incline walks, and the low cut gave her great ankle flexibility.
$130.00 at underarmour.com
Cloudpulse
The On Cloudpulse is a cross-trainer disguised as a strength-training shoe, with flat, noncushioned, stable bottoms that still feel supportive for quick jogs and runs. “The fit is perfection,” says WH food producer Tina Martinez, “streamlined through the narrowest part of my foot and hugging my arches in the most secure way,” which is something not all sneakers do for her feet. Through her weight lifting, powerlifting, cardio, and jogging workouts, this fashionable shoe delivered stability through every step.
$150.00 at on.com
Dropset 3
They helped WH art director Christine Giordano find lightweight support and balance and move quickly during dynamic CrossFit workouts. When she lifts, she struggles not to collapse into her arches, let alone find shoes with enough arch support—but these were sturdy and had high arch support, allowing her to stay grounded. “The flat, solid sole gives great support when deadlifting or doing a clean and jerk,” she says. Best of all, they bring style to strength training.
$104.00 at adidas.com
Nano Gym
The Nano Gyms are the definitive hybrid. They’re light and breathable and can be used for multiple cross-training workouts because the cushioning and support makes them easily transitional, says exercise physiologist Jordan Farrell, CPT, who wore them all day when teaching classes and doing strength and conditioning workouts. “I love the support of the hard heel, which I don’t always find with a hybrid shoe,” she says.
$100.00 at Reebok
Gel-Kayano 31
“As a fitness editor, I’m lucky enough to be gifted countless sneakers for testing—but the Gel-Kayanos are the sneakers I purchase myself again and again,” says WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos. They have a long-standing reputation of being a sturdy, protective shoe for runners of all levels, and for many foot issues like plantar fasciitis and overpronation. “But the soles are stable enough that I can ground myself properly if I’m doing a cross-training workout that also involves lifting weights—without having to change my sneakers.”
$124.95 at asics.com
ForeverRun Nitro 2
The wide toe box is good for those with bunions, the heel lift helps those with tendinitis and plantar fasciitis, and the cushioning works for flat feet and those with arthritis, says board-certified orthopedic surgeon Jessica Gallina, MD, who recommends them for all workouts. “I ran in them and had absolutely no foot pain,” she adds—a rare find.
$150.00 at puma.com
Fresh Foam X 1080v14
These sneakers have more cushioning than other pairs of running shoes but feel far more lightweight, breathable, and comfortable overall. “They have the perfect balance of cushion and comfort, making them the ultimate everyday trainer, especially as I began marathon training,” says WH health and fitness editorial assistant Olivia Luppino. They kept her feet comfortable, cushioned, and in control when running and walking on uneven streets.
$164.99 at newbalance.com
Ghost 17
The newest Brooks Ghost edition screams stability and steadiness. “My feet have never felt more stable, yet cushioned, on 10-mile runs during half-marathon training,” says WH associate health and fitness editor Addison Aloian. “I feel like I’m running on a cloud, plus, they prevent my feet from pronating on hills with tired ankles,” she says. The firm, cushioned base helps her feel as if she could walk on the StairMaster for hours without foot pain, and they double as a perfect recovery shoe after long runs.
$150.00 at brooksrunning.com
Pegasus Premium
The newest version of Nike’s staple Pegasus is built for performance. “They’re amazing for running—especially faster efforts—and surprisingly fun for walking, too, thanks to the bounce,” says run coach Kelly Roberts. The propulsion effect sets it apart from other running shoes, especially since it doesn’t have carbon plates (which improve propulsion and return energy to your feet through each step). “They make you feel like you’re being launched forward,” she says.
$209.99 at dickssportinggoods.com
Clifton 10
The newest iteration of the Hoka Cliftons feels even more comfortable than the last, says Aloian. “They took the impact out of every step and made my feet land lighter” because of the eight millimeter heel-to-toe drop—three millimeters more than the Clifton 9, she says. Because of the stability and plush comfort that other shoes don’t provide, these sneakers offer an easy entryway into everyday running for newbies.
$150.00 at HOKA
Condor 3
Wanted: A sneaker that combines sustainability with comfort and functionality. The roomy toe box and snug heel kept WH fitness editor Talene Appleton’s foot secure and free from slippage on morning jogs, grocery trips, brunches, and walks around the office (hybrid for sure!). “This shoe feels smooth and soft on easy runs but not overly plush—a hard balance to strike with natural materials,” she says.
$200.00 at veja-store.com
Aero Glide 3
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 has entered the chat. A thoughtful blend of lightweight cushioning and stability, these shoes “offer a soft landing that dampens impact on the joints,” says Appleton, who wore them for half-marathon training. The stable sole made them more responsive than most high-cushioned shoes, and “the rocker outsole makes transitions from heel to toe supersmooth,” she adds.
$160.00 at Salomon
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Photographer: Joe Lingeman
Fashion Styling: Jasmine Fontaina
IMAGE 1: Nike top and shorts ; Salomon Aero Glide 3 sneakers; Adidas socks; Jenny Bird earrings.
IMAGE 2: Anthropologie t-shirt; Lululemon shorts; Adidas Dropset 3 sneakers and socks; Jenny Bird earrings.
IMAGE 3: Lululemon sports bra and shorts; APL Euphoria sneakers and socks; Lady Gray earrings.
IMAGE 4: Nike sports bra, leggings, sweatshirt, socks; Skechers Hands Free Slip Ins: Glide Step Pro sneakers; Jenny Bird earrings; Mejuri ring.
IMAGE 5: Lululemon jumpsuit; Moolah Neovolt Pro V2 sneakers; Nike socks; Lady Gray earrings.
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