I Tested 50 Gym Shoes This Year. Here Are My Favorites

[@awayne2]

Your videos are fantastic. You give in depth, honest reviews. Keep pushing forward! Good luck on all of your upcoming endeavors.

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you! Stoked to bring y'all along for the ride. I appreciate you rocking with the brand.

[@LazyRawUnedited]

I'm surprised you don't have more subscribers. Solid content. I've bought several pairs of training shoes after watching one of your videos on a particular pair. Good luck in 2025.

[@thatfitfriend]

Haha, we're a slow grind here. Brick by brick, brother! Slow is good because it's easier to connect with community through comments NGL. Thank you and you as well. Enjoy the holidays!

[@AndreS_22246]

Thank you! Your channel has saved me from the annoying situation of ordering shoes, finding they suck, and having to send them back. I have near 100% success on new shoe ordering, mainly from watching your reviews. Either we have similar tastes, or I’m a great big copy-cat 😂 happy either way. Happy Christmas 👍

[@thatfitfriend]

Haha, love hearing that! Thank you for supporting the channel and That Fit Friend Shop is live if I ever have something you're interested in. Just give a shout on IG and I'll make you a KZbin special comment! Merry Christmas!

[@AndreS_22246]

@ I’m from the UK so not able to buy from you at the moment, but I did check out the shop part of your website and think it is brilliant - better than most (maybe all) large retailers. Wishing you every success!

[@kaibeste7942]

Thanks for keeping pumping out great vids. Your reviews have given me the confidence to buy shoes from smaller brands that are near impossible to find in local stores. Best wishes for 2025. Stoked to hear more about your shop and shoe projects. 🎆

[@thatfitfriend]

Ayy, thank you for trusting the brand. Means the world. The store is official and the shoe's tech sheet is getting finalized. 2025 is going to be the year of betting on ourselves! Best wishes to you, too!

[@Man_About_Town_]

Brother, you are my absolute go-to when it comes to gym shoes. I’ve had similar experiences with shoes that you have reviewed and take your recommendations very seriously. Keep it up!!❤

[@thatfitfriend]

Let's go! Love hearing that and thank you for rocking with the channel, brother!

[@coopertodd28]

Your channel has been a blessing, and put me on to atleast 10 different pair of shoes😂 I even show my clients your videos to help them know what to look for for our sessions! Good luck to your 2025

[@thatfitfriend]

That's amazing. Thank you so much for the support and for the client love. Appreciate that so much!! You as well, hmu if you ever need anything!

[@namesilya]

Have just recently discovered your channel. The content and the manner of its presenting is great! Only the necessary information, no fluff. Don't have to turn 1.25 speed :) Good luck in 2025!

[@thatfitfriend]

Ayyy, welcome! I hate watching fluff so I really try my best to limit it on this channel, I appreciate you sharing that. Thank you - shout if you ever have Qs and Merry Christmas!

[@nolinolasco6375]

Happy Holidays! I pray for the growth of your channel so that you can continue to bless us with wonderful contents.

[@thatfitfriend]

I appreciate your support and thank you! Happy holidays!

[@MrDooominic]

Ive been wearing and loving the adidas total through your review. Was planning to get the Nano X5 when it drops. Looks like i have to control the urge and wait for YOUR shoes. Keep up the awesome work and all the best in 2025!!

[@thatfitfriend]

You'll love what I'm building if you like The Total! Hyped to hear the channel has been helpful for you. Thank you and you as well!

[@blvnkos]

What surprises me the most is that you continue to do what you are doing, and I sincerely hope that you at least manage to recover the money you spend on shoes through these videos, what I would honestly like is for you to make a profit, because you deserve it, a lot more. I live in a country where the sneakers you review here are usually 30-40% more expensive on average, but even worse is that most models are not available after they appear on the market, but appear after a long time. Regardless, I enjoy watching the videos, and I make a choice for the moment when some well-rated sneakers come on the market. Thanks for everything, I hope you have a nice holiday.

[@thatfitfriend]

It's been weird with changes with Google's algo and revenue. They dropped my site's reach by 80% in 2023-2024, lol. It's so broken and I actually flew out go Google HQ the other month to discuss also stuff with their engineers! The business is still profitable, though! I dump everything back into it and also live a modest lifestyle and don't need much to get by. I appreciate your support and thank you for watching the videos! Hope you have a great holiday, too!

[@CarlosaurusRex]

Sounds like a real tough year, man… My condolences for your recent loss, & sincerely wishing the best for you, your family, & the brand. 🫶 Still very much keenly looking forward to the future of That Fit Friend, & avidly supporting the brand for years to come. And SO stoked about the notion of TFF Trainers! I can’t wait to learn more! 🙏😍

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you. Been a weird one for sure and the holidays were rough without dad. Thank you so much! The store is officially a go and the shoe's spec sheet is getting finalized now. Big things coming! 2025 is the year of full send.

[@CarlosaurusRex]

@thatfitfriend Heck yeah, my guy! 🙌 And to think that despite the tough times, you’d managed to deliver quality content with the same comprehensiveness, professionalism, vigour, & heart that’s become characteristic of TFF. I’d personally had zero inkling about the storm you’d been weathering. But yeah, so much respect & props for your resilience. Ever onwards & upwards, my brother. 🤜🤛

[@user-30678-LTC]

Best training shoes review channel 🎉

[@thatfitfriend]

Best type of comment to receive & thank you for supporting. Merry Christmas, homie!

[@user-30678-LTC]

@ merry Christmas

[@SteveBIRK]

I was watching this late at night and fell asleep before the end. Can't wait for the TF2 Shoe!!!

[@thatfitfriend]

Spec sheet getting finalized as we speak!

[@barefootrunreview]

Sounds like a big 2025! Love the trailer idea as it scratches the itch on the travel bug too. :) Good luck mate.

[@thatfitfriend]

The store is officially a go, amigo! Going to be a HUGE year. Stoked to see you continue to grow as well, homie. You too!

[@jbp48080]

Great video. Merry Christmas and happy New Year

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you, you as well, friend!

[@chadantico6671]

Always great insight. Thanks TFF

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you for rocking with the brand!

[@deborah3912]

Thanks for the vid Jake, sorry about the loss of you're Dad. God has you in the palm of his hand, all the best in 2025!

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you, and you're not wrong there! We have to keep showing up and trying to do right by folks - can never go wrong then.

[@moleenthusiast]

I love barefoot shoes! The tolos shoes are my favourite shoes I own, as well at the Primus Lite 3 and 3.5. The On Cloud runners are great for everyday as well. I really rate the Gobi boot for formal occasions too ☺️

[@thatfitfriend]

Awesome!

[@gerym341]

Thank you for all your content

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank YOU for supporting the channel. Couldn’t do it without yall

[@rayselM]

My lifting shoes just started to wear out. Thought of your channel instantly. Great content. I want to use your store. Are you planning on selling all of these shoes?

[@thatfitfriend]

Hey, thank you for that! Eventually I'll have most shoes. My goal is to host more shoes on the site by spring/summer. I'm opening a retail store here in St. Louis, MO, too!

[@daveys1756]

The shoe that you should pick up is the Inov8 Roadfly. The fact that they have a wide fit makes it stand out, but it's got great grip and stability. Perfect Hyrox shoe

[@thatfitfriend]

Ohhh, noted! I'll add them to my list. Good looks, friend!

[@andresamell9367]

Loving these series. Can’t wait for all these 2025 projects come to life

[@thatfitfriend]

Stress...and excitement. They're coming! Merry Christmas, brother!

[@SteveBIRK]

I really enjoy this type of year end recap. As for the shoes you have mentioned the CXT 2s are ones I want to try next year. Dropset 3s are ones I agree are just ok. I liked them for lifting but didn't love them for crossfit and are the odd shoe out in my rotation. 1000% agree with the RAD 1 and looking forward to the 2. Tolos are a great value for getting into barefoot shoes. Haze Transit I want for a casual shoe. I sized my Inov8 Flys wrong and I really want to sell it so I can size up. My personal milestone was coming back from a few injuries and sickness at the end of 2023 and just getting my fitness back.

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you for checking it out! And THANK YOU for sharing your feedback. This is awesome stuff and I appreciate it. Let's go. 2024 was the pivot and adjust year and 2025 will be a good one it sounds like!

[@Mr.itbelikethat]

I’m sorry for your loss man, 💐

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you, friend

[@nicholashuckabay7590]

First, so sorry for your loss. Keep hanging in there. For the Strike street trainer - is it actually durable for skating? About to check out your review video for that one Also, how does it compare to the strike Haze? (Currently my sole training shoe).

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you Eh, so-so. The upper will rip similar to most skate shoes that utilize a suede upper. I like them for casual riding, but wouldn't use as my "only" shoe for skating if you're good and constantly ripping. I'm also not a great skater FYI - just a rec dude I have a full video on that!

[@explained4242]

UA tribase 6 is the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn! I bought 3 pairs so I'm set for years hopefully. I had the same reaction when I first put them on.

[@thatfitfriend]

Ayyy, love that. Right?! So out of left field.

[@tinti7]

I love the f-flys and they were perfect today for my gyms “12 days of xmas” WOD. Also on a milestone for me was going from weighing 235 pounds on January this year to now being 199 pounds in December.

[@thatfitfriend]

HYPE. Love hearing that, homie! Keep chipping and pushing. Stoked for ya. Merry Christmas and thank you for supporting the channel

[@joedavis2400]

I highly appreciate your help with bearfoot shoes. Main accomplishment this yes was a powerlifting total of 1300# at 180# bodyweight, giving me a 400DOT. I did it up there in St Louis at the Broken Barbell Gym. Hopefully, you'll get all 3 things you want in 2025. God bless

[@thatfitfriend]

Ayyy!! Good stuff. What were your lifts? Also, I’m in STL. I think we talked about that. Let’s link eventually and train. With enough hard work and a dash of luck, I think anything is possible for anyone. Going to be a bumpy but fun year. Happy holidays, homie

[@RunRideHikeThrive]

Question... Inov8 F Fly, do they run small, I'm an 11.5 on most every shoe brand, need I up size to a 12? Great vid, much appreciate it! Been on Nike Metcon for the Gym, but after many years, they ready to get replaced. 👍 💪 #stayhard 15:40 sorry for your Father's Loss 🙏 🙏 for sure Life will be different, lost mine 7yra ago.

[@thatfitfriend]

Yep, go 12 to play it safe! I have some in stock on That Fit Friend shop, too. DM me and I'll make you a custom coupon for rocking with my smol biz!

[@Ma-official_]

I had to send my nanos back, too narrow. The free metcon 6 fits me perfectly

[@thatfitfriend]

The X5 fits a lootttttttt better than the X4, imo! That's awesome to hear!

[@Ma-official_]

@ well maybe I will get it, I like a variety of shoes 😌

[@explained4242]

I have the Savage. It's really really tight on the top mid part of my foot. Thought it was sometime that I could break in, but alas, not so lucky.

[@thatfitfriend]

Yeah, the tongue/midfoot is the one issue that can arise for some. Tends to be thicker feet, it seems!

[@seb2409]

I have the original haze trainer (dark blue) and love them. I recently bought another pair (smoked grey) and the feel is different; upper is more rigid, outer sole is so slippery that I cannot wear them while riding my motorbike. So I agree with your comment.

[@thatfitfriend]

I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking that and thank you for sharing your feedback! A lot of folks said something similar on my Transit Mid vid, too, if you're interested in reading those.

[@Garrettismyname]

8:30 the bare-xf is my travel/drop-in shoe this year and I’ve been super impressed. About the only thing I don’t love doing in them is like a Cossack squat or something lateral heavy like that. Sweet shoe.

[@thatfitfriend]

I hear that, they can have a bit of spillover at times! Stoked you've been enjoying them and I appreciate you sharing feedback.

[@easydoesitdude]

Check out the Nike SB Nyjah 3, a skate shoe that I use for Crossfit. Super tough and perfect for most wods in my opinion!

[@thatfitfriend]

I have them and use for skating and training! The shoe I’m building takes inspiration from this exact model but is optimized for the gym 🤫

[@easydoesitdude]

@@thatfitfriend Woah, can't wait to see them!

[@bronsondrewry2491]

Sorry to hear about your father brother, hope you're doing better since then.

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you, friend. Been weird with the holidays, NGL. Have to keep moving and showing up.

[@bronsondrewry2491]

@thatfitfriend i understand that man!

[@deborah3912]

@@thatfitfriend 🙏🙏

[@l.r.player]

Training Milestone: finally unlocked a clean strict ring muscle up

[@thatfitfriend]

Good stuff, dude!!!

[@GoufinAround_]

I think Nike's really scrambling to make improvements because of the mistakes of John Donahoe allowing them to lose their presence in stores to a degree that's lost them market share. I'm currently looking for something to replace my nano x4's. I just wish I could still buy the Nano 5. I don't do crossfit workouts, so the uppers of my training shoes don't face rope climbs to eat them up. My nano 5's lasted me 3 years of 5 to 6 days a week at the gym on average. I've found the same thing that you mention about putting heavier weight movements later in the workout. I had a surgery so my progress over a few months just disappeared and I'm going to be staying away from back squats in the long run now. I've found that a couple lighter machine based hypertrophy exercises helps me have a better time with my barbell or dumbell movements. It's weird, but totally works

[@thatfitfriend]

I think you're on the money with that. It seems like certain divisions within are lacking a bit, or at least that's how it seems for training... The X5 is a solid upgrade. The F-Lite could also be worth exploring! Dude, since my quad rupture, I only back squat if I'm prepping for powerlifting. Otherwise, I'll opt for Hatfields, front, or Zercher. Backs just don't line up well with my body, so I feeeeel you on that - you're not alone there! Glad you've also been playing with accessories first. Such a game changer

[@explained4242]

TF2 shoe! Hope that happens. Would be epic.

[@thatfitfriend]

Oh, it's happening. I'm going over tech sheets now :)

[@nathanmills889]

13:09 The Haze trainer is my only gym shoe, it’s so good. I’ve been looking to expand my horizons with something similar that has a little more structure to the upper without sacrificing the low heel drop. What do you think I should look in to?

[@thatfitfriend]

Love hearing that. Hmm - the BP Savage 1 has that lower stack height feeling. Metcon 1, too. It also sounds like the TF2 shoe may resonate with you, too!

[@bobcaygeon975]

That $10k expense is tax- deductible. I bought the No Bulls based on your review, although Im ambivalent about putting money in tom bradys pocket . Going to try the UA or the Tolos next.🎄....🏃‍♂️

[@thatfitfriend]

Haha, I know that! Right? It kind of shifts the mindset of NOBULL a bitn NGL. Awesome, have some Tolos models on That Fit Friend Shop and they're marked down for the holidays if you plan to grab them soon! Have a great holiday!

[@user-hi4po7kr9w]

I ordered dropset trainer 3 from ur videos.. Its worth now. Mm1 month of use

[@thatfitfriend]

@@user-hi4po7kr9w Dropset 3 is great, just not as good as 2 imo! I rock my 3s often

[@TheGhu123]

How is the sizing for LXJ? From the website they use length of the foot. I measure 290mm which should be a size 12 but I wear size 12.5 vivo and ASICS, size 13 on addipower3 (toebox still tight). The return on LXJ is not as easy as other brands so I want to make sure I get the right one. Their 12.5 is for 300mm which is 10mm longer than my foot measurement and I really dont want me foot to be swimming in the shoe. Also, for TYR L1 they dont have half size past 12 so the option there is to go size 13. What would you recommend?

[@thatfitfriend]

I went with my normal size in them and they worked fine. For you, I'd go 12.5 or 13 to play it safe. TYR L-1 is better to size up anyways, so a 13 in them would be solid and easier returns!

[@TheGhu123]

@@thatfitfriend So after working with the LXJ support. Here is what I found. Their size us 12 is eu 46. VIVO size 12.5 is eu46. They told me to go with EU sizing. However, the size 12 Snake edition is sold out. I am not trying to decide if I want the red/white or white/gold or just find another shoe.

[@jjcornelio7741]

What's the best budget shoe?

[@thatfitfriend]

The Flex Control 4 from Nike has been solid. Same with Adidas RapidMove!

[@dare.greatly]

As you rate your impression touch on influencers, and if you agree with them. An example if mayhem says this is his go to shoe or if garage gym review suggest something show related ADD your thoughts if it’s a shoe you’ve done

[@thatfitfriend]

Ehhh, that’s not really my style. Athletes get paid and I respect that hustle, so who am I to say if they enjoy em/making a living. The latter is owned by a media company, I have no desire to even acknowledge their stuff, lol. I also think that turns too quick into callout culture and that’s not my style, but I appreciate that suggestion

[@dare.greatly]

@@thatfitfriend That makes sense. For a number of your viewers, we only are going to buy one or two training/ running shoes every 8-9 years. Looking for authentic and honest reviews is hard. If I’m going to buy a pair of shoes for around $200-250 I’m expecting it’s long lasting and quality while getting the job done.

[@thatfitfriend]

@ 10000% and that’s how I approach my content and channel. These media owned brands do NOT care. It’s bottom line for them and shoveling affiliates for profit first mindset. I also buy everything I review which most of these companies don’t even do, lol. Ironic since they likely have the money. In the day and age of influencer marketing, I feel you, it’s brutal finding authentic resources. I struggle with this in every dang industry when trying to find new things I’m after.

[@dare.greatly]

@@thatfitfriend may I ask any input on Vivo MAGNA LITE WR SG or HYDRA ESC? Both of them are on sale and look like they could be good training shoes. Hard to find any solid reviews that didn’t seem skewered

[@thatfitfriend]

@ magna is okay, but breathability isn’t the best and if you do a lot of plyos/athletic workouts, there are better options Hydra is good if you’re outdoors and on turf often, not the best for platforms/rubber gym floors due to lugs lacking adequate grip when weight gets heavy That all said, both are fine for gym but unless you have the daily wear use case for em, there are better options for lifting/cross training

[@paname514]

I also spent a number with many zeros. Like, 0000000€ 😂

[@iamtheleuz]

A TF2 shoe.. what?!? Please please with cross training in mind 🙏

[@thatfitfriend]

Come on now! Whatchu think this is. Will be an athlete's shoe! Stoked to share the vision soon

[@brandonsoukup5253]

315 front squat

[@thatfitfriend]

@@brandonsoukup5253 good stuff!

[@Kasparovvvvv]

As a true fit friend you have to but them all. Especially barefoot, enough with all these uncomfortable shoes 😊

[@thatfitfriend]

I don’t prefer only barefoot shoes. To each their own, lol. Plenty of dogmatic barefoot shoe channels out there to scratch that itch 🫡 I like me normie shoes, too 👟

[@RajKumar-bn3yy]

1st.

[@thatfitfriend]

Here is a virtual medal, friend!