The Women’s Health 2024 Sneaker Awards Are Here

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The right shoes are the foundation of any good workout—and there have never been more choices. The athletic footwear market in the U.S. is forecasted to grow by nearly $8.5 billion by 2024, and performance footwear was the fastest-growing market segment, according to 2023 data from research group Circana. (FYI: Running footwear was responsible for 40 percent of that growth.) And it’s not just the same old brands getting bigger. Newer companies like Hoka and On are gaining serious traction alongside beloved longtime sportswear giants like Nike and Adidas.

This is a great thing! The more options you have, the more likely you are to find that Cinderella fit. “Comfort is the number one factor when it comes to choosing a shoe,” says Courtney Conley, a foot and gait specialist based in Lakewood, Colorado.

Foot anatomy, biomechanics, and injury history will all influence what feels good to you. By the time you’re actually putting a pair to use, “you should be able to forget you’re wearing those shoes,” says Emily Kraus, MD, director of the Stanford Female Athlete Science and Translational Research (FASTR) Program.

Another major factor to consider: your goal. “You want to make sure you’re in a shoe that fits the workout you’re trying to do, whether it’s a run or a lifting session or a HIIT class,” says Conley. “Shoes are designed differently to help you get the most out of each of those workouts.” Having a whole spectrum of sports shoes benefits you (read that as permission to treat yourself).

There’s no doubt that actually picking a pair from the dizzying array of options can be harder than choosing your next Netflix show to binge. That’s what WH is here for. This year’s Sneaker Awards is more specific and tailored than ever before. We intentionally zeroed in on new launches and revamped models from popular and up-and-coming brands in the hope that you will be introduced to a sparkly new shoe that’s fresh to you and guaranteed to elevate your workout experience—all without being bogged down by too many choices.

The goal: to help you find the perfect-for-you pick packed with the most innovative technology, no matter your preferred type of exercise. Happy feet, ahead.

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How We Chose The 2024 Winners

For the past several months, WH editors—including Jacqueline Andriakos, Caitlin Carlson, Sabrina Talbert, Jasmine Gomez, Addison Aloian, and more—have been researching the newest shoe launches to hit the market this spring. We also tapped a foot and gait specialist, a strength and running coach, and a sports medicine doctor to vet, test, and review the winning selections.

Every shoe we product-tested and reviewed was put through its paces in at least three workouts. Then each tester filled out a questionnaire rating their experience, carefully considering fit, feel, function, quality, and—of course—style. Our final picks were all approved by a WH staffer and expert advisor.

Why You Should Trust Us

Writer Ashley Mateo is a UESCA- and RRCA-certified running coach, 15-time marathoner, and health and fitness journalist who has spent more than a decade covering the latest fitness gear and research. Reviewing shoes is a huge part of her job (and her shoe closet is a scary place). Similarly, the editors at WH have extensive experience and knowledge gear-testing in the sneaker space. To help us home in on the best of the best, we also tapped three trusted industry experts who regularly share shoe advice with athletes, medical patients, and online readers.

Meet the experts: Courtney Conley is a foot and gait specialist; the founder and creator of Gait Happens, a female-led group of clinicians providing foot education; and cofounder of The Healthy Feet Alliance. She’s worked with a wide variety of foot and ankle patients, including professional athletes from organizations such as the Phoenix Suns, the New York Yankees, and the San Francisco 49ers.

Emily Kraus, MD, is the director of the Stanford Female Athlete Science and Translational Research (FASTR) Program and a member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Women’s Health Task Force. Her research focuses on endurance sports medicine, injury prevention, running biomechanics, and the prevention of bone stress injuries.

Amanda Katz is a NASM-certified personal trainer, AAFA-certified group fitness instructor, and RRCA-certified running coach. She also coaches indoor cycling, treadmill running, and total-body conditioning formats at Equinox in New York City.

Best Strength-Training Shoes

SuperLight Trainer

“These feel impossibly light,” says Mateo. And they boast Allbird’s lowest carbon footprint. With an almost flat base and a flexible upper that allows your toes to spread out, you’ll stand strong under even the heaviest loads.

DZ-1 Drop Zero Barefoot Trainer

The barely-there trainer is a great fit for anyone who would rather lift sans shoes but can’t for whatever reason. The pair features an innovative stability strap that provides extra support to the foot and ankles when going heavy. “You can feel the ground, thus increasing stability,” Conley says.

Nexus Knit

The booty fits like a second skin. “I was able to feel the ground, yet it wasn’t too thin,” says Conley. Even on concrete, she was still “very comfortable,” she adds.

Drive

Nobull’s ultimate two-in-one trainer has the kind of bouncy foam you’d find in a running shoe, but the heel is barely elevated, just like a lifting shoe. That combo allows you to move seamlessly between short bursts on the treadmill and reps banged out on the floor.

Best Running And Walking Shoes

Supernova Rise

The shoe features a new female-specific last (the foot-shaped form used to make the shoe) that’s heavily influenced by data from female runners. The result: less bounce but plenty of cushioning, with support rods made from a denser foam to add stability and snappiness. “I constantly roll my ankles, so having a rock-solid platform is extremely important for me—and this shoe delivered,” says WH assistant social media editor Isabel McMahon.

Recovery Mode Sneaker

Slip these on after a studio workout to save your feet: The nearly two-inch insole has extra-bouncy foam to relieve pressure points. “I love how modern and cool these sneakers look, while still being supportive,” McMahon says. “They gave me great arch and ankle stability.”

Gel-Nimbus 26

This cult fave for cushion fans was completely redesigned last year, and the update has a softer, bouncier feel as well as increased traction and durability. “They’re perfect for my weekly 5-Ks and recovery runs,” says Sabrina Talbert, WH editorial assistant. “Super responsive, and they leave me feeling supported no matter the terrain.”

Ghost 16

The best-selling running shoe just got a “superfoam” upgrade, which means it’s even softer and lighter. “I have high arches and tend to overpronate, and these shoes bring all the arch support I could ever want,” says WH news and features editor Currie Engel.

Skyward X

Super shoes combine advanced foams with a rigid plate to make shoes springier, so running feels a tiny bit easier. The Skyward X sandwiches a carbon plate between two layers of soft, bouncy foam, with higher midsole walls that cradle the foot like a bucket seat for stability. “This new shoe felt softer and lighter, like I could run for hours in it—which I did,” says Mateo.

Echo

Enter: an aesthetically beautiful everyday sneaker that still supplies traction and cushion with every step. “They felt very secure yet are super cool and low profile,” says Kristen Saladino, WH executive fashion director.

Beyondfeel

These sneakers were designed around the female foot and required no break-in period for Jacqueline Andriakos, WH executive health and fitness director. “They’re my go-to whenever I know I’m spending a long day on my feet, and they also perform for jogs and runs of any distance.”

FuelCell Rebel V4

Move through all paces with no problems in this cushy-yet-snappy trainer. Katz describes the feel as “running on clouds.”

Pegasus 40

Nike’s famous daily trainer just celebrated 40 years. Now, the model is even fresher thanks to extra padding around the collar, a more breathable mesh, and a new lacing system—all of which serve to make this workhorse somehow even comfier.

S/Lab Spectur

Most racing shoes are designed for the front of the pack—but 96 percent of marathoners take longer than three hours to reach the finish. The S/Lab Spectur is specifically designed to better support runners who spend more time on their feet: “The wider heel absorbs more impact, so my legs felt less beat-up after wearing these,” says Mateo.

Ride 17

The Ride is the Goldilocks of shoes: It feels juuust right whether you’re running long and slow or progressively getting faster over the course of a run.

Condor 3

Veja prioritized an eco-friendly approach, using materials like sugarcane, Amazonian rubber, recycled polyester, and natural latex to bring the Condor 3 to life. From a performance perspective, “I loved how supportive they felt—especially at the heel—during longer runs,” says Mateo.

Best Cross-Training Shoes

TechLoom Traveler

With its slip-on silhouette and stretchy upper that prevents your foot from sliding around, you can just as easily log a few miles, hit the hotel gym, or explore a new city in these. Plus, they pair nicely with casual vacation ’fits.

Cloudpulse

Go straight from sprints to box jumps to weighted lunges in On’s first-ever training shoe. A bouncy foam and plush cushioning surround a plastic plate that helps stabilize side-to-side movements.

Fuse 3.0

“This is my go-to shoe for strength sessions—they helped me rack up a new deadlift PR,” says Mateo. With ample space around the forefoot and a mesh upper, they let your toes splay comfortably during lifts. “I can literally feel the floor through the shoe, which is extremely important for feeling stable while you’re throwing weights around,” adds Addison Aloian, WH assistant editor.

Nano X4

A favorite among CrossFitters, this is Reebok’s lightest and most breathable version yet. It has a ventilated upper and a stable midsole for lifting so you can tackle whatever your sweaty WOD throws at you. “The shoe felt stable in the gym to accomplish all workout tasks, yet still comfortable and stylish enough to walk around in,” Dr. Kraus says.

SlipSpeed Mega

Who doesn’t love a two-in-one sneaker? Slip these on and tighten the BOA dial for a personalized fit when you’re in action mode, then fold down the heel and slide your foot in for a clog-like recovery option. A supersized chunk of foam provides ample cushioning.

Best Outdoor And Sport Shoes

Terrex Soulstride Ultra

These buoyant sneakers maximize comfort and support without weighing you down—that’s mostly thanks to a thick wedge of lighter, more responsive foam atop a stronger, dense layer. It’s designed for long distances, but don’t be afraid to pick up the pace in it. “I wore them all day, right out of the box, no socks, with absolutely no discomfort,” says WH managing editor Laura McLaughlin.

Experience Wild

Despite the minimal cushion, “the shoe is comfortable!” says Dr. Kraus, who experienced “zero pain, pressure.” She adds, “It’s an overall great shoe to lace up and take on an easy, ‘cruise-y’ trail run.”

Konos TRS OutDry

Cushioning that absorbs impact on harder terrain like pavement meets increased flexibility when navigating rocks and roots. And you can trust the outsole to grip the ground whether it’s wet or dry. “The first day I wore these shoes, I logged a seven-mile hike without complaints—no blisters, no foot fatigue, nada,” says Jasmine Gomez, WH commerce editor. “The shoes kept my feet comfy and safe on rocky terrain, and their traction helped ease my fear of falling and heights as I tackled higher elevations.”

Xplor Hybrid

Designed in collab with bicycle tire manufacturer Vittoria, the shoe is described as the “gravel bike equivalent” of a running shoe (think: serious tread and grip!). Dr. Kraus couldn’t agree more with this description, she says. “It was the perfect hybrid shoe for the variety of terrain I encounter on my local runs—from dirt trails to rocky gravel roads to rolling asphalt.”

Enduro Max Mid

The pair mixes high-performance running tech (a carbon plate!) with rugged mountaineering materials like a sticky Vibram outsole and Gore-Tex Waterproof membrane for a trekker that can go the distance. “I could really feel the rocker bottom pushing me forward with every step, and the deep cleats were great on softer surfaces,” says Mateo.

Agility Peak 5

“I was able to run for two-plus hours through a Colorado snowstorm without frozen toes or losing my footing,” says Mateo. Fine-tune the fit of these rugged trail shoes quickly with the style that features a lace-free BOA tightening system. (Prefer laces? There's a laced model for ya too, pictured above!)

Courtside Lace Up

The affordable pick has that classic white tennis shoe appeal. “The flat sole keeps you grounded and close to the court as you move laterally,” Andriakos says. “They’re such a steal and actually perform.”

Viper Court Reload

The grippy bottom ensures stability and control during quick, agile movements, plus the cushioned heel adds extra comfort. “The slightly wider fit was perfect for playing on hot, muggy days when my feet were swollen,” Andriakos says, “and the traction was impressive even on a slick court on a humid vacation day—no slipping!”

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