IT’S BEEN SAID that “sneakers—er, shoes—make the man.” It’s true that your footwear says a lot more about you than the watches you wear, the colognes you spritz, or the menswear brands you align with. Better said: They’re a window into your personality. That’s why we take our footwear seriously and think you should, too.
Not all sneakers are created equal, though, so it’s key to wear the right pair for the job. Golf, for example, demands rock-solid stability for powerful, sure-footed drives; b-ball requires maximum support and on-court grip; and trail running calls for shoes that are lightweight yet rugged, with an aggressive, ultra-tacky outsole for ultimate traction over any terrain, wet or dry.
Over the past year, our team at Men’s Health—including fashion editors, professional fitness gurus, freelance gear writers, and more—collaborated to test dozens of pairs of (mostly) new-for-2024 footwear. From a timeless streetwear icon like Adidas’s low-slung Samba OG to a next-gen trainer like Under Armour’s Project Rock 7 to a bulletproof trail runner like Arc’teryx’s Norvan LD 3, we tried them all. In the end, only 32 came out on top. This is the 2024 Men’s Health Sneaker Awards.
JUMP TO:
RUNNING
TRAINING
SPORT
LIFESTYLE
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Adidas’s lightest Boost sneaker ever offers a barely-there feel with rock-solid energy return mile after mile. The Continental rubber outsole, long a staple in the Ultraboost line, provides next-level traction to pair with that responsiveness. Bonus: It’s built eco-friendly with at least 20 percent recycled materials.
Brooks’s maximally-cushioned runner, which we already loved, gets even more of a good thing. This time, the high stack of foam is the brand’s nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3, which provides even more energy return with all that comfort. Even with the extra height, this is a perfectly balanced pair for walking and road running. Plus, it looks darn good in bold Moroccan blue!
Hoka’s latest super shoe has polarized runners, but we think it’s one of the best, most responsive road racing shoes on the market. The combination of the carbon plate, rocker shape, and bouncy foam served us well on the ultra-hilly Big Sur marathon course.
One of Merrell’s most tough-as-nails trail runners, the Agility Peak 5 is a zero-compromise shoe. It’s tech-forward and built for tough trails with tons of debris, neck-snapping directional changes, and plenty of vertical. Pro tip: Opt for one of two available Gore-Tex models for serious, year-round trail run readiness in any weather.
This isn’t quite a super shoe for the trail, but the Zegama 2 does have some super qualities—namely, Nike’s responsive ZoomX midsole foam paired with a lugged Vibram outsole for traction. Those features put this pair in the perfect spot for runners who transition from road to trail and back, as we did logging miles on the sides of busy roads on a long run in the country.
With a built-in “heel pillow,” an air-cooled memory foam insole, and a max-cushioned midsole, this is not only Skechers’ most comfy walking shoe but one of the most comfortable shoes we’ve tested in 2024. Bonus: An authentic Goodyear rubber outsole promises ultimate traction in any weather condition.
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True to its name, Nobull eliminates the fluff from its footwear. The versatile Drive Knit is a hybrid workout shoe designed to move seamlessly from the treadmill to the power rack and back again. We love the ultra-breathable performance knit upper.
If you want one shoe for all of your gym workouts, this will be it. Reebok’s Nano Gym is a deceptively simple kick with the chops and the versatility to take you from the treadmill and elliptical to the free weights and weight machines. A plush collar adds a just-right level of comfort, no matter where and how you like to work out.
These lifting shoes look to make life easier for anyone sick of specialized training footwear that crushes their little piggies into narrow toeboxes. The “anatomical” toebox here allows you to splay your toes more naturally, and the raised heel has a grippy non-slip tread to keep you from sliding during explosive movements.
Another in UA’s rock-solid (get it?) line of trainers, the Project Rock 7 ticks all our must-have boxes for the perfect trainer. It’s well-cushioned, responsive, and breathable. Plus, we love the plush collar foam for a buttery-soft, next-to-skin feel around the ankle.
This trainer gives you the close-to-the-ground feel you want with barefoot shoes, but the flexible outsole gives you more support for lunges and lateral movement. Whether you’re bodyweight training, practicing calisthenics, or doing an animal flow series, it’s uniquely designed to move with you.
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New Balance upgrades its own take on hybrid b-ball shoe construction. Most noteworthy: a dual-foam, split-sole design that’s purpose-built for lightning-fast lateral changes and demanding takeoffs and landings. It’s all wrapped in breezy, featherweight mesh for maximum comfort and breathability.
Nike’s solid nod to Sabrina Ionescu, this namesake kick combines the brand’s latest CushIon foam with Air Zoom cushioning for maximum responsiveness and a stay-fresh design. A super-tacky outsole helps keep you well-planted and ready to move confidently on the court.
A dash of retro ’90s sportswear style with a healthy dose of 21st-century tennis-sneak tech—that’s the Roger Clubhouse Pro from On. It’s lightweight, breathable, and ultra-cushy on the inside, while a “superfoam” midsole and an open herringbone tread provide plenty of comfort and sticky traction on any surface, wet or dry.
Wilson kicks it back to basics with the straightforward, no-nonsense Rush Pro 4.5. The brand’s best-selling tennis shoe gets a new-for-2024 upgrade with the best breathability, support, and abrasion resistance of any shoe in the RP lineup yet.
Built for the court but redesigned for the course, Puma’s Slipstream G Spikeless ticks all the right boxes. The lightweight design has a one-year weatherproof leather upper on top and a carbon rubber outsole with 60 traction lug elements down below. It’s grippy, cushy, and extra stable for even the longest days on the green.
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Soccer shoe turned streetwear kick, done the Cole Haan way. The GrandPrø Breakaway combines the classic low-slung style of ’90s footwear with latest-gen comfort. A rolled collar, quilted quarters, and a removable footbed all make this a far more comfy shoe than its high-fashion appearance should allow.
With sleek, street-ready style in bone or rugged, work-ready good looks in tan/ivory, Lululemon’s Cityverse canvas sneaker is a do-it-all shoe that combines fashion and function. Plus, the waxed-cotton canvas upper and high-abrasion rubber outsole add durability and reliable traction over any terrain.