I get asked about shoes constantly — what's best in the gym, what to run in, what to buy. I might not have the perfect answer, but here's what I actually use.
What I'm Looking For
Two things matter: a wide toe box so your foot has room to spread out, and as little heel-to-toe rise as possible — basically flat. You don't want to be lifting weights or running in something that's putting you up on your heels. That's it. Everything else is secondary.
The Shoes I Use
Reebok Nano
My go-to gym shoe. I actually prefer the older models — the Nano 2s especially — because they're flatter. The newer versions have crept up a bit in heel height. I bought a bunch of older pairs when I found them and they've held up great. The Nano 10 is solid too. Wide enough, flat enough, built to last.
Nobull
Honestly my favorite for how they look. They're clean, they last forever, and they're minimal — just not quite as wide in the toe box as the Reebok. Still love them. If you want something that looks good in and out of the gym and will hold up for years, Nobull is the move.
Altra
My running shoe. Altra builds almost all of their shoes with zero drop and a wide toe box, which is exactly what you want. They're light, flexible, and your foot actually sits flat on the ground. If you're only going to run in your gym shoes, the Nano and Nobull will work fine — but if you're putting in real miles, get a dedicated running shoe and make it an Altra.
Altra Solstice (New Favorite)
This is the one I've been most excited about lately. It's a hybrid — good enough in the gym for lifting, and a solid runner for anything up to about five miles. It won't last as long as the Nano or Nobull, but if you want one shoe that can do both reasonably well, this is it.
Bottom Line
You want something minimal, flat, and wide in the toe. It should handle both lifting and some running without getting in your way. For durability, the Nano and Nobull are hard to beat. If you're serious about running, add an Altra to the rotation.