Nowadays, I have a rotating cast of different pairs because most workout shoes are built for specific activities, like running, weight lifting, basketball, tennis, or hiking, among others.

I'm a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness myths. On my spare time I enjoy ...

It's very secure and stable to squat in, and you can rest assured your feet won't slip during heavy lifts; these shoes have 'got you'. However, the ventilation in the shoes isn't the best ...

That can show up in different ways, depending on the exercise. “For instance, in a squat, with shoes on, it might look and feel good —but without shoes, it might feel completely different.

The Nike Free X Metcon 2 is the perfect middle ground, practically fusing elements from dedicated weight-lifting shoes with those flexible, lightweight components of a fast-paced trainer.