The Best Sneakers for Every Type of Activity, According To A PE Teacher

For a shoe to excel on a daily basis, it has to check a lot of boxes. Tracksmith’s Eliot Runner does just that. It is a lightweight sneaker that features a supportive Pebax® insole. It was designed to be used on natural surfaces, like gravel and dirt, so it has decent grip, but unlike a true trail shoe it does not have large lugs for traction, making it highly functional indoors as well. And it looks handsome to boot. The Eliot works in the gym, on a run, while teaching, and on a moderate trail, while also transitioning seamlessly to daily life. This versatility makes it an excellent set-it-and-forget it sneaker.

When it’s time for a fitness circuit the Nano X5s are my go to shoe. These are breathable, comfortable sneakers that cup the heel and provide security when engaging in dynamic movements. When I’m working on agility or slamming a medicine ball down on the gym floor, the X5s don’t slip, and they crush it on the pickleball court as well.

When I know I’m going to be chasing my students around—or chasing PR’s on a run—I opt for the Cloudsurfer 2, the second generation of On’s classic road shoe. I like the Cloudsurfers because unlike some running shoes they can be comfortably worn all day long, and yet they can chew up miles with the best of them, while providing ample cushioning.

For longer road runs it is hard to beat the support of Salomon’s Aero Glide 3. The plush ride is thanks to the high stack foam of the sole, keeping your feet feeling fresh mile after mile. The shape of the Aero Glide 3 promotes a natural running stride, with the design allowing each step to roll right into the next. These are ideal for lengthy runs in dry weather.

Of course, living in New England you can’t always count on good weather. Lowa is a legendary bootmaker, but they recently launched a line of running sneakers and the Fortux have been my go to for rainy days on the trail. The GTX lining keeps my feet dry and the lugged sole can chew up uneven terrain with ease. As a dad, I also appreciate the speed lace, since it means less time trying on my shoes when my kids are already racing out the door and jumping in puddles.

When I’m hitting the trails on a day with less precipitation I roll with the Teva Trailwinders. It’s like a boot and a trail running shoe had a baby. The sandal experts at Teva know how to make a functional, supportive footbed, and their Trailwinder brings that technology to a sneaker that moves fast in the woods.

It always feels good to support a brand that is innovating towards sustainability. Unfortunately those innovations sometimes fall flat compared to the synthetic materials often found in outdoor products. Not so with the Hylo Impact. This running shoe uses bio-based materials, like castor beans and natural rubber, and yet the feel is cushy, springy, and ready for action.

On very rare occasions I have to actually, gulp, dress up. I wear a shirt with actual buttons, and pants that have a fly, and I put on a belt. But I am loath to encase my precious feet in uncomfortable dress shoes. Since it is 2025, I can usually get away with wearing sneakers that have a whiff of class, like Atoms’ Model 000. These work for a semi-formal event, and often accompany me on date nights with the wife as well.

Okay, so maybe these aren’t technically sneakers, but the last arrow in my quiver is the Danner 600 Evo. I’m going to let this one slide in because these have sneaker-like comfort right out of the box, yet they provide stability over many miles in inclement weather and uneven terrain. The 600 Evo is a waterproof warrior for big days on the trail, or for carrying heavy loads, like when I put my son in the hiking pack for a loop around our local pond.