Best Shoes For Stairmaster

Stair climbing is an aerobic exercise that can sometimes be intense even for the most seasoned endurance athletes. Proper footwear can make all the difference when stair climbing or working out in a Stairmaster. Doing so will help minimize strain on your feet due to excessive foot rolling. We’ve provided 10 of the best shoes for stairmaster for men and women you can buy right now for stair climbing or Stairmaster exercises so that you’ll always have a good time working out.

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Related: Best Walking Shoes For Hip and Knee Pain, Can Training Shoes Be Used For Walking?

Our choice of Stairmaster for exercising - best shoes for stairmaster
Stairmaster for exercising (on Amazon)

Best Shoes For Stairmaster

Adidas Solar Glide 3 Running Shoes for Men and Women

adidas Unisex Solar Glide 3 Running Shoe, White/Black/Signal Green, 7 US Men

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The Solar Glide 3 running shoes for men and women by adidas provides a clean and minimal look to make you focus more on your workouts than the style of your footwear. The underfoot, as well as the back padding of the Solar Glide 3, has generous padding conforming to your foot making it highly comfortable for use on a lot of aerobic exercises such as running, jogging, and even stair climbing.

The upper is fitted with breathable mesh to make your feet cool and dry during and after your workouts and it’s extremely lightweight reducing foot strain as well as pressure on your knees and hips. The Solar Glide 3 is available in 4 colors so you can choose the best design that fits your personality and style.

Under Armour Kick Sprint 3 Running Shoes for Men and Women

Under Armour Unisex-Adult Kick Sprint 3 Running Shoe, Black (001)/White, 5.5

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The Kick Sprint 3 running shoes by Under Armour utilize a unique 6-pin track spike to give you perfect traction to accelerate during your workouts. It’s removable so if you find it hard to use it when on the Stairmaster then it’s perfectly fine to exercise without it. The upper of the Kick Sprint 3 is made from synthetic materials with a breathable mesh with bold 3D printed graphics available in 3 colorways.

It’s also fitted with a heel to add support and durability during your intense workouts. The perforated toe box meanwhile increases ventilation to keep your feet cool and dry during and after your exercises. The Kick Sprint 3 is available for both men and women making it the perfect couple shoes for your friends and loved ones if you like working out as a group.

Reebok Sole Fury Trail Running Shoes for Men and Women

Reebok Unisex-Adult Sole Fury Trail Running Shoe, Grey/Rosette/Toxic Yellow, 11 M US

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Like the other 2 shoes on the list, the Reebok Sole Fury trail running shoes are available for both men and women making it the ideal footwear for couples who like working out together. The design of the Sole Fury takes its inspiration from the trail runners of the ‘90s due to its neoprene upper and synthetic leather overlays. This running shoe utilizes a zip closure for an easy on/off experience during your workouts so that you can immediately start on your Stairmaster routines in no time.

It has a distinctive split midsole to allow your foot to move naturally during workouts and the split design itself is a direct nod to the classic Reebok style of old giving it a vintage vibe. The Sole Fury is also available in 3 colors so you can choose the best style that you want.

PUMA Flyer Runner Sneakers for Men and Women

PUMA unisex-adult Flyer Runner,Peachskin-marshmallow,6 Women/4.5 Men

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The PUMA Flyer Runner is not just about style, it’s also about comfort. The fashionable upper material is made from lightweight and stylistic mesh that’s breathable keeping your feet cool and dry during your Stairmaster workouts. It utilizes PUMA’s Softfoam+, which provides a step-in EVA midsole cushioning for optimal comfort during and after your workouts. The Flyer Runner also has a lace-up enclosure for an easy on/off experience.

In addition, the outsoles have unique tread patterns to keep you stable during your climbing exercises making your routines safer. Lastly, the Flyer Runner has a huge 24 different design choices to choose from. It’s also available for both men and women making it the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 27 Men’s Running Shoes

ASICS Men's Gel-Kayano 27 Running Shoes, 11.5, Sheet Rock/Magnetic Blue

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The Gel-Kayano 27 men’s running shoes by ASICS uses a rear foot and underfoot GEL cushioning system to absorb shock during impact on your workouts. This is especially helpful if you’re stair climbing or on a Stairmaster as it allows movement in multiple planes as your foot transitions during each climb. The upper meanwhile is made from multi-directional mesh material improving overall ventilation and stability to keep your feet cool and dry during your routines.

The midsole, on the other hand, provides exceptional bounce back and responsiveness during each climb reducing foot strain that usually happens on softer and low-density foams. The Gel-Kayano 27 works well for all runners whether you under or overpronate. There are 22 different styles to choose from and sizes starting from 6.5 up to 16 X-wide making it the ideal footwear for all your aerobic exercising needs.

ASICS Women’s Novablast Running Shoes

ASICS Women's Novablast Running Shoes, 8.5, Piedmont Grey/Black

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Like the Gel-Kayano 27 running shoes for men, the Novablast running shoes by ASICS are specifically made for women who love working out and doing aerobic exercises such as running, jogging, and stair climbing. It also works well on a Stairmaster machine due to its ability to accommodate all types of running styles whether you under or overpronate.

The upper is made from a breathable mesh with a minimal design to support your feet in key areas keeping them cool and dry during all your exercise routines. It’s fitted with ASICS FLYEFOAM blast technology that utilizes a lightweight midsole foam for a highly responsive cushioning and bounce on your feet as you climb the Stairmaster giving you an efficient ride on the machine all day. The Novablast has 12 different styles to choose from so you can get the best design that fits your personality.

New Balance 481 V3 Trail Running Shoes for Men

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The 481 V3 trail running shoes by New Balance uses a durable all-terrain rubber outsole making it the ideal footwear of choice for all types of aerobic exercise which includes running, hiking, and even stair climbing. If you work out with a Stairmaster machine, then the 481 V3 running shoes are the one for you. The upper of the 481 V3 is made with leather and mesh materials to keep your feet cool and dry.

The 481 V3 is also fitted with a comfort collar to help prevent unwanted irritation during every step as it hugs your ankles for a superior fit. The midsole cushioning meanwhile uses the New Balance cush+ technology to deliver ultra-soft and all-day comfort on your feet and ankles without sacrificing support.

New Balance Arishi V3 Running Shoe for Women

New Balance Women's Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Running Shoe, Grey/Teal, 8.5 Wide

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The Arishi V3 running shoes for women uses the latest New Balance Fresh Foam midsole technology to give you an ultra-cushioned and lightweight experience during all your workout routines. The upper is inspired with modern design in mind and is made with no-sew engineered mesh for a sophisticated style while delivering breathability and comfort to keep your feet cool and dry all day.

The Arishi V3 also features a strong and durable rubber outsole with a molded footbed for superior underfoot comfort. It’s designed for all-day wear because of its great fit making it the ideal footwear of choice especially when you’re into stair climbing or using the Stairmaster machine for all your workout needs.

Mizuno Men’s Wave Horizon 5 Running Shoes

Mizuno Men's Wave Horizon 5 Running Shoe, India Ink-palti, 10

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The Wave Horizon 5 running shoes for men by Mizuno has a stylish design with a one-of-a-kind cushioning technology to provide you with stability and a secure fit during all your workout routines. It works well for road running, trail running, and even stair climbing. You can also use it on indoor machines such as a treadmill or a Stairmaster machine.

It utilizes the Mizuno’s Enerzy Foam dual-layer midsole which is 17% softer and 15% more responsive compared to its predecessor to give you a springier quality and responsiveness on every step. It’s lighter, more cushioned, and has a softer underfoot feeling to give you a smoother transition to allow for longer workouts.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes for Women

Nike Women's Track & Field Shoes, Multicolour Gunsmoke Oil Grey White Gum Light Brown 1, 4.5 UK

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Last on our list of the best shoes for Stairmaster you can buy right now is the Air Zoom Pegasus 36 for women by Nike. This running shoe is fitted with an engineered mesh with more perforations in the upper for targeted breathability across high-heat areas to keep your feet cool and dry during any intense workout sessions. It’s great for stair climbing or using the Stairmaster machine due to its slimmer heel collar and tongue to reduce bulk without compromising your overall comfort during every climb.

The sock liner meanwhile adapts to the contours of your foot for incredible support and high resiliency. The waffle pistons on the outsole, on the other hand, helps absorb impact and provide all-surface traction making it one of the best shoes you can use right now for working out on a Stairmaster machine.

Best Shoes For Stairmaster Buying Guide

Type

Running shoes and stability shoes are 2 types of footwear that work really well for Stairmaster. However, they provide different features for your feet during your workouts. Choosing the best one for you depends on your workout style. Running shoes give a springy response when touching the surface and are lightweight.

Its drawback is it isn’t heavily padded unlike stability shoes. Stability shoes meanwhile are recommended if you overpronate but they weigh far more than running shoes so if you know your running stance is normal, then running shoes is the way to go.

Cushioning

As mentioned on the types of shoes, cushioning is another factor you should look out for if you will be using the Stairmaster quite frequently. Although training on the Stairmaster doesn’t usually involve high impact on your feet, it’s still recommended to have proper cushioning on your footwear to lessen the pressure during your workouts.

This is to make sure you can train efficiently without putting your feet, knees, and hips in harm’s way.

Stability and Flexibility

Aside from proper cushioning, your footwear of choice should also provide you with proper stability and flexibility during your workouts. A stable underfoot protects your lower extremities and keeps them aligned to minimize strain or the possibility of injuries during your workout.

Your sneakers should also be flexible and made with lighter materials such as a breathable mesh to keep your feet cool and dry. This is so that your feet and toes can flex appropriately which is important when using the Stairmaster.

Other Factors to Consider

While running shoes and stability shoes have their different pros and cons when using the Stairmaster, other types of shoes such as walking or climbing shoes also work just as well. While cushioning is important, some studies suggest a lighter and less cushioned shoe is better for these types of workouts as it allows your body to feel and anticipate the ground better.

FAQs about shoes for stairmaster

Are running shoes good shoes for stair master?

Your running shoes are a good choice for stair climbing. Most running shoes provide arch support for your foot and the necessary shock absorption for your knees. Note: Running shoes with a lot of cushioning don’t provide the stability you need while you climb stairs.

Is Stairmaster better than stair climbing?

While the Stairmaster workout device is essentially an easier version of climbing the stairs, it’s far safer and allows you to control your workout at your own pace. The primary difference of using a Stairmaster instead of regular stair climbing is that the Stairmaster constantly moves, lowering the height by a few inches when you reach the next step.

This can reduce strain on your feet and make it easier but it doesn’t take away anything from the way your feet land. As such, you still need proper footwear when using the Stairmaster.

How can I take my Stairmaster workouts to the next level?

If you want to take your Stairmaster exercises a step further, then you can start by practicing not holding on to the sides. Gripping the sides of the Stairmaster reduces the load on your body and essentially reduces the effectiveness of your workout. In addition, you can also try skipping a step to target your glutes and upper thighs to burn more calories.

If you’re feeling even more confident, then you can certainly add weights to your Stairmaster workouts. Try adding arm exercises such as a bicep curl, overhead press, or side raises with dumbbells to work even more muscle groups to elevate your heart rate. Don’t forget to monitor your heart rate to stay safe.

Related: Sliding down stairs exercise (video) – Shoes for stairmaster

sliding downstairs on your feet by Danang Syady Rahmatullah

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