Are you are a regular-workout person? If yes, most likely you usually do some weightlifting to build and strengthen your muscles. But do you know that the shoes that you put on while lifting those heavy bars can make or break you? Well, that’s the case.
Why Buy Weightlifting Shoes
A good pair of weightlifting shoes is a very important investment for several reasons including:
Improved posture
Due to its raised heel, a shoe designed particularly for weightlifting allows you to squat deeper by increasing your ankle’s motion range. This will help to sit more upright, with your torso being more upright and in such a position, you’ll be able to hold the barbell better and lift it higher up.
Better stability
If you put on a weightlifting, you’ll definitely feel its difference from your regular shoes. It feels staler under and around your foot. For underfoot stability, a weightlifting shoe features a solid base, usually of hard plastic or wood construction, or a blend of both materials. The hard base makes you feel very secure as you do your lifting exercises.
Again, the base improves your ability to maintain the necessary weightlifting posture and protects you from injuries that could result from lack of enough stability and poor body postures. The more you minimize your injury risks, the more your chances of increasing your weightlifting performance.
Better weightlifting performance
Your regular shoes have inbuilt cushion for impact absorption and this serves you right for walking and running, doesn’t it. However, the cushioning can’t be great on a weightlifting shoe. For weightlifting, you require a shoe that will transmit much of the force that you create when you step on the floor.
The more the force transmitted to you by the shoe, the higher your ability to lift a heavier weight. Instead of transmitting the force, your regular cushioned shoes absorb force, reducing your lifting ability.
Sufficient ankle support
If you look at an ideal weightlifting shoe, you’ll realize that it has a firm upper, perhaps of leather or rubber construction. The upper may also be of material with a plastic coating feel. Some shoes even go ahead to incorporate an added strap. All that is to create ample ankle support which combines with solid base to provide you with a secure feeling, thus increasing your ability to develop power by spreading the floor more efficiently.
Things to Consider To Identify Your Ideal Weightlifting Shoes
Having seen the above benefits of weightlifting shoes, perhaps you are now left with one major question, “what should I look for to establish the best weightlifting shoes for me?” well, here are some of the major things that you should consider to identify the best choice:
Heel height
Your ideal shoes’ heel height is the one that you are most comfortable with at the bottom of the squat while maintaining an upright posture. While some people find smaller heel height very comfortable, others prefer the higher options, depending on their respective body types as well as flexibility and mobility levels. Ideally, if you can easily and comfortably full-depth squats with your torso upright, a smaller heel height will suit you the best. On the other hand, if you have to go on your toes while bending your knees, you’ll need shoes with high heels.
Firm base
As earlier mentioned, an authentic weightlifting shoe should have a solid base for improved stability which helps you to maintain healthy and effective postures while doing your lifting exercises. Although you might find such a base quite uncomfortable at the beginning, you shouldn’t trade the little discomfort that’s supposed to disappear with time with poor performance as a result of using soft-base shoes.
Durability
Different weightlifting shoes feature different construction materials. As such, some last longer than others. In as much as you’d like to save some bucks by buying cheap shoes, it’s important to look at the value you’ll get. It doesn’t make sense to buy a pair today and next week or month you are looking for another one because of the shoes’ rapid wear and tear. Preferably, get a pair that’s likely to last you for at least a year.
How you fit into the shoes
Your foot size and shape influences how you fit in a shoe and how the shoe fits you affects how secure you feel while in it. A rule of thumb is that the best weightlifting shoe shouldn’t neither be loose nor leave any room for wiggling. Basically, it should fit snug, thus making you feel secure.
Your personal taste
Just like your regular pairs, weightlifting shoes come in different designs and color schemes. Your choice of design and color scheme should be majorly guided by, among other things, your personal taste. It feels awesome to have a pair that reflects your personality and identity.
The Best 10 Weightlifting Shoes
Considering that there are hundreds of weightlifting shoes types currently on the market, you might spend days if not weeks or months trying to analyze each to identify your best pick. It can be quite a daunting and time-consuming task.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go all that long route. We’ve committed much of our time and resources to make things easier for you by exploring all the weightlifting shoes available on sale worldwide on your behalf and coming up with a list of the best ten.
Our review is unbiased and portrays the true picture of each of the products listed here. Now, without much ado, let’s jump to our list.
1. ASICS Men’s Lift Master Lite
With a heel height of about 1.25, ASICS Men’s Lift Master Lite shoe is high enough to help weightlifters maintain proper posture during full-depth squats. In case your ankle mobility isn’t satisfactory and/or you struggle to hit depth on squat, this is one of the best shoes to count on. The raised platform will enable you to hit depth on each squat.
The flat insoles with minimal cushioning provide a solid base for more upward power generation to enable you improve your weightlifting performance. When it comes to comfort, this shoe truly deserves 10 points on a scale of 10, thanks to its seamless construction.
The seamless materials minimize chances of irritation and friction which are otherwise common in shoes with ordinary stitches and seams. For added comfort, the upper features lightweight mesh vamp for improved breathability and lightweight feel.
As long as you pick your correct size, this shoe will fit very well on your foot, with uppers mid-foot straps keeping your foot secure and stable for your high performance in various lifts.
With ASICS High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR) Plus placed in key areas of its outsole, ASICS Men’s Lift Master Lite is built to last.
Don’t forget that this shoe is designed for men.
The major drawback about ASICS Men’s Lift Master Lite is lack of color options to choose from. Currently, it only comes with a black upper with red details surrounding the collar.
2. VS Athletics Weightlifting Shoe II
If you are looking for a high-quality but pocket-friendly pair of weightlifting shoes, you are less likely to go wrong with VS Athletics Weightlifting Shoe II. Besides being reasonably priced (about $99.95 as of September 2019) the shoe has nearly everything you’d want from perfect weightlifting shoes. To start with, it has double straps over the laces to provide you with added ankle support and proper balance, minimizing your injury risks while lifting weights and making you feel secure enough to give your best to every lift.
Secondly, the shoe is very strong, thanks to the flat rubber sole which is reinforced with leather. This is gives you the stability you need to lift heavy loads. For those full-depth squats, VS Athletics Weightlifting Shoe II is designed to help you achieve them through not only great stability but also the right heel height which runs at 3.3 inches.
As if the aforementioned great features and benefits aren’t enough for the price, you are also provided with free VS shoe bag every time you buy this pair of shoes.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for stylish shoes, this one might disappoint you because it isn’t all that fancy.
3. Reebok Women’s Legacylifter Sneaker
Designed for female weightlifters, Reebok Women’s Legacylifter Sneaker is exclusively meant for weight training and has two color schemes to choose from (White/Black/Pewter and black/gold). From the first impression, you can easily tell that it has a very robust upper. The upper features perforated synthetic leather design for enhanced durability and breathability.
Your safety is well taken care of by this shoe for injury-free weight training by integrating support straps to provide you with enough ankle support. The straps also keep your foot locked in to help you maintain proper posture while performing the body exercise. However, this is not to mean that your foot will be excessively constricted, as forefoot flex grooves allow it to move naturally.
With a textile upper and rubber outsole, the shoe is designed to offer an extended period of great value. Its sturdy construction can stand even the most rigorous weightlifting sessions for a long time. When you find your right fit, you find this shoe very comfortable and reasonably snug.
4. Adidas Powerlift.3.1 Cross Trainer
Adidas Powerlift 3.1 has a raised heel too and it’s that kind of a weightlifting shoe of which you can’t get enough of wearing. And it’s durable. Even if you wear it for five days every week in the gym, it will still be in good shape at least two years down the line. This is because of the upper synthetic leather construction and the sturdy synthetic sole.
Most importantly, they don’t give, giving you that secure feeling and motivation to lift higher and more. Besides, its sole is hard and very stable, giving more ability to improve your lifting performance without compromising your leg’s safety. Standing while on Adidas Powerlift 3.1 feels like you’ve been planted on the floor. As such, you’ll feel strong enough to challenge yourself with more major lifts.
Although the shoe seems not to be true to size, you can find your perfect-fitting size by ordering one full size down your exact size and the shoe will fit you perfectly. The lightweight synthetic leather makes the entire shoe comfortably light while the mesh material covering the collar lining allowing proper breathability to keep your leg cool even when you are engaged in extremely rigorous exercises.
Another plus for this shoe is the wide variety of color schemes in which it comes; about 12 of them! Choose your preferred color for a personalized touch.
5. Reebok Crossfit Lifter 2.0
Available in 12 different color schemes, Reebok Crossfit Lifter 2.0 gives you a chance to have an incredibly designed pair of weightlifting shoes in your favorite colors. They are pretty stiff to hold your feet securely in place to help you achieve and maintain those effective squat and deadlift postures for improved weight training performance.
Whether you want a pair for Olympic lifting or power lifting, you are less likely to go wrong with Reebok Crossfit Lifter 2.0. They have sufficient flex in the toe and provide you with ample support, motivating you to push yourself to the limit, as far as weight lifting is concerned.
Besides, the shoe has a raised heel and provides bottom-up base support you need for safe and more effective lift-ups. Better still, you can have these shoes on for an extended period because they are lightweight, in addition to offering you good stability. In fact, they are among the lightest weightlifting shoes currently on the market.
To get a pair of Reebok Crossfit Lifter 2.0 that fits you well, it is advisable that you order a size larger than you normally wear. Once you get your ideal size, you’ll find the shoe very firm, stable and comfortable.
6. Inov-8 Fastlift 335
Inov-8 Fastlift 335 is another top-of-the-rage weighting shoes but can also be used in athletics and cross-fitting.
Inov-8 Fastlift 335 is like a hybrid of a traditional weightlifting shoe which is normally quite heavy and Crossfit/light running shoes, thanks to Powertruss technology. The technology involved using a unique and very strong thermoplastic material that’s very light. As such, the shoe is very sturdy and durable, but very light. To be precise, the shoe weighs 335 grams only. Pretty light, right?
For your safety, the shoes feature laces and a Velcro strap to provide you with a secure fit. As for traction, while in properly fitting Inov-8 Fastlift 335 with laces properly tied and the Velcro strap well attached, you feel cemented to the floor. This gives you a good surface grip, empowering you to take on the challenge of heavy Olympic lifting.
The shoe has a large raised heel (with a height of 0.65 inches) with its base designed out of tiny cylindrical tubes. The design contributes to the stability of the heel and the entire shoe. The stability is also enhanced by the weight distribution plate incorporated in the shoe for equal distribution of weight throughout the entire sole. Furthermore, with the sole being utterly flat, you can hardly rock backwards while in a pair of inov-8 fastlift 335 shoes.
On the downside, some users complain that the shoe’s Velcro strap comes apart within a short period after its purchase.
7. Adidas Adipower Weightlift Shoes
Adidas Adipower Weightlift Shoes comes in three different color schemes and is alluringly designed. It offers a secure fit and strong and solid construction. In fact, even with regular use, we’ve confirmed that a pair of these shoes can last for numerous years.
When it comes to comfort, Adidas Adipower Weightlift Shoe deserves a pat on the back, thanks to its mesh tongue and collar as well as a power strap which crosses the laces to firmly but comfortably lock your foot down. Besides the instep strap also contributes to the secure holding of your feet to prevent you from adopting potentially injurious posture.
Wearing a stable, sturdy and lightweight shoes feels very comfortable. As such, Adidas Adipower Weightlift Shoe has done a good job in trying to strike a good balance of the three. Besides being strong and stable, it is lightweight, weighing about 15-16 ounces. No wonder it’s a go-to choice for versatile weight-lifters for various types of lifting. Because of the lightweight, they won’t hold you back even when you make those slow foot turnovers.
This shoe also provides you with years of great weightlifting experience. This is mainly because its PU coated rubber construction is not only flexible but also durable. Also, the weightlifting-engineered chassis and the sturdy TPU heel make the shoe very stable and with a perfect foothold.
8. Reebok Men’s Lifter Pr Weightlifting Shoe
Reebok Men’s Lifter Pr Weightlifting Shoe is available in six different color schemes to suit different users’ tastes and preferences. If you are just a weightlifting entrée and want some nice should to help you start out in style, this shoe could be the real deal. However, it isn’t recommended for a seasoned weightlifter because it isn’t strong enough to provide enough and proper support for a squat with a weight exceeding 500 lbs.
Another awesome thing about this shoe is that they are so flexible and light that you can use it in in work outs of the day (WOD’s). Also, you’ll appreciate the ankle support that the cushioned collar of the shoe provides to ensure that you feel secure to pursue your weight training goals.
Since nothing is perfect, this shoe also has a drawback-odd fit. According to some of the user reviews we’ve seen, it isn’t true to size. As such, you may have size down or up, depending on your feet.
Also, it isn’t all constructed with the finest materials, but again, it’s not expensive. The rear end features synthetic leather while full grain leather forms the toe box.
9. Nordic Lifting Powerlifting Shoes
Nordic Lifting Powerlifting Shoe is so versatile that you can use it for squats, deadlifts as well as leg presses. Just like other Nordic shoes, this one too is high-quality but very affordable.
The shoe has a heel height of 1.4 inches to help you maintain the proper lifting posture. On the toe area, the shoe as a breathable mesh to allow good air circulation for the comfort of your foot. Another plus is that it is very light weight and so, you can have it on all day long without feeling fatigued or experiencing cramps that’s usually result from wearing too heavy shoes. Furthermore, these shoes fit snugly as long as you choose the correct size according to your feet.
Nonetheless, if you don’t feel comfortable with high-heel shoes, you are likely to find it slightly difficult to perform a deadlift. Another drawback is that the shoe’s insoles tend to slip from time to time.
10. Otomix Stingray Escape Weightlifting Shoes
Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape are ultra-lightweight shoes designed a committed lifter like you superior support, stability and wide motion range. Besides deadlifts, these shoes are also suitable for squats, legday, taekwondo, boxing and wrestling. Available in different sizes ranging from 6 to 13, you can hardly lack your size. Fortunately, the shoes fit true to size to your typical size.
The soles of these shoes are soles are sewn and glued, so you shouldn’t worry that they might come off. Also, the outsole provides ample traction to help you maintain the appropriate posture while working out.
You have a wide color range to choose from for your ideal Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape. The shoe color options include red, pink/black, white, camo, yellow, red/camo, grey/camo, purple, grey and black. Although they are beautiful and high quality, the shoes come at pocket-friendly prices. A pair currently retails from $99.00 to $139.0 on Amazon.
Final Words
These are some of the best shoes to count on for your weight training. Fortunately, some of them are suitable even for other exercises and that’s an added benefit. Check out your specific needs and preferences, check which one of the above ten corresponds perfectly to your requirements and buy it to take your weightlifting exercises a notch higher.