When it comes to weightlifting, the shoes you wear do play an important role in the way you do certain exercises like squats or deadlifts. Having the right weightlifting shoes will not only help performance but will also decrease the chance of injury.
So which are the best weightlifting shoes?
We decided to take some of the most popular lifting shoes on the market and see whether they actually live up to their standard.
Check them out…
Do You Need Weightlifting Shoes?
What Should You Look For In A Lifting Shoe?
First things first, when looking for a shoe what kind of characteristics should it have? Well this is what we recommend looking for:
Hard Outsole And Heel Height
You will want to look for a shoe that has a harder outsole and heel. This will provide better stability in certain exercises like squats. You will also notice that shoes do come in different heel heights, this can have an impact on certain exercises. For example, I don’t like deadlifting in the shoes I wear for squats as the heel is quite elevated, I prefer a flat sole for deadlifts.
The heel height you choose to go with will generally be personal preference but you can check out this handy guide by BarBend on choosing the perfect heel height:
Shoe Straps And Lacing Systems
Shoe straps will help improve ankle and mid-foot stability when lifting. Some shoes even have a special BOA lacing system to ensure that you foot will not move in your shoe. I found this to be the biggest problem when lifting in normal trainers. I could feel my feet moving all over the place when squatting, but since changing to a proper lifting shoe I no longer have this problem.
Build Quality
Powerlifting shoes can be a bit expensive, so it’s important to look for a pair that will be able last you for the next few years.
You will notice when shopping around that not all shoes are made from the same materials. Some offer wooden heels, while others offer plastic or leather. TPU or thermoplastic polyurethane is the most common material used to create the base of lifting shoes. TPU will generally be more durable than wood or leather soles.
Best Weightlifting Shoes In 2019: Top 5 Reviewed
#1 The Adidas Adipower
Probably one of the most popular pairs of lifting shoes on the market, the adipower’s have been around for a long time. If you are looking for a powerlifting shoe thats comfortable and good quality, then this is the one you should be going with.
The shoes feature PU (polyurethane) coated organic leather and a strong TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) midsole. When it comes to straps, the adipower features a hook-and-loop instep strap that helps with rear foot integrity and a .75inch heel which makes this great for squats.
#2 The Adidas Powerlift 3.1
Next on our list we have the Powerlift 3.1’s. These shoes are a great weightlifting shoe for beginners as they offer a .6inch heel which can help transition from regular flat shoes. These shoes have helped numerous people achieve proper squat depth with wobbling or using their toes to compensate.
The shoes feature a single strap design similar to the adipower’s above and provide ample ankle and foot stability.
#3 The Nike Romaleos 3
The Nike Romaleos are one beautiful looking pair of shoes and feature a much lighter design than the shoes above. They are constructed with a mesh and leather design that includes a TPU heel. Speaking of the heel, the height on these are around .75inch making it perfect for just about anyone.
Another cool feature about these shoes is that they come with two different insole designs, soft and firm. This will help the transition from a soft shoe to something a bit more firm.
#4 The Adidas Leistung 16.II
Adidas makes the list again at number 4 with the Adidas Leistung 16.II’s, these shoes are meant to be the updated version of the previously released Adidas Leistung Rio. These shoes do feature a higher 1 inch heel which may not be suitable for everyone, but some may prefer to have a higher heel. The higher heel can help some lifters achieve a better depth, however, others have felt that a 1inch heel negatively effects their lifts. My advice would be to test out a 1inch heel before making purchasing these shoes.
You will notice that these shoes feature the BOA lacing system which is designed to provide total foot tightness. However, some have noted that you may need to tighten the shoe again after long periods of lifting.
#5 The Nordic Powerlifting Megin
You may have not heard of the brand called Nordic but they do make one of the best powerlifting shoes on the market. The shoes feature a great build quality and features a 1.4 inch heel which is suited towards athletes looking to improve their squat performance.
These shoes feature a sturdy velcro strap, lacing and reinforced stitching and come with a one year warranty. However, some users have noted that the velcro strap stitching does not hold up very well. These shoes are not as fancy as some of the others on this list but are a good option for those looking for something that just works. Again, the heel height may not be for everyone so it’s important to test out out a pair with a higher heel height before making a purchase.
Conclusion: Which Should you Buy?
Hopefully you have a better idea of what weightlifting shoes to buy. At the end of the day choosing any of these shoes will help you lift better, but if I had to choose one it would be the Adidas adipowers. The offer the best comfort and quality on this list and the heel height is perfect for most lifters.