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If you are an avid weightlifter or even a powerlifter, you probably know that having the right shoes for the job is really important. So, you may be wondering what the best weightlifting shoes are. After all, if you are going to get special shoes for pumping iron you may as well get the best ones possible.
These things aren’t just a fad or a fashion statement, but in fact, a good pair of weightlifting shoes has a ton of benefits for you to reap. Today we’re here to talk about what you need to look out for before buying weightlifting shoes, what their benefits are, and we’re going to give you the top 5 options of 2017.
Summary: The Best Weightlifting Shoes
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The Benefits Of Weightlifting Shoes
Weightlifting shoes may look great, but that is not their primary purpose. There are actually a few different reasons as to why you should use professional weightlifting shoes if you do a lot of lifting.
Increased Force
One of the best parts about quality weightlifting shoes is that they let you put all of your lifting power into actually getting the weight up in the air. Normal shoes usually have a sole that is a little soft, but weightlifting shoes have an extremely hard sole. This is great because the hardness of the sole makes sure that all of the energy you use gets transferred into lifting those weights instead of being absorbed by the sole.
Great Support
Another great part about weightlifting shoes is that are meant to provide your feet with optimal support and stability. Normal shoes or even running shoes do have a certain amount of support, but nothing like weightlifting shoes. Lifting a lot of weight is going to put a lot of strain and pressure on your feet, especially your arches and heels.
Not having the proper support means that you could end up in pain or with permanent foot problems. Simply put, when powerlifting you are lifting several hundred extra pounds. Professional weightlifting shoes are meant to deal with that intense weight. Your arches and heels will definitely appreciate a good weightlifting shoe.
Stability
Weightlifting shoes are also essential if you are going to be squatting or jerking several hundred pounds, in part because of the stability that they provide. When lifting that much weight you want to be sure that your feet aren’t going to slip around in the shoes and that the shoes aren’t slipping on the floor.
That could very well cause you injury, especially to your ankles and knees. Wearing specialized weightlifting shoes means having a stability strap. Some weightlifting shoes even have 2 of these straps and they’re meant to keep your feet nice and snug on the inside. Furthermore, the grip that weightlifting shoes come with is excellent and your shoes aren’t going to slip around on the ground.
Makes Lifting Easier
Another great thing about weightlifting shoes is that they usually have a raised heel. Having a raised heel allows you to utilize all of your muscular force in order to lift that big load. The raised heel gives your ankles an increased range of motion, something that is great for getting really deep in those squats. Another good part about having a raised heel is that it allows you to keep your chest and head upright while lifting, making everything a lot easier.
What To Look For When Buying Weightlifting Shoes
Keeping in mind that weightlifting shoes usually aren’t cheap, you’re going to want to keep a few things in mind before you make your purchase. You don’t want to spend a bunch of money on shoes that aren’t going to do it for you.
Straps
You need to make sure that your weightlifting shoes have good straps. The straps are very important for keeping your feet in place and for providing optimal stability. Some weightlifting shoes even have front and rear straps for ultimate snugness.
Heels
Like we mentioned above, good weightlifting shoes have a slightly raised heel and that’s really important. Therefore if you buy weightlifting shoes, they better have a raised heel or else you aren’t getting your money’s worth. Another thing that needs to be mentioned is that the heels and the soles in general need to be very hard. Soft soles are not a good thing when it comes to weightlifting shoes.
Fit
The most important thing when it comes to any shoe is that it fits right. When buying weightlifting shoes you want to be sure that they aren’t too large. If they are too big your feet will slip around on the inside, something that is really bad for weightlifting, plus walking in shoes that are too big isn’t very fun either. Make sure that you can still wiggle your toes, but there should be no vertical or horizontal movement of your feet in the shoes.
Support
Your next pair of weightlifting shoes should have proper arch and heel support. Remember that you’re lifting a ton of extra weight so you really need good support to keep your feet in good health.
Weightlifting Shoes Reviews
Our Rating
These are some quality weightlifting shoes that are durable, comfortable, and built to keep your feet pain free.
Design
The design of these shoes is specific for weightlifting and thus they provide optimal arch and foot support. The chassis is engineered for weightlifting and is injected with lightweight polymers for maximal support. Stability and support are very important when lifting a ton of weight, things which these shoes definitely provide.
The Adidas Adipower has a heel overlay which provides stability, plus the adjustable hook and loop strap creates rearfoot integrity. In short, these shoes provide your feet with as much stability and support that they need to lift weights without putting your feet at risk. Moreover, the rubber sole reduces the impact that your feet take with each step.
Comfort is also very important when it comes to good weightlifting shoes, which is why these shoes have a comfortable textile interior lining. Plus they also have a PU-coated leather upper for increased comfort and Ventflow openings in the back for ventilation. The Adidas Adipower Shoes are durable, comfortable, and provide your feet with optimal support.
Value for the price
While these shoes aren’t cheap they do provide your feet with maximum stability and support. They do cost close to 200 dollars, but they are extremely durable, they regulate temperature well, and they have a bunch of features that keep your feet pain free and well supported.
Build quality
The build quality of these weightlifting shoes is absolutely phenomenal. Features such as the polymer infused chassis, the Ventflow openings, the adjustable hook and loop, and a PU-coated leather upper all contribute to a solid shoe. These things are built to last and moreover they’re made to keep your feet safe.
Pros
- Leather upper for support
- Soft textile lined interior
- Specially engineered weightlifting chassis
- Polymer infused for extra arch support
- Provide good grip and rearfoot integrity
- Ventflow openings for temperature control
- Velcro strap for increased stability
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Not ideal for women
Our Rating
These shoes are great for weightlifting because they have many features specially designed for lifting large loads. Not to mention that they come in at a fantastic price too.
Design
One of the best features of these shoes is that they have patented Meta-flex technology. That means that they are ultra-flexible and designed to move with your feet instead of against them. These shoes also have a flexible rubber sole and standard fit which means that they have a really versatile forefoot. The rubber sole is also great for absorbing impact, thus keeping your feet pain free.
The Inov-8 Weightlifting Shoes are fantastic at providing your feet with all of the necessary support and stability needed for power lifting. First of all, they have an innovative hook and loop closure system that secures your feet in place. They also have a specially molded insole that is designed to support your arches and heels, even when lifting the heaviest of weights.
These shoes also have Power-Truss heels with sticky rubber FastLift outsoles. All of those things contribute to increased weightlifting power, stability, and traction too. They also have a padded tongue and collar to keep you comfortable. Not to mention that the lightweight overlays make them even more comfortable than you could imagine.
Value for the price
These shoes have a ton of features that make them ideal for weightlifting, especially considering the fact that they only cost a little over 100 bucks. Power-Truss heels, FastLift outsoles, Standard Fit, a molded footbed, and ultimate flexibility all contribute to a fantastic shoe.
Build quality
These shoes are made of ultra-durable material and are built to stand up to the rigors of an intense weightlifting routine. The build quality of the Inov-8 Weightlifting Shoes is really great. They’re strong, comfortable, and provide as much support as you could possible need.
Pros
- Very flexible
- Provide support for your heels and arches
- Power-Truss heels
- Sticky rubber FastLift outsoles
- Specially molded footbed
- Meta-Flex technology
- Padded tongue and collar
- Very affordable
Cons
- Need to be broken in
Our Rating
These are some superior shoes that are perfect for weightlifting, both for training and competitions. They provide great support for your feet and are built to last for a very long time.
Design
These shoes are specially designed for weightlifting, with one of their best features being the elastics added to the top of the shoes. This elastic is made in order to let the shoes flex back and forth with the shoes, something that is very important for safe weightlifting.
Another great feature of the Nike Weightlifting Shoes is that they have an extra strong outsole that is engineered to stand up against the rigors of powerlifting. The heel of the sole is specially designed to stand up to heavy weight and is built to not wear away over time.
One of the best parts about these particular weightlifting shoes is that they have a contoured TPU heel wedge that cups the heels and supports the arches. This is an excellent addition that any good weightlifting shoe should have.
These shoes also have integrated lacing and 2 great hook and loop closures which help to provide stability and keep your feet locked firmly into place. They also come with 2 separate insoles, one which is stiff and ideal for competition and the other which is soft and great for training.
Value for the price
These weightlifting shoes have a great value for their price. They come in at around 280 dollars and have a ton of great features. These things are awesome for keeping your feet safe and supported while lifting weights, plus they are quite comfortable, and they look really great too.
Build quality
The build quality of these shoes is very impressive. They are made of high-quality materials that aren’t going to degrade after just a few weightlifting sessions. They also provide some great support and stability for your feet, plus they keep you firmly locked into place too. We also love the fact that they come with 2 separate insoles, each meant for specific purposes.
Pros
- They keep your heels and arches well supported
- Flexible upper flexes with your feet
- Hook and loop closures
- Extra-strong heels
- Integrated laces
- Very flexible
- Come with 2 insoles
Cons
- May need to size down
Our Rating
The Reebok Crossfit Lifter Plus 2.0 shoe is fantastic because it’s designed for weightlifting and will give your feet all of the protection that they need to stay comfortable.
Design
The design of these shoes features a flex grooved outsole made of rubber. It’s very strong and durable so it will be able to stand up to strenuous routines, plus it’s also very flexible and meant to move with your feet.
One of the best things about these shoes is that they are built with heat activated u-form technology. This means that the Reebok CrossFit Lifter Plus 2.0 Shoe doesn’t need to be broken in and it molds around the shape of your feet for ultimate comfort.
We also really like the fact that these weightlifting shoes have dual hook and loop closures that keep the shoes on your feet and your feet on the ground. These things also have an anti-friction lining to make things a lot more comfortable. Perhaps one of our favorite parts about these shoes is that they are mostly made of leather, a very durable material.
Value for the price
These shoes have an excellent value for their price and are definitely well worth it. All of the features including the hook and closure, the u-form technology, and the extra durable outer sole all provide for one fantastic weightlifting shoe.
Build quality
We really like the build quality of these shoes, especially because they are mostly made of leather. This makes them very durable and resilient even when going through an extreme workout routine. Everything about these shoes including the strap closures, flex groove outsoles, and u-form technology make the Reebok’s great buys.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Really flexible
- Dual hook and loop closures
- Made of full-grain leather
- U-form technology
- Anti-friction lining
Cons
- Could be slightly more supportive
Our Rating
These weightlifting shoes are pretty basic as far as the features go, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get the job done.
Design
First of all, the ASICS Trainers have a Dual-density DuoMax support system that provides for optimal foot support from top to bottom. These shoes also have a mid-sole support strap to keep your feet firmly in place so you won’t slip around while lifting weights. These shoes also let you retain your mobility while still providing great stability.
Something else that is great about these shoes is that they have a thick and durable sole that can withstand the pressure of power lifting. They’re not going to degrade and they provide for great traction too, not to mention that they don’t mark up the ground either.
The ASICS Lift Trainers are also designed with comfort in mind. The rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning systems are great for keeping your feet comfortable and they minimize impact as well. They also have a synthetic mesh upper which is fantastic for giving your feet some ventilation.
Value for the price
The value for the price of these shoes is great because they are comfortable, durable, and provide stability for your feet. These shoes aren’t cheap, but they certainly do the job when it comes to weightlifting. Not to mention that they are cross trainers. That means that they are ideal for more than just weightlifting and can be used for other exercises too.
Build quality
The build quality of the ASICS Lift Trainers is fantastic and they are sure to last for a very long time. They are made out of durable materials, they are flexible and comfortable, plus they will surely keep your feet pain free for the duration of your workout routine.
Pros
- DuoMax support system
- GEL cushioning systems in the front and rear
- Super durable outsole
- Has a mid-foot support strap for increased stability
- Have great traction
- Temperature regulation
Cons
- May require some breaking in
Conclusion
When it comes to weightlifting shoes, you definitely don’t want to cheap out. Yes, they may be fairly expensive in general, but you don’t want to end up with an injury because you neglected to get a pair. The best weightlifting shoes need to be supportive, stable, and comfortable too, all features which our top 5 shoe recommendations have.
Any of the above options make for great choices and even if you don’t like any of our shoe choices, always keep in mind the things you should look out for before buying them. You will spend a fair amount of money on them so you don’t want to rush into a choice. Get the weightlifting shoes that are right for you!
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