Each sport requires its own type of shoe. Soccer requires tough shoes with cleats, and basketball requires high-top shoes with ankle support and high traction. Similarly, weightlifting requires shoes that employ a variety of sport-specific components, such as an elevated heel, a high boot, and a wider toe box. Additionally, the best weightlifting shoes also employ shoe straps.
FEATURES THAT MAKE THE BEST WEIGHTLIFTING SHOES
HEEL
Shoes with an elevated heel offer weightlifters greater mobility during a squat because the little, extra height props you forward–just a bit. With your back tilted slightly forward, you will have a little more leverage and range of motion with your upper body. Additionally, you will find balancing your lower body easier.
Shoes with a stiff heel provide greater ankle support. The last thing you want is your ankle to bend inward as you attempt to lift double or triple your weight.
BOOT
The boot of a shoe is the very rear lip that rises up and over the back of your heel. A high, stiff boot will prevent your foot from slipping. Additionally, it will keep the shoe from slipping around or over the heel of your foot.
TOE BOX
The toe box is the front of the shoe that contains your toes. A tight toe box prohibits or attempts to prevent toe splay, and shoes with wide toe boxes are particularly beneficial if you have a wide foot.
STRAPS
Unlike regular shoes that use only laces, weightlifting shoes add Velcro straps. They help secure the shoe beyond the capabilities of laces alone. Additionally, they remove the danger of dangling laces. When you purchase weightlifting shoes, you want to make sure that the strap completely wraps across the top of your foot. The result is a supportive yet comfortable fit.
TRACTION
In terms of traction, your weightlifting shoe should grab the floor. Certain types of soles can feel slick on some types of surfaces. You want to find one with traction that is not smooth. As weightlifting shoes are something of a specialty purchase, you will likely be purchasing them in a sporting goods store or a fitness store that sells apparel. Consequently, you want to walk around the store in the shoes prior to purchase, and you want to also test how they fare on a gym mat.
1. NORDIC LIFTING POWERLIFTING SHOES FOR HEAVY WEIGHTLIFTING
Features
The Nordic power-lifting shoes offer a 1.4-inch raised heel designed to provide you a more stable posture and better stability. The traction has the texture of an orange peel and grips as solid as a silicone oven mitt, making it very difficult to slip in these shoes.
The Velcro strip is angled, allowing you to line up the strap to the clasp for a tight yet comfortable fit. Additionally, the stitching is designed to handle the wear and tear created by the ongoing lifting of heavy weights.
Finally, for the best possible fit, Nordic advises you to measure your feet and size your shoes accordingly. This allows you to select the most accurately sized shoe for your feet.
Extras
Because weightlifting shoes should not be subjected to the same types of changing humidity and dryness that occurs in any environment, you will also receive a special box for storing the shoes. The box has a lid that lifts at an angle and closes securely over a lip, ensuring your shoes remain dry and in optimal shape. Of course, the box also helps make these shoes a perfect gift.
Pros
- raised heel
- non-slip sole
- one-year warranty
- precise fit chart
Cons
- shallow sole texture might wear prematurely
2. ADIDAS MEN’S POWERLIFT 4
Features
The Men’s Powerlift 4 shoes offer a canvas frame with a rubber sole. The sole is inlaid with a hexagonal texture that provides a deeper tread than similar shoes.
Extras
The Velcro strap is designed to be pulled completely across your the top of your foot. This type of strap is best used if you have narrow feet as the strap can be pulled tight without extending beyond the Velcro base.
Pros
- tight Velcro strap
- canvas outer shell
- tough stitching
Cons
- might be too tight for wider feet
3. REEBOK MEN’S LIFTER PR CROSS-TRAINER SHOE
Features
The Reebok Men’s Lifter is designed to provide solid, dynamic support. For instance, in terms of support, the synthetic upper portion of the shoe will hold its shape much better than some canvas or organic materials. Additionally, the metal loops provide firm support for the lacing, and the strap is lower on the top of your foot, helping to ensure your foot does not slip or move within the shoe.
Extras
In terms of dynamic support, this shoe supports on-the-fly. For instance, it has a heat-activated technology that helps the shoe form to your foot. This takes place after your foot has been in the shoe for a bit. Once your shoes have formed to your feet, you can then secure the laces and secure strap for a solid, glove-like experience.
Regarding the sole, it offers a cross-hatched traction. Like tread on a car, the soles maintain their grip for months–even with extensive use.
Pros
- heat-activated support
- deep tread
Cons
Upon first use, depending on how your feet fit in the shoe, you might have to figure out how the heat-activated technology works in conjunction with the straps. Doing so will provide the best fit. This is not actually a con. Instead, it might be better thought of as a requirement for a specialty shoe.
4. INOV-8 MEN’S FASTLIFT 335 WEIGHT-LIFTING SHOE
Features
The Inov-8 men’s weightlifting shoe offers an attractive, charcoal-gray-and-orange color scheme that involves the entire upper half of the shoe interwoven with tough, mesh stitching. The strap fits over the cuneiform for a solid, tight fit.
The sole is rubber, and the tread is a faux-woven texture interspersed with divots and one long cross-beam across the ball of your foot.
Extras
The construction is 100-percent synthetic, and the heel is slightly raised, supported by a power-truss system that offers both spring and support.
Pros
- 100-percent synthetic
- power-truss support
- cuneiform strap for extra support
Cons
- A small percentage of users report odd size variations between pairs of shoes.
5. ADIDAS MEN’S ADIPOWER WEIGHTLIFT SHOES
Features
The Adipower Weightlift Shoes by Adidas look almost like a typical pair of running shoes–with a very flat sole. This flat sole has traditional, grooved traction, and it also employs anti-slip rubber. The heel offers a 20.1mm lift, providing better forward-thrusting balance for deadlifts and powerlifts.
Extras
The strap wraps around the upper cuneiform area, nearly completely covering the lace tops. This type of design ensures superior support while also protecting against loose lace tips. The construction is of leather, so it will provide years of durability.
For greater rear-foot stability, these shoes offer a hook-and-loop instep that helps secure your footing.
Pros
- anti-slip sole
- inclined heel
Cons
- leather might stretch over time with repeated use
Best Weightlifting Shoes 