Best Weightlifting Shoes

One of the more important decisions a lifter can make is what type of shoes they choose to lift in. Weightlifting shoes or lifting shoes, or lifters, are becoming increasingly more popular among all strength sports for their abilities to support an athlete’s performance.

A weightlifting is a form of physical activity that involves hoisting a barbell at a certain height while maintaining a proper form. The goal of this activity is to develop musculature and improve a person’s overall fitness. For most people, weight training gets done wearing whatever footwear is at their disposal, be it their regular Running shoes or Gym footgear and sometimes even their casual sneakers. For the most part, these pairs would suffice for those who are still on the fence about the activity or train with very light weights. However, if you are lifting moderate to heavy weights regularly, there are several solid reasons for considering special weightlifting footwear.

What is special about weightlifting shoes?

Weightlifting shoes allow you to safely lift heavier loads, which leads to an increase in hypertrophy. The elevated heel on the shoe may look kind of funny, but it has a valuable purpose. The heel, anywhere from half an inch to an inch or more, allows you to use every aspect of your musculature more efficiently.

Reasons to buy weightlifting shoes.

• Reliable base

Each weightlifting shoe sports a considerably wider platform compared to other training shoes. It provides a surefooted experience during lifts as it keeps the foot planted on the floor even when wobbling occurs.

• Elevated heel

Another distinctive feature of weightlifting shoes is their noticeably raised heel, which ranges from 0.6 inches (15 mm) to 1 inch (25 mm), depending on the model. This elevation aims to reduce the tension placed on the Achilles tendon during squats.

• Durable and protective materials

Due to the tremendous force exerted during weightlifting, a weightlifting shoe needs to be durable so that it won’t break down or compress in the middle of a workout.

• Secure foothold

Most lifters’ upper unit is typically made of leather, PU-coated leather, faux leather, or rugged woven fabric to create a snug fit. These sturdy materials do not allow the foot to slide inside the shoe.

Best Weightlifting Shoes 2021

Having that knowledge let’s now dive into 5 Olympic Weightlifting Shoes

The raised heel will help you while performing cleans or clean and jerks. They are also great for front squats. The Adipower shoes have great stability; the upper is also covered in PU to increase comfort and support. They are improving stability further.

Additionally, they are a very comfortable pair of shoes, with a narrow fit. This is ideal for weightlifting, where an ill-fitting pair of shoes can seriously hamper progress. But this may take a while to get used to for new lifters.

Features

• Breathable woven upper offers a sock-like fit
• Flexible forefoot allows for natural movement
• Lace closure with hook-and-loop strap
• Non-compressive TPU midsole offers extra support under heavy lifts
• Padded rearfoot
• Rubber outsole provides grip during movements

Sometimes, you need to ignore your first impressions of a shoe because the Reebok Men’s Legacy Lifter Sneakers are immense. But our first reaction? Damn, those are some ugly shoes! They are also quite expensive.

There are two straps on this shoe, rather than one. The second is to secure the midsole. What’s great about this is that it offers you the option of more stability, but you don’t have to use it. You can keep it loose.

The shape of the shoes has a design that makes them anatomically accurate. This explains why the shoes look awful but feel amazing. Reebok cares only about making you lift better. The Flexcage technology in the upper is a great way to provide support without weighing down the shoes.

Features

• Perfect your squat technique and power through your next gym sesh in the Reebok™ Legacy Lifter cross-training shoe.
• Perforated, supportive synthetic, and durable textile upper materials.
• Anatomical shape for an improved fit.
• Amazing shoes for lifting

A great feature of these shoes is how tightly they fit, so make sure you get the right size! Once you’ve found the right size for you, you’ll never have to worry about the shoes slipping during a heavy lift. The hook and loop strap helps tighten the shoe over the top of your foot and increase stability.
The rubber sole is nice and thick, with a flat design ideal for Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting. The upper is from canvas, making it nice and breathable, always appreciated in a cramped and humid gym environment.

The Adidas Performance Women’s Powerlift 4 Cross-Trainer is a top-quality shoe. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced shoe that will help you achieve maximum results in the gym, you should consider this one from Adidas.

Features

• Strong canvas upper: Offers stability and a robust surface for durability without losing comfort and performance
• Reinforced heel zone: Improves stability and safety during intensive weightlifting
• High-density die-cut midsole wedge: Provides greater stability and a flexible forefoot for freedom of movement
• Shaft measures approximately 0-6″ from arch
• Platform measures approximately 0-3 inches
• Boot opening measures approximately 10″ around
• Lace closure with hook and loop strap
• Strong canvas upper
• Anti-slip rubber outsole

The Reebok Legacy Lifters got constructed and designed with pure Olympic weightlifting in mind, making these shoes Reebok’s first true weightlifting shoe in some time.
The Reebok Legacy Lifters have two-foot straps for maximal lateral support. The first strap goes across the midfoot, while the second is over the balls of the feet while still allowing for maximal toe-off during the Olympic lifts. The added strap can help when planting the mid-foot into the floor while slightly opening the hips (knees out and over toes), resulting in some sliding-in single strap shoes.

Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing Best Cross Training Shoes for Flat Feet

This section will go over what you should be looking for when you buy a pair of Olympic weightlifting shoes. Hopefully, this section will help you make the right decision.

Heel height

Most cross-training shoes have a minimal heel height to provide a close-to-the-ground experience for weightlifting. It is a different story with weightlifting shoes. They have an unusually elevated heel to enhance the wearer’s ability to maintain proper lifting form throughout a squat. The high heel allows the wearer to have a full range of ankle mobility that promotes an improved knee flexion, resulting in a deeper squat.

Fit

When it comes to the fit of weightlifting shoes, a snug yet secure wrap is a plus. Look for an agreeable fit to lock down your foot and prevent it from shifting inside the foot chamber. Therefore, a well-fitting shoe should be tight but not too tight to cause discomfort.

Stability

When wearing the shoe, you want to feel tightness around the midsole. Ideally, when the strap is on, you should also feel stability running laterally along with the shoe. Having tightness across the front and lateral edge of the shoe will give you the ideal amount of stability to lift heavy.

Final Thoughts

Getting a pair of the best weightlifting shoes can make a huge difference in your most intense lifting sessions. Normal gym shoes or trainers are just not going to cut it compared to shoes engineered and designed specifically for weightlifting.