If you have been in the weightlifting world for some time, you must have learned that weightlifting shoes make a big difference in specific workouts. If you have used both weightlifting and non-weightlifting shoes in the past, you know exactly how they can affect your performance.
People show up in the gym with any kind of shoes. Beginners are completely lost and have no idea that weightlifting shoes exist in first place. Some of the experienced weightlifters claim that your efforts matter more than your shoes. That is true, but it is also true that shoes add to your effort.
If you are wiser than them and know that you need weightlifting shoes to up your training in the gym, then it pays to buy the best pair you can find. When you search for the right pair of weightlifting shoes, you should look for stability and durability. They need to serve you for many years.
A strong rubber sole is a must. There is nothing more important in a weightlifting shoe than a sole that supports your feet well while trying to hit the new PR. Correct form is everything, and the right shoes with the right sole will support you to reach and smash your training goals.
Weightlifting has been on the rise in recent years and it has attracted the attention of many established shoemakers who now cater to both professional and amateur users. There is plenty of choice on the market, so we narrowed it to the best 12 weightlifting shoes out there. Check them out and choose what suits you best.
Reebok Man Lifter PR Cross Trainer Weightlifting Shoes
Reebok has recognized the rise of weightlifting and CrossFit early, so they’ve had a lot of time to listen to weightlifters’ needs and demands as they continue to perfect their line of weightlifting shoes. The Reebok Man Lifter PR Cross Trainer Weightlifting Shoes are among the best, if not the absolute best weightlifting shoes on the market.
They provide a solid ground for making every heavy lifting move as stable as you can imagine. They will help you reach your PRs by keeping your feet stable on the hard rubber sole and flex-grooved outsole.
The whole shoe is made of leather. That guarantees durability for many years. The Reebok Man Lifter PR Cross Trainer Weightlifting Shoes also feature a heat-activated u-form technology, which helps the shoe mold into the shape of your foot without you needing to adjust anything.
These weightlifting shoes have been proven in gyms and competitions all around the world, so you can’t go wrong with them. Choose one of the several available colors and hit those weights a little harder next time!
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Nike Romaleos Weightlifting Shoes
Just like Reebok, Nike has been around for a while with their Romaleos line of weightlifting shoes. They are among the most popular shoes among weightlifters around the globe for a reason. Their quality has been tested by thousands of lifters, and they confirm that Nike Romaleos 3 Weightlifting Shoes are one of the best choices out there.
These Nike shoes can lock your feet in and keep them stable without putting any additional pressure on your joints and knees. The rubber soles are hard enough to endure as much weight as you can. With these, the risk of injuries is minimal, not to mention that you’ll be able to smash your PRs.
The Nike Romaleos 3 Weightlifting Shoes are pricier than other option, but they live up to the price. There are not many other weightlifting shoes that can deliver more than these can. With the several color options, you have no excuses for avoiding them.
Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Men’s Weightlifting Shoes
If you don’t want to spend too much money on your next pair of weightlifting shoes, but you still want to get high-quality, check out the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Men’s Weightlifting Shoes. You can find them for half the price of the Nike Romaleos, yet they will satisfy all your weightlifting needs.
Aside from the absolutely necessary hard sole, the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Men’s Weightlifting Shoes feature an open forefoot structure and a flexible toe for improved comfort and breathability. Breathability is also improved by the air-mesh tongue, lining, and collar. The upper is made of synthetic leather and is made to support your ankles when lifting. The faux leather also ensures the durability of the shoes. Also, the midsole of the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Men’s Weightlifting Shoes is removable in case you want to test out if that option fits you better.
For a shoe in this price range, these Adidas’ deliver a lot. Make sure to check them out before buying anything else.
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Innov-8 Fastlift 335 Weightlifting Shoes
The Innov-8 brand came to prominence with the rise of weightlifting and CrossFit. The new wave of amateur athletes quickly recognized the quality of Innov-8, and if you are one of those athletes or aspire to become one, you should at least check out the Innov-8 Fastlift 335 Weightlifting Shoes.
They will provide you with stability, comfort, and flexibility. They allow only minimal movement of your foot inside the shoe, which is exactly what you need when lifting heavyweights. You can count on the Innov-8 meta-flex system for support, the padded tongue and collar, and the closure strap that adds to the lace-up closure for added stability and comfort.
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Adidas Adipower Men’s Weightlifting Shoes
Many weightlifters considered the Adidas Adipower Men’s Weightlifting Shoes among the best on the market today. They claim these shoes will never let you down, no matter the weight. They are going to keep your feet fixed on the ground without passing the pressure on to your ankles and knees. As long as you have the proper lifting form, they will help you keep it.
What more could you ask for from a weightlifting shoe? It has a fully adjustable hook and loop instep strap, a PU-coated leather upper for comfort, and an anti-slip rubber outsole.
They are nice-looking and come in several different colors and designs to choose from. All of them feature the famous Adidas three-strap sign.
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Nordic Lifting Weightlifting Shoes
The Nordic Lifting Weightlifting Shoes were made with only one purpose – to help you lift as much as your body allows. These all-black sneakers will remove all your stability issues that come from your current shoes as well as your excuses to make your new PRs as soon as possible. The stability they provide will help you keep the perfect posture while lifting.
These are not so good for CrossFit and other functional training moves, though. They were made strictly for weightlifting, powerlifting, and bodybuilding. If that’s all you do in the gym, make sure you check them out. The quality is not in question. The manufacturer of these weightlifting shoes offers you a one-year guarantee to assure you that you invest in high-quality that endures years of weightlifting stress.
Innov-8 Fastlift 325 Weightlifting Shoes
This second Innov-8 entry on this list claims to be the lightest shoe on the weightlifting shoe market. They weigh only one pound, but that doesn’t compromise the stability, grip, and control it provides.
The Innov-8 Fastlift 325 Weightlifting Shoes are very popular among crossfitters due to the meta-flex technology that enables a quick transition from weightlifting to functional training moves. Nevertheless, if you are into weightlifting only, you can count on the stability features of these Innov-8s.
Moreover, these gym shoes are quite affordable. If you are about to buy your first-ever pair of weightlifting shoes but need shoes for functional training as well, the Fastlift 325s may be perfect for you.
Adidas Performance Drehkraft Weightlifting Shoes
The Adidas Performance Drehkraft Weightlifting Shoes are for athletes who are serious in their weightlifting training. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to reap the benefits they offer, but you can be sure that if you were one, your needs would have been met by these shoes.
They feature a sturdy rubber sole to support you while lifting weights. The synthetic upper was made to endure not only the stress of weights, but the test of time as well. Adidas created these sneakers to last for at least a few years of weightlifting. On the sides, you’ll note the heavy perforations and TPU for better breathability and durability.
As with any other weightlifting shoe, you can choose from a variety of colors to fit your style. Make sure that you choose the best color for you because once you buy them, you won’t need any others for a while.
Reebok Crossfit Men’s R Lifter Weightlifting Shoes
Reebok definitely knows weightlifters and how to provide them with the perfect shoes for their needs. They provide for situations where stability and form are of the utmost importance. The heel clips of the Crossfit Men’s R Lifters hold your foot stable under the immense stress of the weights while the heat-activated strap helps the shoe mold to the shape of your foot. Add the comfortable anti-friction lining with the flex-groove outsole, and you get one of the best weightlifting shoes that you can find.
The Reebok Crossfit Men’s R Lifter Weightlifting Shoes were created as an upgrade to the original Reebok Lifter Plus weightlifting shoes, and we assure you that they are an improvement indeed. And in this price range, you can’t ask for more.
Nobull Men’s Weightlifting Shoes
If you want a pair of shoes to support you in all your sports activities, look no further than the Nobull Men’s Weightlifting Shoes. You can use them for functional training, climbing, running, and of course, weightlifting, among other sports.
These shoes have been designed for those who don’t want to buy a separate pair of shoes for each and every activity they are into but in one that has them covered for all. That’s exactly what these Nobull shoes do.
When it comes to weightlifters, you can count on the strong and durable soles, the one-piece upper side made of SuperFabric, and the 360-degree shield.
The Nobull Men’s Weightlifting Shoes also come in many different colors, creating lots of variety of their cool design for you to choose from. They are more expensive than other shoes on this list, but keep in mind that by buying them, you’re getting yourself a pair of shoes you can use for many other sports activities as well. They are many different pairs of shoes packed into one design.
Adidas Power Perfect II Weightlifting Shoes
The greatest asset of the Adidas Power Perfect II Weightlifting Shoes is the ADIWEAR outsole. You can wear it every day, put it under stress with the heaviest weight you can lift, and yet it is going to endure all of that and last longer than you should reasonably expect from a weightlifting shoe.
It provides an integral rear-foot heel support for increased stability. The upper is made of synthetic materials for better durability. The Power Perfect IIs also come in several different colors to choose from.
On top of that, they have been recommended by weightlifting expert Brooks Kubik. In fact, several experts in the field have tested them out, and they stood the test every time. That’s why we recommend them to you as well.
Otomix Stingray Escape Weightlifting Shoes
The Otomix Stingray Escape Weightlifting Shoes are not your typical weightlifting shoes. In fact, they are not weightlifting shoes at all. They were initially made for martial arts athletes, but they also took off well in the weightlifting world due to their features.
The high ankle won’t help you for using them in weightlifting combined with functional training moves, but if all you do is weightlifting, they are among the best for you. The sole is made of rubber and is very thin. It was made for wrestlers, boxers, and MMA fighters, but the grip it provides is good enough for weightlifting as well. Due to their initial purpose, they are lightweight as well.
The upper side is a combination of canvas with suede leather. Too bad it comes only in black as its design would have made for very stylish shoes in a spectrum of colors.