Weightlifting is becoming more popular with each year that passes. If you start taking weightlifting seriously, one of the most critical factors you would need to consider is finding the best weightlifting shoes.
Weight lifting shoes have been increasing in popularity over the last few years, mainly due to the rise of sports like Crossfit and general fitness.
As more and more specialist gyms are popping up, allowing you to use Olympic weights, the need for powerlifting shoes has also increased.
There are many different kinds of lifts that require slight differences between many of the weightlifting shoes which will go over in detail within this blog post.
Best Weightlifting Shoes in 2021
Adidas Adipower Weightlifting 2
The first Adidas Adipower weightlifting shoe was a firm favourite with a lot of weightlifters for several years. So as you can expect when the rumours start circulating we were getting 2nd model, a lot of people celebrated.
There are lots of changes compared to the previous version. So let’s take a look these weights shoes.
One aspect to the shoe which I like is the flexible sole around the forefoot area.
Having this flexibility unlocks a lot of different training sessions, which you would ordinarily be limited with.
It’s the perfect shoe for someone looking to undertake squats and functional workouts.
The heel height is 79″ / 20.1mm which is the same height as the previous model. So if you’re looking to upgrade, and keeping a consistent heel height is something you look for, then you won’t have any problems here.
The upper is made from a textile woven material which is very similar to the Powerlift 4, which I also feature in this article.
From what I can tell, the only real difference I can see between the two, Is a slightly more rigid durable construction is used on the Addipower 2.
The increased flexibility and range that the Adipower 2 offers make it a lot more accommodating for performing a multitude of different exercises.
It performs very well all-round, So for the right person, it can be excellent value for money, As it means you will not need to purchase multiple types of shoes depending on the exercise, you’re about to perform.
I do you think dedicated Olympic weightlifters might prefer a shoe which offers slightly more stability. But the range of motion you get is one of the best in the business.
There are a lot of changes compared to the previous version, so if you’re expecting a direct upgrade, you may wish to check out the exact changes first.
Overall its a great lifting shoe which is why it comes in top of my best weightlifting shoes list.
Reebok Legacy lifter Cross Trainer
With the rise of Crossfit, rebook has found a massive resurgence over the last 5-6 years.
Reebok was one of the first sporting manufacturers to make footwear specifically for CrossFit, which has enabled them to become the face of the sport.
With an extension from that, rebook has capitalised on the success and move swiftly into the weightlifting arena.
I found this shoe to be very accommodating for both power and Olympic lifters.
Very rarely do we find a shoe which has been designed with the powerlifter in mind.
So if you’re a weightlifter but would like a pair of shoes which would also perform very well for powerlifting, Then I don’t think you’re going to find a better shoe that fits both.
Another fantastic combination these shoes have married together is excellent stability, with flexibility.
You can count on a rigid structure to allow you to execute maximum force into the floor. But the same time you’re not going to feel like you’re walking around in big Metal boots.
One of the only negative things I can mention about these weightlifting shoes is the weight.
They are heavier than pretty much all of the other shoes for weightlifting, which isn’t a big deal when you’re going to be performing mostly stationary movements.
But you’re not going to want to be walking around in them for long periods.
Inov-8 FastLift 400
Inov-8 Haven’t been in the game for a long time, But they’ve impressed With the short amount of time they have been here for. Next on my list is the Inov-8 Fastlift 400 Which really did take me by surprise.
There is plenty to shout about with the shoe, And that’s mainly because Inov-8, have managed to nail many of the critical components to which I would consider you would need to be the best weightlifting shoe.
So let’s go over what those key components are.
Having foot stability and rigidness, with the ability to perform other types of crosstraining and multi-functional exercises. With no problems or the feeling of being uncomfortable.
You can also find the BOA lacing System which Provides a precise, secure fit with swift adjustment when needed.
The raised heel utilises a high-density TPU PowerTruss heel, Which we find in many other lifting shoes like the AdiPowers and Nike Romaleos 3.
TPU is one of the most commonly used constructions in current lifting shoes.
There is a reason for this as the heel is durable and dense, So there’s no need to worry of any compression while lifting heavy loads.
Adidas Men’s Powerlift 4
It doesn’t take long to realise the heritage Adidas has with Olympic weightlifting. The reason I say this is because the number of shoes on the market Adidas have for this particular sport In comparison to another major manufacturer like Nike.
The Adidas power lift 4 Is specifically designed for weightlifting, Thanks to the die-cut midsole. It’s developed to aid with heavy lifting.
Upper canvas other offers a very lightweight material which is also durable. The lease inclosure plus the Velcro strap gives a locked-in feeling. Easy adjustment gives you the support you require and flexibility You would need to accomplish the various weightlifting lifts.
The heel height is 0.6 inches. This is worth noting as a lot of the other Paddy Power shoes are around 0.75 inches. So if you’re coming from that particular pair of shoes, then they will feel slightly different.
Walking around in the shoes are comfortable for long periods. And they will allow you to perform box jumps and other plyometrics if you so wish to include these into your training regime.
Being slightly cheaper than a lot of the other models of lifting shoes. Many of you may be Slightly sceptical of the quality, But I was pleasantly surprised that the materials Adidas have used with this model and the performance it gives you.
Adidas Crazy Power Rk
The Adidas crazy power shoes Are certainly adapted more for multi-functional indoor sports.
The rubber outsole of the shoe is tough and flat, allowing you to push the maximum amount of power through the floor when lifting.
But it’s also flexible enough to use for many other indoor sports as well. Cross fit is one of the sports that come to mind that these shoes will be perfect for.
The outer is made from a fabric type material, Feels very premium and offers excellent support around the entire foot. Like most of the weightlifting shoes these days, you have a lace closure with a Velcro strap across the top of the foot.
Adidas are perfect when it comes to sizing, As I’ve always purchased the same size, I would typically get any other shoe, and they fit perfectly.
One downside to these shoes could be the amount of time it takes to put them on. The way they fit around the ankle, it will take you a lot longer to put them on and buckle them up.
I personally think they look fantastic and the colour choice is also spot-on. If you want to turn heads in the gym, Then I certainly think you should get the Adidas crazy power Rk.
Cheap Weightlifting shoes
The term cheap weightlifting shoes aren’t used too often. It’s only because most Olympic weightlifting shoes are around £100. For many people, this price point is pretty expensive.
As the years have gone by, the price is slowly come down, and the quality has risen to the point where you can pick up very good weightlifting shoes for around £40-£50. So Below I have listed What I would call the cheap weightlifting shoes.
Weightlifting shoes for narrow feet
I have very narrow feet, and finding weightlifting shoes that comfortably fit can be challenging. This is often because they are quite a wide toe box due to the type of rubber outsole which is used on these types of shoes.
But there are plenty out there if you know where to look. So to save you a lot of time from searching the web. I listed all of the weightlifting shoes for narrow feet below.
Best weightlifting shoes for women
Women’s weightlifting shoes were one area that was utterly decimated only a few years ago. There just wasn’t anything available for any women wanting to find shoes specifically for lifting weights.
That has all changed over the last few years, as there has been a considerable influx of weightlifting shoes specifically made for women.
A lot of companies noticed just how popular Olympic lifting has become within women’s sports. And have rightfully acted on this allowing women to purchased top-quality products giving them the support and capability of safely lifting heavyweights.
Let’s take a look at the available weightlifting shoes for women.
FAQ
If you’re wondering if weightlifting shoes are worth it? The short answer to that is yes.
Weightlifting shoes have been built explicitly for increasing the lifters range for moments in the clean and jerk, nordic lifting and deadlifts, to name a few. Also, improve overall balance and lateral support and most importantly allowing the lifter to get great feedback from the floor. Which we know is very important when you’re moving around heavy objects.
Shoes do matter when it comes to lifting weights, as the best weightlifting shoes give you a stable base for performing exercises for squat, clean and jerk, deadlifting and more.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a whole host of different shoes which all target slightly different areas so finding the best weightlifting shoes can be a difficult task.
The key here is to figure out precisely what you’re going to be using them for. Is it just specifically Olympic weightlifting? In that case, you will be looking for something like the Adidas Adipower Weightlifting 2 or the Powerlift 4.
Where is if you’re going to be using them for multisport purposes. So a little bit of weight lifting, Rowing As well as other indoor activities. Then the Adidas Crazy Power Rk is the one I’d choose.
If you’re looking to improve your performance in track and field, Olympic lifting goes hand-in-hand with power-based events like 100m 200m 400m. Not forgetting even a lot of middle-distance athletes also use weights to improve performance.
The prices do vary quite a lot, bear in mind although some of the expensive ones may seem a lot of money. Even if you’re using them three or four times a week, they will last years. Making them still excellent value for mone
