
Anyone who lifts weights regularly knows just how important a good pair of shoes can be. Shoes provide the base that keeps the weightlifter stable and helps them prevent some of the movement-related injuries often associated with deadlifts, lunges or other types of strenuous exercises. That’s why we’ve decided to hunt down the ten best weightlifting shoes, so consumers can find a pair that fits their needs and helps them push their workout routines to the limits. Any of the following shoes will help weightlifters get more out of their workout routines, and also help keep them safe and stable in the gym.
Best Weightlifting Shoes – Reviews
9Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape
When some people think of weightlifting shoes they often think of Otomix, which isn’t surprising considering that they’ve been making weightlifting shoes since the 1980s. And these shoes are a prime example of how well they’ve perfected their craft over the past 32-years. These shoes are made with the highest quality materials and are stitched to hold up to just about any abuse. That makes them a great pair of shoes not only for weightlifters but also for wrestlers, MMA fighters, and boxers as well. These are shoes designed for anyone who needs to maintain a competitive advantage no matter what physical activity they have to do.
8Adidas Men’s Powerlift 3.1
It doesn’t matter if an athlete needs a pair of shoes they can deadlift in, or they’re looking for a pair of shoes for everyday weight lifting because this pair of shoes is capable of handling both tasks with ease. They have a lightweight synthetic leather upper that’s designed to provide great ankle support, and they’re also designed to hold up to heavy-duty workouts. Another feature found on these shoes is their air mesh collars that help air to circulate freely, so the wearer’s feet don’t overheat and become sweaty. And since these shoes are available in an assortment of bright colors, there’s a pair that fits just about any weightlifter’s style.
7Nordic Lifting Powerlifting Shoes
Weightlifters often need a pair of shoes that helps them improve their lifting posture, especially when they end up doing a lot of deadlifts or squats. Fortunately, these shoes are designed to handle lifting and have a raised heel that keeps the weightlifter upright as they press through their workout. This not only improves their stability but also allows them to lift more weight at a time. These shoes also are well-stitched, have a velcro strap and heavy-duty lacing, so they can endure just about any workout routine and come out unscathed on the other side.
6Adidas Men’s AdiPower Weightlifting Shoes
These shoes are made with leather uppers, have a rubber sole and a TPU midsole that allows weightlifters to get a good foothold during their workouts. These shoes are available in sizes up to a men’s US 16 and are available in one of three colors: black, black with scarlet or white with black. These shoes are designed with a heel overlay that provides increased stability, an anti-slip rubber outsole for increased traction and a mesh tongue with collar for comfort. They also have a strap that goes over the laces that allows the shoes to fit snugly for intense workout regimens.
5Reebok Men’s Crossfit Nano 8
Anyone who has examined these Crossfit shoes knows what they’re capable of doing. They have features that allow them to give the wearer the comfort and stability they need for just about any workout. Some of these features include a wide toe box that allows for the wearer’s proper movement without boxing in the toes, a flex weave upper that’s durable and flexible, and drop outsole that provides stability. And since these shoes come in an assortment of different colors, there’s a pair of shoes for just about any style. These are definitely some of the better weightlifting shoes currently available.
4Otomix Men’s Warrior Bodybuilding Shoes
Designed for bodybuilders, weightlifters, boxers and MMA fighters, these shoes can hold up to just about anything that’s thrown at them. They come in a variety of different colors that include camo, yellow, red/white/blue, red and white and have a patent-pending design that gives the wearer the foot support they need. These shoes are extremely good for workouts and have been produced by Otomix since the 1980s. Now anyone who needs a performance shoe that will enable them to take their workouts to the next level can achieve that performance simply by slipping these shoes on their feet.
3Innov-8 Men’s Fastlift 335
It doesn’t matter if the athlete needs a pair of shoes for weightlifting or they need them for a Crossfit routine because this pair of shoes is capable of performing for both types of workouts. That’s because they’re made with a rubber sole that holds onto the floor and gives the wearer the stability they need, and it also has the forefront flexibility needed by weightlifters who need to do power lunges or deadlifts. These shoes also have a lace-up and adjustable hook system with an instep strap to provide the secure and snug fit that athletes need from their shoes.
2Reebok Crossfit Lifter 2.0
Reebok has been making quality shoes for athletes all over the world since the end of the 19th century, so they may know a thing or two about designing Crossfit shoes. Anyone who doubts that assertion can check out their Crossfit Lifter 2.0 shoes. These shoes were specifically designed not only for athletes who need to perform Crossfit routines but also for powerlifters who need to get a little bit of an edge in the gym. They’re made with a rubber sole that provides excellent traction, and they have a dual lace-up and loop closure system that makes them very snug on the feet.
1Innov-8 Women’s Cross Trainers

These shoes are designed for athletic women who want to get the most out of their workouts. They’re not only designed to be extremely comfortable, but they also help provide the lateral support a person needs when they’re working out in the gym. These shoes were specifically designed for strength training, high impact exercise routines and to give the wearer speed while they’re running, too. That makes these shoes cross-training shoes that can be used for any exercise routine, regardless of what that routine involves. And since these have a firm heel platform, the wearer also has a better sense of balance then they do with comparable workout shoes.
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A Guide To Weightlifting Shoes
This history of weightlifting shoes has been spotty over the last 90+ years. After the sport was formally established in 1929 when the International Weightlifting Federation set official guidelines for a strongman competition. Unfortunately, during this time, shoe companies were slow to come up with shoes that weightlifters could use for these competitions. In fact, most competitors just used ordinary shoes to wear while they were competing. This meant that some competitor’s work boots and others wore sneakers.
Fortunately, things have improved quite a bit over the past few years. In the early 1970s, Adidas began to release shoes that really revolutionized weightlifting footwear. Their shoes improved ankle mobility and gave lifters a wider toe box. Over the last 49 years, shoe companies have continued to refine their products and now there’s a wide selection of weight lifting shoes available to buy.
The sheer number of weightlifting shoes available can be overwhelming to people who are looking for the best weightlifting shoes available. To solve that problem, we went ahead and wrote this guide. A guide that will help consumers buy a great pair of shoes for lifting weights. Hopefully, this guide will serve as a touchstone that will help our readers buy the best shoes for weightlifting available, so they can continue to push their limits.
Step One: Start With The Heel
The first thing that consumers are going to want to consider is the shoe’s heel. Different heel sizes are recommended for different physical activities, so choosing the right heel for the workouts you’re doing is the first step to success. For the purpose of this article, we’ve placed heels into three distinct categories: Heels under 0.75-inches, Standard 0.75-Inch Heels, and Heels over 0.75-inches. Let’s examine each one of these three categories more closely.
Heels Under 0.75-Inches
These heels are designed for:
- Low-Bar Squats
- Athletes With High Ankle Mobility
- Athletes With Short Torsos And/Or Legs
Standard 0.75-Inch Heels
These heels are designed for:
- Most weightlifting activities
- Athletes Who Have Longer Torsos Than Legs
- Athletes With Average Ankle Mobility
Heels Above 0.75-Inches
These heels are designed for:
- High-Bar Squats
- Narrow Stance Squats
- Athletes With A Long Torso And/Or Legs
- Athletes With Low Ankle Mobility
Consider Metatarsal And/Or Ankle Supports
Although not every weightlifter will need extra metatarsal or ankle support, for those who do it can really make a difference in how they lift. A metatarsal strap goes across the top of the foot and ankle strap secures the ankle into the shoe. Some weightlifters feel that these straps allow them to push their limits further, but others aren’t convinced. In our experience, a little bit of extra support is always helpful, but it shouldn’t overshadow other important features found on the shoe. In the end, it’s up to the weightlifter to decide for himself (or herself), whether they need these straps or not.
Choose A Shoe With A Non-Compressible Sole
What is extremely important for weightlifters, particularly ones who concentrate on deadlifts or squats, are non-compressible soles. These soles are flat and very stiff, so they provide a perfectly stable platform that allows the lifter to push themselves to their limits. If the weightlifter decides that they don’t need a non-compressible sole, then they should make sure that they don’t buy a shoe that’s designed to absorb impacts. Running and walking shoes are designed to absorb ground impacts and as such are cushy. This can put the lifter off balance slightly, which isn’t good for performance and may result in injury.
Choose Shoes With Ventilation Holes
Finding a shoe with ventilation holes is also important. After all, if the air isn’t allowed to get into the shoe or moisture isn’t allowed to escape, it can cause the interior of the shoe to become extremely moist. That excess moisture can not only result in decreased performance but can also cause blisters to appear on the foot during heavy workouts. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that shoes have at least some ventilation holes in them to vent excess moisture and to allow the wearer to be more comfortable during workouts.
Other Tips To Consider When Purchasing Shoes
Before we conclude this guide, we would like to give our readers a few extra words of advice. Although the above considerations are a good starting place for weightlifters who are looking for a new pair of shoes, they’re not the only things to consider. Below are a few extra tips that will allow the consumer to buy the best weightlifting shoes for their needs.
- Look for shoes made from quality materials.
- Measure your shoe size in the evening to assure the best fit.
- A snug-fitting shoe provides more stability than a loose one.
- Look for a shoe with good arch support.