Best Weightlifting Shoes in 2023 - USA Weightlifting Team Members’ Top Picks
If you are a weightlifter, powerlifter, or crossfitter, you NEED to have a shoe that is effective for training. Making sure you have the right shoes for lifting is just as important as making sure you have the right lifting belt or the right pre workout. By wearing regular soft-sole sneakers and running shoes, you are just asking for an injury.
Weightlifting shoes have a number of benefits like the ability to improve your range of motion, reduce the risk of injury while lifting, and increasing the amount of weight you lift. Although, there is a sea of shoe makers and brands that are all trying to catch your eye with their “latest new technology”.
Once you start to look past the shoe shine, you’ll find that there are shoes better for different types of lifters and different types of needs. That’s why we are here. In this article, me and some of the other weightlifters here at Garage Strength are going to give you some much needed insight to help you find the best weightlifting shoe for you.
Who Made These Picks?
Although I’m the one putting all the thoughts together into one piece, we have an entire team of olympic weightlifters weighing in on the shoe debate. A couple of notable names that helped make these picks include:
Hayley Reichardt - World medalist, Pan Am Champion, and Senior National Champion
Jake Horst - World team member, Pan Am medalist, and 4X Senior National Champion
Anna McElderry - Former Junior world team member & medalist, former junior Pan Am member and medalist
DJ Shuttlesworth - 2016 U25 94kg Champion, clean and jerks 200kg
So it’s safe to say, the reviews are coming straight from the source. Now let’s take a look at what our team came up with across the board.
Garage Strength’s Top Picks:
- Best Overall Weightlifting Shoes - Nike Romaleos 4
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Men - Anta 2
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Women - Nike Savaleos
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Beginners - Adidas Powerlift 5
- Best Budget Weightlifting Shoes - Reebok PR Lifter 2
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Wide Feet - TYR L-1
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Narrow Feet - Adidas Adipower 3
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Flat Feet - Reebok Legacy Lifter 3
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Snatch - INOV-8 Fastlift 380
- Best Weightlifting Shoes for Clean & Jerk - Velaasa Strake
Best Overall Weightlifting Shoes
Having a well rounded shoe for training and competition is important for any competitive athlete. Even for lifters that are just trying to get more proficient in the movements that they are focusing on. You need something that you can wear everyday but also provides consistent benefits as your training needs change.
A good lifting shoe needs to be durable, functional, and comfortable for training throughout an extended period of time. There are a lot of things that go into a good weightlifting shoe, but for general usage, there is one that stands just a head above everyone else.
Top Pick: Nike Romaleos 4
The weightlifting shoe that our team decided provides the most all around benefit is the Nike Romaleos 4. It’s a great pick for any lifter because of the balanced and stable sole, comfort improvements from previous iterations, and the medium heel height.
This is the current shoe that Hayley Reichardt wears for training and competition. This is also the shoe I recommend for any weightlifter that is looking to get serious about the olympic movements.
This lifting shoe is lighter than most, averaging between 12-13 oz and has an effective heel height of 20mm/0.78”. The heel height is a little lower than some other popular options, but we find it useful for athletes so they aren’t being pushed forward as much during the snatch and clean and jerk.
The Nike Romaleos 4 are very reminiscent of the great Romaleos 2, but may encounter some durability issues with high usage due to the comfortable mesh of the shoe. The slight tradeoff is going to be comfortability for long term durability after a year or so of wear.
Hayley also mentioned that the Nike Romaleos 4 is more comfortable than other shoes she has worn as they did not take as long to break in due to the slightly softer heel.
Pros
- Lightweight shoe compared to other options
- Takes less time to break in
- Comfortable throughout 2-3 hour training sessions
- Tight fit around mid sole and toes
Cons
- Narrow toe section can be uncomfortable for wide foot lifters
- More expensive than most other weightlifting shoes cost
- Breathable mesh may wear with high usage
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Men
Top Pick: Anta 2
Pros
- High heel height for lifters than lack mobility
- Made from very durable materials
- Large variety of styles and designs
- Reminiscent of the Nike Romaleos 2
Cons
- Shoe is too heavy for some lifters
- Narrow fit around the toes
- Hard to find in US
- Heel height may cause lifters to drift forward on olympic lifts
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Women
Top Pick: Nike Savaleos
Pros
- Comfortable shoe with extra support around the heel and tongue
- Lightweight and flexible shoe compared to other popular options like Reeboks or Antas
- Lower price compared to other weightlifting shoes but similar quality
Cons
- Lower heel height for those that may be less mobile
- Support is secondary to comfort and cushioning
- Made from less durable materials compared to other popular weightlifting shoes
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Beginners
Top Pick: Adidas Powerlift 5
Pros
- Budget-friendly option for new lifters buying their first lifting shoes
- Durable and stable heal for multipurpose use
- Wider midsole and toe box
Cons
- Lower end of heel height compared to other options
- May be awkward and clunky for lifters with narrow feet
- Limited sizing options
Bottom Line
Best Budget Weightlifting Shoes
Top Pick: Reebok PR Lifter 2
Pros
- Very cost effective
- Great versatility for cross training
- Comfortable and cushioning mesh
Cons
- Lower heel height
- Lightweight shoe may take away connection to the ground
- Rounded heel may affect pull stability
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Wide Feet
Top Pick: TYR L-1
Pros
- Lots of toes space for wide foot athletes
- Very comfortable, but also stable
- Reliable, durable show throughout long training sessions
- High heel height
Cons
- Newer than other brands so not much reputation
- On the heavy side for weightlifting shoes
- Premium price tag
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Narrow Feet
Top Pick: Adidas Adipower 3
Pros
- Balanced shoe for lifters with narrow feet
- High heel height similar to heavier shoes
- Lightweight shoe for quality and durability
Cons
- Does not have a wide midsole
- Premium price tag
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Flat Feet
Top Pick: Reebok Legacy Lifter 3
Pros
- Stable midsole for lifters with flat feet
- Higher heel height than most other shoes
- Wider and heavy profile to maximize ground connection
Cons
- Sizes run a little big
- Strap may loosen and wear after frequent usage
- Heavy shoe may feel bulky to some lifters
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoes for Snatch
Top Pick: INOV-8 Fastlift 380
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Higher heel height similar to TYR and Reebok
- Mobile and flexible shoe good for olympic lifts
Cons
- Neutral shoe profile can be tighter for wide feet
- Lighter shoe can feel unstable for some lifters
Bottom Line
Best Weightlifting Shoe for Clean and Jerk
Top Pick: Velaasa Strake
Pros
- Stiff wooden heels for a high-powered pull and stable plant
- Tight fitting shoe
- Minimal sinking into the shoe during jerks
Cons
- Quality control / durability issues reported
- Fit might be too tight for some athletes making lifting uncomfortable
Bottom Line
Benefits of Weightlifting Shoes
Improved Range of Motion
Injury Prevention
Efficient Power Production
Reduces Barrier of Entry into Strength Sports
When to Use Weightlifting Shoes
Training
Competition
Key Takeaways
Blog Topics
Yo, It's Dane
Welcome to the Garage Strength Blog, where it is my goal to provide you with the experience and knowledge I've gained in the strength and conditioning world over many years of learning from both successes and failures. I train elite-level athletes in a multitude of sports from the high school to professional levels, already producing 5 Olympics and 30+ National Champions. If you want to be the next champion I train, check out my strength programs below!
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