Just like using the right equipment for your workout style, you need to make sure you’re wearing the right shoes for your workout. Beaten up old sneakers won’t cut it when you’re lifting heavy weights, and there’s no better return on your investment than buying the best weightlifting shoes you can afford. In this article, we’ll showcase the best weightlifting, deadlift, and squat shoes in your local workout space, and arm you with the know-how you need to make an informed buying decision.

Before you rush out and buy the most expensive weightlifting shoes you can find, take a moment to think about your training style. This will help you identify the type of shoes you need. Do you train almost exclusively with dumbbells — through bench presses, deadlifts, and squats, for example — or do you train at a higher intensity, like in CrossFit? Maybe you mix your strength training with exercise classes, in which plyometric movements and bodyweight exercises will be more common. Read on and we’ll discuss all the aspects you need to consider to help you make the best choice.

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Best Weightlifting Shoes: At a Glance

How to Choose the Best Weightlifting Shoe for You

Can’t I just wear sneakers?

Technically, yes. Realistically? Not really. While a pair of soft, padded trainers are fine for light treadmill work, mobility, and warm-ups, they don’t provide enough foot or ankle support for lifting weights or moving safely under heavy loads – and it really isn’t worth risking an injury that could put you out of action for weeks at a time. If you want to develop very heavy lifts, your feet should be locked in and supported, with no unintended sideways movement.

What type of shoe do I need?

If you’ve spent a lot of time moving heavy barbells — some call it powerlifting — a dedicated pair of weightlifting shoes is a worthwhile investment. Weightlifting shoes are designed to “lock” your foot into a secure, stable position with minimal cushioning. Typically, they combine a higher heel and a solid base in the wood, plastic, or composite material shoe, which helps you maintain proper form and posture when lifting heavy. Unlike spongy sneakers and softer CrossFit shoes, this extra support provides a more stable surface when performing reps and reduces your risk of injury.

Alternatively, if you prefer a mix of higher intensity exercise, CrossFit, or exercise classes alongside your weight training regimen, you’ll want to opt for a more versatile athletic shoe. These still offer much better support than standard trainers, but also provide the cushioning and flexibility you need to expand your exercise repertoire across a wider range of strength, conditioning and focus elements. on cardio.

How much should I spend?

With even standard sports shoes regularly costing over £100, it’s no surprise that dedicated weightlifting shoes are approaching £200. It may seem like a huge expense, but if you train three to five times a week, it’s a justifiable expense for something that will improve your workouts and potentially help you avoid injury.

If you’re working on a tighter budget, it pays to research deals. Brands such as Nike, Reebok, and Adidas tend to release new iterations of their shoes every year, so if you want to buy something cheap, look for models from previous years.

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The best weightlifting shoes to buy in 2022

1. Nike Romaleos 4: Best Weightlifting Shoe

Price: £180 | Shop now at Nike

Don’t be put off by the price: Nike’s Romaleos family has been the flagship weightlifting shoe for some time now, proudly worn by everyone from powerlifting beginners to Olympic athletes.

The Nike Romaleos 4 is Nike’s most stable and breathable weightlifting shoe to date. It has a supportive midsole and a wide, flat outsole to help keep your feet stable during the rough phases of a lift, while two wide straps on the laces help lock your foot into position. Meanwhile, the rubber tread helps you maintain traction.

If you can afford to pay full price and want a shoe focused solely on lifting, this is our top pick.

Key Details – Drop: 20mm; Lester: 575g; Sizes available: UK 2-14

Shop now at Nike

2. Adidas Adipower: Best weightlifting shoe for compound lifts

Price: £140 | Buy now at Sportsshoes

If you don’t want to shell out the best part of £200 for a pair of weightlifting shoes, the Adipower weightlifting shoes are a smart buy.

Designed to support your foot during compound lifts – bench press, squat and deadlift – the Adipower shoes hug your feet to prevent movement and use a TPU midsole for added stability.

There are eco-friendly kudos here, too: the Adipower shoe is made with recycled materials, with the shoes containing at least 50% recycled content.

Key Details – Heel Height: 20mm; Lester: 460g; Sizes available: UK 3.5-13.5

Buy now at Sportsshoes

3. Reebok Nano X2: The best all-around gym shoe for beginners

Price: £110 | buy men | Reebok women

As the only brand with the potential to topple Nike from the top spot, functional training experts Reebok created the versatile Nano X2 to withstand any workout.

Made with Reebok’s Flexweave technology, the Nano X2’s material is comfortable, breathable and soft – it’s arguably one of the most comfortable shoes on this list. Likewise, the foam is responsive and flexible enough to make it suitable for a wide range of exercises, without compromising lateral stiffness.

Key Details – Drop: 4mm; Lester: 408g; Sizes available: UK 5-12 men, UK 2.5-7.5 women

Buy men at Reebok Buy women at Reebok

4. Nike Metcon 7: The best all-around sports shoe

Price: £115 | buy men | woman from nike

Metcon is Nike’s flagship training arm line (like Pegasus for Nike Running), and it’s a favorite of CrossFit athletes and regular gym goers. Indeed, the Metcon 7 is a shoe you will see regularly on your trips to the gym: it has one of the most recognizable silhouettes of any sports shoe on the market.

Fortunately, the Metcon 7 is more than just an eye-catching design, and its combination of a wide sole, supportive heel, and effective cushioning make it a shoe that can go effortlessly from treadmill to deadlift. earth and beyond.

It truly is a shoe ready for any workout, any time, in any environment. While previous models weren’t ideal for treadmill use, the all-new React foam expands the Metcon’s repertoire without compromising its sturdiness on uphill runs.

Key Details – Drop: 4mm; Lester: 283g; Sizes available: UK 3.5-14 for men, UK 2.5-9.5 for women

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5. Puma Fuse: The Best Affordable Men’s Athletic Shoe

Price: £80 | Shop now at Puma

If you don’t want to break the bank but still want an affordable gym shoe for weightlifting and training, then the Puma Fuse is a great choice.

With a 4mm drop, a wide toe box and a heel clip for added support, it’s great value for money. Plus, the brand’s signature PumaGrip material provides traction during heavy lifts, while a mesh upper lets your feet breathe easily.

Key Specs – Drop: 4mm; Lester: 368g; Sizes available: UK 6-11

Shop now at Puma

6. Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3: Best sports shoes for high-intensity training

Price: £114.95 | To buy Men’s | To buy woman from nike

If you like to balance your training with weights and high intensity exercises, this could be the shoe for you. The Air Zoom SuperRep 3 from Nike is the opposite of pure weightlifting shoes here – it’s a next-gen trainer designed specifically for high-intensity classes.

Lighter and more bouncy than most athletic shoes, the SuperRep is light on your feet and features a plate that connects the front and back of the sole for extra support.

The Superrep provides support and stability during high intensity exercises that get you moving fast. Ideal for plyometric work and for HIIT workouts that make you push the needle, they take care of your feet during lunges, steps and jumps.

Key Specs – Drop: Not indicated; Lester: 368g; Sizes available: Men (UK 5.5-14), Women (2.5-9.5)

Shop men at Nike Shop women at Nike