Weightlifting is a sport that isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’ll often be pushing your body to the physical limit, challenging yourself to lift as heavy a weight as possible. Because of these demands, one wrong move in weightlifting and you risk causing yourself serious injury. To avoid this from happening, you’ll need good equipment and correct technique, amongst many other things.
Use insufficient chalk and your hands could lose grip at a vital moment. Wear the wrong lifting belt and your core muscles could be liable to stretch and tear. Similarly, choose the wrong weightlifting shoes, and you could lose your balance or your ankles could give way through a lack of support.
However, with a large number of shoemakers on the market, picking the right pair of weightlifting shoes to suit your individual needs can be a challenging task. So, to make things easier for you, we’ve done some of the hard work.
Below you’ll find a selection of five of the best Olympic weightlifting shoes on the market. We’ve also put together a handy buyer’s guide to further remove any possible confusion when selecting the best pair of shoes for you.
In a hurry? Here’s our top pick.
OUR TOP PICK
Our pick for the overall best pair of weightlifting shoes is the Reebok Legacy Lifter. Poised and purposeful, these shoes not only look great, but are also excellent in their performance.
A lot of thought has gone into crafting them, as seen through the attention to detail; including an antimicrobial lining and a specially designed collar that works to reduce heat and abrasion.
The anatomical shape of this product and its two adjustable upper straps provide a customized locked-down fit. The grip rubber outsole also keeps you firmly grounded and secure through your movements.
As Olympic weightlifting shoes go, the host of features provided by the Legacy Lifter are second to none. The wider toe box is beneficial to athletes with slightly wider feet, while the textile upper improves airflow and enhances comfort.
Also, a unique 22 mm heel constructed from TPU, benefits a variety of strength athletes as it reduces issues with stability, even in heavy lifting exercises where the bar is bending.
Pros:
- Versatility - this product has quality across the board, making it a versatile and ideal choice for almost all lifters.
- Design - purposeful and high quality design, including antimicrobial lining and uniquely designed collar.
- Features - wider toe box and textile upper just a couple of the shoe’s host of impressive features.
- Stability - heel constructed form TPU adds extra support and stability.
Cons:
- Sole - some customers have reported separation on the sole after limited use.
- Price - high market value so perhaps not the best option for those working to a tight budget.
EDITORS CHOICE