Facts
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 6.3 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what training geeks think:
5 reasons to buy
- A majority of the reviewers considered the Asics Lift Master Lite as an affordable weightlifting shoe.
- Many users stated that they liked how the shoe allowed them to squat deeper.
- The flat heel of the trainer was praised for the stability it provided during weight training.
- Some gym enthusiasts mentioned that it also served well as a CrossFit shoe.
- The wide toe box was appreciated by a few owners as it delivered adequate room for toe splaying.
2 reasons not to buy
- A few testers mentioned that the Lift Master Lite was longer than other Asics models of the same size.
- The fit of the trainer was too narrow for some training aficionados.
Bottom line
The Asics Lift Master Lite was praised for its performance as a weightlifting shoe and all-around training footwear. The owners of the shoe also liked the roomy toe box as it allowed for natural toe splaying. However, a few consumers had some issues with the fit and sizing, stating that the foot-bed was too narrow or that their regular choice of size was confusingly big. Overall, users were delighted with the trainer as the heel on it allowed them to squat deeper and stay steady.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Expert Reviews
Experts are training geeks, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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92 / 100 based on 3 expert reviews
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90 / 100 by As Many Reviews As Possible • Joel "joelxfit" Te • Level 5 expert
The Lift Master Lite’s are excellent performing shoes and I think the worst part about them is the marketing Asics is doing.
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95 / 100 by Garage Gym Power • Karlis • Level 2 expert
If it’s important to you to stick with one pair of shoes for your whole workout, these weightlifting shoes are a worthy contender.
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95 / 100 by My Outdoors Life • My Outdoors Life • Level 1 expert
Overall these are a great value for someone who wants to lift hard, and not spend a pile of money on shoes to do it in.
Updates to Asics Lift Master Lite
- The Asics Lift Master Lite is designed as a weightlifting shoe that also has the capabilities of cross-training footwear. It is not as expensive as a regular weightlifting trainer because it does not use wood and leather materials. Instead, it uses a combination of rubber, mesh, and synthetic materials to deliver a weightlifting shoe at a fraction of the cost.
- The upper is made from mesh with synthetic overlays for reinforcement. This type of material keeps the inside well ventilated during training.
- For the closure, it uses a combination of laces and a single hook-and-loop strap at the midfoot. The lace-up closure keeps the foot from slipping out of the shoe while the strap allows users to customize the fit.
- Inside, the MONO-SOCK® technology wraps the foot in a seamless and comfortable material. The elastic fabric reduces friction inside and prevents blisters.
- The outsole utilizes the AHARPLUS™ compound. The brand claims that it has excellent abrasion resistance and also cushions the underside of the shoe.
- The thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) heel is designed to give the footwear the right amount of lift at the back to make squats and lunges deeper. This material is durable and does not easily get compressed which makes it stable during weightlifting.
Asics Lift Master Lite size and fit
The Lift Master Lite is available in men’s and women’s version and runs true to size. It comes in D – Medium and B – Medium width profile for men and women, respectively. The MONO-SOCK® technology and the medial strap deliver a snug fit, which should be considered when purchasing a pair. Consumers are advised to try the shoe in person to obtain a secure and comfortable fit.
Outsole
The Lift Master Lite employs the Asics High Abrasion Rubber Plus or AHARPLUS™. It is a durable compound that can withstand the everyday wear and tear that’s attributed to training. This material is an upgraded version of AHAR which is 50% more durable.
The rear part of the outsole has deep X grooves, which serves to stabilize the foot by ensuring that the center of pressure is kept at the heel during specific activities like squatting and lifting.
Vertical and horizontal tread patterns are designed throughout the entire sole unit. This pattern heightens surface traction while also allowing the foot to bend more naturally.
Midsole
The Asics Lift Master Lite features a TPU heel. This material is durable and not easily compressible which gives the rear section its stability during weight training. The geometric pattern provides the heel with an interesting look.
A molded foam insole can be found inside the shoe. This addition delivers a comfortable footbed that reduces shock felt by foot.
Upper
The Asics Lift Master Lite utilizes a mesh upper. This material keeps the inside well ventilated. It has synthetic overlays that provide structure and support to the upper.
The inside is lined with the MONO-SOCK® fit system. This technology, as the name implies, conforms to the foot like a sock. It delivers a snug fit without being too constricting. This seamless material also ensures that that friction inside the shoe is reduced to prevent blisters.
It features a traditional lacing system to keep the foot securely in place. The lightly padded tongue evenly spreads out the pressure made by the round laces to keep the instep comfortable at all times. A single strap is present in the midfoot area. It allows users to customize the fit as well as reinforce the lateral support.
A notch is present at the back of the shoe to prevent it from digging into the Achilles during plantar flexion. The notch is a groove that accommodates the Achilles and gives the ankle more freedom to move.