7 Best Weightlifting Shoes For Men in 2025

During our gym sessions, the Nike Romaleos 4 delivered unmatched steadiness that gave us the confidence to load up the barbell. Our lab results indicate that it has a wide, stiff, and robust base that provides excellent stability with no compression or imbalance, making it our ultimate men’s weightlifting shoe.

The platform feels very firm and sturdy, evidenced by its very high 97.0 HA durometer reading. For reference, that’s 40.2% firmer than the average lifting shoe! This reading confirms why we had no worries going for our PR weights and why we think it’s even suitable for intermediate male lifters. In addition, its elevated heel (20.5 mm drop) helps anchor our feet to the ground when carrying heavier loads.

Romaleos 4 also features a broad and stiff base that helps with stability. Our caliper shows the base is 111.5/91.3 mm, giving us more room to find our footing securely vs. the 107.7/86.7 mm average.

It felt impossible to topple over with its secure foothold. We tried twisting the shoe, and it had no give, so we rated it with the maximum 5/5 torsional rigidity. The heel also offers firm support, evidenced by its solid 5/5 stiffness rating.

However, men with narrower ankles might experience some slight heel slippage when performing squats. Men who want to avoid this discomfort should go for another pair.

The Adidas Dropset 3 gave us a safe and secure foothold without feeling too overpowering and harsh on foot, making it our ideal beginner’s weightlifting shoe for men. Testing further in the lab, we discovered it has a dual-density midsole and awesome grip that stabilizes us without compromising comfort and flexibility for other workouts.

The Dropset 3's robust base allows us to push off safely when lifting weights. Our durometer shows a high 41.0 HA reading, 47.5% harder than the average training shoe. Meanwhile, a plush 21.5 HA foam covers the forefoot section for impact protection when performing jumps and other exercises, perfect for men who incorporate various workouts when strength training.

The shoe offers a well-planted sensation through its TPU wall and firm rubber overlay on the medial side. Despite these sturdy features, Dropset 3 doesn't feel stiff, as confirmed by its 3/5 torsional rigidity rating in our manual assessment. We also experienced secure ankle support that feels comfortable, thanks to the GeoFit Sensepods.

The Dropset 3 offers a reliable grip for lifts and floor workouts, validated by its impressive 0.39 score in our traction test. The midsole also allows us to move freely, with a flexibility score 25.2% above average, making it versatile enough for men who are starting to add lifting to their routine.

Unfortunately, we can’t recommend this pair for walking and running because of its cumbersome heel. Men looking for a more agile shoe should try alternatives. 

Our lab tests show the Reebok Legacy Lifter III combines a sturdy platform, a robust build, and an elevated heel, which explains the highly stable sensation we had while lifting the heaviest loads. It feels so secure that it can support even those who regularly lift more than 300 lbs. With its solid construction, it’s our top weightlifting shoe for advanced male athletes.

We felt no compression underneath even as we loaded the barbell with PR-level weights. Our durometer shows a wildly high reading of 95.1 HA, 37.4% firmer than average. The rear is also elevated, with a steep 20.5 mm drop, which reduces pressure in the knees and ankles because it allows us to lift efficiently.

Men seeking a very secure foothold won’t be disappointed in this lifter. During our trials, we had no instances of losing our stance, and we felt locked in. Any attempts to twist the shoe with our hands or pinch the heel counter had no effect, so we awarded both with the maximum 5/5 rigidity rating.

This shoe has a heavy 22.1 oz (627g) build, which helps us feel anchored to the ground. Being 26.2% heavier than average, it takes a lot of effort to topple over in this shoe.

However, note that its Velcro attachment runs short. The best way to adjust the shoe’s fit is by using the inflatable Pump in the tongue. Men who prefer a more traditional adjustment feature should go for another pair.

Adidas The Total took our strength training to the next level with its stability and secure lockdown. Lab results reveal it has a true zero drop and a firm base that offers enhanced surface sensitivity and surefootedness. Meanwhile, its foot strap and grippy outsole reassure us we can move with control, making the Total our top deadlifting shoe for men.

Using our caliper, we measured the minimal stack at only 12.5 mm in the heel and forefoot vs. the 28.3/12.9 mm average. This mirrored the heightened ground feel we experienced, and confirms the Total is a true zero-drop shoe. These features promote better balance, especially since the firm 40.0 HA base doesn’t compress easily under heavy loads.

Even as we tested new PR weights, the shoe’s reassuring fit gave us the confidence to lift. With a Velcro strap near the ankle, it felt supportive with its firm foothold. Meanwhile, the grippy base allowed us to move with precision and proper form, perfect for men who frequent slippery gym floors.

Surprisingly, this shoe weighs only 11.5 oz (327g). Men who like to feel anchored through hefty shoes should go for another pair because the Total is 34.2% lighter than average.

The Inov8 F-Lite Max was a delight to test during our gym sessions because it made us feel safe when trying out heavier loads while giving us the freedom to move during other exercises. Testing further in the lab, we discovered it combines stiff stability elements such as the TPU Heel Stabilizer and the Met-Cradle cage, with more forgiving elements such as the responsive and flexible forefoot. Ultimately, it’s our best hybrid weightlifting shoe for men.

F-Lite Max features an impressive combination of a rock-solid heel and a bouncy forefoot. Our durometer shows the TPU Heel Stabilizer is an incompressible 88.0 HA so that it doesn’t surrender to a fully loaded barbell. Meanwhile, the forefoot is a well-balanced 35.0 HA, making it suitable for men seeking energy return during jumps.

The midfoot features a robust Met-Cradle cage that prevents any foot collapse or ankle twists. Its high 4/5 torsional rigidity result mirrors how it had very little give during our manual twist assessment.

Thankfully, the midsole has a lot of give in terms of bending, allowing us to perform planks and burpees with minimal effort. The outsole has deep flex grooves in the forefoot that boost versatility. In our bend test, it emerged 6.3% more adaptive than average.

While its extraordinarily wide toebox is great for stability and control, men with narrow feet should look elsewhere to avoid swimming inside the shoe.

For only $120, we enjoyed reassuring support and flexible adaptability in one shoe: the Adidas Powerlift 5. Backed up by lab results, its light build and bendability make it easy on the foot while offering sturdy support through its torsion-resistant midsole, making it our best-value weightlifting shoe for men.

The Powerlift 5 made us feel fully supported under heavy loads. We tried to twist the shoe with our hands, and it had no give, earning the maximum 5/5 torsional rigidity rating. On foot, this translates to a well-planted sensation.

Aside from squats and lifts, the midsole moves with our feet so that we can perform other gym exercises such as lunges and burpees. Our bend test confirms it’s 15.8% more bendable than average.

Its light 15.0 oz (425g) weight also enhances its effortless sensation. Being 14.5% below average, it’s a great match for men who perform agile workouts, too.

However, it lacks ventilation for heated workouts. Men who prefer a breathable shoe should try alternatives.

The Nike Metcon 9 took our gym training to the next level with its superior stability, adaptive build, and performance-enhancing grip. Our lab results show its reliability for lifting and flexibility for other exercises is undeniable, making it our top cross-trainer among men’s weightlifting shoes.

Metcon 9 delivers reassuring support through its firm midsole. Our durometer validates that it doesn’t compress under a loaded barbell since it’s 16.2% firmer than average and has a Hyperlift plastic in the heel. Inside the main foam is a softer 22.0 HA cushion to serve as our buffer for box jumps and the like, perfect for men seeking impact protection.

Metcon 9 features a grounded 21.5/16.0 mm stack, enhancing surface feedback and flexibility. Our bend test shows it’s only 19.8% stiffer than average despite all the support it brings. Other lifters tend to score much higher.

As we performed burpees and lifted on sweaty gym floors, the outsole’s herringbone pattern did its job of keeping us steady and in control. In our traction test, it surpassed the average by 5.9%, meaning it delivers a stronger grip.

However, we find that Metcon 9 is not ideal for hot and high-sweat sessions. Men who need maximum ventilation should go for another pair.