7 Best Weightlifting Shoes in 2024

The Romaleos 4 was arguably the firmest that we’ve tried, so underfoot wobbliness easily became a thing of the past. This shoe has not one but two straps that kept our feet securely mounted on the footbed even as they splayed with the weight that we were lifting. Finally, this shoe’s elevation is as lifting-friendly as advertised. Given all these amazing benefits, we are left with no other choice but to consider the Nike Romaleos 4 as the best shoe for weightlifting.

After bringing it to the lab, we were able to confirm the underfoot firmness that we experienced. Compared to the average (75.0), this shoe has a really high HA durometer score of 97.0. That’s a staggering 29% more hardness! And this platform surely kept us quite stable even as our cleans and jerks become a little more aggressive.

We also enjoyed the two-strap design so much, especially that these straps face the opposite directions. Wearing this shoe just felt like our feet were being bear hugged, making them stay firmly still. 

The Nike Romaleos 4 was advertised to have a drop of 19.05 mm. We were glad when the caliper showed that the marketing spiel is more or less accurate. The actual drop is 20.5 mm, which was a big help in maintaining a good upright posture during lifts.

We are just not happy with the fact that the upper material is not the most durable. We subjected the toebox to 12 seconds of drilling during our Dremel test, resulting in an unfortunate hole.

The Adidas Dropset 3 made sure we felt fully in control of our movements while lifting in the gym. Our lab tests validate that it offers a secure platform, a comfy yet firm foothold, and grip-assured footing. Because of all these and more, it’s our top weightlifting shoe for beginners.

The forefoot delivers a feedback-rich sensation, and our caliper shows its thin 14.8 mm cushion. The midsole features a dual-density setup: a soft 21.5 HA foam in the forefoot for comfort and a very firm 41.0 HA heel. The rear is 47.5% harder than average, which almost makes it impossible to collapse under heavy weight.

Our stability is further enhanced through the shoe’s firm rubber overlay on the medial side. Plus, it holds our ankles in place without any discomfort thanks to the GeoFit Sensepods.

In addition, the forefoot runs wider than average at 116.9 mm, allowing us to stay well-planted. Underneath, it delivers solid grip through its Adiwear outsole. This confidence-inspiring traction is crucial in maintaining our balance.

The shoe feels more forgiving than dedicated lifting shoes because of its flexible build. Those who prefer more reinforcements should try another pair.

If you are an advanced lifter, then we are 100% sure that you are going to love the Reebok Legacy Lifter III. This shoe is the best that we can offer to anyone who is already on top of their weightlifting game. Besides its immense durability, we are in awe of the amount of stability that it was able to deliver. We also loved how the shoe’s perfectly elevated heel helped with our form during squats and lifts.

In the lab, we subjected the toebox to our merciless Dremel. But the drilling came out to be just a joke for it! The ‘merciless assault’ (or so we thought) barely left a mark on the toebox! Hence, the perfect that we gave this shoe for toebox durability was pretty much well-deserved.

In terms of stability, we think that nothing can beat the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 at this point. Both the shoe overall structure and heel counter were immensely resistant to our manual twisting and squeezing. Both parts got a perfect 5 from us for their amazing rigidity.

Based on caliper measurements, the heel stack is higher than average (28.3 mm) at 33.0 mm. We were so in love with this because it helped us maintain a good posture when lifting and squatting. The elevated heel helped with ankle mobility as well.

If there is one thing that we want to change, it would be the airiness of this shoe. We have to admit, this one was quite a toasty one. It only got a 2 out of 5 in our breathability tests.

In our lifting sessions, Adidas The Total stands out as a reliable choice, ensuring safe and efficient lifts. Through rigorous lab tests, we found that its zero-raised heel and exceptional ground feedback make it particularly well-suited for deadlifts compared to other weightlifting shoes we've tried. With its spacious toebox and grippy outsole, we felt stable and coordinated while executing the "king of lifts" with proper form.

The low, firm, and leveled stack of The Total contributes to effortless and smooth deadlifts, enhancing sensitivity to the surface. Our measurements reveal a below-average 12.5 mm stack height with zero heel drop, accompanied by a 44.4% firmer-than-average durometer reading. We gained more control to nail the technique and activate the right muscle groups to perform deadlifts efficiently. With a strap that holds our foot firmly, we remained planted to the ground for better balance.

The shoe's vast platform facilitates natural toe splay and offers reliable traction across various surfaces, further enhancing stability. The toebox measures wider than average, especially in the 86.5 mm big toe area, and tapers subtly. These elements aid in lifting with the correct form, avoiding slips that may cause back injuries. 

However, ventilation is lacking, as indicated by our breathability tests, which yielded a low 2/5 score.

The Inov8 F-Lite Max blends sturdy support and some give in the right areas, making it stable for strength training and versatile enough for jumps and plyometrics. Our lab results confirm it’s our top hybrid weightlifting shoe because of its surefooted base, flexible forefoot, and locked-in feel.

Using our durometer, we measured the main cushion at a firm and supportive 35.0 HA. The forefoot felt pleasantly responsive for takeoffs under the balls of our feet. Meanwhile, the heel incorporates a hard-packed TPU, measuring a very firm 88.0 HA for heavy weights.

In the midfoot, the Met-Cradle cradles our foot in position, making it less prone to toppling over while performing dynamic movements. Through manual twisting, we discovered it has a high resistance so we rated it with a 4/5 torsional rigidity score.

Thankfully, the forefoot is more forgiving. Measuring 5.5% more flexible than average in our bend test, we found it easy to perform lunges, planks, and other workouts.

Note that F-Lite Max has an extra-wide toebox, so we cannot recommend this pair to people with narrow feet.

The Adidas Powerlift 5 offered so much for its price, and it was still cheaper than the $147 average for weightlifting shoes at $120 a pair! It felt so light, quite supportive at the heel, and offered one of the thickest outsoles ever.

Compared to the average (18.7 oz or 531g), the Adidas Powerlift 5 is 3.7 oz or 105g lighter. This is a huge deal, especially for novice lifters who are just getting used to wearing specialized shoes like this one.

The heel counter is truly dependable. We felt its secure clutch the moment we put it on. After giving it a good squeeze in the lab, we had no other choice but to give it a perfect 5 for its amazing stiffness.

Using a caliper, we learned that the outsole is actually 5.0 mm thick, making it one of the thickest weightlifting outsoles we’ve ever seen (average is only 3.9 mm). Given that the outsole is generally as durable as others, its thickness is a guarantee for it to last longer simply because there is a lot more material to ‘burn.’ 

It’s just too regrettable that the toebox isn’t as spacious. At its widest part, the caliper measured it to be only 95.2 mm when the average is 98.9 mm, or a difference of 3.7 mm! That’s huge!

Among weightlifting shoes, we found the Nike Metcon 9 to be the top cross-trainer because, besides its robust platform, it stabilizes us without having a very stiff construction. As confirmed by lab tests, its adaptive build allows us to perform a wide range of workouts.

It didn’t take much effort to perform foot-bending exercises such as planks and burpees. Our bend test shows it’s only 19.1% stiffer than average, surprisingly lower than what we expected given the shoe’s unwavering support.

Speaking of support, Metcon 9 features a low and solid base that keeps us well-planted. Our caliper shows it’s only 21.5/16.0 mm, giving us ground feel and enhanced control. Meanwhile, our durometer shows the foam is 15.8% firmer than average. Together with its wide 116.9/95.0 mm base, we felt surefooted even while lifting heavier weights.

Unfortunately, the shoe is 13.3 oz (378g) heavy. Those who want an agile cross-trainer should find a lighter pair.