The Best Deadlifting Shoes On The Market Today – The Heavy Lifter’s Guide
Introduction
Weightlifting requires strength and a quick burst of force to lift the weights off the ground. Having shoes for deadlifts is a sure fire way to help improve your weightlifting game. You see, deadlifting shoes incorporate flat hard soles and an elevated heel design. The reason for this is that it improves the overall flexibility of your hips and ankles. Thus, optimizing your stability as well as the amount of force you can deliver when lifting heavy objects. In this article, I’ll help you choose the best deadlifting shoes available to suit your needs.
Let’s start things off right with a list of the highest rated and most popular deadlifting shoes in the market today.
Image | Product Name | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | 4.7 /5 | ||
2 |  | 4.6 /5 | ||
3 |  | 4.0 /5 | ||
4 |  | 4.6 /5 | ||
5 |  | 4.5 /5 | ||
6 |  | 4.5 /5 |
More...
Our Reviews
Via Amazon.com
The Sabo model utilizes the high cut design which helps increase the overall stability and balance for this shoe. I noticed how thin the soles of the Sabo Deadlift Shoes are – 2 to 5 mm to be exact. This translates to less pull distance which is helpful when lifting weights.
These shoes come with a lateral strap that helps deliver a snug feel around the ankles and heels. You can also see how the SABO soles are completely flat with no elevation around the heels and toes. The side support is also a welcome inclusion as it can offer more stability for deadlifters. The side support prevents the shoes from rolling to the side, and it also increases the durability of the seams.
The soles of the SABO model do not compress but are still incredibly comfortable to wear. I have to say that if there was ever a shoe specifically designed for weightlifting, then I have to put the SABO Deadlift Shoes right up there. While it is not exactly a good choice for snatching exercises, it offers amazing stability for deadlifting and squats. Movement can be a little awkward, but it won’t be an issue if you’re simply moving around the gym.
PROS
- Flat sole which is 2 to 5mm thin.
- The metatarsal straps deliver an extremely secure and snug fit.
- Solid
- Comfortable and uses breathable materials.
- Perfect for dead lifts and squats.
- It comes with an affordable price tag.
- Multiple designs to choose from.
CONS
- The tips on the laces were a bit wobbly.
Via Amazon.com
Already in its 3rd iteration, the Adidas Performance Men’s Powerlift 3 definitely earns its longevity on the market. Quite possibly one of Adidas’ most popular powerlifting shoes in their catalog and considered to be one of the best deadlifting shoes in the market, this model has managed to stay on people’s radar thanks to the overall performance and quality it offers.
One of its biggest draws is definitely the reasonable price tag it comes with. The low and thin heels allow lifters to shift into heeled deadlift shoes without any difficulty. The single strap design is also a noteworthy inclusion to its design for both amateur and professional weightlifters.
The Performance Men’s Powerlift 3 uses high-density EVA heels to deliver optimum stability during a workout. The heels are actually 0.6 inches compared to the standard 0.75 inches for those looking for deadlift shoes with lower heels.
If you are looking for a budget deadlift shoes with a lightweight and comfortable design then this might fit the bill.
PROS
- One of the more cost-effective deadlifting shoes in the market.
- Significantly lower heels for those looking to do a transition to heeled weightlifting shoes.
- The toe box has an open design which allows for better flexibility.
- The shoe is made of leather and breathable mesh for optimum comfort when working out.
CONS
- The EVA heels have a tendency to be more compressible. It might not be as an ideal for lifting a considerable amount of weight.
Via Amazon.com
If you are looking for something even more affordable than the previous two models, the ASICS Matflex Wrestling Shoes might be more your cup of tea. This is a primarily a wrestling shoe model so expect it to be extremely lightweight and sturdy. Regarding comfort, I would rate this considerably high up the ladder.
I found the stitching on the seams to be a bit worrisome, and comments from other customers did prove my concern. Well, if you will be using this for wrestling matches then it will definitely absorb a lot of punishment; wear and tear will start to show around the seams after a while. For weightlifting though, this shoe is a worthwhile choice and will undoubtedly last significantly longer.
If you consider this model was designed as a wrestling shoe, then you should have an idea of where it’s strength lies. Basically, wrestling requires stable, quick, and precise movements. In this regard, the ASICS Matflex offers top of the line performance regarding traction. The shoe delivers excellent grip on almost all surfaces, as well as almost entirely prevents slips which are vital when it comes to weightlifting safety.
PROS
- Extremely affordable with decent quality construction.
- Impressive traction and completely prevents any accidental slips on any surface.
- The material and construction of the Matflex ensure that the shoe is extremely lightweight and offers optimum mobility.
CONS
- The durability is definitely in question. A professional wrestler will burn through a pair of Matflex quickly. I recommend this one for wrestling training and weightlifting.
Via Amazon.com
The Adi Power delivers stability by incorporating a flat base. The shoe is designed for heavy weightlifting workouts, and so it focuses more on comfort, stability, and optimum foothold. The Adi Power Shoes definitely have a few tricks up in their non-existent sleeves. They feature textile linings, an anti-slip rubber out-sole, and leather-coated upper for added durability and comfort.
The heel height comes in at 33.4 mm with heel lift at 20.1 mm. The heels use lightweight overlay and the adjustable straps ensure a snug fit. This shoe is definitely made with rigorous weightlifting training in mind. The price might be a bit high, but if you’re looking for a little something extra when it comes to deadlifting shoes, then this model could deliver for you.
PROS
- The flat heels are great for squats and weight lifting exercises.
- Offers impressive stability which in turn allows you to deliver optimum force when lifting weights.
- The materials used in the construction of the Adi Power are high-grade quality chosen primarly for durability.
- Comfortable, breathable mesh.
- The shoe offers impressive stability and traction that you can also use for other exercise routines such as running.
- Looks pretty good in terms of aesthetics.
CONS
- Quite expensive. So, you better make sure you use it often to make a worthwhile investment.
Other Recommendations:
Via Amazon.com
The Reebok Crossfit Lifter 2.0 is a sleek workout shoe designed for high-intensity workout routines that are synonymous with CrossFit. It features an adequately spaced toe box and uses a breathable material for the upper construction. The tongue of the Crossfit Lifter 2.0 comes with extra padding for added comfort.
A welcome feature of this shoe is its use of 3D Fuse Frame technology. The advantage of this tech is that the shoe does not need any time to be broken in – it’s quite comfortable from the moment you put it on. This workout shoe is designed for maximum comfort and mobility. I also recommend this shoe for those who enjoy hiking and skiing.
PROS
- Feels snug and comfortable from the moment you put it on.
- Versatile. It’s not just made for working out in the gym; it’s designed for other high-intensity exercise routines and activities as well.
CONS
- Out of the box, the shoe has a chemical rubber smell that wasn’t exactly gentle on the nose.
- The flexibility of the shoe came at a price. The stability was a little off compared to other weightlifting shoes that I reviewed.
Via Amazon.com
Nike introduces one which is widely considered as one of the premier weightlifting shoes in the market to date. The Romaleo, which means strength in Greek, earns that moniker. This shoe line from Nike was designed to be used during the Olympics back in 2008 and has been one of the few weightlifter’s choice ever since.
The shape of the Romaleo is sleeker or slimmer than your standard weightlifting shoes, and some customers suggest you get a shoe size ½ bigger than your actual size. One of the biggest takeaways I got from wearing the Romaleo shoe is that it is absolutely stable. You can’t really bend it awkwardly in any direction. Simply put, it was designed to hold the fort, so to speak.
If you are looking for a reliable deadlifting shoe, then I believe you can’t go wrong with the Nike Romaleo.
PROS
- The shoe was designed for Olympic level weight lifting so expect it to offer extreme stability and balance.
- Durable and made to withstand punishment.
CONS
- As it is designed to be extremely stable, don’t expect it to offer much when it comes to mobility. It literally felt like you I was wearing concrete.
- Durable and made to withstand punishment.
Benefits Of Wearing Deadlifting Shoes
Weightlifting/deadlifting shoes has always been a niche market. These were highly specialized for a specific activity; hence, they weren’t readily available to the public. However, as the years go by and more people are becoming more conscious about their health, working out has steadily evolved and so did the equipment too.
Deadlifting shoes have become more affordable and more people are seeing the benefits of having one in their selection. So, why exactly do you need deadlifting shoes? Let’s run down the benefits, shall we?
- It helps develop proper form.
- Improves stability and prevents rollovers which can cause injuries.
- Most weightlifting shoes utilize a high-cut design which helps improve ankle support. Something that weightlifters will be grateful to have.
- The tarsal straps in deadlifting shoes help prevent side to side movement which is helpful for increasing deadlifting force and squats.
- Improves your vertical thrust. You won’t be wasting energy pushing upwards when compared to workout shoes with soft soles.
- Completely flat soles on deadlifting shoes also prevent knee injuries due to improper form during squats.
- Improves overall safety.
What To Look For In Deadlifting Shoes
For beginners, it might be a tad bit confusing to figure out just what makes the best shoes for dead lifting and knowing how to pick the one that suits their needs. To help you narrow down your selection, I’ll be writing down four important factors to look for in deadlifting shoes.
The Heel Height – Whether you are a beginner or a veteran weightlifter, the heel height will be the biggest factor you need to consider. 0.75 inches elevated heel should be a safe level to start with. This will all depend on your body type though, but 0.75 inches is a safe number to go by.
Durability – Of course, you need a deadlifting shoe to be durable as it will be taking a lot of punishment. Some weightlifting shoes are rigid while others are more flexible. Flexible ones are best for those incorporating CrossFit exercise routines while the nigh-concrete ones are best for deadlifting.
Aesthetics – Hey, the design is also important and having cool looking shoes is a plus in terms of your confidence.
Price – Try not to buy the cheapest deadlifting shoes as they will most likely have the lowest quality. While there are budget friendly ones (look at the list above for reference) it is best to go for the high-quality ones. Way better long-term investment in my opinion.
Conclusion
The best deadlifting shoe can help improve the quality of weightlifting significantly and reduce the risk of injuries as well. Based on the important factors a good deadlifting shoe has to have, I highly recommend you check out the SABO Deadlift Shoes.
Via Amazon.com
They are sturdy, offers excellent stability, thin soles, great support, and are affordable. Check them out if you find one at your local sports shop.
Comment below if you have anything to add to the discussion and don’t forget to share with other gym rats and people looking to get into the weightlifting.
