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When you’re lifting weights (especially heavier weights), safety is everything. Setting yourself up with a good foundation for strength training starts with learning the basics, like how to nail the perfect form while lifting. Another key part of that foundation is having the best weightlifting shoes for your training.
One thing people may forget when starting out is that not every workout shoe is an ideal pair of shoes for lifting weights. The best shoes for weightlifting are specially designed to not only protect your body when you lift weights, but also help you lift better.
“[Weightlifting shoes] allow for better weight distribution and transfer when weightlifting,” says Sarah Louise Rector, a fitness trainer and founder of The SLR Life. “An actual weightlifting shoe is great as it’s designed to provide a heel lift to allow you to get deeper into your bend and provide more execution to lift heavy weights.”
Good shoes for weightlifting will also have key features such as a firm but semi-flexible sole and a snug upper — perhaps even with an added strap, as some of our picks for the best weightlifting shoes show. Ample arch support is also key, as is just the right amount of cushion to power your lift without messing with your stability.
To help you find the best shoes for lifting weights, we consulted customer reviews along with Rector’s firsthand recommendations so you can shop with confidence. Check out the full list of winners below.
Here are the key features to be on the hunt for when buying weightlifting shoes.
The short answer is no, and that’s because wearing running shoes to weight train is an injury risk as well as an ineffective way to complete your workout. And while some cross-training shoes for men and cross-training shoes for women can be used for hybrid-style workouts like HIIT classes, where you may have short bouts of running on a treadmill with weightlifting or resistance training, these shoes are created with that balance in mind.
Your running shoes are designed for bounce, cushion, and energy return, which means the base of the shoes are not stable because they are meant to propel your foot off the ground and limit strain on your joints as you pound the pavement. “Most regular [running or fitness] sneakers have a lot of cushion to them, so they don’t provide the stronger support you need when lifting weights,” Rector explains. Good shoes for weightlifting, on the other hand, are meant to make you feel grounded to the floor. They have stiff, typically flat soles that are focused on keeping you stable and supported to push through your full foot to complete lifts.
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
We’ve compiled this list of the best weightlifting shoes based on expert recommendations, user reviews and product testing. We also consulted experts about which weightlifting shoes were best for people with common foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or bunions. Customer reviews and footwear market research also informed our final selections of flat shoes for weightlifting, barefoot shoes for weightlifting, shoes for weightlifting and running, and more. The bottom line is you can feel good knowing that this list includes the best of the best weightlifting shoes, no matter what lift is on deck next. Learn more about us here.
Sarah Louise Rector is an LA-based fitness trainer, model, dancer, and founder of The SLR Life. With a fitness career that started in 2016 teaching at boutique studios, Rector continued to grow her client base with The SLR Life classes at local pop-ups, events, and virtual classes. Her methodology combines yoga, strength, and cardio classes for a comprehensive training program that’s fun and effective.
Alyssa Sparacino is a content strategist, editor, and writer with a focus on fitness, health, and wellness with more than a decade of experience in digital media. She most recently held the role of editorial director at Shape. Her writing has been published in outlets including Shape, Health, What to Expect, Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure, and more. Sparacino holds a personal training certification with the American Council on Exercise. Her extensive knowledge and experience covering the fitness and health industries informed this list of the best weightlifting shoes.
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