Weightlifting is an essential part of any training regiment, and powerlifting has been gaining popularity in recent years. For example, the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal was brought home in 2022 by female powerlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and then the sport exploded in popularity in the country. As important as weightlifting is to any sport, it can be hazardous without the proper gear, and arguably the most important piece of gear is footwear. To lift weights safely you will need a stable base, and to be as close to the ground as possible. With that in mind, we present the Best Weightlifting Shoes available today.
If your weightlifting shoe has too much cushion or is too plush, it will create an unstable foundation for you to stand on while lifting heavy objects. That’s not good. It’s why shoes for weightlifting should be flat, stable and have minimal cushioning, with a wide toe box to allow your toes to splay out. Safety first people.
At WearTesters, we test hundreds of sneakers each year. To put together this list, we found outstanding weightlifting performers who can offer what you need in the gym. We chose highly stable shoes that can grip the floor like no one’s business and remain supportive throughout all lifts. Weightlifting is no easy task for one shoe, but we think you’ll enjoy our picks for the best weightlifting shoes.
Categories are used below so you can easily find what’s important to you. If you know what you need, you can simply click the category link. If not, feel free to browse the whole list.
Updated: 07.08.2024
Best Weightlifting Shoes Show
Best Weightlifting Shoes 2024
GORUCK Ballistic Trainer
The GORUCK Ballistic Trainer’s upper uses a ballistic Cordura mesh which is soft and flexible. The Ballistic Trainer features Gradient Density EVA foam for the cushion, which means the shoe is more cushioned in the forefoot. At the same time, the heel is more dense and stiff, creating a stable platform while lifting. The traction is also a highlight. The outsole uses three different rubbers. Remember, the GORUCK Ballistic Trainer fits longer than other training shoes, so make sure to go down half a size from your typical shoe size. Read the full review. Price: $125
TYR CXT-1
The TYR CXT-1 is in the top tier of weightlifting shoes and one of the better cross-training options on the market. The upper is basic but built well for comfort. Cardio could be better but it can handle jumping rope and sprinting without issue. The real star of the CXT-1 is the stability. It has an impressive ability to be a strong base for heavy lifts, one-legged movements, and other exercises requiring multiple foot positions. See the full review. Price: $140
Inov-8 F-Fly
The Inov-8 F-Fly gives lifters an option that sits between a beefy cross trainer and barefoot trainers. It’s versatile, flexible, and comfortable with a surprising amount of Powerflow Pro cushion alongside elite level ground feel. The outsole grips everything, and though the upper is a basic engineered mesh and may face some durability issues, it’s comfortable. The F-Fly’s versatility provides the ability to handle big PR lifts and treadmill cardio sessions. See the full review. Price: $130
Xero Forza Trainer
The Xero Forza Trainer is not only one of the best Xero shoes, but one of the best weightlifting shoes on the market. Since it’s Xero, there’s not much cushion, but the stability is elite with sidewalls at the heel, TPU wings at the lateral and medial arch, and a lockdown strap. Also, the outsole stickily grips the gym or turf floor. The Forza Trainer won’t move anywhere you don’t want it to whether you’re trying to PR an olympic style lift or hefting tons of weight via squats or deadlifts. If you want a zero drop gym shoe for lifting heavy, you won’t find anything better. See more of the best Xero shoes.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 0mm, Price: $130
Reebok Nano X4
The Reebok Nano X4 is an excellent performer on all lifts, offering great stability in all situations, and an extremely comfortable Flexweave upper. It’s our favorite Reebok Nano to date and one of the best training shoes of the year.
It’s not great for cardio but it can handle enough plyometrics and sprinting to work well for CrossFit. It’s a versatile shoe that’s dependable and should be on the short list for any hard-charging gym goer. See the full review. Price: $140
Under Armour Reign 6
The Under Armour Reign 6 is an under-the-radar top-tier weightlifting cross trainer. The TriBase system keeps feet glued to the floor and provides ultimate stability. Running doesn’t feel very good but jump rope, rowing, and other non-running cardio works. The WARP upper is snug and secure with plenty of comfortable padding while the fit is true to size with room to wiggle your toes. And with a price point below the norm, the Reign 6 deserves your attention. Read the full review. Price: $130
Reasons to buy: Stability, comfy WARP upper, price point
Reasons not to buy: Running feels clompy, and laces
RAD One
The RAD One uses nicer than average materials, has a stable base with impeccable traction, and can handle any type of weight room exercise you throw at it. Running in the RAD One isn’t ideal, but it can handle everything else you want to do. It’s a great-looking but super functional weightlifting and cross training shoe that provides enough old-school shoe vibes to be different than what anyone else is wearing at your gym. Read the full review. Price: $150
Reasons to buy: Herringbone traction, high-quality materials
Reasons not to buy: Running in it feels clunky
Converse All Star
The Converse All-Star is a timeless piece of footwear history. It started as basketball shoes in the era of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain and has evolved into an everyday casual shoe. What a lot of people have discovered, however, is that they’re great for weightlifting. The flat base and lack of cushion make these shoes as stable as any shoe. You should be fine if you don’t mind the hard-toe cap. Price: $60
Nike Blazer
The Nike Blazer looks similar to the Converse All-Star, but there are key differences. One of the most obvious ones is the material used for the upper. Most pairs are made of leather, which is more durable and supportive. There are also suede hits on some colorways. The cushion is the same as the All-Star: none. It’s as flat as a shoe can get. Regardless, you’ll find it being used in gyms all over the world for its mix of style and ground feel. Price: $105
Best Budget Weightlifting Shoes
Puma Fuse 3.0
The Puma Fuse 3.0 is a minimalist cross training shoe that’s ultra-stable and packs insane traction. Where does the insane grip come from? Puma Grip. It’s Puma’s proprietary rubber compound that’s best in class. It sticks to the ground, so you won’t slide or shift during lifts.
The stability is also top of the line as the outrigger at the lateral forefoot, raised midfoot sidewalls, and a beefy TPU heel counter combine to keep the foot in place no matter how much weight you’re slinging. The cushion is super thin (don’t run in them), so some people may get too much ground feel for their liking. But for those lifting weights, you can spread your toes inside the roomy toebox and press into the ground, and generate extra force.
The mesh and fuse upper is surprisingly comfy in large part thanks to the comfy padded tongue. You’re unlikely to find a better weightlifting shoe at this price. Read the full review. Price: $120
UA Project Rock BSR 4
The UA Project Rock BSR 4 is similar to one of our previous budget picks, the Project Rock BSR 3. The $100 price tag is still best in class while the Under Armour design team improved the upper and fit to accommodate more foot types and longer wear. The BSR 4 is a great option if you want a gym shoe that will be “Rock” solid on your lifts, look good, and deliver performance beyond its price point. It’s likely the best option for most regular gym goers who aren’t gunning for huge PRs on olympic lifts. See the full review. Price: $100
Best Weightlifting Shoes Now on Sale
Reebok Nano X3
The Reebok Nano X3 is a return to form for the greatest training shoe line of all time. It’s been a long time since we enjoyed a Nano this much. And while it isn’t the perfect shoe, we’re confident any typical gym goer that purchases it will have a great experience. The fit is great (though some people experienced heel slippage), and the new LAR Chassis system combined with Floatride feels bouncy but stable underfoot.
You’re also getting a long-lasting shoe that, after a break-in period, is one of the most comfortable Nanos ever. True, $150 feels steep for a cross training shoe, but by the end of 2023 most high end cross trainers will be clustered right around that price point. See the full review. Price: $150
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best weightlifting shoes list? We’d also like to hear your thoughts on this list and see your best weightlifting shoes list in the comments. Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
Did you get a chance to try the Reebok Power Lite? I have those and really enjoy them.
no Romaleo? no Asics? maybe time to stick to running and bball lists… this is actually watering down the weartesters brand for clicks
Clicks don’t matter to us. Our website is not ad-supported. People only click our affiliate links if they find the information we provide valuable so that’s our focus. Our viewpoint for all of our reviews and lists is that of the former basketball players we are. Even our running shoe reviews are colored by this previous experience. Some weightlifters will likely prefer other more focused sites with more weightlifting experience. That said, we know our audience and what makes a good shoe so we bring a lot to the table.
The Romaleos 4 is on our list to test (we don’t add anything to our lists till one of our team members rigorously tests it). That will be an interesting one because of its high price and only being usable for lifting. Most of our audience does a lot in gym other than squats, deadlifts, snatch, or clean and jerk. So a focused shoe like that may make the list, but with distinct caveats.
Does Asics make training shoes in the US or do you lift in their wrestling shoes?
Hi guys, thank you for this article. Switching to barefoot shoes was a game-changer for me. They let my feet move naturally, which helped improve my posture and balance. Over time, I noticed my feet and legs getting stronger too. I wear Hykes Escapes, and they’re comfortable, minimalist, and durable. It’s like getting back to the way our feet are supposed to work.