The Squat is one of the best compound movements one can do if they are looking to build their overall strength and mobility.
A good pair of Weightlifting Shoes can help reduce the range of motion required to complete the Squat effectively and safely, but which ones are the best? Here are our top 5 best Weightlifting Shoes for Squats.
5 – Adidas Powerlift 4
The Adidas Powerlift 4 is a solid all-round Weightlifting Shoe and coming in at the cheaper end of the spectrum, is an excellent budget choice for beginners.
The shoe provides a great deal of stability in the Squat and has sufficient grip for really torquing your feet into the floor.
It’s worth noting though that the effective heel height is slightly smaller than most of its counterparts at 0.6”, this does make it better for other lifts and general use, however, when there are similarly priced options available, you’re just giving yourself extra work with pretty minimal benefit in return.
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Relatively stable
Cons
- EVA heel is not the stiffest
- Effective heel height less than the competition
- Better options for the price
4 – Adidas Adipower 2
The Adidas Adipower 2 is perhaps the most unique Weightlifting Shoe currently on the market. Its super lightweight and incredibly flexible and comfortable. In fact, its one of the few Weightlifting Shoes that you can wear outside of lifting and not feel out of place.
Of course, we’re looking at performance in the Squat here, and overall, it does a solid job. One thing I like about the Adipower 2 is that the sole thickness is very thin. This is particularly noticeable at the toe where there isn’t much material there to speak of. What this does is brings you that little bit closer to the ground and, in theory, this should lower your center of gravity and improve balance and stability. Equally a thinner sole means less compression overall.
Pros
- The thinner sole should provide extra balance and stability
- TPU based heel
- Comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
- Too flexible
- The toe box is a touch on the narrow side
3 – Adidas Power Perfect 3
I’m a big fan of the Adidas Power Perfect 3 overall. For a shoe that’s supposed to be a budget option, it can hang with the premium options very well indeed.
In the Squat, the Power Perfect 3 continues to impress. The heel height is comparable with most other Weightlifting Shoes and although it is made from EVA rather than TPU, nobody except the most discerning lifters will notice the difference.
The high metatarsal strap also provides superb security and does wonders to hold your foot in the shoe.
Pros
- Affordable
- Metatarsal strap position
- Comparable performance to premium Weightlifting Shoes
Cons
- EVA heel
- Strap can get in the way when lacing up
- Not the most attractive
2 – Nike Romaleos 4
The Nike Romaleos 4 take up 2nd position, as a Squat shoe, few can rival it.
The sole is possibly the largest I’ve encountered and splays out wider than the shoe itself. This provides an incredibly stable platform to push from and really gives the illusion of being glued to the floor.
The Romaleos 4 also features a double strap, which provides a great deal of control over the fit and tightness of the shoe.
Pros
- Extremely stable base
- Double Strap System
- TPU heel
Cons
- Expensive
- The heel isn’t the most secure
- Toe box runs quite narrow
1 – Reebok Legacy Lifter 2
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 2 is my number 1 choice for the Squat. Overall, its also my highest ranking Weightlifting Shoe, and for good reason.
The Legacy Lifter 2 has a fantastically stable base whilst still allowing for some degree of maneuverability, this helps with racking and re-racking where you still need some degree of walkability in the Shoe.
The overall fit also helps you feel locked in and suitably planted and the sole provides all the grip you’ll need to really screw into the floor.
The shoe does run a little long but truthfully, in the Squat, it’s not that noticeable.
Pros
- Loads of stability
- Overall fit complements the Squat well
- TPU heel
Cons
- Expensive
- Shoe runs quite large
- Difficult to lace-up
