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.
Why are these the best weightlifting shoes?
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: 03.05.2025
Best Weightlifting Shoes Show
Best Weightlifting Shoes 2025
Reebok Nano X5
Our testers were unanimous on the virtually unrivaled performance of the Reebok Nano X5, dubbing it the “new best Nano ever” and an absolute top-tier option for anyone who hits the gym on a regular basis. The EVA in the forefoot has the type of plushness you’d find in a modern running shoe; whereas the EVA in the heel is still comfortable, but firmer, offering the support needed for a variety of weight-based movements. Planting securely throughout cleans and snatches isn’t a problem. The Nano X5 has the sort of elite-level stability that even allows you to feel rock solid during split squats and deadlifts. Yet it also maintains a shockingly natural feel on-foot – thanks in part to the decoupled, Metasplit outsole.
Similarly, the Flexweave upper (while it may take a moment to break-in), provides solid lockdown and moves with your foot instead of restricting it – meaning everything from burpees to skaters feels natural but secure. The cushioning and flexibility allow the X5 to handle 1-3 warmup miles on the treadmill, sprints, biking, jump rope, other gym-based cardio, agility work, and even long travel days involving plenty of walking. With its accommodating fit, the Nano X5 is going to work for many (though not all) wide-footers, and the length fits true-to-size.
While the $10 price increase seems a bit steep from a materials and inflation-based standpoint, the performance of the X5 definitively meets or exceeds that of its competitors at the $150 price point. The only other downside is that colorways with a lighter midsole and upper seem to pick up stains easily – particularly if you’re someone who regularly straps into a rower. But the Reebok Nano X5 is extremely well-rounded and packs both the performance reliability and comfort to make it one of the best cross training powerhouses on the market. See the full review. Price: $150
Inov-8 F-Lite Max
The Inov-8 F-Lite Max is a well-performing gym shoe for those who want to be rooted to the floor as they attempt to throw up huge amounts of weight on Olympic lifts. In fact, its dependability is hard to beat if gaining muscle is your number one goal in the gym. While the “Max” name is slightly misleading from a cushioning perspective, the POWERFLOW MAX foam is relatively responsive. The shoe’s general firmness does require a break-in period, and the overall setup is definitely geared toward strength and power rather than repeated impact protection.
Features such as its extremely rigid TPU heel counter are a boon if you need a beastly, rock solid, beacon of stability and support in the gym. But while the F-Lite Max is great for rowing and a few other activities, our testers felt it still has very limited cardio versatility. Those same structural elements that are so beneficial in the weightroom hinder more agility-focused movements. Our testers noted the rigidity got in the way of the natural movements of lunges, agility ladder, running, cycling, stair climbing – and even walking around. So, they were ultimately super impressed with all the F-Lite Max has to offer in the weightroom, but they advise having a second pair of shoes handy if going for harder cardio sessions.
As for fit, the wide-foot friendly toe box and solid lockdown made for a comfortable experience, regardless of foot type. While testers were divided on aesthetics from a lifestyle perspective, neither would recommend the F-Lite Max as a shoe built for all-day casual comfort. Read full review. Price: $150
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-2
The TYR CXT-2 is at the top of training shoe market and offers some solid improvements from the first version. The upper is basic but built well for comfort and includes 4mm of added forefoot wiggle room. Cardio is still clunky but it can handle jumping rope, agility drills, and sprinting. The CXT-2 is incredibly stable with an impressive ability to be a strong base for heavy lifts and one legged movements. The TYR CXT-2 will do everything you need it to. See the full review. Price: $150
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
RAD One V2
The small European company, RAD, certainly caught WearTesters’ attention with the RAD One. But the recently released RAD One V2 manages to improve on that already high-performing cross trainer. The definition of a versatile training shoe, the V2 is well-equipped for weightlifting, functional fitness training, and bodyweight training. The herringbone traction pattern is a particular standout (other than its propensity to attract pet hair) that shines when doing agility drills, plyometrics, and heavy deadlifts. While the supportive setup feels a bit stiff and rigid at first, both the upper and midsole break in very quickly over the first workout or two and eventually mold nicely to your feet (think your favorite pair of initially stiff jeans). Elements like a microfiber stability rand that wraps the midfoot and heel, a TPU heel clip and beefy internal heel counter, and a Wave Ridge that protects the shoe from rope abrasion add to the RAD One V2’s rock-solid containment.
The SwellFoam midsole (which is partially bio-based) is good and certainly comfortable enough but not great. It handles what you need it to with regard to offering some energy return when rowing, doing very short sprints, jumping rope, or hopping on the air bike. But if you’re looking to do a more extensive amount of specialized cardio, the overall setup will start to feel clunky and forced (and, in fairness to RAD, the company isn’t claiming cardio-focused performance). While not super wide-foot friendly, the RAD One V2 is more accommodating than many models from big-name brands, particularly in the toebox. Note that it does narrow slightly as you progress toward the heel, however.
The original RAD One may have had a bit more casual appeal, but this latest version has a mild basketball shoe aesthetic going on that will be sure to catch people’s eyes in the gym. The RAD One V2 easily justifies the $150 price point with the high-end materials, stability, and comfort it brings to the table, making it a great shoe to consider alongside other WearTesters favorites like the Reebok Nano X5. Read the full review. Price: $150
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
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
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 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
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
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.
This list may be more appropriately called Best Crossfit shoes for Weightlifting. If you were to get more specific on WL shoes the list would include the most recent versions of Nike Romaleos, Reebox Legacy Lifters, Tyr L2/Carbon plate, Liu Jun Xiafor budget minded say less than $120 USD there are many more, you can find the most popular from there and narrow it down. Hope this helps.