Whether you’re a beginner or pro weight lifter, everyone needs weightlifting shoes. Not only do they offer support, but they keep your feet sturdy whenever you squat or deadlift. When searching for the best pair of sneakers for your strength training workouts, look for shoes that offer a strong, stable outsole, which will keep you grounded as you push and pull weight.

A reinforced heel cup and/or extra support in the midfoot can also help stop your feet from shifting as you train. For those looking to nail Olympic lifts, you might also want to consider shoes that feature a higher heel, which can allow for a better range of motion through moves like squats. We researched dozens of weightlifting shoes and evaluated them for support, comfort, materials, and price.

Reviewed & Approved

Made of a sturdy sole, Reebox’s Nano X Training Shoes were designed to support strength training exercises. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and wider toe box option, we’d recommend Altra’s HIIT XT 2.

Here are the best weightlifting shoes on the market.

This shoe offers 360 degrees of breathability and gives stretch and support when you need it, which is why we chose it as our top pick. The update to the Nano in this X version brings extra comfort, too, with a high-density foam collar and a little more flexibility—perfect for those looking to incorporate faster movements into their strength workouts.

Best Overall for Women

Reebok Nano X Women’s Training Shoes

Under your feet, you get reinforcement from your heel to the midfoot, providing the stable base you need for lifts. If you like to do explosive exercises like squat jumps or skaters, this shoe also provides the stability, durability, and mobility needed to crush those exercises.

Price at time of publication: $60

You can customize the snugness of this shoe by adjusting the straps, particularly the one that runs right across the middle of your foot. Keep it tight for powerful movements like squats and presses when you need your feet to stay grounded in one place.

Best Overall for Men

Nike Romaleos 4

The wide and flat outsole will also give you the stability you need to dominate heavy lifting, while the rubber traction underneath will stop you from slipping. The shoe also has an elevated heel to help you execute a full range of motion.

 Reviewers mention this shoe runs small, so consider sizing up when you buy.

Price at time of publication: $200

If you need (or prefer) a wider toe box that lets your digits spread out as you train, this shoe is for you. Altra’s women’s line has a specific Fit4Her design that mimics the anatomy of a woman’s foot, making the shoe extra comfortable and allowing your feet to move more naturally.

Best Budget for Women

Altra Women’s HIIT XT 2

The zero-drop outsole means your heel and forefoot sit at the same distance from the ground. In this particular pair, you’ll experience a low-to-ground feel, which is great for strength training. The rubber outsole will also help you stick the landing of plyometric exercises and more.

Price at time of publication: $75

This UA training shoe doesn’t sacrifice comfort or stability for a lower price point. It features both lightweight mesh and leather up top to keep your foot in place as you step and press. The heel cup also enhances the stability factor, while the outsole provides traction and durability.

Best Budget for Men

Under Armour Charged Commit 2 Training Shoes

When you need flexibility for takeoffs, landings, or more dynamic movements, this shoe’s flexibility allows you to move without restriction.

Price at time of publication: $55

An all-mesh upper means your feet will never overheat—even if you turn up the temperature with lifts, jumps, and lateral moves. It also allows for a little more flexibility, so your shoe never holds you back from fast-paced workouts.

Best for Cross-Training

Nike Metcon 6 Training Shoe

To satisfy the stability you need through strength sessions, the Metcon 6 maintains the squeezed-in-place feeling around the midfoot and support through the heel. It also offers a wider heel and slight lift in the back so you can execute something like a deep squat.

Whether you’re sticking to straight lifting, taking a HIIT class, or doing a mix of the two, this sneaker will help you crush your goals.

Price at time of publication: $79

You need strength to perform a snatch and a clean-and-jerk—and also a super stable pair of shoes. These will do the trick.

Best for Olympic Lifting

NOBULL Coffee Leather Lifter

The handmade NOBULL Lifters have a leather top that’s super durable and long-lasting, a strap that lets you customize how tight you want the shoe to hug your foot, and a molded and removable sock-liner. Perhaps most important for an Olympic lifter, this shoe also has an 0.72-inch drop from heel to toe for elevation that supports your range of motion.

Price at time of publication: $300

A shoe that performs as good as it looks, this NOBULL trainer comes in several colors, but each one features a seamless upper that allows for ample airflow—great for when you turn up the heat during your workouts. The lugs on the outsole also mean you can train both inside and outside without worrying about slipping or sliding. 

Best Low Top

NOBULL Wild Jewel Trainers

Use these low-cut shoes to do anything from lifting heavy to walking, running, or jumping around.

Price at time of publication: $140

Once a staple on the basketball court and now better known as fashionable footwear, the iconic Converse Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers are actually a great option for ​weight lifters. Priced for popular consumption, these shoes are an affordable option for weightlifters who don’t want to shell out the big bucks for specialty footwear from top names.​

Best High Top

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic

The simple rubber sole, which features less arch support, is ideal for power squats or deadlifts where you’re transferring your energy through the foot and want flat support. Additionally, the minimalist canvas design provides a lightweight and secure fit that isn’t going anywhere and helps you avoid tripping.

These shoes come in many colors and designs and are available in unisex as well as in men’s and women’s lines. 

Price at time of publication: $50

A shoe that’ll have you looking seriously chic on the streets, this Puma pick feels lightweight but still gives you support as you go through strength moves. The reinforced midfoot and heel keep your feet in position as you move, while the foam midsole gives you cushioning and lots of comfort.

Best Style

Puma Provoke XT Pearl Training Shoes

While you probably wouldn’t lace these up for Olympic lifts, they’ll support you from sweat sessions to running errands—in other words, you’ll want to wear them everywhere.

If you’re prone to plantar fasciitis, you’ll want both arch support and heel stability, and this shoe checks both boxes. Designed specifically for women, the construction feels super comfortable underfoot, like it was made for your shape. You get flexibility under the forefoot, too, so you can move with ease. It’ll also support you through lateral movements, twists, and turns for those workouts that make you move in all planes of motion. 

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Ryka Devotion XT Training Shoe

To top it off, the shoe also features an antimicrobial footbed.

Price at time of publication: $100

What to Look for in Weightlifting Shoes

Stability

In order to lift heavy weights, you need a shoe that stays put. Those with a firm outsole will do just that. Reinforcements in the heel and midfoot can help you stay on your feet—no shifting around in your shoes. They’ll also help you push through your legs with precision, no matter how heavy the weight you’re lifting. 

Final Verdict

The Nike Romaleos 4 and Reebok Nano X both offer the stability and support you want from a weightlifting shoe while allowing you to feel the surface beneath your feet. This helps you perform lifts with precision. Comfort is always key, so make sure you find a shoe that feels right for you. 

Comfort

To avoid a shoe that holds you back from reaching peak performance, it’s crucial to wear a pair that feels good on your feet. It’s always a good idea to try shoes on in-store so you can see what they’re like before you buy. You shouldn’t feel restricted in your movements or experience any discomfort as you squat, lunge, or do other weight training exercises. 

Durability

For a shoe that lasts through all your lifting, you also want a durable outsole and upper. Those with rubber should keep you steady through plenty of workouts, while a well-constructed upper will move with you for years.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Mallory Creveling, a certified personal trainer and fitness reporter, has been covering workout gear for over a decade. In addition to testing shoes on her own, she has also scoured reviews to find the best sneakers for her clients’ strength training workouts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How important are your shoes when you are weightlifting?
  • Weightlifting-specific shoes are important if you perform highly technical and heavy compound exercises such as barbell squats, clean and jerks, or deadlifts. Your foot positioning and ability to stabilize and brace properly are essential for ensuring correct form and preventing injuries. For light, circuit-style training, or isolation exercises, the type of shoe you wear is less important. Most athletic shoes should work provided they are stable and fit appropriately.
  • What are the benefits of weightlifting shoes?
  • The benefits of weightlifting shoes are more support and better form, especially if your anatomy prevents you from squatting as deep as you prefer. Slight heel lifts in weightlifting shoes can help you maintain a more upright posture and prevent butt wink due to better knee and hip flexion. A raised heel can significantly protect lifters against back injury if their anatomy limits their mobility.
  • Learn More:
  • How to Prevent Butt Wink, a Form Defect of the Squat
  • How can you make sure your weightlifting shoes fit?
  • If you are choosing weightlifting shoes online without trying them on first, check the website’s size guide for measurements. Many people wear the wrong size shoes, so it’s essential to measure. Measure your feet carefully, checking both your right and left as feet can be different sizes. Use the larger size to determine your ideal shoe size with the brand you choose. Be sure to look for a width that suits you as well if you have wide feet. This is often indicated with a W. And if you’re buying online, choose a retailer that offers a generous return policy.
  • Can you wear weightlifting shoes outside?
  • You can wear weightlifting shoes outside but you likely will not be comfortable using them as walking shoes due to their stiffness and support structure. As well, most gyms do not allow outdoor shoes to be worn inside, so consider your gym’s policies before wearing your weightlifting shoes outside.

Weightlifting-specific shoes are important if you perform highly technical and heavy compound exercises such as barbell squats, clean and jerks, or deadlifts. Your foot positioning and ability to stabilize and brace properly are essential for ensuring correct form and preventing injuries. For light, circuit-style training, or isolation exercises, the type of shoe you wear is less important. Most athletic shoes should work provided they are stable and fit appropriately.

The benefits of weightlifting shoes are more support and better form, especially if your anatomy prevents you from squatting as deep as you prefer. Slight heel lifts in weightlifting shoes can help you maintain a more upright posture and prevent butt wink due to better knee and hip flexion. A raised heel can significantly protect lifters against back injury if their anatomy limits their mobility.

If you are choosing weightlifting shoes online without trying them on first, check the website’s size guide for measurements. Many people wear the wrong size shoes, so it’s essential to measure. Measure your feet carefully, checking both your right and left as feet can be different sizes. Use the larger size to determine your ideal shoe size with the brand you choose. Be sure to look for a width that suits you as well if you have wide feet. This is often indicated with a W. And if you’re buying online, choose a retailer that offers a generous return policy.

You can wear weightlifting shoes outside but you likely will not be comfortable using them as walking shoes due to their stiffness and support structure. As well, most gyms do not allow outdoor shoes to be worn inside, so consider your gym’s policies before wearing your weightlifting shoes outside.