Best Weightlifting Shoes of 2025

Weightlifting shoes are a unique type of shoe, so we got feedback from experts on the quality to look for when buying these shoes.

True to size: Weightlifting shoes tend to run faithfully to their size to suit accurate foot measurements. “This is because you don’t want to move inside your shoes at all while squatting or doing Olympic lifting. The shoes should move firmly through the lift,” says Matt Scarfo, a certified personal trainer at National Sports Medicine. explains.

Additionally, you need to make sure your shoes are stable and supportive. “The shoe platform is stiff so you can put all of your shoes on the floor, so it shouldn’t be too comfortable to walk around,” Scarfo says.

Phung Trana certified exercise physiologist at American College of Sports Medicine, adds that if your feet are wide, it’s okay to increase the size half to make your shoes sit more comfortable. “Weightlifting shoes don’t provide cushioning at the sole of the foot, so they don’t help flat feet much.

“Don’t shop with brands. You’ll fit and shop because you need to try different brands of shoes and see which one feels like you’re the best brand,” says Tran. “It doesn’t matter how cool your shoes look or how much tech they have, because if they’re not comfortable, your training is a struggle,” she points out. Keep in mind when buying weightlifting shoes where comfort and stability are important.

Raised heel shoes: One of the styles of weightlifting shoes you will encounter is lifting your heels. These usually have lace and velcro straps on the top to keep your feet even safer. These shoes are perfect for practicing Olympic lifting exercises such as Clean and Jerk and Snatch. It is also beneficial if you are squatting or doing exercises that are trying to get a deeper squat.

“Heeled weightlifting shoes help people with limited ankle mobility by raising the heel, reducing the angle between the shin and the top of the foot, and improving squat depth,” says Scarfo. He explains. He says these shoes need to be squatted down and used only for Olympic lifting. Because they fall into squats and provide a stable base to charm and lift the hamstrings.

That’s all they’re good about. “I don’t want to use heel weightlifting shoes for deadlifting, as these shoes can advance your severity and use too much of your back for deadlifting and increase the risk of injury.” He warns.

Flat Sole Shoes: There are also weightlifting shoes that fall into the flat sole or minimalist shoe category. These are firm and flat, with zero-drop soles. In other words, there is no difference in height between the heel and toe. “If you’re choosing minimalist training shoes, look for ankle support, great grip and a flexible sole,” says Tran. The flexible sole helps optimize the performance of everything from plyometrics to heavy lifts.

Unlike heeled weightlifting shoes, this style tends to be more versatile as it can also be used for all lifts and aerobic exercise. “But these don’t help you stop by squats without stretching a bit,” says Scarfo. This does not mean it is impossible to have the proper ankle flexion required to squat without heels.

Scarfo suggests rolling foam, stretching the calves, doing lots of ankle stretching, and preparing the Achilles tendon prior to the lifting session. This should also include long warm-ups, so your body is ready to stabilize your ankles during these workouts.