Weight training shoes

[IHateMyJob2004]

SC,

Discussion here taught me some things about shoes:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2291055

Instead of thread-jacking, here's a new thread on shoes.

SC scared me a bit about lifting shoes. I hope he responds here.

I usually go barefoot or where cross trainers when doing squats and deadlifts. Should I get shoes? Any good brands or things to look for? I have wide feet (D width I think).

I ask out of fear a bit. About 5 years ago I sprained my knee playing hockey. Talk about pain. Got it cat scanned and turns out I have a minor tear of the meniscus. But hte injury was a sprain. The doc said not to worry about the meniscus unless it starts hurting.

When I run, my knee does start to hurt after a few miles. In the past, as I trained more, I could go longer and longer without knee pain but if I tack on an extra half mile the next run, it would start hurting at the end. I also weight 215 pounds which doesn't help much. Now I worry that squatting has aggravated my knee?

Anyway, am I blowing things out of proportion? Can I get recommendations on shoes?

I'll order them ASAP. I don't mess around with things like this if it can prevent injury.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I should add.

For deadlifts, I have proper form barefoot.

With squats, i always think that the higher heal style weightlifting shoes would help with form. Is this correct thinking?

 

[surfsatwerk]

I wear chucks to deadlift and weightlifting shoes to squat. I wore VFFs to lift in for years with no ill effect. Eventually I want to get some wrestling shoes to try pulling in. Some people will even recommend bowling shoes. Personally I don't know dick about shoes to run in.

Here are the essentials: non-compressible sole, little or no foot movement inside the shoe.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I bowl. I have no idea why someone would use them to lift in. The bottoms are a felt like a material so you slide. The total opposite of what you want for stability.

I have read alot of people saying chuck taylors are a good way to go for weight lifting.

VFFs? These?
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm

I am mostly worried about squatting though. I need something for that. It's really the one activity where I worry about form a bit and from doing it, I think it would help.

You have weightlifting shoes with a raised heal, correct? Can you tell me about hte ones you wear?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

read reviews on these:
http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-weightlifting-shoes.php

They are good for people with wide feet like me. People also say to get a half size smaller than you normally would.

Sounds like a good shoe at a good price.

EDIT: Actually, i am reading good things about that shoe in general. And they are for wider feet. WIN WIN!

 

[surfsatwerk]

read reviews on these:
http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-weightlifting-shoes.php

They are good for people with wide feet like me. People also say to get a half size smaller than you normally would.

Sounds like a good shoe at a good price.

EDIT: Actually, i am reading good things about that shoe in general. And they are for wider feet. WIN WIN!

I squat in those. They do run a touch big, but I use an insert in my right shoe so I need the extra space. The velcro do a great job keeping your foot in place.

 

[Sid59]

i've lifted in vibrams, chucks, nike frees (terrible choice) and was fine. When i started getting into cleans and snatches, i was told with better foot stability, i could do better.

A local junior olympic lifting coach visited our gym to pimp out Adidas shoes to raise money for this program. I tried their high-end pair and instantly felt the difference than flat/barefoot/chucks. My foot felt planted and stable, did a few body squats, deadlifts, etc, it felt great. Guy said i didn't even need the expensive shoe and fitted me for the less expensive, only used them 2 days but a very nice upgrade .

http://www.adidas.com/us/product/training-adipower-weightlifting-shoes/DA847
http://www.adidas.com/us/product/mens-training-power-perfect-20-shoes/EV210?cid=G17563

 

[Ashenor]

Nice i know my sister and the trainers switch to more expensive pair of reeboks to lift with. Being new i just use my flat crossfit New Balance's for everything. I was running inside though yesterday a few 400's and my feet are sore today, i need to start running in my running shoe's only i think.

 

[Zivic]

I have a set of adipower oly shoes I have used for squats. I have used them for about 5 weeks. still not sold on them. will be going back to my chucks for a while. I was surprised at how much different a little lift in the heal would make things. Bigger adjustment than I thought it would be

 

[Ashenor]

I never realized that chucks were good, i see a lot of people in them, just good because they are so flat with the rubber sole?

 

[Cstefan]

I use chucks for deads and squats, anything else pushes my balance too far forwards. I would do them barefoot if I could at my gym.
Do it right, do it often.

 

[Malfeas]

I use my 2010 pendlay do-wins with the .7" heel for everything, including deadlifts, I'm just too lazy to take my shoes off.

 

[KIAman]

$15 pair of chucks. I am too cheap and I'm not doing this for competition or anything to get something more specialized.

The flat sole and the ability to really tighten the strings leave no wiggle room side to side, which I need the most when squatting.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

SC,

Discussion here taught me some things about shoes:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2291055

Instead of thread-jacking, here's a new thread on shoes.

SC scared me a bit about lifting shoes. I hope he responds here.

I usually go barefoot or where cross trainers when doing squats and deadlifts. Should I get shoes? Any good brands or things to look for? I have wide feet (D width I think).

I ask out of fear a bit. About 5 years ago I sprained my knee playing hockey. Talk about pain. Got it cat scanned and turns out I have a minor tear of the meniscus. But hte injury was a sprain. The doc said not to worry about the meniscus unless it starts hurting.

When I run, my knee does start to hurt after a few miles. In the past, as I trained more, I could go longer and longer without knee pain but if I tack on an extra half mile the next run, it would start hurting at the end. I also weight 215 pounds which doesn't help much. Now I worry that squatting has aggravated my knee?

Anyway, am I blowing things out of proportion? Can I get recommendations on shoes?

I'll order them ASAP. I don't mess around with things like this if it can prevent injury.

I'm a bit confused here - what are your concerns especially with regards to weightlifting shoes? Are you looking for suggestions? Are you looking into them because of your injury? I could try to put everything together, but I want to make sure I'm addressing your specific concerns.

 

[Koing]

I have 4 pairs...

1999 Adidas shoes
2004 AdiStars
2008 Nike Romaleos, white pair, dark grey pair

I prefer the Nikes. They are heavier than the AdiStars but I prefer the extra bit of width.

Do Wins are okay as well but there are very minor differences between the shoes at the end of the day. Some people say the Do Wins don't last as long where others say the Adidas don't last as long. Not sure how a weightlifting shoe doesn't last long. All of mine are in good use still.

Koing

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I have 4 pairs...

1999 Adidas shoes
2004 AdiStars
2008 Nike Romaleos, white pair, dark grey pair

I prefer the Nikes. They are heavier than the AdiStars but I prefer the extra bit of width.

Do Wins are okay as well but there are very minor differences between the shoes at the end of the day. Some people say the Do Wins don't last as long where others say the Adidas don't last as long. Not sure how a weightlifting shoe doesn't last long. All of mine are in good use still.

Koing

Yeah, I have a pair of the Do-Wins and I like them quite a bit. They honestly look like in the same shape they did when I got them. Nice solid shoe, comfortable, not too much of a heel - electric blue to top it all off.

 

[Java Cafe]

I switched from (a relatively flat pair of) cross trainers to VFF Bikilas about thre years ago. Nothing I have worn comes closer to the 'barefoot feel' than those.

 

[Cstefan]

Those look pretty pimp! Today I forgot my flats and did squats in my running shoes. Sad day when you feel yourself leaning forward with 350lb on your back. Ugh.

 

[Wyndru]

I used to wear crocs lol.

Now I wear Asics wrestling shoes, I don't remember specifically which ones (I think they are matflex).

They seem fine to me, but I've never really noticed a difference, even barefoot is comfortable.

 

[Spamela]

for both squat & deadlift i use Asics wrestling shoes i bought on sale at Big 5. flat, stiff soles, high top, cheap, have lasted forever. if they ever wore out i'd try chuck taylors.

 

[brad310]

This thread is a couple weeks old but i have some info that may be useful.

1-Chuck Taylor Converse all stars...I bought for $30. These are fine for me on days where I dont have any cardio or squats.

2-Rogue Do-Wins...these are a $100 shoe that is good for squats. They have a solid sole, 3/4 in raised heel, 2 velcro straps. Feels good only when squatting/deads/oly lifts. Forget any cardio.

3-Reebok's crossfit shoe...this is a $150 shoe i bought from Rogue. This is now my favorite workout shoe. It has a 3/4in raised heel,1 velcro strap, hard sole. These are good for everything but running. Light and comfortable to walk around in.

The reebok crossfit shoe is easily my favorite. I can do box jumps and sled work in the same shoe i squat in. The do-win shoe was my first shoe i got for squats and it opened my eyes. Its a good shoe for what it is. It will also outlive the reebok. The chucks are ok for flavor, but TBH i prefer the reebok for everything now. They say to use them for deadlifts - but i still prefer the oly style shoes like the rogue do wins or reebok. I have very poor ankle flexability so the chucks are really a fashion statement - as i cant squat in them.

HTH

 

[blackdogdeek]

3-Reebok's crossfit shoe...this is a $150 shoe i bought from Rogue. This is now my favorite workout shoe. It has a 3/4in raised heel,1 velcro strap, hard sole. These are good for everything but running. Light and comfortable to walk around in.

Are you talking about the Nanos? That's what I wear but they were $120, don't have a velcro strap and I can run in them. I wasn't aware of another Reebok CrossFit shoe.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Are you talking about the Nanos? That's what I wear but they were $120, don't have a velcro strap and I can run in them. I wasn't aware of another Reebok CrossFit shoe.

http://www.roguefitness.com/reebok-crossfit-lifter-steel-gravel-black-red.php

 

[blackdogdeek]

http://www.roguefitness.com/reebok-crossfit-lifter-steel-gravel-black-red.php

Weird. I could have sworn the Nanos were the only crossfit shoe I saw on the Reebok site. Oh well. Those look good.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Weird. I could have sworn the Nanos were the only crossfit shoe I saw on the Reebok site. Oh well. Those look good.

The idea of putting $150 shoes in the oven to make them fit is unsettling.