If you’re not sure about making an investment in a dedicated lifting shoe and don’t want to sacrifice performance for price, the Powerlift is just what you’re looking for. The stiff sole and just-raised-enough heel offer the support that your squats, deadlifts, and cleans need.While the upper is stiffer than that of a cross-training shoe, this model is flexible enough for lifts like lunges and split squats, which will feel more stable than ever. The antislip rubber outsole also means your feet aren’t going anywhere you don’t want them to. It’s also lightweight, and the extra-wide fit lets your feet spread comfortably. ($90, adidas.com)
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Nike
Nike: Metcon DSX Flyknit
Nike’s Metcon has been a CrossFit standby for a while now, and the DSX Flyknit edition features all the durability of the classic while being more lightweight and breathable. It’s designed to keep you stable during heavy lifts but light as a feather during plyometric training. The heel is hard enough to stabilize the foot under a heavy weight, but the sole transitions to a softer, flexible forefoot to make sprints comfortable.This shoe will take anything you throw at it, whether you’re jumping high or squatting low. It’s a great option for people who do CrossFit, but also for those who want to lift and do plyometrics without hitting the locker room for a shoe swap. ($160, nike.com)
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Innov-8
Inov-8: FastLift 325
Olympic weightlifting shoes may create the perfect platform for your biggest PRs, but they’re not known to be light or flexible. But at less than 12oz and featuring enough flexibility to take you from Olympic lifts to functional and plyometric moves, this shoe is much more versatile than most dedicated lifting shoes. It also features a 16.5mm drop and Inov-8’s Power-Truss heel, giving you stability in every lift. ($160, inov-8.com)
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Vibram
Vibram: FiveFingers V-Train
We love the V-Trains for doing barbell work, lunges, and other exercises during which you need maximum foot articulation. They make every exercise you’ve been doing for years feel totally different, and that’s a really good thing for perfecting your form. This model weighs in at a mere 6.4oz and has a zero-drop profile, but it also features slightly more ankle stabilization than other low-profile models, plus traditional laces and a Velcro strap across the midfoot. (Bonus: It’s machine washable.) It’s not ideal for everyone, though, so try it out in-store. ($120, us.vibram.com)
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Under Armour
Under Armour: Charged Push Hypersplice
You know it’s the fitness era when popular brands like Under Armour are branching into the serious training shoe realm to give lifters an option that blends impeccable style with advanced training technology. The socklike knit upper—for those who don’t want to lift in a superstiff shoe—is flexible yet supportive, and feels comfortable no matter how many burpees you drop into.The offset burrito tongue and laces take much-needed pressure off the midfoot. And the superflat and grippy outsole is built sticky for sweaty drills that go on and on. Only a tiny amount of midsole cushioning (with a 5mm offset) keeps proprioception high and you on your toes. UA Charged Push Hypersplice brings welcome fashion, durability, and function to a category of footwear in which we spend so many waking hours pushing our limits. ($95, underarmour.com)
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Under Amour
Reebok: CrossFit Grace
These shoes are made to handle any workout, period, and they’re the first CrossFit shoe built specifically for, and tested by, women. Despite their pretty appearance these babies will get you through even the most demanding session. They feature a stable yet flexible rubber outsole that offers the necessary grip for rope climbs, sprints, and heavy squats, while the woven upper is lightweight and breathable.Even if you’re not a CrossFitter, the Grace is more than tough enough for barbell work but lightweight enough to not weigh you down during box jumps and burpees. ($100, reebok.com)
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No Bull
NoBull: Trainer
This is a bona fide cool-kid sneaker. The designs are trendy but not annoyingly so, and it has an outsole that’s just stiff enough but also grippy as ever for your sprints, rope climbs, box jumps, jerks, and more. These have a more anatomical toe box than a regular sneaker and less padding, so you feel where your power is coming from on every rep. The upper is stiffer, but that’s to protect you from errant barbells and landings—and to last longer than the competition, which it will.A fantastic shoe for strength training, plyometrics, and everything else your mind is set on accomplishing. (From $129, nobullproject.com)
If you’re not sure about making an investment in a dedicated lifting shoe and don’t want to sacrifice performance for price, the Powerlift is just what you’re looking for. The stiff sole and just-raised-enough heel offer the support that your squats, deadlifts, and cleans need.
While the upper is stiffer than that of a cross-training shoe, this model is flexible enough for lifts like lunges and split squats, which will feel more stable than ever. The antislip rubber outsole also means your feet aren’t going anywhere you don’t want them to. It’s also lightweight, and the extra-wide fit lets your feet spread comfortably. ($90, adidas.com)
Nike: Metcon DSX Flyknit
Nike’s Metcon has been a CrossFit standby for a while now, and the DSX Flyknit edition features all the durability of the classic while being more lightweight and breathable. It’s designed to keep you stable during heavy lifts but light as a feather during plyometric training. The heel is hard enough to stabilize the foot under a heavy weight, but the sole transitions to a softer, flexible forefoot to make sprints comfortable.
This shoe will take anything you throw at it, whether you’re jumping high or squatting low. It’s a great option for people who do CrossFit, but also for those who want to lift and do plyometrics without hitting the locker room for a shoe swap. ($160, nike.com)
Inov-8: FastLift 325
Olympic weightlifting shoes may create the perfect platform for your biggest PRs, but they’re not known to be light or flexible. But at less than 12oz and featuring enough flexibility to take you from Olympic lifts to functional and plyometric moves, this shoe is much more versatile than most dedicated lifting shoes. It also features a 16.5mm drop and Inov-8’s Power-Truss heel, giving you stability in every lift. ($160, inov-8.com)
Vibram: FiveFingers V-Train
We love the V-Trains for doing barbell work, lunges, and other exercises during which you need maximum foot articulation. They make every exercise you’ve been doing for years feel totally different, and that’s a really good thing for perfecting your form. This model weighs in at a mere 6.4oz and has a zero-drop profile, but it also features slightly more ankle stabilization than other low-profile models, plus traditional laces and a Velcro strap across the midfoot. (Bonus: It’s machine washable.) It’s not ideal for everyone, though, so try it out in-store. ($120, us.vibram.com)
Under Armour: Charged Push Hypersplice
You know it’s the fitness era when popular brands like Under Armour are branching into the serious training shoe realm to give lifters an option that blends impeccable style with advanced training technology. The socklike knit upper—for those who don’t want to lift in a superstiff shoe—is flexible yet supportive, and feels comfortable no matter how many burpees you drop into.
The offset burrito tongue and laces take much-needed pressure off the midfoot. And the superflat and grippy outsole is built sticky for sweaty drills that go on and on. Only a tiny amount of midsole cushioning (with a 5mm offset) keeps proprioception high and you on your toes. UA Charged Push Hypersplice brings welcome fashion, durability, and function to a category of footwear in which we spend so many waking hours pushing our limits. ($95, underarmour.com)
Reebok: CrossFit Grace
These shoes are made to handle any workout, period, and they’re the first CrossFit shoe built specifically for, and tested by, women. Despite their pretty appearance these babies will get you through even the most demanding session. They feature a stable yet flexible rubber outsole that offers the necessary grip for rope climbs, sprints, and heavy squats, while the woven upper is lightweight and breathable.
Even if you’re not a CrossFitter, the Grace is more than tough enough for barbell work but lightweight enough to not weigh you down during box jumps and burpees. ($100, reebok.com)
NoBull: Trainer
This is a bona fide cool-kid sneaker. The designs are trendy but not annoyingly so, and it has an outsole that’s just stiff enough but also grippy as ever for your sprints, rope climbs, box jumps, jerks, and more. These have a more anatomical toe box than a regular sneaker and less padding, so you feel where your power is coming from on every rep. The upper is stiffer, but that’s to protect you from errant barbells and landings—and to last longer than the competition, which it will.
A fantastic shoe for strength training, plyometrics, and everything else your mind is set on accomplishing. (From $129, nobullproject.com)
