Best weightlifting shoes for women, reviewed by fitness editors
Though it may feel like any old pair of trainers will do for hitting the gym, when it comes to weightlifting, you really need a pair of the best weightlifting shoes for women to help perfect your squats, deadlifts and clean and press.
We know you're thinking: do I really need another pair of shoes? But if you want to get serious about weight training and are planning on deadlifting, cleaning and squatting heavy weights in the gym, then the answer is likely a big yes.
A good pair of weightlifting shoes for women should provide you with increased awareness of the weight you're about to push, pull or press – which will keep you safe and improve your lifting form.
SKIP TO: How we test weightlifting shoes | What are the benefits of wearing weightlifting-specific shoes? | What to consider when shopping | Why do people wear Converse when weightlifting? | Our full reviews.
The best weightlifting shoes at a glance:
- Best Olympic Weightlifting Shoes: Nike Savaleos Weightlifting Shoes, £77.99
- Best Flat Weightlifting Shoes: Under Armour Reign 6 Weightlifting Shoes, £125
- Best Weightlifting Shoes For CrossFit: Nike Metcon 9 Shoes, £129.99
- Most Versatile Weightlifting Shoe: Reebok Nano X4 Weightlifting Shoe, £113
- Best For Beginners: Adidas Powerlift 5 Weightlifting Shoe, £90
Meet the expert:
- We spoke to Jenny Tong, a Team GB weightlifter who was British and English Champion in 2022. It's safe to say she's tried out her fair share of weightlifting shoes.
How we test weightlifting shoes:
Alice Barraclough is a nutrition editor, and Chloe Gray is a fitness instructor and health and fitness editor, meaning they have plenty of experience in the weights room of their local gyms. They've tried out plenty of shoes while training before and, along with Tong's advice and their knowledge of brands and weightlifting requirements, they've been able to pull together a guide on the best weightlifting shoes. Find out more about how we test fitness launches here.
What are the benefits of weightlifting-specific shoes?
You can't simply wear the same running shoes to properly weight lift, as this can cause balance issues when lifting weights – this is because most running shoes have extra cushioning at the bottom to help absorb the impact of pounding those pavements. But, when deadlifting, you want your feet to feel flat on the ground and not move.
“You should avoid lifting in running shoes as they are not made for all-purpose training. The soft sole and cushioned nature of running shoes can limit and can decrease stability due to their structure and design,” says Jenny Tong. “They are on the opposite end of the spectrum to weightlifting shoes which have a hard sole.”
Some lifters may even prefer to go barefoot and allow the foot to provide natural stability. “Flat shoes are best for deadlifting and low bar squats where the lifter doesn’t require significant ankle flexion,” says Jenny. But, for movements like squats, you may actually find it helpful to wear a weightlifting shoe with a slightly raised heel. As a slight heel can offer greater balance and support a better squatting form, compared to completely flat soles.
“Full depth high bar squats and Olympic lifts are best performed using hard base shoes with a slightly elevated heel to help increase ankle range,” says Jenny. “If you don’t want to invest in a pair of shoes solely for lifting, a multi-purpose shoe such as those often worn in Crossfit is recommended.”
Things to consider when shopping for a weightlifting shoe:
- What will you be wearing the shoe for? If you want to weightlift with very heavy weights then you should consider a heeled weightlifting shoe. If deadlifts or higher rep strength training is the goal, a wide and flat sole is the way forward. Anything that involves cardio shouldn't be done in a weightlifting shoe.
- How comfortable is the shoe? While weightlifting shoes may feel a little weird at first, they should be comfortable to wear and allow you to spread your feet wide for a good grip of the floor. Anything too small or uncomfortable will make for dangerous lifting.
- What does the shoe look like? Finding a show that suits your personal taste is a very important point before purchasing a weightlifting shoe. Not only does feeling good help you be more confident in the gym, but you need to know it's a shoe you'll come back to time and time again if you're going to spend a lot of money on it.
- How expensive is the shoe? Weightlifting shoes can be very expensive, but middle-ground shoes are also good for lifting. Work out how much you can invest before starting your search.
Why do people lift in Converse?
While Converse aren’t specifically designed for weightlifting, they do actually work pretty well for it (mainly thanks to their minimal cushioning and flat sole).
“Powerlifters often wear converse because the sole is flat while simultaneously proving high ankle support,” says Jenny. “Having a flat sole helps increase balance, physical awareness and stability while reducing the overall range of motion relating to ankle stability.”
Scroll for our full edit of the very best weightlifting shoes for women.
Tested by: Chloe Gray.
Why we love it: The thick straps on these Nike trainers are designed to keep your foot strapped down to a flat base for ultimate stability. The raised heel will help you get weight off the ground for explosive PBs.
- Pros: Raised heel and sturdy straps.
- Cons: Some report small sizing so you may need to change your usual order size.
- Size range: UK 3 - UK 17.
- Weight: Undisclosed.
- Made from: Undisclosed.
- Colours: White/Iron Grey/Laser Orange/Black.
Tested by: Chloe Gray.
Why we love them: This shoe's low-to-the-ground construction provides excellent stability for lifting, no matter how many reps you're aiming for. The flat sole maximizes ground contact and promotes natural motion while the heel support keeps you stable.
- Pros: Flat and wide for all types of strength training.
- Cons: Not weightlifting-specific for Olympic lifting.
- Size range:
- Weight: 13.66 oz.
- Made from: UA WARP, full rubber outer-sole, UA TriBase™.
- Colours: Black, grey or pink.
Tested by: Chloe Gray.
Why we love them: Metcon's are famed for being great shoes to lift weights in, as well as being great for gym sessions and classes where you typically make a lot of sharp, explosive movements. It features a flat sole for stability and a flexible forefoot for agility during functional exercises. This version also has the Easy On fit — a flexible heel that collapses when you step in then snaps back into place — to make them easy for everyone to put on and take off.
- Pros: Versatile, sturdy and good for a variety of workouts.
- Cons: Quite pricey.
- Size range: UK 2.5 - UK 9.5.
- Weight: Undisclosed.
- Made from: Recycled materials from post-consumer and/or post-manufactured waste.
- Colours: White/Metallic Gold Grain/Sand Drift/White.
Tested by: Chloe Gray.
Why we love them: Versatile, stable and durable – these trainers are flatter rather than heeled to see you through loads of different types of weight-based workouts. Whether you're hitting your one rep max or circuit training with heavy dumbbells, Nano's are always a great shout.
The X4 variation are the the lightest and most breathable iteration of the famous Nano collection and now feature extra support for lifting and gentle runs as well as foamy cushioning. The shoes are also breathable, have a wide forefoot and a cushioned midsole for added stability and support.
- Pros: Durable, supportive and versatile
- Cons: Some may find these shoes to be on the heavier side, which can lead to fatigue during long workouts.
- Size range: UK 2.5 - UK 9.5.
- Weight: Undisclosed.
- Made from: FLEXWEAVE upper with TPU heel clip.
- Colours: Cloud White/Black/Orange Flare.
Tested by: Chloe Gray.
Why we love it: Vivo Barefoot shoes became a cult classic among weightlifters as they allow your feet to spread widely and create a solid base that the brand brought out it's own strength-specific shoe. The zero-drop sole keeps your foot flat on the ground for the barefoot feel while the thicker sole adds protection for higher impact movements.
- Pros: Natural feel that's good for long term foot health.
- Cons: Very expensive.
- Size range: UK 2.5 - UK 9.
- Weight: 301g.
- Made from: Active Ortholite Performance Insole is made of 98% recycled PU foam, breathable mesh, MOTUS Stregnth Outsole.
- Colours: Grey, black, white lime, beach glass, bright white.
Tested by: Chloe Gray.
Why we love them: Durable and secure, these Adidas Powerlift 5 weightlifting shoes are the latest iteration of a much-loved weight training shoe. They look sporty and have a drop-heel without too much height - perfect for newbies and experienced lifters alike. They also have a snug fit and rubber sole to keep your foot planted in place.
- Pros: Made with sustainable materials, supportive and stable.
- Cons: They run slightly small so your usual size may not fit.
- Size range: UK 3.5 - UK 15.
- Weight: 436 g.
- Made from: Upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content.
- Colours: Core black, cloud white, charcoal.
