cheap weightlifting shoes

Exercise equipment and powerlifting gear is not always affordable.

Sometimes cheaper products that fit your budget are low-quality products that won’t last if you work out frequently.

Luckily, weightlifting is more mainstream now and brands are making more cost-effective products. These include economical weight lifting shoes.

If you’re looking for cheap weightlifting shoes, it’s important to find a pair that is not only at a low cost but is also durable and functional.

To help you find these seemingly elusive shoes, we have reviewed some of the best available in a convenient training economical shoe guide.

Cheap Weightlifting Shoes – Our Recommendations

With so many affordable weightlifting shoes on the market, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed as you search for a special offer or try to find cut-price workout shoes.

We’ve reviewed some of the top lifting footwear in the past. But you don’t need the very latest and most expensive pair of Nike Romaleos for a good workout. If you shop around and time it right, you can often find shoes from many brands such as Nike, Reebok, or Adidas on sale or at discount prices.

But to help you in your efforts, here are some popular types of budget weightlifting footwear that you can get right now:

 Rating  Review
#1
Converse Chuck Taylor
4.9 out of 5 stars
Converse Chuck TaylorClick For Converse Chuck Taylor PriceThe solid base of this shoe makes if a great affordable solution to lifting. It can be worn outside the gym too!
#2
Adidas Powerlift 3.1
4.9 out of 5 stars
Adidas Powerlift 3.1Click For Adidas Powerlift PriceA well respected shoe. Great value for money.

Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High-Top SneakersConverse Chuck Taylor

This might not be the shoe you think of when you think about a traditional weightlifting shoe.

But the classic Chuck Taylors are used quite often by lifters who love flat-soled shoes.

They feature a canvas upper and rubber soles which are solid enough for heavy squats or deadlifts.

The high-top design and traditional lacing system provide good security and stability across the foot and up around the ankle. This can help you maintain proper form and feel secure during heavy lifts.

Plus, they are a bargain when compared to many Olympic lifting shoes!

Like any sneaker, there are pros and cons to Chuck Taylor’s that are worth noting.

Pros:

  • A flat outsole and low volumes of cushioning make them a stable base for lifting
  • Affordable and versatile (casual footwear that can be worn outside the gym)
  • Available in a wide range of sizes and colors
  • Canvas uppers give good air circulation

Cons:

  • No heel elevation like traditional lifting shoes
  • The rubber base is firm but is more compressible than proper lifting shoes
  • Canvas upper may have too much give for some people

Adidas Performance Adipower Weightlifting ShoesAdidas Powerlift 3.1

The Adidas Powerlift 3.1s are the best cheap true weightlifting shoes around at the moment.

They feature a lower-than-average heel height (0.6 inches) made of EVA plastic making them ideal for low-bar squatting.

They are lighter and more breathable than typical weightlifting shoes. They can also be used as cross-training shoes rather than clunky traditional lifting shoes.

That being said, they have the traditional metatarsal strap to lock your feet into position during your lifting sessions.

The Adidas Powerlift 3.1s can be had for a great price right now.

Due to the differences from traditional oly lifting shoes they can be used for more than just lifting.

In fact, CrossFit enthusiasts seem to like these shoes since they’re great for lifting. They are also flexible and comfortable enough to be used for other exercises that may appear in a workout of the day (WOD).

Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive weightlifting shoes when compared to others.

Before deciding on these squat shoes, consider some pros and cons that we discovered:

Pros:

  • Can be used for other exercises, not just weightlifting
  • More comfortable than others on the market
  • Ideal for low-bar squatting

Cons:

  • EVA plastic heel is not as durable as the more advanced TPU plastic
  • May feel narrow for those with naturally wide feet

Benefits of Weightlifting Shoes

Some people think that lifting footwear is only used by serious competitive lifters.

But the truth is that even casual lifters can benefit from a good pair of weightlifting shoes. Some of the notable benefits of them are:

  • Increased range of motion in the ankles
  • More stability and support during squats
  • Help to improve balance during all lifts (especially squats & deadlifts)
  • Reduces your risk of injury and fatigue
  • Help to improve your form through better stability
  • Better form means you can lift heavy weights safely

What to Consider when Buying Budget Weight Lifting Shoes

The right pair of weight lifting shoes should fit comfortably and be useful for your workout. They should also fit your budget and hopefully your personal aesthetic style.

It’s very important that they can offer a solid base to lift from. A pair of sneakers with stable outsoles can be a good choice for beginner lifters. But you shouldn’t go for the cheapest weightlifting shoes you can find…

You should look at them closely and compare them to find which are the better quality.

When looking at different powerlifting shoes, there are a few things to consider including the heel height, shoe material, laces, and similar features.

Types of Gym & Powerlifting Shoes

Olympic lifting shoes often have an elevated heel, a semi-elevated heel, or a flat outsole.

Olympic lifts are usually performed with traditional powerlifting shoes that feature a raised heel of about 0.75 inches to 1 inch. The Adidas Powerlift shoes have a slightly shorter heel without being completely flat like the aptly named flat-soled shoes.

Many women’s powerlifting shoes have some slight differences in design.

There are advantages to the different heel heights including more stability and a better range of motion. However, the type of shoe you choose really comes down to what you’re most comfortable wearing during your workouts.

Heel Height

Powerlifting shoes with elevated heels can help you keep proper form during lifts and also help to increase the range of motion in your ankles and calves.

The standard heel height for these shoes is 0.75 inches but you can find different heights that are a better fit for you.

heel height

There are weightlifting shoes that have heel heights of 1 inch.

These higher heels are suitable for taller people with longer legs. Higher heels also offer an increased range of motion in the ankles when compared to flat shoes. So if you prefer this you may be more comfortable with a higher elevation.

Lower than average heels offer their own benefits too and are more common in budget squat shoes. Some shorter lifters prefer these lower heights (or completely flat soles) as do people who prefer low-bar squats.

This is because that specific type of squat requires less ankle mobility and more hip hinge movement that the lower heel heights can provide better.

The average 0.75 inch heel is the popular choice with most lifters for their versatility as they offer a good range of motion for the ankles as well as hip hinge support.

If you’re not sure about what heel height will be the best for you, you may want to go to a store in your area and try different ones on to see how they feel.

There are also charts available where you can find the best heel height based on the length of your femur and shin.

Straps and Security

The next thing you should look at is how many straps the cheap lifting shoes you’re considering has.

Many shoes, such as Nike Savaleos, feature one metatarsal strap that goes across the midfoot via a hook-and-loop. This helps to keep your feet securely in place.

However, there are some that have two straps and others that only use laces to stabilize your feet.

foot straps

The point of strong straps is to give your foot security to stop them from sliding within the footwear during squats and other lifts.

If you have weak ankles or are just looking for more stability during a weightlifting session, consider a powerlifting shoe with at least one velcro strap.

Similarly, some straps are thicker than others and are generally considered stronger than the thinner straps.

Shoe Material

The upper part of cheaper shoes for weightlifting will vary from leather-type material and mesh, much like regular running shoes. The heels can be made of plastic, leather or wood.

Each has its benefits and disadvantages so this mainly comes down to your personal preferences.

material

Plastic heels are quite common with TPU being the most popular material used in less expensive weightlifting shoes.

This material is considered the most durable out of the three and comes in different styles. For example, other materials are only available in the traditional block heel style.

TPU and other plastic heels can be found in the solid block or in the less-common pillar style heel.

Wood heels are the most traditional material with most Olympic lifters choosing these over plastic and leather.

Lifters who prefer wood claim that they can feel the floor better than the other materials. This is probably why many professional powerlifters choose these.

In general, people who are looking for a classic weightlifting shoe tend to choose wood heels.

Finally, leather heels are the least common especially when you’re looking for cheap bodybuilding shoes.

These feature a stacked leather heel to create a hard sole and provide stable elevation. While these are a fine choice a lot of experienced lifters, many have complained that leather-heeled weightlifting footwear isn’t as durable as the other materials.

Lacing Systems

Most weight training shoes come with standard laces like all normal running shoes.

In these standard lacing systems, you can change out the laces to use some that you prefer. If you like cord laces instead of the flat cloth laces but your preferred shoe has cloth laces you can simply change them.

lacing

Still, there are some gym shoes that don’t use laces.

Most notably, there is a lacing system called the BOA lacing system. This is used on some workout shoes and snowboarding boots.

Here, there is a dial that you can tighten for stability. While this is innovative, there are complaints that the dial doesn’t tighten the shoe as well as the regular laces can.

Remember, besides these factors, you also want to make sure you find the right size and pick something that will be comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time.

If you can’t get to a store to try on your options, read user reviews and try to see what people are saying about each shoe. Look for comments about the toe box size, the shoe pinching their toes or running bigger or smaller than expected to get an idea of how they’ll fit you.

By figuring out what you prefer in each category of discount weightlifting shoes, you can narrow down your options quickly and make a more informed purchasing decision.

FAQ

Are Converse good for lifting?

Yes, Converse are perfectly suitable for lifting. This is mainly due to their flat soles with minimal cushioning which makes them great for stability.

Conclusion – Where To Find Low-Cost Lifting Footwear?

With this information in mind, you can now confidently shop for cheap weightlifting shoes without worrying about whether or not you’re getting value for money and a quality pair of shoes.

Remember, read user reviews and try on different shoes at your local store if possible so you can make an informed and economical purchase decision.