The 3 Best Powerlifting Shoes of 2025, Reviewed and Compare

Powerlifting is an intense strength sport focused on three core lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. However, it's essential to note that elite powerlifters often choose different footwear for each lift to enhance their performance. This is where our guide on the 3 Best Powerlifting Shoes comes in.

To unlock your maximum potential, having the right shoes can make all the difference. Many athletes prefer high-heeled lifting shoes for squats while opting for flat shoes during deadlifts. But do you really need both types? Our expertly crafted guide will help you decide by utilizing a data-driven approach and showcasing insights from our rigorous lab testing process, which evaluates over 20+ data points for each shoe reviewed.

Adidas Powerlift 5

Pros

  • Stable base for moderate lifting
  • Good for accessory exercises
  • Solid bite on gym floors
  • Secure foothold
  • Supportive Velcro strap
  • Reasonably priced
  • Contains sustainable materials

Cons

  • Lacks breathability
  • Upper is not very durable
  • Tongue shifts

Key Features

  • Durable Construction: Built with high-quality materials to withstand intense workouts.
  • Enhanced Stability: Designed to offer optimal foot placement during heavy lifts.
  • Sleek Design: The eye-catching blue, white, and solar red color scheme stands out in any gym setting.
  • Comfort Fit: Provides ample room in the toe box for comfort while maintaining a snug fit around the heel.

Specifications

  • Men's Size: 10
  • Women's Size: 11
  • Medium Width: Designed to fit standard width feet comfortably.
  • Weight: Approximately lightweight for easy handling during workouts.

The Adidas Powerlift 5 is an excellent choice for individuals focused on deadlifts, squats, and bench presses, which are the primary components of weightlifting. The shoe features a stiff heel counter that securely holds the foot in place, while its twist-resistant base ensures stability during movements. Its lightweight design contributes to comfort, minimizing strain during workouts.

In controlled laboratory testing, the heel counter demonstrated impressive resistance to compression, earning a perfect score of 5 for stiffness. This finding aligns with our practical experience in the gym, confirming that the heel counter effectively supports the foot during lifts. Additionally, the shoe’s base withstood significant bending and twisting, justifying the 5 out of 5 rating for torsional resistance.

Weighing only 15.0 oz or 425g, the Adidas Powerlift 5 is notably lighter by 3.7 oz or 105 grams compared to average weightlifting shoes. This low weight enhances ease of movement, making activities like walking and warming up more comfortable. However, individuals with wider feet may find the toebox insufficient, measuring only 95.2 mm at its widest, which is 3.7 mm narrower than the average width.

Reebok Legacy Lifter III

Pros

  • Mind-blowing stability
  • Incompressible platform
  • High heel helps with posture for squats
  • Highly supportive upper
  • Top-notch durability
  • The Pump feature is fun and improves the fit

Cons

  • Unreasonable price hike
  • Short Velcro attachment

Key Features

  • Imported construction for enhanced quality
  • Durable rubber sole ensures longevity
  • No heel design for optimal flat foot stability
  • Traction-enhancing sole for superior grip

Specifications

  • Sole material: Rubber
  • Outer material: Mesh
  • Closure type: Lace-Up
  • Water resistance level: Not Water Resistant

The Reebok Legacy Lifter III is an excellent choice for advanced lifters seeking stability and durability in their training. This shoe is designed to support those who are committed to refining their weightlifting techniques, delivering significant stability throughout various lifts.

In our rigorous testing, the toebox of the Reebok Legacy Lifter III withstood extensive drilling from our Dremel tool, showing minimal damage. This performance highlights its impressive durability, justifying the high rating we assigned to its toebox.

When it comes to stability, the overall structure and heel counter of the Reebok Legacy Lifter III proved to be exceptionally resistant to twisting and squeezing tests. We awarded perfect scores for both components due to their remarkable rigidity.

The shoe features a higher than average heel stack, measured at 33.0 mm, which promotes good posture during lifts and squats. The elevated heel design also enhances ankle mobility, contributing to improved lifting mechanics.

A notable drawback is the lack of breathability; this shoe received a score of only 2 out of 5 in our breathability tests, making it less suitable for warmer conditions or extended wear without discomfort.

Adidas The Total

Pros

  • Ideal for deadlifting
  • Great traction
  • A lot of ground feel
  • Plenty of toebox space
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Fairly priced
  • Streamlined look

Cons

  • Not so much breathability
  • Not for heavy squats

Key Features

  • Regular fit for comfortable wear during intense workouts.
  • Textile upper provides durability and breathability.
  • Lace closure along with a hook-and-loop instep strap for a secure fit.
  • Wide toe box enhances stability and comfort during lifts.
  • Made with recycled materials to promote environmental sustainability.

Specifications

  • Origin: Made in the USA and Imported
  • Sole Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate for optimal cushioning.
  • Outer Material: Textile for both comfort and flexibility.
  • Closure Type: Pull-On design for easy wear.

The Total is the best Adidas trainer for deadlifting, designed for individuals seeking stability during intense strength sessions. Its firm platform, low-to-the-ground stance, wide base, and grippy outsole contribute to its effectiveness as a weightlifting shoe.

Featuring a firm, low cushion with no drop, ground contact remains strong. Lab measurements confirm this with a caliper reading of 12.5 mm in both the heel and forefoot, while the durometer indicates a 44.4% tougher-than-average cushion, enhancing overall stability and balance.

The shoe's generous toebox allows for natural toe splay, tapering gently towards the big toe area, which measures 8.7 mm wider than average. Additionally, the upper’s strap and laces provide a secure fit, keeping the foot planted during lifts.

The outsole enhances grip on both rough and smooth surfaces, promoting control and activating the correct muscle groups to help prevent injuries. This feature encourages users to tackle more challenging workouts.

However, The Total has limitations; it is not suitable for all types of weightlifting. Our flex test indicated that it is 44.8% more bendable than average, making it less effective for very heavy weights. We recommend that serious lifters consider lifting-specific shoes for optimal performance.

3 Best Powerlifting Shoes – Price, Ratings, Reviews & Sales Insights

Adidas Powerlift 5 Reebok Legacy Lifter III Adidas The Total
Best Overall For squats For deadlifts
Price $120 $220 $100
Use Weightlifting Weightlifting Weightlifting
Drop lab 15.2 mm 20.5 mm 0.0 mm
Heel stack lab 30.0 mm 33.0 mm 12.5 mm
Forefoot 14.8 mm 12.5 mm 12.5 mm
Weight lab 15 oz / 425g 22.1 oz / 627g 11.5 oz / 327g
Breathability Warm Warm Warm
Width / fit Narrow Medium Medium
Toebox width Narrow Narrow Wide
Size True to size True to size True to size
Midsole softness Firm Firm Firm
Stiffness Stiff Stiff Flexible
Torsional rigidity Stiff Stiff Flexible
Heel counter stiffness Stiff Stiff Stiff
Toebox durability Decent Good Good
Heel padding durability Bad Good Good
Outsole durability Decent - Good
Midsole width - forefoot Narrow Very narrow Wide
Midsole width - heel Very narrow Average Average
Widths available Normal Normal Normal
Insole thickness Average Average Very thin
Outsole thickness Very thick Average Very thin
Outsole hardness Average Very soft Average
Heel tab Pull tab None Finger loop
Tongue: gusset type None None Both sides (semi)
Tongue padding Average Thick Very thin
Ranking Top 28% Top 46% Top 7%
Popularity Top 40% Top 49% Bottom 30%