You’re looking for non-leather, vegan weight lifting shoes in 2023, right?
I spent several days researching the highest quality shoes and contacting manufacturers to verify the materials were vegan. And I found six pairs which which stood above the rest…
IN A HURRY? HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS…
Best Overall Vegan Weight Lifting Shoe –
Reebok Men’s Legacy Lifter
Reebok’s Legacy Lifter is one of the best vegan weight lifting shoes on the market. If you’re looking for a shoe which offers maximum support and stability, you can’t go wrong with this one. Great for squatting and Olympic weight lifting!
My top pick for best of the vegan weight lifting shoes for 2023 is the Reebok Men’s Legacy Lifter. Constructed with a synthetic leather upper with mesh, a rubber grip outsole, and an exoframe technology in the heel for support and stability, this is one cleverly designed shoe. The raised heel comes in at 0.75 inches, right about the industry standard. This shoe accommodates people with wider feet, without being too wide for the narrower folks.
The whole point of a proper weight lifting shoe is to provide stability, support, and improved leverage. This shoe checks all those boxes and then some. Definitely the most sturdy, supportive, and stable shoe on this list, the Legacy Lifter makes you feel grounded and secure while in the bottom of a heavy squat.
Olympic lifters will benefit too, as this puppy has quite a strong power delivery. Just ask Olympic lifting champion CJ Cummings, who partnered with Reebok to co-design this shoe.
The only real negative with this shoe is its weight. It is a heavy beast to bear, but the burden will pay dividends when considering the type of support you get with it. For those looking for something lighter weight and more flexible, you may want to continue down to the other options.
Check out this great review from YouTuber As Many Reviews As Possible to see the Legacy Lifter in action:
Best Budget Vegan Weight Lifting Shoes –
Nordic Weight Lifting Shoe VENJA
The Nordic VENJA Weight Lifting Shoe is one of the most versatile lifting shoes out there. If you’re looking for a great all around shoe for any type of weight lifting, this is a fantastic choice.
Coming in as the best budget shoe on the list is the Nordic Weight Lifting Shoe – VENJA. This shoe has so much going for it, especially for a budget option. Constructed from high quality cotton, with a sturdy Velcro strap, and an anti-slip sole, it is one awesome shoe.
The VENJA provides an incredibly efficient combination of stability and flexibility. Unlike the Legacy Lifter, it is a lighter weight shoe. It is quite comfortable to lift in. This shoe provides great durability and handles heavy loads effectively. The heel is slightly lower than industry standard and specially designed with an added support, giving the shoe both versatility and resilience in the face of intense training.
This shoe just looks really sleek. It’s nice to have a pair of stylish shoes that are also super functional, am I right? To top it off, there is a nice one-year warranty thrown in by the manufacturer as well as incredibly quick and responsive customer support. No need to worry about this company screwing you over, that’s for sure.
This excellent shoe does have a key downside. Because the heel is lower than the average raised heel, coming in at 0.5 inches, it may not be optimal for squatting or Olympic lifting. On the other hand, the lower heel height does offer some more versatility. Finally, not everyone likes a taller raised heel. So, it depends on the lifter.
Best Runner Up Vegan Weight Lifting Shoes – Adidas Men’s Power Perfect III
The Adidas Men’s Power Perfect III is one of the best all-around weight lifting shoes. If you’re looking for a shoe that trades a tiny bit of stability for a more lightweight and flexible feel, this is an awesome option.
The second best vegan weight lifting shoes on the list are the Adidas Men’s Power Perfect III. If you are looking for a slam dunk combination of durability, stability, flexibility, and just general awesomeness, look no further than this shoe.
Constructed with a synthetic and textile upper, a rubber Adiwear outsole, and an air mesh collar, this shoe is designed almost flawlessly. It also has a specially engineered die-cut wedge midsole, a heel support and an instep strap. Heel height comes in at 0.75 inches. The heel is both sturdy and comfortable, while the midsole and outsole are thick and durable. This shoe can take a beating in the weight room, no doubt.
One other great thing is the shoe is quite lightweight, despite the sturdy construction and ample support it offers. This makes it more comfortable and easier to wear.
The biggest downside to this shoe is it doesn’t have as much stability when performing explosive or Olympic style lifting. If you are using it for squats or deadlifts, it does the trick, but it may not be stable enough for full time explosive Olympic lifting. This shoe is, however, a great all-around one to consider if you are unsure exactly what type of shoe you want.
Best Budget Runner Up Vegan Weight Lifting Shoes – Nordic Powerlifting Shoe – MEGIN
The Nordic MEGIN Powerlifting Shoe is one hell of a squatting shoe. If you’re looking for a lifting shoe with a higher raised heel and stability for days, the Nordic MEGIN is one of the best options out there.
Coming in as the second best budget shoe on the list, the Nordic Powerlifting Shoe – MEGIN, rocks the house similar to it’s brother shoe, the Nordic VENJA. Constructed from high quality cotton, with a strong Velcro strap and an anti-slip heel, these shoes provide a great deal of stability, while not sacrificing comfort.
One thing to note is the increased heel height, coming in at 1.4 inches which is well above the industry standard. This provides a fantastic base to squat and perform Olympic lifting type movements. Let me emphasize just how stable and secure these make you feel. They are truly built to withstand the most intense, prolonged lifting sessions.
Like the Nordic VENJA shoes, these have a one year manufacturer’s warranty and come with the same amazing customer support. They look incredibly sleek and stylish, especially the blue color.
There are a couple of downsides with this shoe, however. For one, the super high heel height can be seen as a negative if you do a lot of deadlifting and powerlifting in general. It is a bit ironic, given that these shoes in particular are targeted towards the powerlifting crowd. The heel is just too high for most people to optimally perform deadlifts. That being said, this can be a game changer for squats and Olympic lifting. The shoe does tend to run a bit narrow as well.
Middle of the Road Option #1 –
Adidas Men’s Adipower Weightlifting II Cross Trainer
The Adidas Men’s Adipower Weightlifting II shoes offer an alternative to some of the more “classic” weight lifting shoes on this list. If you’re looking for lightweight, flexible, and comfortable lifting shoe, you can’t go wrong with this one.
If none of the options above particularly strike you, then the Adidas Men’s Adipower Weightlifting II may be right up your alley. Constructed with a breathable textile upper, a non-compressive TPU midsole, and a rubber outsole, this shoe is extremely flexible and lightweight. If you are looking for a comfortable, well-fitting, easy-to-work-out-with shoe, this is your best bet.
The heel is incredibly sturdy and comes with reinforced padding. It measures 0.79 inches, making it slightly higher than the average weight lifting shoe. Despite its light weight and flexibility, the durability on this shoe is fantastic.
Let’s turn to the downsides now. As mentioned, the shoe is quite flexible, maybe too flexible even. It doesn’t provide the same support and stability as some of the other shoes on this list, and as such, is not an optimal choice for competitive powerlifting.
That being said, for the average gym-goer, this more than gets the job done. The mid section of the shoe is also a little thin, again reinforcing that this shoe is not the most sturdy on the list. This shoe gives up a little stability for some more flexibility, so ultimately it will be up to personal preference and style of lifting to determine if this is the right shoe for you.
Middle of the Road Option #2 –
Sabo Deadlift Shoes
The Sabo Deadlift Shoes offer a specialized weight lifting shoe intended for (you guessed it) deadlifting. If you want a thin and flat weight lifting shoe designed primarily for pulling heavy weight off the floor, this stylish shoe is your best option.
The second middle of the road option I recommend are the unique Sabo Deadlift Shoes. Constructed with a breathable upper fabric, synthetic leather, and a durable outsole material, these shoes were made to pick heavy things up off the ground. The soles are extremely thin, yet the shoe is strong and secure. These shoes grip the floor tightly.
It comes with two lateral straps to allow for a customizable fit. There is a side support on the outsoles, meaning you can take a wide stance while still remaining stable.
The primary drawback with these shoes is the lack of a raised heel if you are an Olympic lifter or if you are looking for squat shoes. They aren’t the most padded or stable overall on this list, but they are definitely good enough to get the job done for the vast majority of lifters.
As far as deadlifting shoes go, this may be the ultimate pair. Plus, these are my favorite looking shoes on the list, especially the black and red option!
FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of a shoe with a raised heel versus one without?
A: A raised heel offers more support for squatting and Olympic lifting movements. It can help offer greater depth on the squat, as well as taking pressure off of the hips and placing a greater emphasis on the quadriceps. On the other hand, generally when deadlifting, you want to be as flat as possible. Driving through the heel is key and it helps to be closer to the ground. This is why some people deadlift without shoes.
Choosing one versus the other really depends on your own comfort and lifting mechanics. Try deadlifting and squatting without shoes once to get the feel of a flatter lifting experience. You may or may not prefer that to the raised heel.
Q: What about sizing? Any tips?
A: Sizing will be specific to each shoe. My general advice is to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be prepared to size up or down depending on the shoe.
Q: I’m still not convinced I need a weight lifting shoe. Is there any science to back them up?
A: Here is an excellent article, giving an overview of some of the data available on weight lifting shoes: https://simplifaster.com/articles/science-behind-weightlifting-shoes/
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