The Best Lifting Shoes

The Metcon 10 is the safe bet for people who lift and do other things in the same session. It has a stable heel with a Hyperlift TPU insert for lifting, ReactX foam for some shock absorption in cardio and rope-climb abrasion protection. It is one of the lightest Metcons, and Regular and Wide widths are offered. It costs $155. The trade-offs: it runs about half a size small, breathability is limited and the outsole could be more durable. Skip it if you want a barefoot-style shoe or an Olympic lifting shoe with a raised heel. Nike says to order a half size up, and its 60-day return window helps with sizing. Our Nike Metcon 10 review has more, and weights and drop come from RunRepeat's lab data.

The Romaleos 4 is a true weightlifting shoe, built for squats, cleans and snatches. It has a raised heel of roughly 19 mm of drop, a rigid base, a sturdy, wide platform and a two-strap lockdown, and RunRepeat describes its stability as phenomenal. It costs $200, though RunRepeat's catalog has shown it on sale around $130. The compromises are significant: it is heavy at about 570 g, the toebox is restrictive and runs half a size small, upper durability is a question and it is not for cardio. Skip it if you do HIIT, run or only lift lightly. Nike's weightlifting listing shows no Romaleos 5, so this is the current model we could verify. Widths: standard only, so check the fit carefully. If you want a dedicated lifting shoe but the price or weight puts you off, the Savaleos below gives you most of the raised-heel idea for less money.

The Savaleos is the lighter, cheaper route to a raised heel. It weighs about 420 g (14.8 oz), well under the Romaleos, with a drop of roughly 15 mm, a secure lockdown, a flexible forefoot and excellent grip, and RunRepeat describes superb stability for moderate lifting. It costs $130 on Nike's page. Men's Regular and Wide are offered, women's Regular. The trade-offs: it is not for very heavy weightlifting, RunRepeat says it is not for wide feet and the upper durability is not great. Skip it if you lift very heavy or do HIIT. Owners say it runs about half a size small, so size up. It is a good first lifting shoe if you squat and want a raised heel without the Romaleos price or weight. Our Nike Savaleos review covers fit and who should step up to the Romaleos.

The Nano X5 is for gym-goers who want one comfortable shoe for lifting, circuits and short runs. It mixes a planted, firmer heel foam with softer forefoot cushioning, secure containment and a padded step-in, and it has RopePro rope-climb protection according to RunRepeat. It costs about $140 to $150, and Reebok gives a 60-day free-return window. The downsides: limited grip on wet and dusty floors, a men's version that comes only in Regular width and a heavier build at about 340 g (12 oz). The women's comes in Regular and Wide. Skip it if you have wide feet in the men's range or want a minimalist shoe. Owners say it runs slightly small, so try it on with the socks you lift in. It is also tagged for everyday use in our data. See our Reebok Nano X5 review.

The NOBULL Outwork is a stripped-down, durable trainer with a low, flat base, and that is what many lifters want under the bar. It has a stack of about 15 mm throughout, rope-climb midfoot protection and a highly durable upper per RunRepeat, and it is easy to clean. It costs about $150, and NOBULL's 30-day trial accepts worn shoes. The trade-offs: minimal shock absorption, a narrow fit, limited breathability and a half-size-small fit. Only the standard width is offered. Skip it if you want cushioning, a wide width or lots of cardio. The brand claims a 4 mm drop, but RunRepeat's lab measured about 0.3 mm, so expect a very flat feel. It is a good match for squatting, deadlifting and CrossFit-style training. Our NOBULL Outwork review explains the fit in more detail, and it is tagged for lifting, HIIT and training in our data.

The Free Metcon 6 is the flexible, breathable member of the family, and it can handle moderate lifts. It weighs about 274 g, has a sock-like upper and softer cushioning, and RunRepeat says it is stable for moderate lifting. It lists around $120, though we could not confirm that on Nike's site, so check before buying. The trade-offs: no rope-climb protection, a narrow opening that makes it hard to put on and it is not for heavy lifting. Skip it if you climb ropes or lift heavy. It runs true to size according to over 500 owner votes. Pick this one if your gym time is mostly classes, circuits and light to moderate lifts, and see our best HIIT shoes for similar options.