Adidas Power Perfect 2

UPDATE: Adidas has discontinued this model. The current available models from Adidas are the Power Lift Trainer 2.0 or the AdiPower. If you’re looking for a shoe in the same price range – click here to checkout the Risto Rio.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase – Hey, I need to pay the bills too! I do my best to provide a thorough and unbiased analysis in my reviews. Any opinions of a product are based on my personal analysis, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.

INTRODUCTION:

The Adidas Power Perfect 2 is the newest mid-level Olympic weightlifting shoe by Adidas. Released in 2011 it replaces the older Ironwork III model but is often confused or mistaken for the Power Lift Trainer. To help clear up the confusion, I’m going to take the first part of this review to look at the differences between the power perfect and power lift. I will then focus solely on the PowerPerfect, covering attributes and performance.

How to Tell The Power Perfect 2 and Power Lift Trainer Apart:

I have to say, when I first started unboxing these I really thought I might have been sent the wrong pair by Adidas. I can understand why there is so much confusion on the internet regarding the PP2 vs. the PL trainers – these DO look almost identical to the PowerLift models!

After a thorough examination to determine the distinguishing marks between the models, I found a few difference you can spot right away.

Firstly, the PP2 only comes in white with a red midsole and black accents. So if you are looking at any other color, that is the PL model. It should be noted that the red model of the PL trainer has silver accents on the strap and across the rear section of the upper. While a quick identifier, this is sometimes hard to spot in photos and videos where the glare could be white or silver.

Another visual clue is the image of a barbell on the strap;  this is only present on the Power Lift trainer models. Also, the word “weightlifting” is inscribed just below the ankle on the lateral (outer) side of the shoe on the Power Lift models. This word has been replaced with “Heel Support” on the Power Perfect 2. The word weightlifting is also found on the insole of the PL trainer whereas just the Adidas Logo is found inside the

A final clue, the midsole of the PP2 is noticeably thicker giving it a higher heel. So those are the visual identifiers to help you settle the next PP2 or PL Trainer argument on YouTube. There are still a few construction difference as well so let’s look at the details of the Power Perfect.

CONSTRUCTION & STYLING:

The Power Perfect 2.0 was redesigned to have a more sneaker-like fit and style than a traditional weightlifting shoe.  To achieve this, Adidas has lightened the shoe with an EVA heel and used a synthetic leather upper with a mesh interior for breath-ability. The resulting feel is a nice compromise between an Oly shoe and a sneaker. The shoe feels less bulky than older Oly shoes, especially when walking around the gym.

My one complaint with the styling is that while Adidas offers the Power Lift shoe in a variety of colors, there is but one color selection for the Power Perfect. So if red and white aren’t really your colors, you are just out of luck.

THE UPPER:

The upper of the PP2 is almost identical to that used on the PL trainers. Adidas has kept the narrower, tapering toe-box that many have expressed concerns over. I must admit, at first my blocky, flat feet did not agree much with the fit of the Adidas. I had to loosen the laces quite a bit and it still felt as though my foot was “spilling-over” the sides of the shoe.

However, after a short break-in period I actually found myself having to stop several times throughout my workouts to cinch down the laces and tighten the shoe. It appears the upper material does a great job of softening while still holding your foot stable.

As I have discussed in other articles, I believe that is why Adidas has chosen the shape and fit of the toe box – in weightlifting of any type you want a shoe that fits very tight. Even if you have a wide foot I believe you can wear the Adidas brand Oly shoes, you’re just going to have to take some time to really break in the upper. And just for reference, the Power Perfect II is about 0.25 inches wider than the Adipower.

The upper also features a traditional lacing system with two loops through the tongue for holding it in place and a single hook and loop strap. An issue I often have with Oly shoes is that the strap and/or last eyelet are placed too high or too far back, causing the shoe to dig into the top of the Tarsal and/or Talus region of my foot. I didn’t have this issue with the PP2 as the strap and shoe laces fall nicely in place across the top of the foot.

INTERIOR / INSOLE:

The interior of the shoe is fairly typical of most athletic shoes. You have a thin mesh layer which is attached to the upper; this provide a breathing system for the shoe through the perforations down the sides of the shoe.

The insole or sock liner is glued in place and cannot be removed. It appears to be about a 1/4 inch thick and does a good job of providing just the right amount of cushion. The heel is narrow and provides good stability for the ankles. As someone with flat feet, I do wish the insole had a bit more heel cup.

The tongue is fairly thin, constructed of two sides mesh with a small amount of filler. It is sewn in place at the beginning of the lacing system right at the start of the toe box. While it does have two loops for the laces to pass through on the exterior side, the tongue still moves a bit more than I’d like. This design allows the tongue to slide off to the side of your foot during your workout. It also likes to fold as you put the shoe on. A minor annoyance but I wish Adidas would have used a fixed tongue system like they did on the AdiPower models.

MIDSOLE / HEEL:

The midsole and heel construction are what really set the Power Perfect 2.0 apart from other shoes on the market, including the Power Lift trainer.

While the PL Trainer has a 0.60″ heel, the Power Perfect uses the more common 0.75″ heel. In an effort to keep the shoe lighter and more comfortable for extended training sessions, the PP2 has an EVA wedge heel. This is very similar to the PL Trainer with a few exceptions.

The EVA midsole on the PP2 is not only thicker but it also feels denser. Couple this with a stiffer sole plate running through the mid-sole and you have a shoe that is capable of stabilizing much heavier loads.

In our review of the PL Trainer we determined that the max stable load was around 400lbs total weight. At this point the heel would start to compress noticeably. This means @ 195lbs any lift over 205lbs would result in noticeable give while wearing the power trainer.

On the other hand, the Power Perfect felt much more stable at higher weights. Weighing 195lbs, I was able to pull 405 on narrow stance dead lifts for reps without a problem. I then performed a few wide box squats with 365lb to test the lateral stability – no problem there either. So at around 600lbs total load I still did not feel any noticeable give, certainly nothing that would be performance inhibiting.

Given the total load I was able to impress upon the shoe without noticing a breakdown of stability, I would say these are suitable for Olympic weightlifters at all levels and all but the most serious power lifters.

OUTER / SOLE:

The outer or sole of the shoe is the same design as found on the older Ironwork III model. Adidas now calls this their “Adiwear” sole and state that it is a high durability design. Only time will tell how it holds up but the grip is excellent and flexibility of the sole at the toe box is perfect.

SIZING:

These shoe run true to your Adidas shoe size. If you have REALLY wide feet you may benefit from going up a half size.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

The overall performance for the Power Perfects was exactly what I expected for a shoe in this price range from a company that has been making weightlifting specific shoes for a long time. I think Adidas knows their target market very well and they’ve priced all their lifting shoes accordingly.

If you are a beginner or new to lifting then there are plenty of shoes in the sub $120 price range that will suit you just fine. However, if you’ve reached the point where you know it is time to get a serious shoe then this is definitely a good model to look into.

WHERE TO BUY:

If you’ve read any of my other reviews then you will know by now I’m a huge believer in buying a product as close to the source as possible. Since Adidas sells these from their own site, I think it best to buy them directly from Adidas.com. The price may be a slight bit higher than you can find them elsewhere but you get free shipping, free returns with an included return shipping label and if something does happen to go wrong with the shoe there is no middle-man to deal with.

CONTRIBUTE:

Alright, so now is your turn to leave your thoughts on this shoe. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below. Likewise, if you have a review or personal experience with the Power Perfect 2s then let us know.

And check back often, I update these reviews over time as I become better acquainted with each model.

PROS:

  • Lightweight
  • Solid Construction
  • Extremely Stable
  • Sticky Sole

CONS:

  • Single Color Selection
  • Tongue Design

79 thoughts on “Adidas Power Perfect 2”

  2. Since stores don’t carry weightlifitng/powerlifiting shoes, what’s the best way to ensure a proper size so we don’t have to eat the shipping cost of returning them? Different styles will not all fit the same way and while some here have sizing charts, how accurate are they?

    1. They fit true to other adidas shoe sizes… not much more I can tell you than that. Go to the store and try on a pair of adidas trainers and see what size fits best remembering that you want the Oly shoe really snug.

  3. I’m torn between this shoe and the 2012 Rogue Weightlifting Shoe.

    Price doesn’t really matter but i don’t want to get anything with a heel bigger than .75

    I’m attracted to the Adidas because it seems higher quality,
    I’m attracted to the rouge because it has slightly lower heel,

    and wondering which heel will compress less?

    currently deadlift about 500 and plan on improving that, what would you recommend?

    1. Where did you read that the heel of the Rogue is lower? Directly from their site, “The Rogue Shoes have a .75″ Heel Height”. Both shoes have the exact same effective heel height, 3/4 of an inch which is pretty standard in the Oly shoe world. I’d go with the Adidas because, as you pointed out, the quality is better.

  4. ah you are right! It must have been the old rogue (rip?) that i was thinking of.

    thank you, i’m sure you get a lot of redundant questions like these so thanks again for your answer.

  5. I’m thinking along the lines of Adidas, either the Power Perfect 2 or the Adipower, because I do have narrow feet and I can afford the extra cost, but I want a shoe that will last a few years. I’m curious about the differences in the heel; what’s the difference between EVA and TPU heels? Stability is important to me.

    1. TPU will be stiffer than the EVA. The AdiPower is also .25″ narrower at the toe box so it will feel a little tighter, which is a good thing if you have narrow feet.

  6. Is this shoe a good choice for a beginner lifter? I was getting the Powerlift Trainer but I was wondering if I should just shell out the extra money to get a shoe that will still hold up once I hit heavy weight?

    1. That’s a choice you’ll have to make. Both are good shoes, one is obviously better suited to beginners and one to more experienced lifters. But you can look at it this way, a new lifter can always use a product designed for pros; but a pro cannot always use equipment designed for beginners.

    2. I recently replaced my silver and pink do-wins with the new purple ones and I can honestly say they are not worth buying. I’m already starting to see problems with the shoe plus they are much heavier. I would go back to wearing my old pair but the heel has already been glued together 3 times, i will be looking at another brand and suggest the same to anyone else.

  8. So do you guys think these shoes can hold a squat of 700 pounds plus a 183 pound person? I want to squat in them on top of doing my oly lifts. Everything mostly seems to be positive about these shoes, I’m just curious about heel integrity for these kinds of loads; say, compared to a shoe with an actual wooden heel for example.

    1. They could, but it would be really pushing the limits of this shoe. If you’re squatting that much weight it is time to get some big boy shoes. You’ll notice some heel compression especially around the edges of the heel, so any movement towards the outer portion of your foot would have noticeable give. I rate these at around 600lbs TOTAL weight, so you’ve exceeded it.

  9. Im in the market for a good oly shoe for Crossfit, and was wondering if you would recommend this or the Reebok Olys, Just looking for something that will last a while.

  10. Supposedly there was to be a 2013 release of the Pendlay Do-Win shoe after some issues were straightened out but I haven’t seen anything from any online vendors. A few people have recommended the suede Rogue Do-Win shoe. They have gotten good mileage out of them. I’ve seen a mix of Pendlay Do-Wins, Power Perfects and AdiPowers at CF events with the Reebok shoe a little more prevalent. If the Power Perfect fits closer to a dress shoe, that might be the was I go if the 2013 Pendlays never materialize.

    1. I would avoid the Pendlay brand shoes like the plague: Numerous reasons but suffice it to say you won’t be happy with them. I haven’t met a single person who owns the PP2 that isn’t happy with that purchase, myself included.

  11. From what I’ve read and the comments, this shoe is adequate for moderate Olympic lifting correct? I am just starting out on Oly lifts and my C&J is at the low 200’s.

  12. How would you compare these to the Wei Rui Warriors. I’m starting oly lifting, but I am serious about it and I’m told a good pair can last you years. I figure if I’m using them for years, I might as well get one that’s worth practicing in.

    1. A little heavier than the PP2, but the leather is thicker and sole is denser. I haven’t heard of anyone having longevity issues with their wei-ruis so I image both would last.

  13. For someone just doing squats and presses mainly with these shoes (i.e. Starting Strength program or Stronglifts), would these be overkill? And if so, would the Wei-Rui Warriors suffice?

    1. If you’re just doing squats and presses then there are cheaper options that you could consider. With that said, these are also made with higher quality that cheaper chinese made shoes.

  14. Thanks for the informative revie.

    What is the arch support like in these shoes? Which shoes would you recommend with good arch support for squatting? I have flat feet and currently wear Chucks with orthotics. I want something that can handle up to 200kg/400lbs+ squats (plus bodyweight).

    1. Medium to average arch support. I have very flat feet and I wore them fine – but I don’t wear or prefer orthotics either. You’ll certainly have more support than you do in a pair of Chucks!

  16. Looking to get a new oly shoe and just saw these on your site, which is awesome btw! I am squatting around 420 and look to go up, will these shoes limit me in that? I currently have a second hand pair of Rogue’s which I love squating in but they are a little big. Are these the shoes for me?

    1. If you’re at that level you’ll likely want to consider a different shoe. The high-end options are going to be the Adipower, Romaleo and the Olimpico. I’d suggest you take a look at the Olimpico – it’s much less expensive than the others but still a great shoe. I’m about to post my full review on it when I have a chance to sit down and write it up. http://www.musclesandcurves.com/weight-lifting-training-accessories/weight-lifting-shoes.html

    1. Not a huge difference, but there are some. You might also take a look at the Olimpico over here: http://bit.ly/19QMVAu I have a pair I am testing out right now and I’m thoroughly impressed with the overall feel and quality, plus the price is right!

  18. I’ve researched all the shoes and I was just about set on these, but now I see the Olimpicos are an option, and they seem great because of the wood heel. I really need a pair of shoes asap so I’d love to know when you think you’ll give the review of those

    1. I’m done testing the shoes and I really liked them, there are only a few small things about them that I would change but they aren’t related to performance. Hopefully I will have the time this weekend to get the review up. Until then, you can check them out on Muscles and Curves.

  19. Hi. I previously had a pair of Dowin rebranded powerlift shoes (basicly the VS athletics). I know they are made for wide feet, i’m looking into the PP 2s, but i’m afraid that they will be too narrow. How much do they stretch/give with time?

    I know the heel doesnt compress untill we get to some serious weights, but does it feel stiff and stable during squats?

    1. The whole “made for wide feet” argument is totally bogus. Most all the shoes are the same width at the toe box with the exception of the Powerlift model. No some shoes have a more square toe that might feel better, depending on the shape of your foot. I’ve worn the PP2 for squats up to 405lbs and felt ok, probably not as stable as your would be in a pair of solid heel shoes though. The best bet for getting a shoe that will stretch is to buy one made of real leather, unfortunately that is becoming a bit a challenge with most brands opting for synthetic uppers.

  20. Rob, do you know what the difference is between the Powerlift 2.0? (Not the trainers) vs the Power Perfect 2? What are the pros/cons between those?

    I definately noticed when trying out the power perfects that the side of my foot ended up slightly outside the sole when i was resting my weight on the foot while in the shoes.

    1. I’ve talked to Adidas and the Powerlift 2 is just an update to the aesthetics of the Powerlift Trainer – no real design changes. The Power Perfect 2 is a totally different shoe, made specifically for lifting.

  21. So I’m leaning towards this shoe, is it just me or are weightlifting shoes designed for men only?? Cant seem to find them for women on the Adidas sight. My Crossfit Coach told me to invest in some Adidas, so I’m must beginning my research. ThAnks!

    1. Pretty much a male dominated market. Risto makes a “women’s” shoe but that is about it. Honestly the only difference besides colorways is the 1.5 size male to female conversion so just size down to your equivalent men’s shoe and roll with it.

  23. Thanks for your site! Two questions:
    1. Does the Olimpico have the same 0.75 inch heel as the PP2 and Adipower?
    2. Do you have any information on or experience with the Polish made ZPUH 1969? They have a new model with a velcro strap, among other changes. How does this shoe compare to the others you have reviewed?

  24. Hi there, I would like your help with picking the right shoe for me. I am unable to purchase any weighlifting shoes in my country so I have the opportunity with a friend coming from the UK to buy a pair of shoes for me in the coming days so I’d like to take advantage of this.

    My biggest concern is the fit of the shoe. People say “O I have wide feet” but no real measurements are ever given, so I am just going to share my measurements and see where it stands. My width is around 117mm or 4.6″. I usually wear size UK 12, I am able to fit into size UK 11 Vibram fivefingers a specific model that is very wide. I generally cannot find any smart shoes that fit my feet as my width is always an issue. I’m currently weighing 110kg, and have been out of training due to surgery for some time, but my last squat max was 200Kgx2.

    According to your review you say the Power Perfect II is wider than the AdiPower however the load it can bear is not as high. I doubt it will have huge impact for me as any of these shoes would be an amazing step up from anything I use. I was planning on getting the UK 11.5 as you say the size runs true, and length wise I am sure my feet will manage.

    Please share any recommendations for me as I will never be able to actually try any of these shoes before this purchase, and I’d really like to try get it as correct as possible.

    Right now I’m more concerned with what will best fit me and not too much about the load numbers as I am sure even at a 250Kg squat these shoes will be ok. Do you think 11.5 is good choice over say 12? Not sure about width differences in those sizes. I doubt my foot would slide around in a 12, but if a 12 is wider perhaps it’s a better choice? I have no idea. Please help.

    Thank you so much.

  25. As a follow up on weight and the PP2, I’ve noticed in videos that Dan Green squats in these so I highly doubt anyone here who is buying these for powerlifting has to worry about heel compression.

    1. I really don’t put a whole lot of stock into who where’s what – I’ve seen a lot of great lifters wearing really bad shoes. With that said, the PP2 are definitely a solid shoe. They are only “compressible” along the edges of the heel and most people with proper form don’t put a lot of weight on the very outside or inside of the heel; they stand flat and press outward on the side of the shoe, not the heel.

  28. I just bought the romaleos 2 and have to return them because I shove my knees way out in my squat and there is a bump on the lateral sides of the shoe towards the middle that really hurts my feet. I realize weightlifting shoes are not supposed to be comfortable but those flat out hurt.

    Im now looking at this shoe, the adipowers, and the reebok lifter plus. Would any of those have a flatter (side to side, not front to back I know they all have heels) sole that might hurt my feet less as I shove my knew out?

    Just for your site, overall I really like your reviews but I feel you could be a bit more technical and exact as to how the shoes feel during squats, clean and jerks, snatches, etc.

    thanks

    1. This is similar to the issue I had with them – they just were not comfortable on the bottom of my feet regardless of which insole I used.

      As for providing more information, that’s a tough situation. Feet are very “individual” body parts and it really does take trying something on to know whether it will work for you. All I can do is provide some basic info on the shoe and what to expect, I can’t tell anyone how they will fit or perform for them personally because everyone’s feet are different as are their lifting styles.

  29. Thanks for all the reviews! I found these on the Adidas website (following your link) and was happy to find them 50% off and my size in stock!
    AWESOME! :)

  30. I’ve had these shoes for over 3 years now and they are great, I’m looking at getting a new pair of possibly the adiPowers. When I measure the heel on the Power Perfect 2’s I measure a straight 1.25″ and I just want to make sure I’m not changing the heel height this far in my olympic lifting career. I’m just curious as to how you get the measurement of 0.75″ on them and also to if they are the same as the adiPowers. Could someone explain this to me?

    1. The heel heights is measured as “effective” heel height. To get this measurement you would need to measure at the heel from the INSIDE of the shoe through to the bottom of the sole. You would then subtract from that the measurement of the inside of the shoe to the outside of the sole in the toe area. What this leaves you with is how much the heel is being raised above the ball of the foot – or effective heel lift.

  31. looking for a good oly shoe. don’t really have a max budget number (would rather buy once cry once than buy a sub-par shoe). I’ve been lifting serious since I started college and im at the point where the chuck taylors are holding me back lol. A buddy let me use his Pendlay “do-wins” today for my front squat and overhead squat and it felt amazing. SO what is the best shoe for the money? my feet are of medium width size 9. Also I’m not gonna be squatting or deadlifitng anything over 500lbs in the near future if that affects shoe selection.. Thanks!

    1. Power Perfect 2 are a good option, and the AdiPower is an even better solution. The build quality is a little higher on the AdiPower, but so is the price tag. Other good options, price not considered, would be the Risto Rio.

  32. Rob I’ve searched and searched after reading you Blog about Oly shoe. Your opinion
    pirce not an issue but are the AdiPower that much better than the PP2? I currently have the PL trainers. Also could you recommend a site? Thanks..

    1. The AdiPowers have a little better build quality than the PP2 in my opinion. Also of note, they are a little narrower in the toe box. The best place to find them is the Adidas website or you can try EastBay. I don’t believe Adidas is selling the PowerPerfect 2 any longer.

  35. I have a chance to get the adipowers for ~30 more than the power perfect 2s. Do you think I should go for the upgrade? Plan on keeping these shoes for years, relative novice going for 3x lift a week.

  36. Hi! I was wondering for someone looking for a shoe to just do squats and snatches in….this may be overkill? How do the Do-Win Gong Lu II weightlifting shoes compare to the PP2? Would you happen to know the “effective” heel height on the Gong Lu II?

    1. Never heard of the Gong Lu… lemme Google it. Ok, looks like the old Pendlay style Do-Win. I would NOT buy that shoe – lots of manufacturing defects and will not compare at all to the quality of the PP2.

  37. Hi. I know you said sizing of these were the same as other adidas shoes but how do they compare to other shoes? I have no adidas shoes but I do have some Chuck Taylors.

    I tried some Inov-8 Powerheels the other day, and the difference they made (over flat plimsolls) has made me consider getting some weightlifting shoes. Your review here makes me think these would be a good choice.

  38. How are these in comparison with the Wei-Rui Warriors? I know that they are very different in price but why should I choose these over the warriors if price wasn’t a factor?

  39. which one would you recommend Power perfect 2 or nike romaleos 2? I have tried the adipower but they are way too narrow and gave me discomfort. I weight about 200 and squatting over 400

    thank you

    1. That decision is up to you, but I prefer the power perfect ii. The PP2 is not as narrow as the adiPower and the Romaleo is the heaviest and clunkiest feeling shoe I’ve tested.

  40. Hello! Rob, AWESOME review! love this site. I’m considering this shoe for my squats and some olys. Just wondering if the PP2 are still available in the market? I’ve noticed ur update that it was a discontinued model. Thanks in advance!

  41. Hello there,

    i know i am bit too late to post an answer here. I recently started squatting, and because since a very young age i had bad knees, i am looking for a pair of WL shoes that will help me squat more efficient and with better form. Bad knees were a result of my flat feet. I am totally flat footed and currently my running shoe size (Asics) are EU 46.5 (or: US 12), except the Mizuno shoes which come at US 12.5 My feet width are approximately: 4 1/2” (pretty wide).

    So i would like to ask:
    a) the heels of the adidas shoes are 3/4” ? Any higher will make my knees hurt.
    b) I’ve heard adidas are suitable for more of narrow width feet. Will these fit me ?
    c) What size would u recommend for me ?

    thx

  43. I am looking for shoes to buy my husband. He wants a cross trainer, but he lifts heavy weight daily in his workouts. Which shoe do you think can help with lifting heavy weight, but can also be used for playing basketball or running? We may have to buy two pairs of shoes, but if there is one you believe can do both well, I’d be interested in knowing.

    Thank you!

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