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Risto Sports Series 2 Shoe

Reviewed on November 28th 2010
Updated on January 16th 2012

UPDATE 6/21/2011:

The Pink Thunder model has now been discontinued and replaced with the LG Thunder.

UPDATE 1/6/2011:

The Series 2 is now available in a Blue and White model known as “Linea Blanca”.

THE REVIEW:

Picking right up where they left off, Risto has released the new Series 2 weightlifting shoe in the 4th quarter of 2010. This shoe will be the flagship model for all of 2011 and is already receiving praise from crossfitters and the weightlifting community.

The new model has a few changes to the design that make the shoe feel a little more comfortable such as extra padding and a more pronounced heel cup. They still use the dreaded “Risto Size” sizing system with numbers that appear to, but DO NOT relate to EU sizing. So when you buy these you absolutely need to measure both your feet and go with a size that fits your larger foot to ensure a proper fit.

The heel height is still made proportional to the size of the shoe, a Risto only feature. It is also handmade and requires a 30 day process to shape and cure the wood. (This is part of the reason it took Risto so long to get these shoes to market, but more on that in our news section.) The leather portions of the shoe are now machine cut and sewn which, in my opinion, is a great improvement because it leaves a nicer looking “finish” to the shoe. Whereas, the previous models were completely made by hand and always had minor imperfections that were a turn off for some buyers.

The biggest change for this model is going to be the updated styling, which looks much better. No more additional stripes on the shoe or silver accents in the laces (wtf was that anyway?). The design is straight forward and pragmatic will little flair, something I find to be a welcomed departure from the mainstream “flash” that brands such as Pendlay embrace. Not to say the shoes aren’t stylish, they just aren’t overdone. Currently the only colors available are black and white and pink and white but a blue and white version going by the code name “linea blanca” is rumored to be due out late December or early January.

The other big difference is the $20 price increase, something we were pretty sure we would see with this brand since they compete directly with Adidas and Nike. They still come in cheaper than either of those brands’ flagship models and an extra $20 is a reasonable price to pay for the quality, durability and overall functionality of this shoe. Risto is now offering these shoes for $119.

The company is still ran by Ivan Rojas and his Wife Gwen but they have since become a fair-trade company. This means all workers employed to make the shoes are paid fair wages and the conditions under which they work are to be acceptable and above-board. In other words, no slave-children are used to make these shoes. So if you decide to buy a pair then you can wear them with a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing you gave your money to a company dedicated to helping others better their lives… or you could just wear them and hit new PRs.

WHERE TO BUY:

If you are interested in buying the Risto Series 2, RistoSports.com is going to be your best bet. The shoes may be for sale on some other retailers sites, but they are only drop shipping from the Risto warehouse. Lastly, Risto ships internationally to any country so if you are an international customer they will be able to accommodate you. Everyone I know who has purchased directly from Risto has had nothing but good to say about the experience.

PROS:

  • Superior craftsmanship
  • Very sturdy, comfortable fit
  • Proportional heel height
  • Designed by real weightlifters
  • Socially responsible production

CONS:

  • Price may be out of reach for some
  • Sizing system can be confusing
  • A little on the heavy side

ADDITIONAL SHOE FEATURES:

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