Category: Powerlifting

The Risto Rio Olympic Lifting Shoe, released in 2014, is the Company's 4th model and the best looking one to date. Clean lines, lots of texture and high contrast color ways are just some of the new models features. Priced in the $150 range, this hand made, all leather shoe could be in serious contention with best Oly shoe of 2014.

The newest Oly design by Risto Sports combines all the features we loved from previous models with an updated style. The price tag is a bit higher than what we've seen from Risto in the past, but the Olimpico is intended to compete directly with big box brands Nike, Adidas and Reebok.

An update to the original Nike Oly shoe, this version has a few refinements in its design to increase its functionality as well as new colorways. This model is marketed to compete directly with the AdiPower and with such a high cost, it deserves a thorough review of exactly how it measures up.

While often confused with the Power Lift Trainer, the Power Perfect 2.0 features exclusive design features that make it better suited for serious lifters. Among these differences include a stiffer sole plate, higher heel and wider fit than other Adidas models.

The Wei-Rui Warrior is a sub $100 weightlifting shoe for those that recognize they need a solid pair of shoes for lifting, but don't want to break the bank. A relatively unknown brand, Wei-Rui has been around for awhile and is the actual manufacturer of the BAF lifting shoes. In our opinion, these are the best value in weightlifting shoes currently on the market.

Released in January 2012, the AdiPower Weightlift is the newest high-end Olympic lifting shoe by Adidas. It replaces the former AdiStar model released in 2008 and once again carries the highest price tag of all the Oly shoes on the market. This begs the question, are these shoes worth the cost?

A quality made, budget friendly power lifting shoe for the beginning to intermediate weight lifter. The PowerLift Trainer Shoe has been designed around the harder to find Power Perfect 2 design and is an excellent choice for the more casual weightlifters. Featuring a lightweight feel, comfortable sneaker-like fit and attractive price of $90, this shoe is likely to become a big hit with the many lifters.

Undoubtedly the most anticipated shoe released in 2011, the Reebok CrossFit Oly is designed to be the first ever multi functional weightlifting shoe. We put it to the test and see if it can really replace all your other trainers without sacrificing the intensity or agility of your workouts.

A hand-made Olympic weightlifting shoe designed for the serious lifter, featuring a real wood heel and quality leather. The Series 2 is Risto's offering for the 2011 year and sets the bar for quality, style and functionality within the oly lifting world. This new model boasts some great upgrades and still has (almost) all the features we loved about the series 1 model. This shoe is already receiving praise from the crossfit and Olympic lifting communities.

Finally! A cheap pair of weightlifting shoes for under $100 that don't suck! This model actually doesn't look or feel cheap at all. Features include a set .75" heel and all leather construction with a sneaker-like fit. The Wei-Rui Maestro are hands down the best weight training shoe under the $100 mark at this time.

One of the most under-rated shoes in 2010, the Risto Sports Olympic Lifting Shoe is almost all you could ask for in a shoe. The Series 1 meets all the requirements of a good weightlifting shoe having a solid grain leather exterior, an extra padded insole, sturdy molded leather interior, double stitching and a solid wood heel that is proportional to the size of the shoe.

Adidas has been producing shoes for the sport of weightlifting dating back to the 1970s. Debuting in 2008 at the Olympic Games in Beijing, the AdiStar Weightlifting is probably one of the most well known models of shoes amongst Olympic weightlifters. The model boasts several upgrades and improvements over the older and cheaper Ironwork models.

A budget friendly weightlifting shoe, the VS Athletic Dynamo falls short in a few critical areas. Since there are now other brands of shoes in the same price range, we can no longer make an excuse for purchasing these shoes.

Fairing better than other USA brands made by the same Chinese manufacturer, the 2010 Rogue shoes seem to have a better handle on the quality control and consistency issues - plus we like the suede material much better as well.

While it doesn't share the advanced designs and styling of its AdiStar big brother, overall the Ironwork III is a great shoe, especially if you have narrower feet as they tend to fit this foot type better than Do-Win style shoes.