Here are the 12 best deadlifting shoes for every occasion!
Deadlift shoes are one the best accessories for taking your training to the next level. Some of the main benefits of deadlifting shoes are better grip, improved balance, shorter range of motion and better power transfer.
Whether you’re looking to increase your deadlift PR or you’re just in the market for a good pair of shoes to exercise in you’ve found the right article.
There are a bunch of different deadlift shoes and it can be difficult to pick out a pair that fits your need and preferences. I’ve been working out for almost a decade now and I’ve had the opportunity to try out plenty of different deadlift shoes.
Here are the 12 best deadlifting shoes for every occasion:
- Best Overall – Sabo Deadlift 1
- Best For Powerlifting – Sabo Deadlift PRO
- Best For Sumo Deadlifts – Adidas HVC Wrestling Shoes
- Best Deadlifting Slippers – Lifting Large Ground Lock Slippers
- Best For Wide Feet – Vivobarefoot Primus Lite 3
- Best For Flat Feet – Adidas Total Cross Trainers
- Best For Ankle Support – Gorilla Wear High Tops
- Best For Barefoot Deadlifting – WHITIN Barefoot Socks
- Best Versatile Deadlifting Shoe – Nike Metcon 8
- Best For Competitive Weightlifting – Nike Romaleos 4
- Best For Deadlift And Squats – Adidas Powerlift 5
- Best Budget Deadlifting Shoe – Converse Chuck Taylors
Keep reading to see the breakdown of each deadlifting shoe!
#1 Best Overall – Sabo Deadlift 1
Features and benefits:
- High collar
- 5 mm thin sole
- Double velcro strap construction
Best For: Deadlifting, sumo and conventional
The Sabo deadlifting shoes are currently the best deadlifting shoes on the market. They are great for both conventional and sumo deadlifts.
The Sabo deadlift 1s give you a lot of ground contact and stability thanks to their ultra-thin 5 mm soles. Being closer to the ground while deadlifting will shorten the distance that the barbell has to travel which allows you to lift heavier weights.
The soles are also super grippy and your feet will stay glued in place once you start lifting. The upper of the shows allows for some movement which makes your deadlifts feel more natural while still giving excellent support.
The Sabo deadlift shoes also feature two velcro straps for added stability. The midfoot velcros strap ensures optimal lock-down and the other velcro strap gives better ankle support.
#2 Best For Powerlifting – Sabo Deadlift PRO
Features and benefits:
- High collar
- wide and thin sole
- Double velcro strap construction
Best For: Deadlifting, powerlifting exercises in general
The Sabo Deadlift Pro shoes are an updated version of the original Sabo 1s. They made some changes to the shoe to make it more versatile and suitable for other powerlifting exercises such as squatting and bench pressing.
The thin sole gives you more ground contact and allows you to have a shorter range of motion while deadlifting. This means that the barbell has to travel a shorter distance and you’ll be able to lift heavier weights.
The sole on the Sabo Pros is a bit wider in the heel. This gives you more stability which is preferable when squatting and bench pressing.
Overall the soles are super grippy and your feet won’t slide around while lifting. The upper on the Sabo Deadlift Pro model is very supportive and breathable.
The front part of the sole is wide and supportive which doesn’t allow for much foot movement inside the shoe. This is great for squatting and bench pressing where you want to avoid any foot movement but some people might not find it suitable for deadlifting.
#3 Best For Sumo Deadlifts – Adidas HVC Wrestling Shoes
Features and benefits:
- High collar
- Thin sole
- No heel-to-toe drop
- Velcro strap stabalizer
Best For: Sumo deadlifting
Wrestling shoes have always been popular in the deadlift community. The benefit of wrestling shoes is that they have a very thin and flat sole which gives you better ground contact and stability.
The soles on the Adidas HVCs are also super grippy. This will help you keep your feet locked in place and avoid losing grip and slipping around when doing sumo deadlifts.
Another good thing about the shoe is the high collar which offers great support and stability for your ankles. The collar is also equipped with a velcro strap that can be loosened or tightened to adjust the amount of support you want.
The only problem with the Adidas HVCs is that the shoe is very narrow. So if you have wide feet I would recommend a different deadlift shoe for sumo deadlifts, such as the Sabo deadlift 1s.
#4 Best Deadlifting Slippers – Lifting Large Ground Lock Slippers
Features and benefits:
- Great flexibility
- Grippy sole
- Double velcro strap construction
Best For: Deadlifting, sumo and conventional
The Lifting Large ground lock slippers are the best deadlift slippers on the market. They offer great grip and are super flexible which allows your feet to move naturally when deadlifting without sliding around.
Since the soles on the Lifting Large slippers are so thin you get a lot of ground contact and improved stability, and it also allows you to have a shorter range of motion.
Being closer to the ground while deadlifting means that the barbell has to travel a shorter distance. A shorter range of motion basically lets you lift heavier weights.
These deadlift slippers also feature two velcro straps that improve the lockdown and stability in your midfoot.
This ensures that your feet maintain a natural arch and don’t compress during heavy deadlifts which minimize the risk of injuries to your feet.
#5 Best For Wide Feet – Vivobarefoot Primus Lite 3
Features and benefits:
- Wide toe box
- Thin sole
- Breathable mesh upper
Best For: Deadlifting, weightlifting, CrossFit
The Vivobarefoot shoes are the perfect option if you have wide feet and want a versatile deadlift shoe that you can use for many different occasions.
This shoe is great for deadlifting as it has a super thin rubber sole which will give you a lot of stability, ground contact and grip. A thin sole also allows you to have a shorter range of motion which will let you lift heavier weights.
The Vivobarefoot shoes are super versatile, they can be used for everyday wear as well as running and regular weight training. The wide and flat sole gives you a good foundation for deadlifting as well as squatting and bench pressing.
#6 Best For Flat Feet – Adidas Total Cross Trainers
Features and benefits:
- Arch support
- Flat and thin sole
- Velcro strap construction
Best For: Deadlifting, weightlifting, CrossFit
The Total cross trainers from Adidas are great all-around training shoes. They work great for both conventional and sumo deadlifting as well as other weightlifting exercises and CrossFit training.
The soles are very wide and grippy which gives you a lot of stability and traction when pulling heavy weights. The Total cross trainers are also great if you have wide feet.
The thin sole gives you better ground contact and a shorter distance that the barbell has to travel which makes it easier to lift heavier weights. The shoes also have a zero-degree drop which means that you’ll be pulling from an even surface.
The upper midfoot also has a velcro strap that improves stability and the lockdown feel. It can be loosened and tightened depending on how much stability you need in the specific moment and exercise.
#7 Best For Ankle Support – Gorilla Wear High Tops
Features and benefits:
- High collar
- Grippy sole
- No heel-to-toe drop
- Collar velcro strap for ankle support
Best For: Deadlifting, sumo and conventional
As the name suggests the Gorilla Wear high tops have a high collar which gives you excellent ankle support and stability when deadlifting.
The high collar features a velcro strap closure that can be loosened or tightened depending on how much support you need.
The sole is flat and super thin which gives you more ground contact and helps with stability. Getting closer to the ground also shortens the range of motion which makes deadlifting easier.
The Gorilla Wear high tops also feature a grippy non-slip sole which secures your footing and holds you in place while deadlifting.
These deadlift shoes tend to run a bit smaller in size so I would recommend that you order one size larger than you usually do.
#8 Best For Barefoot Deadlifting – WHITIN Barefoot Socks
Features and benefits:
- Sweat and waterproof
- Grippy sole
- Lightweigh and small
Best For: Deadlifting, sumo and conventional
These deadlift socks from WITHIN are perfect if you want to deadlift without shoes! Deadlifting without shoes is a really popular choice for many athletes since they don’t add any height.
Being closer to the ground when deadlifting shortens the range of motion of the lift which allows you to lift heavier weights.
The socks feature a full rubber sole that gives you an extremely good grip and holds your feet in place when deadlifting.
Since the WHITIN socks have a very thin sole you’ll get the maximum amount of ground contact and stability during deadlifts.
The socks work for both narrow and wide feet since they contour to the natural width and form of your feet.
#9 Best Versatile Deadlifting Shoe – Nike Metcon 8
Features and benefits:
- Great comfort
- Thin sole with slight elevation
- Breathable
Best For: Deadlifting, weighlifting, cardio, CrossFit, running
The Nike Metcon 8 is a great versatile weightlifting shoe. They work great for deadlifting, squatting and cardio.
The soles on the Metcon 8s are fairly thin and don’t have a lot of heel-to-toe drop. The rubber sole also gives you a lot of grip and stability.
This puts the shoes in a good middle ground for being optimal for both deadlifts and squats.
You stay close to the ground which shortens the range of motion of the deadlift which makes the lift easier to perform. But you also get a bit of heel elevation which improves your range of motion when squatting.
The Metcon 8s are also great for cardio and running. They are super comfortable and breathable and offer a lot of cushioning which makes them optimal to run in. Not only that but they would also work great as everyday shoes since they look great.
#10 Best For Competitive Weightlifting – Nike Romaleos 4
Features and benefits:
- 3/4 inch elevation
- Unmatched stability
- Double velcro strap support
Best For: Deadlifting, Olympic weightlifting
The Nike Romaleos 4 are a great option if you want a weightlifting shoe for competing. They are well-suited for all Olympic weightlifting exercises.
Deadlifting wise the Romaleos 4 offer great stability and grip thanks to the wide rubber sole. The grip helps to keep your feet locked in place and avoid sliding when you are pulling heavy weights.
For squats, the heel elevation helps to give you a better range of motion which allows you to perform a deeper squat. The width of the soles gives you unmatched stability during your heaviest lifts.
The two velcro straps help to stabilize your midfoot and keep your feet from compressing when squatting heavy weights.
The Romaleos 4 also work great for bench pressing. Their wide soles give you a great foundation and a lot of ground contact to maximize your leg drive.
#11 Best For Deadlifts And Squats – Adidas Powerlift 5
Features and benefits:
- 0.6 inch elevation
- Great grip and support
- Velcro strap support
Best For: Deadlifting, squatting
The Adidas Powerlifting 5 is a great option if you want a weightlifting shoe that works for both deadlifts and squats.
The shoes have a wide rubber sole with a slight elevation. This gives you a lot of grip and stability and the elevation helps you perform both deadlifts and squats optimally.
Being close to the ground during a deadlift reduces the range of motion required and makes the lift easier to perform.
By keeping your body closer to the ground you minimize the distance that the barbell has to travel, which helps conserve energy and reduces the risk of injury.
For performing squats, a slight elevation in the heel can improve your range of motion and help you achieve a deeper squat. This is especially useful if you need to develop better lower body flexibility.
#12 Best Budget Deadlifting Shoes – Converse Chuck Taylors
Features and benefits:
- No heel-to-toe drop
- High collar for ankle support
- Budget and beginner friendly
Best For: Deadlifting, sumo and conventional, weightlifting
The Converse Chuck Taylors are very popular deadlifting shoes. A big benefit of the Chuck Taylors is the flat rubber sole which gives you a lot of stability and grip. The high collar also gives you better ankle support.
The Chuck Taylors are are great all-purpose shoes for weightlifting. They work just as well for squatting, bench pressing and other weightlifting exercises.
The price is also very compelling and the fact that you can use them as an everyday shoe also makes them an ideal deadlift shoe option if you don’t want to spend a lot of money.
They are also good for beginners who don’t want to spend a bunch of money on expensive lifting equipment.
Are Deadlift Shoes Worth It?
Deadlift shoes are a really good investment if you want to focus on improving your deadlift and pull heavier weights.
Using deadlifting shoes will give you better stability and grip and they often have very thin soles. Being closer to the ground while deadlifting makes the exercise easier since the barbell has to travel a shorter distance.
Wearing deadlift shoes while performing heavy deadlifts also minimizes the risk of injury. Accidenetly slipping with your feet and losing balance is much harder when you are wearing deadlifting shoes.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good pair of deadlifting shoes. And chances are that you might already have a pair of shoes at home that you didn’t realize was good for deadlifts.
Some examples of good deadlifting sneakers are the Converse Chuck Taylors, The Vans Sk8-Hi and the Nike Blazer Mid ‘77s.
Is It OK To Deadlift In Weightlifting Shoes?
You can deadlift in weightlifting shoes without any issues. A lot of experienced deadlifters who often compete tend to avoid using regular weightlifting shoes.
This is because weightlifting shoes often have a very high heel which increases the range of motion when deadlifting. The heel adds about ¾ of an inch to your height which means that you’ll need to pull the barbell ¾ of an inch further.
But for most of us this difference is negligible. And if you are in the market for a pair of shoes that you can use for both deadlifting, squatting and bench pressing, a pair of weightlifting shoes will work perfectly fine.
Are Flat Shoes Good For Deadlifts?
Flat shoes are considered to be the best for deadlifts. Some benefits of a shoe with a flat sole for deadlifting are better grip, improved balance, shorter range of motion and better power transfer.
Flat deadlifting shoes improve your grip thanks to the rubber soles. A better grip will keep your feet locked in place and you won’t risk slipping and accidentally dropping the barbell on your feet.
When deadlifting with flat soles you get better ground contact. This improves your stability and balance which minimizes the risk of wobbling and losing your balance.
Deadlift shoes with flat and thin soles keep you closer to the ground. Being close to the ground while deadlifting allows you to have a shorter range of motion as the barbell has to travel a shorter distance.
This will help you lift heavier weights and consequently even build more muscle.
Flat soles also improve your power output by providing a solid platform for pushing into the ground. This helps to transfer more power from your legs to the barbell which can allow you to lift heavier weights.
What To Do Now?
Now that you’ve found a pair of deadlift shoes that fit your needs and preferences you’ll be hitting new PRs in no time!
I hope that you have found the article helpful and before your next workout session I’ve got some other articles that might interest you!
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