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Weightlifting shoes have been around for decades - primarily for men.
The main difference between men's and women's shoes is width, and women's shoes also typically weigh less, which affects the design of the midsole.
But when it comes to women's weightlifting shoes, the focus is on the heel and the support they provide, which is incredibly important for injury-free weightlifting and its uniqueness.
After years of coaching female athletes, first-hand observations, and comparisons, we decided to present our selection of the best weightlifting shoes for women.
Top Weightlifting Shoes for Women (September 2023)
1 - Adidas Powerlift 3 (Editor's Choice)
It’s perhaps no surprise that Adidas is at the top of our list for best women's weightlifting shoes since they have been at this weightlifting and cross training shoe business longer than just about anyone.
Adidas also tends to top many a list of best men’s training and weight lifting shoes, as Adidas knows the sport and its specific needs in terms of footwear during training.
The Adidas Adipower seems to be a popular choice for training shoes and flat shoes, but we chose the Powerlift 3 instead.
As for the Women’s Adidas Powerlift 3, it is designed to be durable, comfortable, and extremely stable that doesn’t give an inch even as you ramp up the weight during training.
The high-quality shoes have excellent grip (rubber outsole), and the Velcro straps help keep your feet in place mid-lift, whether you are doing squats or deadlifts. With this support, you’re encouraged to use your core more for these movements, helping you avoid lower back pain while also keeping your feet cool.
The Adidas Powerlift 3 looks like it means business, and it lives up to appearances with solid performance. It's what makes it one of the best choices for weightlifting women.
- Promotes stability during rigorous training
- Anti-slip rubber for maximum grip
- Extra-wide design for a comfortable fit without compromising range of motion
- Not as breathable as some
The company’s Adiwear outsole is comfortable. The fit is a bit narrower, unlike many popular weightlifting shoes for women. The metatarsal strap ensures rock-solid stability from floor to hold and back again.
The marginally lower heel and a flat sole makes it more easily adaptable to CrossFit or weight training.
2 - Reebok CrossFit Lifter 2.0
The challenge for CrossFit shoes is to provide women with the ankle mobility they need for training and running while accounting for the heel drop necessary to perform weightlifting exercises like squats [1].
Getting the balance right isn’t easy, and not all training shoes or running shoes accomplish it.
The Women’s CrossFit Lifter 2.0, however, does an impressive job.
The 3/4 inch drop in the heel is apparent in the way it enables power lifts and heavy weightlifting but somehow melds into the background during running, walking lunges, and everything else [2].
The wide metatarsal strap is designed to keep your wide feet and solidly in place on your shoe without being overly restrictive, and a pair of these shoes look, quite frankly, beautiful.
- Promotes high power and agility
- Hook and loop straps ensure maximum grip
- Fits comfortable and doesn't limit the range of motion
- It can be a bit stiff
If CrossFit is your thing, then the Reebok Women's CrossFit Lifter 2.0 is one of the best training footwear choices on the market.
3 - Inov-8 Fastlift 335
Inov-8 prides itself on basing its footwear designs solidly in the science of physiology.
Their weightlifting shoes are designed to conform to human beings and not the other way around, as they got their idea from some of the best trainers around.
Although they made their name on the track, once they delved into the women’s weight lifting shoe arena, they didn't waste any time establishing their bona-fides, and their Women's Fastlift 335 is a perfect example.
The upper on the 335 shoes are fashioned from ripstop nylon with welded seams [3].
This makes the shoe both very light and very, very tough. There's plenty of lateral stability provided by the metatarsal strap, and the Power-Truss heel allows you to dig in on those extreme lifting activities.
- Made from lightweight synthetic materials for better movement during training and lifting weights
- Fits perfectly with its hook-and-loop strap
- FastLift promotes maximum and reliable grip
- Basically, a one sports shoe
The 1 1/4 inch drop means it's not going to adapt well to some CrossFit workouts, but it will power your lifting like nobody's business. There's also a slightly wider toe box to accommodate spreading for your feet that occurs when lifting weights are involved.
If flat-up lifting is your thing, there’s a pair of 335s weightlifting shoes with your name on them.
4 - Reebok Legacy Lifter
The Women’s Legacy Lifter from Reebok, which is among the best shoes for weightlifting, was designed with Olympic-style powerlifting in mind and fulfilled its destiny beautifully.
This is why this is also one of the best weightlifting shoes for women in the industry.
A pair of these weightlifting shoes feature a tough TPU heel, a 3/4 inch heel drop, and dual mid-foot straps to hold your feet firmly in place when the stresses during training are greatest [4].
The genuine rubber sole grips the surface firmly, but not so much that you risk ankle injury. It features a solid sole, which provides excellent arch support, especially for people with over-pronated feet.
Aesthetics aren’t that important when it comes to weightlifting shoes, but the clean and appealing look of these trainers is a nice bonus.
- Recommended for squats during training
- Lower heel height promotes optimal squat positioning
- Comfortable, stable, and fits great
- Heavier than some other women’s cross training shoes
The anatomical shape of these Olympic weightlifting shoes contours to the shape of women's feet, and the antimicrobial liner keeps them from becoming odor factories.
If your forte is squats, you'll appreciate the way this Olympic weightlifting shoe seems to propel you into the proper upright position [5].
5 - NOBULL Trainers
Despite the corny name and aesthetic shortcomings, Nobull takes the manufacture of women’s running and weightlifting shoes very seriously.
While their lack of a heel drop limits their usefulness in the weight room, the Nobull Women's Trainer is otherwise a solid all-around athletic and weightlifting shoe that will serve you well on the track and training, on the treadmill, when climbing rope, and even in your standard aerobic class.
Wear them on the tennis court, basketball court, squash court, or while hiking in the park or running on the track.
- Recommended for Cross Training
- Durable, stable, and breathable, thanks to SuperFabric
- Abrasion-resistant weightlifting shoe
- The look takes some getting used to
They're built for all-around comfort and performance during cross-training, and they deliver better than any standard running shoe ever could.
If your thing is not being confined to a single type of athletic endeavors like running or weightlifting, you'll find the Nobull Women's Trainers to be worthy companions.
6 - Pendlay 15PFUSSIL
Whereas a shoe like the Nobull women’s weightlifting shoes embraces a minimalist design, the Pendlay 15PFUSSIL running, and weightlifting shoe embraces a kind of overwrought, overcooked maximalism (if there is such a word) that will appeal to some and turn some off when it comes to Olympic lifts.
Aesthetics aside, these are outstanding all-around women’s weight training and running shoes that have the heel drop you'll need for certain activities that involve squatting but not such an extreme drop that it's useless for deadlifts.
This Olympic lifting shoes' design can improve your form tremendously and help you perform better, whether lifting or running.
- Leather and nylon upper
- Dual straps ensure your foot is held solidly in place during running
- Outstanding breathability
- The look won’t appeal to everyone
From a comfort standpoint, the Do-Win fit exhibits a high degree of breathability, and the opposing metatarsal straps prevent lateral drift while the weight is being tossed to and from [6].
They’re the best weightlifting shoes for Olympic-style lifts that will cover you for all manner of lifting weights, whether you're on a flat surface or not.
7 - Converse All Star
Veteran lifters of both sexes have seen their fair share of Converse All Star in the weight training space, and that's because they have historically provided a great deal of value.
Even though they were reimagined from a material standpoint a few years back and are now a bit more expensive than their 20th-century counterparts, the All Star is still a viable budget weightlifting shoe that will serve you well.
- Improved materials throughout in this new iteration
- Genuine rubber sole provides needed grip
- Decent and ankle support, light and breathable
- OrthoLite cushioning on the insole
- Be careful where you buy them from
The biggest difference in the new All Stars is that the canvas upper, while it appears the same as the old models, is now fashioned from more robust canvas that takes a while to break in but ultimately provides much better ankle mobility and support.
What to Look for in Women’s Weightlifting Shoes?
Here are some things you should look for when shopping for the best weightlifting shoes for women.
The Shoe Should Reflect Your Workout Type
Before you decide on a pair of women's weightlifting shoes, you'll need to determine what type of lifting you'll be doing.
With Olympic lifts, which need you to be stable, force radiates in all directions, so you'll want a metatarsal strap or straps with firm Velcro closure for your Olympic lifting shoes.
You'll also want 3/4 of an inch to 1 1/4 inch of heel drop. For straight-up deadlifts, you want flat lifting shoes like the Converse All Star.
Toe Drop Height
The toe drop height in a women's weightlifting shoe is the drop in elevation between the heel of the shoe and the toe on the insole.
An elevated heel provides additional stability when the lifter is squatting down so that the wearer won't feel uncomfortable.
This is key to optimizing your physical exertion and projecting upward force.
Stability
Beyond the stability provided by the dropped heel in women's lifting shoes, you need to ensure lateral stability to avoid turning your ankle.
The metatarsal straps help prevent lateral instability, as does a nice rubber sole that takes a firm grasp of the floor.
Fit
Humans weren't designed to lift twice their body weight over their heads. To ensure you can focus your energy where it belongs, you can't afford to be distracted and to feel uncomfortable in your ill-fitting shoes.
Look for a snug fit without pinching and wide enough to accommodate the spreading that occurs in the foot when it's under extreme pressure.
Value
Everyone has a slightly different idea of what represents value. Still, in a general sense, a good value is a lifting shoe that provides robust stability, comfort, and performance without costing an arm and a leg.
Other Review and Buyer's Guide: What's the Best Weightlifting Belt?
What are the Benefits?
There are several benefits to wearing popular weightlifting shoes when training. Let’s discuss some of them.
- Proper positioning - One of the primary causes of weight training injuries was and is poor alignment of the torso. Women’s powerlifting shoes can help prevent debilitating back injuries by forcing the body into proper alignment from when you address the bar to when you drop the weight and step off.
- Ankle support - Many women (as well as men) require extra ankle support to prevent them from turning an ankle as they perform various powerlifting exercises. Some lifts involve numerous adjustments of your footing, thus requiring ankle mobility. If you plant one foot at a slightly awkward angle, the ankle can turn, producing a very serious injury that prevents you from being stable for quite a while. High-cut women’s weight lifting shoes can help prevent this type of calamity [7].
- Establishing good habits - Whether you are an accountant, a doctor, or a weightlifter, it's essential to build good habits that will enable you to optimize your results. When you make an effort to get and wear the right high-quality shoes when you lift, you're helping to ensure your efforts aren't wasted and that you're not needlessly exposing yourself and your feet to injury.
- Improved performance - Both the elevated heel and the metatarsal straps on a women’s lifting shoe are more than mere decorations. They help drive a higher level of performance which enables you to reach your health and goals at the gym [8].
Related:
FAQs
Do Weightlifting Shoes for Women Make a Difference?
Yes, weightlifting shoes for women make a difference, especially for the deep squat moves that are often required. These specialist shoes have an elevated heel sole section, making it easier for you to get into a very low squat position without causing too much strain on your ankles.
Are Chucks Still a Good Choice for Women’s Weightlifting?
No, Chucks are not good for women’s weightlifting because they don’t have a raised heel section. While they are light and comfortable, with reasonably good cushioning, the lack of raised heels won’t help you get into those very low-to-the-ground squatting positions required for many power moves.
This could lead to discomfort, making wearers develop a suboptimal position to compensate. If this persists, it could become a bad habit and result in poor posture, negating the benefits of weightlifting.
What’s the Difference Between Male and Female Weightlifting Shoes?
The main difference between male and female weightlifting shoes is that the ones made for women are generally slightly narrower fitting. This is mainly down to the fact that the average woman’s foot will be narrower. Unless you have a wider than average foot, it’s best to stick with a lifting shoe for your gender.
The Best Weightlifting Shoes For Women
The act of lifting enormous amounts of weight at the gym for no other purpose than building muscle is unnatural.
As such, you need to make sure you do what's necessary to protect yourself from injury while maximizing the physical returns from your efforts, which includes procuring the best lifting shoes.
Based on our research, we would recommend the Reebok Women's Legacy Lifter. It seems to be the best weightlifting shoes for women on the market and will help you achieve your goals while cradling your feet in comfort and safety.
From first-rate materials to the way it grips the floor and their remarkable versatility, it's put together in a package that has them in prime position as our choice for the best weightlifting shoe for women.
#1 Weightlifting Shoes For Women
Adidas Powerlift 3
- Promotes stability during rigorous training
- Anti-slip rubber for maximum grip
- Extra-wide design for a comfortable fit without compromising range of motion
- Not as breathable as some
About The Author
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Before Converse, I was wearing Nike or Reebok, then I finally gave in to my friends’ persuasions. No regrets at all. This is by far the best women’s weightlifting shoe. My balance is impeccable now with these on my feet, even when I do squats. I also don’t have any pain or problems with these shoes. Highly recommended!
I’ve been looking for the perfect weightlifting shoes and found them in Pendlay 15PFUSSIL. I just love everything about them. They’re light, supportive, and stylish! They’re also not expensive which is a huge plus!
I have been experimenting with different types of weightlifting shoes for about a year now & Reebok is one of my favorites. They are really comfortable, provide me the right amount of support I need, and are great quality. The only downside is that they are not cheap! But if you are looking to invest in a pair of shoes, I would highly recommend these!
I recently got my Reebok Legacy Lifter shoes and I absolutely love them. They are perfect for weightlifting, especially deadlifts. I am able to get more power on the ground with these shoes. They offer a lot of stability and grip an hold up well to high impact workouts.
I am a woman and my feet are a little wide, so I always have trouble with most running shoes. The best thing about Reebok is that they have a lot of room for my toes and they still feel tight enough to give me some stability. I love how stylish these shoes are too!
1. I’ve been training for over a year now and I couldn’t be happier with the purchase of the Adidas Powerlift 3. Compared to other lifting shoes I’ve worn, these are by far much better. The cushioning is great and they’re very comfortable. The only downside is that they wear out pretty quickly, but at this price point, it’s well worth it!
So, I’ve been powerlifting for a few years now, and if you’re serious about weightlifting, I highly recommend Converse/Vans as women weightlifting shoes. It DEFINITELY aids in your squats, deadlifts, and bench press. I don’t think I could ever go back now that I’ve switched.
I agree. Reebok Legacy Lifter is the best women’s deadlifting shoes for me as well.
I’ve been thinking of investing in shoes as I start my career in bodybuilding. I’m glad that the best weightlifting shoes for women are listed here.
I purchased 3 sets of NOBULL trainers last month and I’m amazed at how good they are. They are perfect for women who want to weightlift or crossfit. The heels are sturdy and the cushioning is just right. Plus, the prints are so stylish!