10 Best Weightlifting Shoes For Women To Buy In 2024
Keep yourself stable while performing intense workouts or sporting activities.
James Shapiro, MS, CES, PES, has operated in nearly every position in the fitness and strength and conditioning industry for nearly a decade. His clients range from stay-at-home moms to division-I athletes. He primarily services the Los Angeles area but also works with clients virtually and online across the country.
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Most women might not know that the same shoes you wear for running might not be idle for resistance training and weight lifting. Unlike running shoes that prioritize absorbing shock and providing linear support, having the right stability and firmness is important for weight lifting. Weightlifting shoes play a vital role in distributing the weight equally while giving your complete stability and support. So, to make things easy for you, we have included a list of the best weightlifting shoes for you. You might be further surprised to know that there are designated shoes for activities, including squatting, powerlifting, and HIIT. While weight lifting shoes for men have been there for ages, weight lifting shoes for women also exist only with lesser information about them. So if you are planning to get your hands on the perfect pair of weight lifting shoes to make those training sessions more effective or gift them to someone who is into weight lifting, take a look at our bestselling list here.
In This Article
Lift In Pride With Balance In These 10 Best Weightlifting Shoes For Women
1. Best Durable: Reebok CrossFit Nano 8.0 Flexweave Cross Trainer
This sleek pair of the Reebok Nano 8.0 sneakers come with re-engineered Flexweave technology to provide you with utmost comfort and support. The feature also helps promote better breathability, stability, and durability. You are also able to get the maximum amount of grip as you reach your daily goals. Ideal for weightlifting and strength training, these CrossFit lifting shoes for women are designed with added toe tection to add mobility and longevity in the toe area for when you perform high intense activities. The new heel bootie technique helps provide the ultimate cushion to your soles. According to reviews, the shoes are sturdy and stretch to provide space for the feet without causing blisters.
- Flexweave technology promotes breathability and stability
- Durable fabric design
- Budget-friendly
- Toe tection feature to protect toes and adds mobility
- Heel bootie system provides cushion and comfort to the heels
- Not recommended if you have wide or flat feet
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 2,011 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
2. Best Design: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoes
Are you a fan of extra mobility? Then these Nike lifting shoes for women are just the right ones for you. The Air Zoom Pegasus 35 sneakers have been redesigned to make you responsive enough for quick and smooth movements with good sole durability. If your workouts include speed-induced activities, the beveled heel that is engineered in the sneakers serves you with optimal responsiveness along with the flymesh fabric design and flywire cables to lock you down. The re-imagined mesh optimizes the feel of ultimate breathability and is lightweight while the flywire cables provide ample support. With the aerodynamic tailfin being angled away from the foot, you are assured extra comfort.
- Comes with softer and resilient foam
- Offers added breathability and stability
- Soft foam through the midsole
- Lightweight shoes
- May run small
- May not be best for lateral or rotational movement.
Pro Tip3. Best Lightweight: Inov-8 Fastlift 335 Women’s Weightlifting Shoes
When you lift, shoes must be the one thing outside your focus field as their job is to protect and provide stability to your feet. These high heel weightlifting shoes from Inov-8 deliver a staggering amount of stability, support, and structure in the heel and your midfoot. These stylish kicks come with meta flex technology that guarantees constant comfort during movements and transitions, along with an elevated heel height. There’s also a velcro hook-and-loop strap closure at the top to firmly hold your midfoot for extra support. An external heel cage and power truss technology are incorporated in a way that distributes lateral stability and a steady base for when you lift. If you love following shoe trends but want quality footwear, then this is for you.
- Lightweight
- Beginner-friendly
- Offers added comfort
- External heel cage and power truss for lateral stability
- Midfoot support with velcro strap
- Some may find it narrow.
4. Best Seamless: Feetmat Women’s Athletic Shoes
A pair of knitted upper soft fabric and airy sole is the one for you if you want to feel extreme traction during your heavy lifting sessions. These women’s lifting shoes by Feetmat are designed to provide you the best of flexibility and stability. To cater to a better hygiene, these sneakers also come with removable insoles that can be washed and reused. With a seamless design and ultra-lightweight, flexible sole, it prevents your feet from turning damp and enhances proper ventilation. Feetmat promises utmost movement and security with its anti-slip rubber outsoles for extra comfort and support. According to reviewers, these shoes offer style, functionality, and comfort.
- Removable and washable insoles
- Anti-slip outsoles
- Ultra-lightweight sole
- Improves portability and security
- Might lack in aesthetic appeal
5. Best For Breathability: Adidas Powerlift Weightlifting Shoes
Add a dash of power in your workout routine with these Adidas weightlifting shoes for women. These kicks come with an extra wide fit, allowing your foot to spread effortlessly. This 100% synthetic pair of sneakers provides extreme durability and support. This pair of weightlifting shoes also features a midfoot strap for a secure fit as you lift your weights. A rubber sole and an air mesh collar are added to boost ankle support and breathability respectively.
- Extra-wide
- Midfoot strap for extra security
- Air mesh collar for breathability
- 100% synthetic
- Not too flexible
Pro Tip6. Best Fabric: Otomix Stingray Weightlifting Training Shoes
A pair of high-top weightlifting shoes are an ideal candidate if you like a flat-sole at the bottom while you lift. Flat-sole sneakers promote direct force transfer through the floor and thus are apt for when you lift heavy weights. These flat bottom shoes for weightlifting by Otomix enhance your ankle stability as they are lightweight and give advanced traction. They feature leather and synthetic uppers that offer much flexibility. You can blindly trust these womens high-top lifting shoes as they convey maximum agility and support. According to reviewers, these shoes offer style, functionality, and comfort.
- High-top lifting shoes with flat-sole
- Extra ankle support
- Rubber sole
- High quality fabric
- Not wide enough
7. Best For Wrestling Or Weightlifting: Core Wrestling Shoes
The Core Wrestling shoes are lightweight and reliable ones that are made from synthetic leather and soft mesh fabric. The sole is comfortable and tactile during your lifting sessions as it is slightly raised on the sides. This feature ensures best traction even in lateral movements. These training-specific shoes are also porous and breathable due to the fabric that is sewn on the sides. You’ll find that the tread patterns on the soles feature big circles at the pivot points that are a must for any wrestling or weightlifting shoes as they are supportive.
- Comfortable and raised sole
- Provides optimum traction in lateral movements
- Breathable fabric
- One-piece sturdy rubber sole
- Longevity is not guaranteed
8. Best Ankle Mobility: Core Weightlifting Shoes
The Core Weightlifting Shoes come with the exact amount of support and stability you require for weightlifting. These are pretty good lifting shoes as they’re featherlight and protect your feet from injuries and add support. There is also a velcro strap that sits right above the lace-up for extra stability. A raised heel to the shoes adds balance as the wedge is also made of non-slip EVA.The EVA wedge of 24mm falls right in the midsole that will help you lift heavier weights. The sole also provides a good grip with the ground.
- High-density non-slip EVA wedge
- High heel adds stability
- Sole strongly grips to the ground
- Good for ankle mobility
- Not meant for wide feet
Pro Tip9. Best Support: Reebok Legacy Lifter Women’s Weightlifting Shoes
These high-heel weightlifting shoes from Reebok come with a ¾th inch height to give you the best squatting pose. They are also designed with 2 adjustable upper straps to give you a customized, locked-down fit. The grip-enhancing outsoles of the shoes are rubberized to ensure sturdiness. A full foam lining is featured at the collar with an Achilles pad for added comfort. The fabric material is made with perforated synthetic leather and mesh to promote better breathability. This statement footwear features exoframe technology at the heel for added support, made with TPU material.
- Made with perforated synthetic leather
- TPU heel in the midsole for stability and control
- Full foam lining at the collar
- Exoframe technology for added support
- You might find the shoes to be on the heavier side.
10. Best Abrasion-Resistant Upper: Under Armour Women’s HOVR Rise 2 Training Shoes
If you’re looking for women’s weight training shoes that are heavy duty, Under Armour’s HOVR Rise 2 are the apt trainers for you. Your weightlifting sessions will never feel so comfortable with the sock-like, snug fit, and abrasion-resistant upper of these women powerlifting shoes. This means you have the benefit of supreme mobility from one activity to the other. A leather heel strap stabilizes your foot that makes it easy to move in whichever direction. The UA HOVR is designed with ‘zero gravity feel’ to eliminate heavy impact. The mid-tops are also coated with a firm EVA midsole and a breathable mesh for smooth workouts.
- UA HOVR technology for best comfort and zero gravity feel
- Breathable mesh on the upper
- Abrasion-resistant upper
- Leather heel strap for constant stability
- They run slightly bigger than usual sneakers.
Sneakers come in various designs for various purposes. A true sneakers aficionado would probably find it easier to tell them apart, however it isn’t the case for most who simply want their shoes to do their job that is to give support and be agile. James Shapiro, a sports performance coach & personal trainer says, “Having the right size of toe box can recruit the right muscles in your foot, including your big toe: an important factor for anything requiring strength and power in movements like squats, deadlifts, and jumps.” What else should you look for? Read ahead to know more.
What To Look For When Buying Weightlifting Shoes?
- Check for the type of sole
While opting for the most trusted weightlifting shoe brands for women, don’t forget to check their sole type. Most powerlifting shoes come with a hard sole and minimal cushioning as it barely requires any bouncy effect. While cushioned shoes might be considered ideal when it comes to comfort, they might not be the ideal fit for weightlifting. So, it would make sense for you to settle for those that have only little cushioning or non-compressible sole weightlifting shoes, as opposed to walking or running shoes.
- Flat sole
Flat-soled shoes for weightlifting are sometimes promoted as they provide direct transfer of force from the ground as opposed to those lifting shoes that come with a certain amount of height for better stability.
- Strap
It is crucial that weightlifting shoes should be designed with a strap on the top or around the ankle area as it ensures double security to lock your foot down.
- Perforations and mesh panels
Perforations or mesh panels promise you a better chance of breathability and elimination of excess moisture and sweat accumulation. And this is an extremely crucial factor when you work out.
What Are The Benefits Of Weightlifting Shoes?
- If you lift, you know that stability is a core requirement. Thus, weightlifting shoes are designed in a way that grips on to the ground to prevent any slipping, or disbalance.
- Weightlifting shoes are made for well, lifting heavy weights. They are manufactured to be able to endure 300 to 400 pounds. This means, these powerlifting shoes are also made with high-quality fabric.
- Aside from inevitable mistakes and errors, wearing professional-grade shoes for when you lift heavy weights can actually protect you by securing your ankles. These shoes also tend to straighten up your back for deadlifts or deep squats.
The Bottom Line
Weightlifting and resistance training need supportive shoes that are designated for workout exercises like powerlifting, squatting, and HIIT. Durable and stable, these weightlifting shoes are made with breathable material that adds mobility, provides comfort, and caters to your style as well. It is important to be quick in your movements during heavy workout sessions, and that is where these shoes come into effect. The soft foam added in the midsoles assures extra comfort while helping you power through your exercises. The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35’s can prove to be an excellent choice as they are engineered with responsive cushioning and mesh that allow ventilation while the Inov-8 Fastlift 335 Women’s Weightlifting Shoes offer stability and support. The Otomix Stingray Weightlifting Training Shoes can be a good choice for those looking for grip and ankle support with traction during workout. For workout enthusiasts with flat feet, choose the shoes that will go well with your feet structure. Also, check your feet size and the shoe review well before buying weightlifting shoes as some of them might run small or have a narrow structure which can be suffocating.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Priyam Gupta, is a fashion and style enthusiast who believes in choosing nothing but the best in style and comfort. She believes in choosing fashionable products that help add to your functionality. That is why she has done an extensive review of the weightlifting shoes mentioned above to bring you nothing but the best. These are not only easy on your soles but help you with the right grip, comfort, and durability to ace your fitness game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do weightlifting shoes for women make a difference?
Yes! Weightlifting shoes for women do make a difference if you’re comparing them to regular trainers as they are built for a specific activity and have a better rubberized outsole.
Are Chucks still a good choice for women’s weightlifting?
Chucks are great if you’re a fan of flat soles and high tops. However, there are a myriad of options and brands that particularly cater to the weightlifting industry. Nowadays, weightlifting shoes come with a slanted heel lift for better support and stability as well as a tough grip to the ground.
How long do weightlifting shoes last?
Weightlifting shoes are made with high-quality fabric as they’re supposed to endure heavy and intense labor, thus, you can give them several years before they absolutely look like they need to be replaced.
Are weightlifting shoes good for deadlifts?
Yes, any form of lifting activity should be paired with good weightlifting shoes.
Can I wear running shoes to lift weights?
It is highly unadvised to wear running shoes to lift weights as they do not have enough toe box room. While these shoes are shock-absorbing, they do not promise a proper stable sole.
What’s the difference between male and female weightlifting shoes?
There is not much of a difference per se, except for the lack of models and designs for women in the lifting weights department. You can always convert shoe sizes to be able to wear a men’s weightlifting shoe and vice versa.
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