Powerlifting Shoes for Competition w/ Heels for Squats/Bench and Soft Suit

Pub Envelope on 30/08/2020 - 10:17

Hey guys,

Looking at doing my first comp in November (if COVID doesn't interfere). I was chasing some shoes with an elevated heel for my squats and bench, that would be legal for IPF. There are a lot of options out there and I was hoping a few of you would have some good thoughts on these. I am told a shoe that isn't spongey would be good, so I'm probably looking for one that has a nice, hard insole for a firm base to perform lifts off.

I found Irontanks have a shoe for $90 (my size 8 isn't in stock atm), and then there are Adidas, Nike with shoes of $150+ so not sure if it's a 'you pay for what you get' type scenario or not (especially as I have Irontanks kneesleeves and wrist wraps that are IPF approved and really good quality)

Any thoughts would be much appreicated! Thanks

P.S. I need a softsuit as well. Same deal, Irontanks have one for $95, yet you see SBD have ones for $130 and I have no idea what to look for or what to expect. Thanks again.

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 12:14
    +2

    Can recommend a pair of chucks, were my 'lifting shoes'

    Maybe even vans might work too

  • BrewerHaHa on 30/08/2020 - 14:14
    +1

    Have fun at your comp if it goes ahead! What numbers are you aiming for?

    I can only speak for the Nike Romaleos 2 because that's what I'm using right now and it's an incredible shoe. The 4 just released and is $270 but I'm not sure what your budget is. You might get lucky and pick up some Romaleo 2s on eBay or Gumtree for cheap so keep a look out if you're interested. Also if you're picking up any lifting shoe check reviews for sizing.

    An alternative is Dowin, a more budget shoe but I've seen people wear the older version in my gym. The brand currently has a new version with a plastic heel as opposed to the wooden one I've seen.

    Side notes: If you haven't been training in a heeled shoe, you're going to be weaker when you first start using them and you'll have to work back up.

    I would suggest staying away from shoes which do not have a plastic (TPU) heel and use a high density foam because the foam can still compress.

    Try get a shoe with 2 straps because the lock down feels a lot better. Obviously this is still preference but almost all people prefer a double strap.

  • Chadlynx on 30/08/2020 - 15:14
    +1

    In terms of shoes, there's no requirement for APU/IPF.
    You don't need elevated heels it's just a personal preference.
    Any shoe with a flat sole will do just fine. A lot of people will opt for wrestling shoes or Chuck Converse.

    Soft suits:
    They're all pretty much the same stuff, Titan seems to have some really good deals at the moment so give them a look.
    https://titansupport.com.au/

    • Pub Envelope on 30/08/2020 - 20:35

      Never heard of Titan! I gave them a look, their soft suit in M (my size ) only one is an all blue one for $75, but in saying that it's the cheapest one yet so I'll consider it. Great site though thanks for the advice

  • askme69 on 30/08/2020 - 15:24

    Jim kid had some lifters at 1/2 price.

    It appears you don't train with the OLY shoes ATM? I would start doing that first. Having said that, a guy i know WR holder doesn't use OLY shoes yet others i know do.

  • Pub Envelope on 30/08/2020 - 20:34

    Thanks for the replies legends!

    At the moment I use a pair of Chuck Taylors All Star Ultras for my gym shoes https://www.culturekings.com.au/products/converse-converse-c… . They're pretty sexy tbh.

    I've been squatting off my toes and am currently re-learning how to perform them properly off my heels, and was advised getting a raised heel would greatly assist me. All afternoon I've been trawling through Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace hoping to stumble on some of the shoes mentioned here (Nike Romaleos seem to frequently be mentioned to me, so I was aiming for a set of them. Any reason why everyone suggests the NR 2's and not the 3 or 4s?)

    I'm a lifter first, but in a very close second I do love a bargain, so I've been hunting for the best price possible. I want something decent but don't really want to be spending $200+ on a set of shoes either.. but I'm having trouble finding anything in a US 8. Same for the soft suit, as I'll only be wearing it basically for competition.

    • BrewerHaHa on 30/08/2020 - 21:05
      +1

      Hi Pub. Romaleos (in particular the 2s) are just seen as the gold standard. Lots of oly lifters still use them even though the model is quite old and they're very commonly seen in the weightlifting world championships and olympics.

      The 3 only has a single strap and has had some build quality/durability issues, especially with the tongue. The 4 is said to be pretty good but has a bit of heel slip.

      In the past Romaleo 2s have been on Gumtree for under $100 used but I haven't checked prices in a while. Soft suits have also appeared a couple of times on eBay when I've looked for knee sleeves but I've never payed much attention to them so not sure if they're they're that common.

      Also Chadlyn recommended Titan and their stuff is pretty good, highly recommend.

      GL with your comp

      • Pub Envelope on 02/09/2020 - 19:27

        Cheers mate. I cannot for the life of me find any Romaelo 2's for under $150, which is crazy as my mate reckons he paid under $100 for a second hand pair one year after their release. I haven't settled on just one pair yet, I'm still researching but I think I'll get the Adidas powerlift as they seem to be the best pair for the cheapest price (around $130 delivered)

        Thanks for the luck, for my first comp I just hope I don't power spew all over the ref during my dead haha

  • askme69 on 31/08/2020 - 23:58

    I can only recommend: https://images.app.goo.gl/KbUQSpQEaDgim9dw7

    I Also have these as well: https://images.app.goo.gl/aFN9ZKfpcmBRxcND6 only worn once then KLOKOV signed them so they haven't been worn since.

    The REDS have a tighter fit which i like better for OLY lifting.

    If you can squat flat foot ie: Bare or no heel, all the better.

    • Pub Envelope on 02/09/2020 - 19:22

      I was looking at the Adidas Powerlift 4's as they seem to be the best valued shoe that I can find (around $130 delivered)

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