Squats are one of the most important and necessary exercise that we can train in the gym. This compound movement is the most effective at building strength and muscle mass in the lower body. If you are a beginner, avid gym goer or a professional athlete it is crucial to have good equipment to maximize performance and avoiding injury. In this blog, we’ll highlight an important piece of equipment for squatting which are a good pair of shoes.
The best squatting shoes can help you maintain proper form, increase your stability and balance, and maximize each repetition. There are many shoes aimed at squatting, so it can be challenging to pick the right pair. In this post, we’ll breakdown the best squatting shoes on the market and give all the information needed to make the best choice.
What to look for in a pair of Squatting Shoes?
When it comes to selecting the best squatting shoes, there are a few key factors to check with every shoe. Here are 4 things to look for in Squatting Shoes:
- 1. Stability: When squatting, the shoes we wear should provide a stable base for our feet. Look for a shoe that has a flat, non-slip sole that will ensure you stay grounded and prevents wobbling or slipping during your lifts. This is probably one of the most important ones. Under any weighted squat, a movement or slip could lead to a pretty bad injury.
2. Support: It is crucial to have squatting shoes that give you support for your feet and ankles. A shoe with a sturdy heel will ensure enough support to prevent any rolling or twisting of the ankle. Support around the entire foot will prevent your feet inside the shoe from moving or shifting during Squats.
3. Comfort: Having a shoe that is comfortable to wear is a huge benefit since you’ll be wearing them often. Look for shoes that have breathable material, good cushioning, and snug fit. This will make sure your feet are supported and comfortable throughout lifts. If you can’t take a small walk with them, they are probably not a good fit.
4. Durability: The best squatting shoes for you should be able to take a beating. Remember they shoes meant for the gym, so they should be able to withstand the wear of repetitive use. Your selection of shoes should be make a high quality material that is meant to last for a long time. These shoes are an investment into your lifting longevity.
Now you know how we selected the shoes on this list. So, Here are our lists of the Best Squatting Shoes in the market!:
1. Adidas Adipower Weightlifting II Track and Field Shoe
The Addias Adipower Weightlifting II Shoes is a great squatting shoe that checks off all the boxes. Some of the great features that differentiate this shoe from other squat shoes is the wide strap the runs along the mid foot section. This strap is great at creating added stability in your shoe to ensure there won’t be any movement during squats. This is great especially during heavy squats. This added support will come in handy when your fighting for those reps. It’s also adjustable to fit to your liking.
The raises reinforced heel is another great feature. It’s made from dense material that will allow you to plant your feet and drive the weight up. It will feel more stable and secure throughout the lift. The raised heel as well helps with range of motion that allows you to go deeper and squat more naturally. The heel is about 1 inch, so it won’t be too much to where you feel like your falling over.
The outsole is made of rubber that makes sure there isn’t any slipping. This is a great feature to ensure grip and traction over mutiple surfaces.
Pros:
- Strap over mid-toe adds more stability and support.
- Raised reinforced heel that provides a secure foot and increased range of motion.
- Rubber non – slip outsole provides a more solid base and slipping prevention.
Cons:
- A little on the pricey side, but a great investment.
- Will take a little time to get adjusted to.
Overall, this is one of our favorite pairs of squatting shoes. This shoe will definitely help improve your squats numbers on your lifting journey!
2. Nike Metcon 7 Training Shoes
The Nike Metcon 7’s are a multi-functional pair of shoes that can used for a variety of workouts from weightlifting, to HIIT workouts. If a raised heel is not your cup of tea, then give these a try. They provide great stability and support especially with the updated features that was added to the new Metcons. Also the color combinations are crazy, you can match any fit with this shoe. One of the most stylish shoes on this list. Let’s walk through the best features on this shoe.
The upgraded top of this shoe provides excellent ventilation to keep your feet cool. It’s made of a breathable mesh material that allows air to run through. No more sweaty feet. To make sure they last long and has support on top, a rubber overlay was added to help with wear and tear.
It also has a supportive midsole. The dual density foam provides a lot of cushion and support throughout any movements during the workout. This creates a really comfortable fit and makes you want to everything with them, even go for a run… Yeah, we’re not running either.
The soles of the Metcons are made of durable rubber. This creates a non-slip shoe and will increase traction over many surfaces . They are also completely flat which helps with keeping your foot stable and prevents any wobbling during squatting.
Pros:
- Updated top of shoe with breathable mesh and an rubber overlay for added support
- Multi-functional shoe that can be used over a variety of workouts.
- A flat rubber sole to create a non-slip shoe that creates more traction and stability.
Cons:
- May not be as supportive as other shoes designed for squatting.
- Slightly Pricey.
3. Core Weightlifting Shoes ( Best Budget Shoe)
For less than $100, you can get great pair of squatting shoes. You can’t go wrong with that! The Core Weightlifting Shoe are great for squatting but also are great for multiple lifts. They have great features of a squatting shoe and won’t break the bank. Lets look at the best features of this shoe.
The base of these shoes are solid. The bottoms are flat, this makes them stable and secures your feet during lifts. It also have a non slip wedge on the midsole that helps with stability. It comes with a strap that runs across the top of the shoe to help with more stability with your lifts. Making your form better and hitting PRs some much easier.
The shoes are really comfortable. The interior is padded and makes a snug fit. The breathable mesh on the upper part of the shoe helps in keeping your feet dry and cool during workouts.
Pros:
- Price is under $100
- Heel is slightly higher to create better range of motion
- Soles are flat, and has a strap to help with support and stability
Cons:
- Not really true to size, recommend to order one size up.
- Material is on the cheaper end, so it may start falling apart after they a few beatings.
- Only comes in black.
Overall this is a great selection if you are on a budget, and need a great pair of squatting shoes!
Thank you for reading through this blog. We hope you found it helpful and if you did pass it to a friend!
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