Thread: Squat/Deadlifting Shoes???

I like my Converse Chucks. I've been using the same pair for like 3 1/2 years. They are falling apart on me though, but still chugging along.

I lift at home so for a long time I did not workout with shoes on at all. After I started to deadlifted 305lbs for a couple reps and squated 285lbs I noticed a few days later the bottom of my heels started to hurt. It didnt go away for a month. So now I wear a pair of $20.00 Tennis shoes on a matt at home when I squat, deadlift, or T bar rows and it makes a huge difference in comfort.

Originally Posted by fufu

I like my Converse Chucks. I've been using the same pair for like 3 1/2 years. They are falling apart on me though, but still chugging along.

Lots of PLers seem to like the chucks! The problem I have is that I'm extremely flat footed & need some extra support.

Originally Posted by Flathead

Lots of PLers seem to like the chucks! The problem I have is that I'm extremely flat footed & need some extra support.

I'm really flat footed too, but shoes with any arch dig into my plantar region and cause my foot to get ischemic. It aches a lot, the Chucks feel great for me personally.

I train at home, don't wear shoes.

Originally Posted by Flathead

Lots of PLers seem to like the chucks! The problem I have is that I'm extremely flat footed & need some extra support.

Always liked the converse, too. I remember when they were under $20.

user friendly? whats wrong with ur wrestling shoes? thats what i wear

Originally Posted by stfuandliftbtch

user friendly? whats wrong with ur wrestling shoes? thats what i wear

Anything flat that won't slip works fine.

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

I train at home, don't wear shoes.

You should read my post above. Post #3. I also train at home but once I hit the 305+ lb mark for deadlifts, I started to destroy the bottom of my heels on my feet. It felt like someone hit them with a sledge hammer. Not sure how much you are squatting or deadlifting but I think you will get to a point where the same thing will happen to you. It sucked when it happened and didnt heal (pun slightly intended) until about a month later.

Originally Posted by stfuandliftbtch

user friendly? whats wrong with ur wrestling shoes? thats what i wear

Nothing wrong with my wrestling shoes, just curious to see what else is out there.

I'm thinking about buying some weightlifting shoes but damn they are expensive. I want the new Pendlays so we'll see.

Originally Posted by gtbmed

I'm thinking about buying some weightlifting shoes but damn they are expensive. I want the new Pendlays so we'll see.

I've seen some deadlift specific shoes, for like $300.00! That's a lot of paydirt & I'm having a hard time believing they'd be worth it.

Risto sports makes some squat shoes that are pretty nice. $150 though. They aren't that nice...

Wrestling shoes are great. I use Chucks.

Originally Posted by gtbmed

I'm thinking about buying some weightlifting shoes but damn they are expensive. I want the new Pendlays so we'll see.

I got those actually, good shoes. I only use them for certain things though.

Expensive, yes! Maybe you can get someone to buy them for your for Christmas.

Originally Posted by Flathead

I've seen some deadlift specific shoes, for like $300.00! That's a lot of paydirt & I'm having a hard time believing they'd be worth it.

For deadlifting you just want the thinnest sole possible. In general though anything with an incompressible sole is good enough. I want the weightlifting shoes for the raised heel.

Originally Posted by Flathead

I've seen some deadlift specific shoes, for like $300.00! That's a lot of paydirt & I'm having a hard time believing they'd be worth it.

That sounds like complete bullshit to me. I've never heard of such a thing.

walmart sells knockoff chucks look the exact same just dont say converse on them.I just take my shoes off at the gym Idc what anyone says

bout to get some Otomix Stingray's..there fuckin badass

I hear Vibrams are good but those are expensive too...

Vibram FiveFingers: Bikila - M

I decided to give these a try. I will report back my findings. I will say I'm going to look like a complete jackhole in these things!!! The team will probably ask me to take the long walk. To add insult to injury I already have disturbingly large feet!!

Adidas goodyear for me

Originally Posted by Flathead

Vibram FiveFingers: Bikila - M

I decided to give these a try. I will report back my findings. I will say I'm going to look like a complete jackhole in these things!!! The team will probably ask me to take the long walk. To add insult to injury I already have disturbingly large feet!!

I've actually seen a couple power lifters at my gym wear those.

Originally Posted by Flathead

Vibram FiveFingers

Sounds like a stage name for a porn star!

Originally Posted by Flathead

Vibram FiveFingers: Bikila - M

I decided to give these a try. I will report back my findings. I will say I'm going to look like a complete jackhole in these things!!! The team will probably ask me to take the long walk. To add insult to injury I already have disturbingly large feet!!

Whoa, those look like something straight out of Avatar. I doubt your team will ask you to take the long walk, though.

Maybe you young pups can teach an old dog a new trick. Why? Why do you need/what's the advantage of special "lifting" shoes? I've been lifting longer than some of the members of this board have been alive and never saw the need for them. I lift in the same shoes I go for my morning walks in. What's the advantage to the "special" ones?

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Maybe you young pups can teach an old dog a new trick. Why? Why do you need/what's the advantage of special "lifting" shoes? I've been lifting longer than some of the members of this board have been alive and never saw the need for them. I lift in the same shoes I go for my morning walks in. What's the advantage to the "special" ones?

Flat, thin soled shoes are better at directing force than thick, soft soles. More efficient transference of force means bigger lifts. Soft soled shoes enable the bottom of the foot to waver in directions that aren't the goal of the a lift like the squat. During the squat, you want vertical force direction. Soft soled shoes compromise stability. If you are squatting and your foot is making all these slight doriflexion, plantarflexion, eversion and inversion movements, that movement is force that is not directed up, and this makes the lifter less stable and therefore less able to complete a lift.

This is why running shoes are usually not the best option for weight lifting.

When I deadlift wearing running shoes compared to Chucks, the difference is huge. I can't plant on my heels as well as I can because my weight is directed towards my toes due to the thick padding in the heel of the shoe that puts the foot in a slightly plantar flexed position. I can't direct my foot/ground force efficiently due to compromised stability. Finally, the overall thickness of the sole of a running shoe is increasing the ROM of the deadlift, which is not something I want if I want to train like a power lifter, someone who wants to lift the most weight possible while training.

With the Converse Chucks, all the above situations are improved.

Most exercises occur with the feet on the ground, it all starts with the feet. The foot to floor relationship is where a lot of things can go wrong. It if starts wrong at the feet, the entire kinetic chain is off-set.

Originally Posted by fufu

Flat, thin soled shoes are better at directing force than thick, soft soles. More efficient transference of force means bigger lifts. Soft soled shoes enable the bottom of the foot to waver in directions that aren't the goal of the a lift like the squat. During the squat, you want vertical force direction. Soft soled shoes compromise stability. If you are squatting and your foot is making all these slight doriflexion, plantarflexion, eversion and inversion movements, that movement is force that is not directed up, and this makes the lifter less stable and therefore less able to complete a lift.

This is why running shoes are usually not the best option for weight lifting.

When I deadlift wearing running shoes compared to Chucks, the difference is huge. I can't plant on my heels as well as I can because my weight is directed towards my toes due to the thick padding in the heel of the shoe that puts the foot in a slightly plantar flexed position. I can't direct my foot/ground force efficiently due to compromised stability. Finally, the overall thickness of the sole of a running shoe is increasing the ROM of the deadlift, which is not something I want if I want to train like a power lifter, someone who wants to lift the most weight possible while training.

With the Converse Chucks, all the above situations are improved.

Most exercises occur with the feet on the ground, it all starts with the feet. The foot to floor relationship is where a lot of things can go wrong. It if starts wrong at the feet, the entire kinetic chain is off-set.

Nice write up, as usual!!!

Originally Posted by Richard Gears

Air Max LTD. so some idiot with flip flops on. Was hoping he dropped a 45 lb plate on himself.

Nice kicks, those babies look expensive?