Shoes for squats and deadlifts

[swiminator]

Something like this;

I am one of those dweebs that wears a dress shoe until I have saved enough for a proper weight lifting shoe. I wore chucks before this, but the hard soled dress shoe turned out to be a huge improvement. I work out in my basement, so I don't get any of the strange looks that you might get in a gym.

[GHK]

If you're on a budget, I actually started lifting in steel tocap work boots. In fact I think I won my first Junior comp in them.

[sunetdanne]

I have some odd very wide feet what with high arches, high insteps, a few broken ankles, and metatarsals over the years so I don't dare not try a shoe on rather than order it over the internet.

So bought some Adidas weightlifting shoes at the local Dick's Sporting goods for $89. Rip had his doubts about them when he saw me wearing them at a seminar so he had me toss one to him. Talk about a pucker factor waiting for a dry pronouncement of something like "You got ripped off ya' dang fool!" But no, he was pleasantly surprised and said they passed muster just fine. I like mine just fine. http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...mb=m2kAeeaAFSe

Do you use them for power snatch and power clean? I think they look interesting but this artiical made me a bit sceptical. http://WLShoes.com/review/adidas-powerlift-trainer/

[91blckgt]

Why wear shoes?

I second this. I've lifted for the past two months barefoot and it feels great. But I'm working with substantially lighter weights than most of you, so I don't know if my personal experience scales as the weight approaches that used by real men.

But I suspect, having not yet seen any evidence or explanation explaining the need for shoes, that is has to do with arch support. But I have weird shaped feet, so finding a shoe that actually fits correctly is a massive challenge in and of itself. So barefoot it is. I don't run anymore anyway, so I'm not terribly concerned about becoming flat-footed.

[SubZero]

I would recommend DL slippers, since barefooted lifting is not allowed in comps and slipper puts you closest to the ground. BTW, DL slippers cost just $10.

[hbriem]

Do you use them for power snatch and power clean? I think they look interesting but this artiical made me a bit sceptical. http://WLShoes.com/review/adidas-powerlift-trainer/

I have those and they are quite a bit better than that article would have you believe. After a year they look and feel exactly as they did out of the box. They feel absolutely stable and rock solid. I'm not much of an Olympic lifter admittedly and that toe flexibility thing might be a problem for some. It flexes enough for me.

I bought them online, unfortunately a size too small. It has not proved to be an issue although I would not like to run in them.

Of course, I wouldn't like to run anyway.

[tzanghi]

How much can a good set of shoes(Chucks) add to your squat? I currently squat 295x5x3 in running shoes. Thought I should at least get a respectable number before I treated myself to lifting shoes.

[Sevag]

How much can a good set of shoes(Chucks) add to your squat? I currently squat 295x5x3 in running shoes. Thought I should at least get a respectable number before I treated myself to lifting shoes.

When I got my weightlifting shoes, I still needed the same effort to squat, it was just easier to be in the correct position. I don't think shoes allow you to push more weight. Not for me at least.

[Mdemarco]

How much can a good set of shoes(Chucks) add to your squat? I currently squat 295x5x3 in running shoes. Thought I should at least get a respectable number before I treated myself to lifting shoes.

When I got the shoes in this thread http://startingstrength.com/resource...ad.php?t=32672 I noticed a pretty good change in my technique. I was using some Addidas basketball shoes before that. I felt much more In contact with the ground and a lot less like I was sitting on the balls of my feet. Also my knees felt a lot better which I'm sure is from the better form. At 40 bucks they were completely worth it. The ones in the pic on the thread have a strap across the top kinda like powerlifting shoes have. Sorry I couldnt just put the picture up but im on my IPad without access to a computer and I don't know how to do it through this.

I agree with Sevag as to the immediate increase won't be evident, but the amount of weight from the improved form may help.

[hbriem]

How much can a good set of shoes(Chucks) add to your squat? I currently squat 295x5x3 in running shoes. Thought I should at least get a respectable number before I treated myself to lifting shoes.

Chucks are not "a good set of shoes" although they are better than running shoes because they don't have squishy heels.

Chucks are not optimal for the IPF/SS style squat although the guys who lift multi-ply, monolift, ultra-wide stance, shallow squat like them.

It will not be a fixed number. The heel means that a given depth, the knee angle will be more open, allowing more weight. How much will vary. Maybe around 5%-ish.

I don't get why people are making such a big deal out of $100 lifting shoes. Runners buy new $300 shoes every 3 months or so. Lifting shoes last a lifetime.