Squat shoes

[BareSteel]

Great to hear, Oso. I agree with your position about extending the life of a good shoe - just like new tires on an otherwise-functional car. That sole will last you a long time.

[asm44]

There's a sale for velaasa weightlifting shoes right now. They have a wooden heel with an effective height of 0.86".

Velaasa Strake: Olympic Weightlifting Shoes in Red

[zach_the_jew]

My adidas powerlifts have officially reached the end of their life. About 3 years, with a glued-on sole that is just coming off. Probably not worth re-soling and the time has come to buy a new pair.

Also, I think the strap on the powerlifts is a bit too high and for that reason ineffective, and with my (bad?) sole experience I'd like to try something else.

Seen a lot of recommendations for the Do-Wins - here and on the network forum. What is the verdict here?

[Jason Donaldson]

Seen a lot of recommendations for the Do-Wins - here and on the network forum. What is the verdict here?

I've had mine (plastic soles) for just over 6 years now. I've replaced the laces once, and shifted between the uppermost holes once from wear, with no real impact in fit. I like the dual straps, and it's a stable shoe.

The one thing I'd do differently would be to size up instead of down. I wear a 9 1/2 wide, and followed the recommendation to size down. Doing it again, I'd go for a 9.5, maybe even a 10. Then again, my right foot is a bit larger than the left...that side is what could benefit from a little larger size. I don't know how the sizes run for the leather soled version by comparison.

Overall, a very solid shoe, in my n=1 case.

As a side note, it's way better than my initial shoe, from Sabo. That one was a very solid fit and extremely stable, but it unfortunately started tearing up quickly. I expected a better lifting shoe from a Russian company, but then again, this one WAS made for export...Roman letters vs. Cyrillic and all... Looking back at order dates, I replaced that model in under six months.

[Bill Anders]

Seen a lot of recommendations for the Do-Wins - here and on the network forum. What is the verdict here?

Good shoe that I've been in for 4 years now. I have frog feet (4E width) and they were quite uncomfortable for a month or so because of that. I would put them on for the squats, then get out of them as fast as humanly possible after that. But they broke in quickly. Now I will forget to take them off after the session and walk around the house (stairs too) for post-workout snacks, etc., before I eventually get around to taking them off. Whenever these crap out, I'll buy another pair.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Whenever these crap out, I'll buy another pair.

It might be a good idea to do that in advance, just in case they stop making them like athletic shoe companies do all the time.

[Jason Donaldson]

I keep hearing that Do-Wins are good shoes for us wide-footed weirdos...and that's the only brand I've ever heard that about. Are they really the only ones?

If so, that's all the more reason to stock up against the "two is one, one is none" factor, come to think of it...

[Bill Anders]

It might be a good idea to do that in advance, just in case they stop making them like athletic shoe companies do all the time.

Great tip. Thanks Rip.

[Mr.T]

I've had the black do-wins with the composite sole for several years and I love em. My only gripe is the toe box is a lil tight. What do yall think about the colored variation they offer with the wood soles? I was wearing chucks to workout before I got the do-wins but I prefer squatting in the do-wins.

[BareSteel]

My only gripe is the toe box is a lil tight. What do yall think about the colored variation they offer with the wood soles?

You might have success with the classic style Do-Wins with the wooden heel (I know what you meant, but the sole is technically crepe as of right now). I’ve heard of guys with wider feet touting classic Do-Wins as the most feasible choice after trying some of the more mainstream shoes.