I'm glad you and others posted this. I was eyeing these too and nearly settled on them until I got a closer look and found a lot of reports like yours. And, at least for me, they're not good travel shoes. Too heavy and those eyelets that let water out? Well, yeah, they also let water in. Even early morning dew. So good luck traveling with these.

My go-to travel shoe was the New Balance Minimus 20v6. They were light, good tread, I painted my all black so they looked decent enough for dates and going out. I've hiked multiple volcanoes in them. A pair would last me about a year of walking everyday and doing some treks, but they're discontinued now and I'm shopping around.

I'm looking for that holy grail shoe: the one that can do multi-day treks and look good going out. All black is preferred. I have a bunch of tabs open right now and may order all of these and stick with my favorite. Here's what I've found that has my interest:

• New Balance Minimus 20v7 Trainer
  An upgraded version from my current pair, but much uglier. Some black paint might be able to hide some of the worst crimes though. If they're the same as the previous version, the tread is good, the fit is nice, and they fast and last a year+ of heavy use
  
  
• On Running Cloud I've heard good things from running sites about these and they're one of the few that come in truly all black. I'm not a fan of the look of the soles too much, but not terribly bothered by it either. They're about 50 grams heavier than the NB, but still minimalist.
  
  
• Nike Metcon 4 Premium Mens Cross Training Shoes I wish they went with a smoother touch rather than these weird fake-snake skin look. All black sure is nice though. Amazon says they weight 14oz (like 390 grams) though, which is heavy. The tread looks decent though.
  
  
• Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Men's Running Trainer Shoe Definitely one of the lightest shoes at 198 grams and very minimal. I'm not in love with the look but I don't overly hate them either. There have been reports that these fall apart fast though, so there's some caution there.
  
  
• Arc'teryx NORVAN SL GTX I don't know muhc about these except they're light and they look well made. They're waterproof, which does give me concern for breathability. I like the smooth look, even despite the blue.
  
  
• Arc'teryx NORVAN LD GTX All black and nice boot-like look, but also quite a bit heavier. Could be a good option if they're well made and last more than a year like my NB. I'm always concerned about how well these things breathe though, but it could be good with as much as I like to hike and walk and it might be good enough for going out.
  
  
• Merrell Men's Trail Glove 5 Ugly AF but I think I could paint away the worst offenders. Super light and a fan favorite.
  
  So that's what I've narrowed it down to. I'm going back to the states for a little bit soon and may order all of these. If anyone has anything else to add, PLEASE COMMENT AND SHARE! I'm all ears. Idk why it's so hard to find a fully black shoe that can handle trails with good tread and going out without looking like you just got back from the woods, but that's the reality.
  
  C'mon shoe companies. Make a onebag shoe for us!

They looked pretty good for the most part, but there are couple little things you could improve.

Front squats: Looks like a few of those reps didn't hit depth. Maybe warm up with a couple long paused front squats at like 30%-50% your 1RM to just spend more time feeling comfortable in the hole. Better shoes for the lift would also be beneficial. Any squat/weightlifting shoe would be fine, but it's up to you if you want to spend the money. This is a relatively cheap pair.

Deadlift: Your setup seemed a bit weak/loose. Really retract your scapulae, get your lats engaged, and preload your whole body while pulling slack out the bar. You let your fatigue make you lazy toward the end. The last rep is just as important as the first. You weren't nearly as tight once you started getting tired, and your upper back was rounding more and more. Really focus on pushing the ground away from you through your feet and keeping your shoulder blades set back and down. Again, better shoes. I really like these for deadlifts, and they're very cheap.

OHP: You don't need to walk out so far back. I know it's just OHP, so the weight isn't several hundred pounds, but there's still no point in spending the extra energy. I find that I lose more tightness when I breathe at the bottom. You could try breathing at the top if you think there's a chance you'll like it better. I also think squat shoes feel more stable for OHP, but it's not super important.

The shoes comments aren't going to break you, but you'd notice a difference, especially at much higher weights.

*Edited shoe link.

Expereince with Slippers:

In prepping for my first meet, I decided to originally get some slippers from LiftingLarge.com. But, I tried them for a week or two's lifts (3 or 4 times) but the issue I was expierencing was that my foot is a size 9, and I ordered the 7-9, meaning my foot was slightly over the edges of the little rubber sole. When I tried to spread the floor, this caused me to have my foot slide around over top of it. Once I got to heavier weight, the whole thing just wound up slipping out from underneath. NO BUENO.

Asics or Sabos?

So I then went and asked some of the other powerlifters in my gym what they used. Some, as in this thread, suggested MatFlexs by Asics. I tried looking for them later, but found there are the MatFlex 4's and 5's. In trying to search which of the two were "better" for Sumo pulling, and what the differences were, I found a lot of reviews comparing Sabos to Chucks to MatFlexs to weightlifing or other powerlifting shoes (AdiPowers, Romelos, etc). This was the one that sold me, ultimately.

Every one I could find said that while Matflexs are ok, there were a number of things that made the Sabos nice. The metatarsal strap, the strap around the top, the design of the sole (and marginally thinner sole), and material were all some of the differences. So, I bit the bullet and just said, "Well, if I dont like em, I can return em."

I've used these now for a few deadlifting sessions, and even a few bench and squat ones to wear them in a bit. I have to be honest, when I first got them, I was a bit disappointed when I put them on. They fit the width of my foot (I usually hover between 9 Wide - 9.5 Wide) nice and snug, but felt long in the foot. There is about a half inch or so that my toes don't go all the way up to. This, combined with the thin/breathable material means theres a weird sound that happens when it bends in the toe of the shoe - HOWEVER, this is fairly quiet, and when i was in the actual gym (and not my silent wood floor house), you can't hear it. My other complaints were that were the material meets the sole of the shoe looked kind of flimsy, and that the shoelaces are a bit too short to use all the eyelets (though thats easy enough to replace).

On the topic of the "flimsiness" though that I thought I saw, after having worn these shoes a few times, I have to say I was completely wrong. They have held up just fine, and I wonder if it was just some rough edges from the machining. With a bit of lifting put into em, these have pretty much gone away. Guess it's just been awhile since I've purchased a new pair of shoes for myself.

With all of that said: I absolutely love these shoes though. The tightness of the shoe as a result of the metatarsal strap is awesome. While the sholelaces are short, by skipping a few eyelets, I can tie them fine and get them much tighter than my older shoes. I get a lot of grip from the sole to the floor, and don't feel any slippage at all no matter how much I try to spread the floor and push outwards really. They feel pretty close or even better actually to when I lifted without shoes for my max attempts (what I used to do). I'd say go with the Sabos,

Some people recommend the Reebok Lite TRs, but from what I've seen, those are nearly as expensive price wise... While these aren't available prime on Amazon, I ordered mine on Mar. 30th, and got them on the 3rd with just the default shipping. Im totally with you on the wanting to stay cheap though. I have a meet in June and have been buying a bunch of the equipment needed (singlet, approved belts/wraps, etc) and god fuckin damn is picking shit up and down apparently expensive as dicks. I prefer the "Buy slightly more expensive for quality once, than buy shit twice" kind of mentality though, so thats part of what influenced my decision as well.

Adidas Power Perfect 2 Olympic Weightlifting Shoes

Amazon UK

£85 ($130)

I bought these in my regular shoe size and found the fit excellent, tight but not painful and firmly rooted to the floor. Without the shoes I cannot do an Asian squat without holding on to something for support, with the shoes I found I could do a deep squat with even a narrow stance quite easily.

For back squats the shoes didn't turn out to be as magical as I'd hoped, although it was clear I could get deeper than before the change in muscle activation means that I think I will have to de-load and work back up to my previous weight for a few weeks.

For front squats the difference was night and day, I have avoided them due to my poor form and flexibility but last night I found them easy, my body practically vertical and was able to achieve correct hand position rather than having to cross my arms. Despite not having front squatted for 6 months and already completing 8 sets of back squats I comfortably completed 5x5 at 70%. I'm seriously considering adding an extra squat only gym session to my week.


+Increased depth and balance

+Solid footing

+Good quality, should last years

-Price

-You're now taking two pairs of trainers/sneakers to the gym

Summary: Recommended on front squat performance alone

This really should be in MFA, but since you asked nicely:

Tigers are nice and light, but have little in the way of padding

Killshots when they exist are comfortable and stylish but retain a lot of inner moisture

Vans in neutral colors like navy or brown go with basically everything

LL Bean Jackmans are comfy, but you probably can't break them in in 2 weeks

Nike Frees are well-regarded as long as you don't get garish colors, but I don't own those so can't offer useful opinions

Seavees in navy would be hard not match with

I leave it to you to find the best price online, but hopefully this at least gave you some ideas.

I wear Adipowers primarily but I recently got a Black Friday deal on a pair of the Inov8 Fastlifts and I really like them! You can still get a pair of the lime ones for 75 bucks from Amazon. I think is probably the best value in weightlifting shoes. http://www.amazon.com/Inov-8-Mens-Fast-Lifting-Black/dp/B00D9H1C12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417903801&sr=8-1&keywords=inov8

Adipowers are still better but these are very good shoes.

I know this sounds crazy, I've run in VFF, Merrels, and Xero Shoes, and while Xeros have been my favorite so far as far as lasting value, which just released a closed toe, I have found these really cheap ones I like called "FitKicks" on Amazon. They're basically socks, with a sole on them a few millimeters thick. I do a considerable amount of road running in my neighborhood and I've burned holes in most of the listed above from anywhere from 3-6 months out of them depending on brand. Usually get about 9 months out of Xero, running anywhere from 4 to 6 miles a day. I'd recommend trying them for 20 bucks or if you're nervous try the Xeros, they're a little pricier but best barefoot feel I've had.

FitKicks Mens Active Lifestyle Footwear - Black - Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B16YF52/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yzyxzbVM1BRCT

https://xeroshoes.com/shop/activity/performance/prio-men/

I've also been wanting to bite the bullet and get a pair of soft star runamocs but haven't yet, so if you look at those and go that route, I'd love feedback.

I have the EXACT same problem with the heels. I found out it's because I have very wide feet, and I never realised my shoes didn't exactly fit me right. As soon as I started buying extra-wide shoes and fixed my hip posture it stopped being as drastic. Shoes also started lasting longer because they weren't being stretched. I worked at an amazon warehouse full time, walking 12 hours a day literally non-stop. I've had best luck with New Balance and those black leather Nike "dad shoes". They aren't going to be stylish at all but I have never worn one out the way something like Converse or Adidas start to come apart at the seams. Another thing is to rotate between two different shoes every day, put on fresh socks halfway through the work day, and use good wool socks to wick moisture. Everyone at my job would complain about foot pain but I would go home every day with just a little bit of soreness. People will tell you to buy some $400 shoes, but when you're walking this much ANY shoe will start to come apart after a while. I'd say that the $60-$100 price range is the sweet spot, anything under that and they start to cut corners in ways that affect durability.

https://www.amazon.com/Monarch-Training-Shoes-Black-415445-001/dp/B016PCBXHK I've had some pairs of these Nikes last me 3 years with constant heavy use. The soles and stitches were still fine, they just started to resemble an old leather bag so I threw them out since I had gotten my money's worth. He isn't going to be getting any compliments though lol.

How long are you going to need them for? There's two schools of thought here, either the buy cheap and have to replace them more often or get more expensive but have them last. I prefer the latter option but it took 10 years of being a waiter for me to get there. It all depends on the answer to the question.

I currently rock these K-Swiss and i love them. Comfy, breathable so i dont stinknat the end of the day, and have a good fit where it feels like my foot is in a vice grip or about to fall out. Use search tho and see what others suggest.

Alright, well I can't say I know that particular shoe. It's a lot to do with the feel. Here's the thing, if your shoe has give, like it's soft and is cushiony, you will compress it down and this causes issues. The ideal is that your foot is really stable - it can't move, it can't compress anything, it's just really stable against the floor and won't rock around under you. A runner shoe is designed to absorb impact, a squat shoe isn't designed like this.


For example: to stabilize you will move stress over to your fore-foot - aka, not middle-foot. This means you will loose power, your knees will buckle, your back will get tiny little rocks up into the spine when you squat - and that's totally not good if you want to keep lifting the rest of your life. So if I were you I'd get myself a pair of proper squat shoes, like:


http://www.amazon.com/ADIDAS-Powerlift-Adult-Weightlifting-Black/dp/B00DSLC600/ref=sr_1_2?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1395530975&sr=1-2&keywords=Squat+shoes


http://www.amazon.com/VS-ATHLETICS-Athletics-Weightlifting-Shoe/dp/B0062CUQ8G/ref=sr_1_1?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1395530975&sr=1-1&keywords=Squat+shoes


Or the ones I use. Adidas Power Perfect II they're stellar.


You can still do low-bar squats in them, there's a strong dude at my gym who does the American-style low-bar squat who frequently does sets with 220 kilos raw in squat shoes with heel.

Consider if and how you will both work out together as that will primarily determine what equipment you need.

If you are both training for strength and "coaching" each other*, then it is likely that you'll both spend most of the time recovering from the last set and paying attention while the other lifts. Aside from some extra effort (un)loading plates as you switch, this should work well with a single set of equipment. If simultaneous workouts don't.. er.. work out, then consider alternating with one assisting while the other trains.

In any case you should get the equipment which allows each of you to best and most safely train within your budget.

​

You will each need your own lifting shoes. Hers. His.

​

^(*[Caveats concerning the likely impact of (unprofessionally) coaching a spouse apply. A gym buddy who help load, rack, record video, change the music and give desired form feedback is desirable.])

I never understood this obsession of nursing schools with all-white shoes. All white shoes are not very popular and hard to find. And then comfortable all-white shoes are even more difficult to find. Is some patient going to say, "Oh my god! That student nurse has a blue shoosh on their white shoes! How could they possibly take my vital signs and give me a bath if with shoes like that!" This kind of rigid, illogical mindset needs to die in nursing schools and nursing instructors. This isn't the 1950's where you have to wear starched smocks and paper hats. Let it go, for fuck's sake.

The New Balance Men's Mx623v3 Training Shoe is what I used in nursing school. Pretty comfortable, non-fabric exterior (to avoid soaking up fluids) and affordable price.

But the best shoe I've found for 12 hour shifts is the Nike Air Monarch IV. Unfortunately it's not all white, so your school may have a hissy fit if you bought them. I own the black ones currently. They are super comfortable. My feet don't ache one iota after 12 hours of working. They're pretty affordable at $50. They too have leather-like exterior that doesn't soak up fluids that inevitably get spilled on shoes. I've been a floor nurse for over 6 years, and buy a new pair of these bad boys every 12-18 months (only because the fabric on the heel wears out).

I don't want you to feel like "oh shit", but there are a few things:

1. I noticed you're not keeping your arms and upper back tight. Ideally, you want those locked in and tight throughout the entire movement. It's going to suck and be super uncomfortable for a little while, but you'll feel more stable and secure once you're over the initial suck of it.
   
   
2. You're not hitting depth. What goes through your mind as you're descending? When I had problems hitting depth, I'd have significant pain in my right hip flexor and left groin. I found out that I have lateral pelvic tilt and now I do band distractions for about 10-20 minutes before each squat session. Changed my squatting life. See these links for more info:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRmT1mja4uk
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3b9Nz-G0Kw
   
   
3. Learn the Valsalva Maneuver, aka properly bracing your core in preparation for a lift. I tighten my core by "tucking my tail" and lowering my ribcage, breath deep a few times, then inhale to the point where I feel my lower back expand. Hold that, keep your upper back and arms tight, then squat.
   
   http://www.kingofthegym.com/valsalva-maneuver/
   
   
4. Looks like you're squatting in tennis shoes. Either squat in flats or get some olympic lifyting shoes. I use the adipowers (red and black baby!), but there are many different brands out there. Nike has some great ones, but they're definitely pricey. The adipowers go on sale sometimes for about 50% off, so keep your eye out if you don't have a ton of expendable income.
   https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Mens-Adipower-Weightlift-Shoes/dp/B01MSCYIDN/ref=cts_sh_1_vtp?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2897711222&pf_rd_r=WYNWDGGJEGS5H0KVWHFM&pd_rd_wg=z2NDs&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B01MSCYIDN&pd_rd_w=gtPSU&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=WYNWDGGJEGS5H0KVWHFM&_encoding=UTF8
   
   Hope this helps!

I bought these...https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Mens-Powerlift-2-Trainer/dp/B00Q047MYC/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_309_tr_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=5YKWRG535W5CAFQF7AH4

I think they were around $80 in my size. I'm not going to debate the merits of weightlifting shoes vs. flat soled shoes. I tried both. I can tell you with flatter shoes (I also used Vivos) I had more "wobbliness" in my ankles which meant I had more wobbliness with my back. Weightlifting shoes anchored me better so my squat is more stable. As long as I have good squat form and focus on the vertical plane, my back holds up and I get stronger. If my squat form weakens and I kick my butt back and hinge down with my back, then it feels like I've been hit with Thor's hammer.

Hmmm which Romaleos were you using (2's vs 3's), and how did you feel (heavy/light, too stable/unstable, did you feel you were being pushed too forward)? Romaleos have typically been preferred if you have a wider foot, well the Romaleos 2's at least.

All things considered, my recommendation would be to go for an Adipower (1st gen) or Romaleos 2, however, both have now been discontinued. They were both superb lifters and most elite/profession lifters still use these lifters instead of the newer versions. So from the newer options, I would recommend you look into the Legacy Lifter or maybe even the Do-Win lifters ( Classic or More Modern). I know Adidas has new Adipower, but I have not done enough research or heard enough good things to make any comments or recommendations on.

I hope you find all this information helpful.

I would say this is the best lifting shoe for the price and they look pretty good as well.

If my good friend /u/misterlakatos ever wanted to add some premium dolphins gear to his closet these are pretty sweet.

I like deadlift specific footgear, but as a sumo puller (like me), you might need more than just slippers—my experience with a really cheap pair I got from my local sporting goods store is that if the floor and the slipper’s sole don’t have enough traction, I might roll my ankles, which you don’t have to worry about right now in your hi-tops.

I have a pair of Sabo deadlift-specific shoes (in red because they make my lifts go up 3 times faster) and they’re pretty nice. If that’s out of your price range as a student, you might consider a pair of hi-top wrestling shoes instead. ASICS is a trustworthy and affordable brand.

I bought the Inov-8 FastLift 335's a few months ago and I love them so far. They're very comfortable and light considering how solid they feel. The Lime/Black/Red ones (which I went for) are going for $99 on amazon now, compared to the other colors which are up at $150.
Link

I've found the inov8 fastlift to be an excellent squat shoe. Light, strong and stable.

Definitely worth it for the stiffness and firmness. My favorite brand with heels is the Adidas Adipower. For no-heels I like the Sabo Goodlift

Inov-8 lifters - they're super light with a great heel for lifting.
http://www.amazon.com/Inov-8-Mens-FastLift-Cross-Training-Shoe/dp/B00B7G6HGM

I bought these a few months ago. I enjoy that I can run comfortably in them and they give me a good base for my compund lifts.

I have the previous generation of New Balance Minimus Trainers. They're pretty awesome. Large toe box, flat Vibram soles, lightweight, breathable, low profile/minimalist. Great for dead lifts and squats. Bought them last May, they're still in good shape.

Best quality. Will last a long time.


Rehband Knee Sleeves https://www.amazon.com/Rehband-7mm-Knee-Sleeve-Original/dp/B0088KPT64


Adipower shoes https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Adipower-Weightlifting-Trainer/dp/B00Q047LLQ


Inzer Belt https://www.inzernet.com/detail_belt.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FOREVER_LEVER_10MM

I got some Adidas Powerlift 3's for $90. They are great shoes.

> You can use the code 15ATHLETIC to get $15 off on top of the sale.

powerlift.2 Code applies for both AdiPower and Powerlift.2

Credit goes to aliasx06

Adidas powerlifting shoes are reasonably priced and really good.

https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Mens-Powerlift-2-Trainer/dp/B00Q047MYC

Am I gonna look like a douche if I buy these? I'm a beginner lifter but I wasn't sure if these shoes would be good for me. I do stronglifts 5x5 currently and I squat in a pair of Jordans, but I'd like to change it up.

I used to have chucks but I found them really uncomfortable on my feet.

https://www.amazon.com/SABO-Sports-Sabo-Deadlift-Shoes/dp/B01LYL78GC

You can also find them on MAXbarbell.com aswell I believe. Chucks are good as well but they run a bit narrow so they weren't for me.

I squat in Adipowers, which are just a shoe with a hard, elevated heel, allowing for better form and deeper depth.

I deadlift in socks because it kind of allows me to "grip" the floor.

I wear my beat up old sneakers for everything else.

Soles are hard plastic or even wood so they don't compress when you're holding heavy weight. They also have a lot of support so the shoe basically locks your foot in. Most of them are originally designed for Olympic weightlifting.

Some examples:
https://www.nike.com/t/romaleos-3-weightlifting-powerlifting-shoe-lolz4d

https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Mens-Adipower-Weightlift-Shoes/dp/B01MSCYIDN

Seems the [Powerlift.2] (http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Mens-Powerlift-2-Trainer/dp/B00Q047MYC/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PMAV711FN682W93PBM7) are on sale as well, with the same dicsount code available:

•Spend $75 receive $15 off Enter code 15ATHLETIC at checkout.

$81 delivered.

EDIT: ordered.

if you have amazon prime, adidas adipower lifting shoes are on sale for $109

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q047LLQ/ref=gbps_img_m-5_e868_24aa0f2e?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=69a0be37-ffbe-447a-a396-4694da91e868&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=13887280011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=RGF1FP984Y0YHCRG8P0Y

Shoes: white Adipowers

Knee sleeves: grey Rehbands

Belt: Harbinger 243

Straps: Harbinger from the local Sports Authority

Shorts: Target

T-shirt: Rattiest graphic T-shirt I can find

I still show them available on Amazon.

I do not know about the 3.1 version.

Adidas Adipowers

They are not actually that mint color .

http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Mens-Powerlift-2-Trainer/dp/B00Q047MYC?th=0

https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Performance-Adipower-Weightlifting-Trainer/dp/B00Q047LLQ Why is size 8.5 so much cheaper?

Here's a link that isn't a mobile page.

I use a pair of Adipowers (this version), had them for like 4 or 5 years now and I have zero complaints. I dont think you can really go wrong with any of the top brands though like Adidas, Nike Romaleos, Do-Win, etc.