7 Best Squat Shoes in 2024

When it comes to working out, position and form are crucial. This is particularly true for squats, which do wonders for your body when you’re using proper form — and a lot of harm when you’re not. Fortunately, the best squat shoes are an easy way to ease strain and keep you balanced throughout your workout. They may even help you eke out a few more pounds for maximum gains!

Our favorite pair of squat shoes comes from the fitness company, Nordic Lifting. Their MEGIN Powerlifting Shoes are designed for intense squats and lifting regimens, and they’re packed with ergonomic features like raised heels and anti-slip soles.

Not your style? Don’t sweat it. We’ve curated seven of the best and highest-rated squat shoes on the market. Join us as we try them on for size.

Our Top Picks

Short on time? Here are our top picks:

A Closer Look: Best Squat Shoes

Want to know more about the squat shoes in our list? Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each pair.

Looking for the best squat shoes overall? These trainers from Nordic Lifting are designed to provide maximum support during all your lifting routines.

Built atop a durable non-slip rubber outsole, these bad boys deliver excellent stability under strenuous loads. They boast raised heels, reinforced stitching, and sturdy velcro straps for a reliable and stress-free squat every time.

The MEGIN Powerlifting Shoes come in sizes 7 to 12, but they tend to run small. Our recommendation? Choose one size up, and see how they feel. We can almost guarantee that you’ll be squatting like an Olympian in no time.

Shoe companies are notorious for their harmful supply chains. Whether it be for environmental or human rights violations, rarely a month goes by without another high-profile scandal. But one shoe company is different from the rest. Introducing Inov-8.

Thanks to the company’s low-carbon manufacturing process and dedication to recycling, the Inov-8 Fastlift 300-Series shoes don’t just feel good at the gym — they also feel good on your conscience. And that’s all without sacrificing performance. To be sure, the Inov-8s are insanely comfortable with a breathable mesh exterior, and hugely supportive with welded synthetic overlays and grippy FastLift outsoles.

Grab a pair of the Inov-8 325s for women or 335s for men, and take squat time to another level.

On a shoestring budget? Look no further than the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Cross Trainers, which have received unrivaled positive reviews from fans and trainers alike.

These shoes are so lightweight, they make you feel like you’re almost barefoot. Plus, they have a very sturdy heel, making for unbeatable support while working out. Because hey, those squats aren’t going to do themselves. The only downside? If you’re working with several hundred pounds at a time, you may want a bit more lift.

With prices starting under $20 for women and $60 for men, it’s a fantastic entry-level squat shoe.

Reebok is no stranger to cross-training. They make accessories for nearly every sport, including good ‘ol fashioned weight training. With their latest release — the Reebok Legacy Lifters — they’ve gone a step further, creating some of the best shoes to squat and deadlift in.

The Legacy Lifters are built atop proprietary Exoframe heels, which deliver fantastic stability on your heaviest days. With two thick straps (one top and one bottom), they’re also highly secure and ready for your entire training regimen. Oh, and did we mention comfort? These bad boys come equipped with Flexcage technology and perforated uppers for enhanced breathability.

Overall, a fantastic option that ships in a variety of stylish colors.

The NOBULL Training Shoes aren’t just stylish (although they certainly are that). They’re also great for squats and all types of different workouts. Run, climb, lift, and exercise your way to a sculpted physique — all while rocking the same pair of kicks.

What is this magic, you ask? It’s all thanks to NOBULL’s SuperFabric, a seamless, durable, and breathable textile that contours to your foot and remains firm against the most stringent activities. Not enough support for your liking? There’s also a 360° flexible shield around the entire shoe, protecting your feet and toes without sacrificing flexibility. Not to mention an outsole lug pattern that keeps you as sturdy on the gym floor as it does in the boonies.

Our favorite part about the NO BULLs? There are over 20 stylish options for men and women. No more excuses when you’ve got NO BULL.

When gym junkies talk about squat shoes, a few names always pop up. The one you hear most frequently? It’s got to be the Nike Romaleos.

As one of the lighter squat shoes, Nike has produced a fantastic squat shoe with excellent grip. While these would be uncomfortable for cardio, the supportive honeycomb-patterned TPU plate offers unrivaled stability on the gym floor. Plus, the Romaleos boast Flywire technology for a supportive fit, and strap wraps that keep you locked, loaded, and ready for action.

While they’re not available in women’s sizes, we had to include them on our list. They’re seriously among the best powerlifting squat shoes on the market. 

While we’ve mentioned a handful of women’s squat shoes on this list, the Adipower Cross Trainers are among the best.

These synthetic trainers boast legendary weightlifting support, from the hook-and-loop straps on top to the rugged rubber soles on bottom. They’re breathable, supportive, and snug without losing that little bit of necessary wiggle room for your toes.

Plus, they come from one of the most respected brands in the industry and are available in a handful of luxurious colors. So what are you waiting for? Grab a pair, and jump into your next set.

What to Look for in the Best Squat Shoes

Here are some of the features and benefits to look for when shopping for powerlifting squat shoes.

General Thoughts on Squat Shoes

When going to the gym, it is essential to wear the right shoes for what you are doing. Surprisingly, the best squat shoes can be the difference between comfortably lifting 50 pounds, or 75 pounds.

But you must remember that the best squat shoes are NOT like running shoes. Most running shoes are visually much thicker and have an added cushion that allows your foot to have a more comfortable force of impact when taking each step. Squat shoes (or any weightlifting footwear in general) are very lightly cushioned to keep the energy your body produces contained when bending down. The shoe is naturally much tighter around your foot than a cardio centered shoe.

Also, brands, styles, and colors do not always matter! You may be thinking, “But NIKE is one of the largest shoe brands. That means they must have the best kind”. That statement is not entirely true, as you’ll find excellent options from a range of manufacturers. That said, it’s still crucial that you not sacrifice quality for a lower price tag.

Squats are a simple exercise, but they can do wonders for your body when you use correct form. Using a pair of the best squat shoes will also help with your form, and keep your feet and leg joints comfortable throughout your exercise.

Our Process

For this guide on squat shoes, our team spent 4 hours researching the most popular options from over 25 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about one hundred user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each shoe. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 7 squat shoes on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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