Best Non Weightlifting Shoes

[Matthieu Hertilus]

I was hoping to get people's opinions on this since I want a shoe to workout in but I can aslo wear on the go. I do a lot of powerlifting/o-lifting type training so I was hoping for any and all advice/recommendations on good sneakers I can invest in. I was thinking of the Nike Free Everyday (http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/shoe...0-1452,00.html) for starters. What do you all think?

[Garrett Smith]

The new Nike Frees are so different from the old ones it's astonishing. With the 3.0s, you can completely roll them up from front to back, they are that flexible.

The newer ones look pretty much like regular running shoes to me. They definitely would squish during any lifting, they have since put Nike Air back into the thick heels!

I'd say the Asics Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi, Vivo Barefoots, or Vibrams would be best.

[Matthieu Hertilus]

http://www.kellysrunningwarehouse.co...ekgcgecfeedh.0

3 things:
Are these the new or old ones you were referring to?
Either way, do you think this is a fair compromise between the old and new models?
I've heard that you need to get a half size to one full size larger than your regular shoe size. Im normally about a 9.5 or 10 so should I take my chances with the 9.5 since that all they have?

Thank you again for your help and I look forward to everyone else's input

[Garrett Smith]

Those aren't the newest ones, and they aren't the old ones I'm speaking of.

It's a decent compromise, but they still have a heck of a heel to them.

I've always worn a 10.5 in Adidas street shoes, my Nike Free 3.0s that I'm wearing now are 10.5, I believe my Nike Free 7.0s are also 10.5. I believe my Adidas WL shoes are 10s. Hope that helps.

Personally, I wouldn't lift in any of my Nike Frees that I've owned other than the 7.0 Trainers...the higher the number, the "less like barefoot" the shoes are. Thus the highest number they made (7.0) is the most stable for lifting IMO.

[Matthieu Hertilus]

In general, whats the drawback to those types of heels? Is it a performance detriment or more a comfort thing?

[Garrett Smith]

The only (men's) shoes that should have raised heels IMO are WL shoes.

Raised heels ruin posture over time by shifting the body forward, which must then be compensated for further up the chain. While we aren't talking about high heels here, this article discusses the issues with raised heels: http://www.bodyzone.com/custom/alexander4.html

Heels on shoes also make for a worse starting position for DLs.

The less we put between our feet and the ground, IMO, the better off we are foot-health-wise.

[Allen Yeh]

I've been a big fan of the Nike Free shoes but I recently bought a pair of everydays and was less than impressed. They are more like a regular Nike than anything else.

The heel isn't the problem when it comes to weightlifting, it's the squishy heel that isn't recommended. However I'd caveat this that many people lift in sneakers and survive the experience (myself included). Is it optimal? No, I'd prefer to powerlift in flats or wrestling shoes and Oly in my Do-wins but for metcons and other things I'd do that in my Free's. For those that have not amassed such a large collection of shoes over the years I'd say go with something that is the less of a shoe.

I'd caution you on the sizing, even every model of Free has been slightly different than the others, I've gotten stuck a few times with ones that were either too small or too big, although too big works better than too small.I'd usually have to go a half size up and even then it wouldn't always work.

[Matthieu Hertilus]

interesting, looks like ive got some research to do. would love to continue discussing this, i'll post again soon

[Allen Yeh]

I'd also comment that as of 2 weeks ago I made the switch to Vibram Five Fingers, only for working out, not brave enough to wear them out and about yet. I haven't had a really good chance to use them as today was my first workout since buying them.

[Garrett Smith]

As soon as I get some more pairs of toe socks, my Vibrams will become my everyday shoes, right now I only wear them on weekends due to a toe sock shortage...

If you get the all-black ones with the black socks, they are less noticeable.