Top 4 Otomix Weightlifting Shoes Fully Reviewed

Squats, deadlifts, calf raises, rows, and standing curls can all put quite a load on your skeleton, especially your spine. While a barbell curl may not use your back muscles, your spine is still keeping you upright, and your legs are still keeping you standing.

So we looked at shock absorption as a compliment to and component of stability. A shoe that is stable, but doesn’t protect from the weight burden, can lead to injury once you throw a loaded barbell on your back. The shoes we have reviewed will protect from shock. Some, though, are suited to lighter weight than others are. In this case, we have been sure to make that clear so that you can shop for and purchase the shoes that will best fit your needs.

Think of how easily your feet can keep you stable in most situations. Walking around the house, or in grass or dirt, your feet are all you need to make your way. Even if you go into the woods, where there are roots and rocks, you can wrap and angle your feet to get yourself back on level ground.

Now think of how this changes once you lift anything substantial. Even with something you can lift comfortably, you may need to rearrange your footing. It is where stability, as provided by weightlifting shoes, comes into play.

Stability comes from the entire shoes — tightness of fit matters. Laces can protect your ankles if they don’t come loose. Padding is usually pliable enough to mold itself to your feet. Weightlifting shoes will usually have traction on the soles. All these elements together and a few others make for a stable shoe that won’t let you down.

We considered the weight of each pair of shoes that we reviewed.

There is a sort of joke or urban legend about weightlifters wearing boots. It is associated with cloddish behavior. Planet Fitness even has signs forbidding customers from wearing boots. Boots are not made for lifting weights, and can mark up a gym floor; in the past, though, it was common to wear boots to lift weights because of how stable they were.

Today’s weightlifting shoes provide the stable foundation and shock absorption of boots, without the added weight that can create fatigue after a while. With Otomix and other brands of weightlifting shoes, you can do everything from calf raises to deadlifts without any extra wear and tear on your legs.

Comfort factors include tongue shape and thickness, lace or closure systems, inside padding, sole width, and even the outsole. Some outsole materials will cause you to sweat more. It is why you typically see vent holes in leather workout shoes. If they were made of canvas, they would not need as much ventilation because the canvas is thinner.

Considering what they are used for, weightlifting shoes almost have to be made of thick material. They have to stand up to a lot. Suede and leather are the most common materials. It can be hard to overcome, but manufacturers can still build in comfort with these materials.

To increase comfort with a pair of thin-soled shoes, or those with little arch support, you can always use a pair of inserts.

We understand that many home gym enthusiasts will want to perform other activities besides just lifting. Otomix makes shoes that you can also use for boxing, MMA, or just going to the store if you don't feel like changing.

One warning: because they often have less padding than running shoes, and maybe a bit heavier, we do not recommend weightlifting shoes for interval walking or for any running. They are not made for the pounding your body gets when running. You can go from lifting weights to riding an exercise bike, rowing, or elliptical training with no problem, though.