Nordic Lifting Powerlifting Shoes for Heavy Weightlifting - Men's Squat Shoe - MEGIN (Black - 11.5)

Over the years, I've owned several lifting shoes including Adipowers, Do-Wins, Romaleos, and inov-8 Fastlifts, each with their own strengths. However, this is the first pair where everything just felt perfect. Yes, they're taller than most Olympic shoes, but don't let that 1.4" number scare you off because the actual drop is more in the area of 0.9" or so. Still higher than the normal 0.75" and significantly more than the 0.6" that many others have, but if you have limited ankle mobility like me, as well as long femurs, that's exactly what you want in a pair. Size-wise, go a half size under your street shoe and you should be good to go. They feel more like regular shoes compared to Romaleos and Adipowers, so while I definitely wouldn't recommend jogging in them, you don't feel like you're awkwardly carrying cinder blocks while walking around. Warming up with a treadmill walk or on the stair climber feels less awkward, though rope work is clunky for obvious reasons. However, the upper breathes well, and the lacing is great. The strap feels a bit plastic, but I don't see any reason why it would wear out. The main thing is performance, and that's where these excel. They don't have the fancy "truss" structure like some higher-end shoes; it's just a solid block, and solid is definitely the word. They don't have the wider sole than the top like some higher-end shoes do to leave you feeling superglued in place, but that's honestly not an issue. There's zero roll to them, you won't shift, but you can also get into position more easily. I experimented with them on front squats and deadlifts, one being a lift perfect for a heeled shoe and the other the opposite. On front squats, I stayed more upright and in position than ever before, keeping my previously injured lower back well out of danger and allowing me to use more weight. On deadlifts, I can understand why some might not like them if you're someone who stiff-legs their deadlifts, but for me personally, I felt locked in and could lift without worrying about my lower back. I wasn't lifting anything resembling "heavy" weights, admittedly, just 2 and 3 plates per side on each lift respectively, but they performed exceptionally. While I can't comment on their longevity since I just got them, my first impressions are A+, and they'll be replacing all my other shoes. With the coupon, they cost literally 1/3 of the price of Nike, Adidas, and Inov-8's top-end offerings, and about half of what most shoes like this cost, making them an absolute no-brainer.

Compared to my old lifting shoes, these shoes are a welcome change. I wear a size 12EE, so finding wide shoes is crucial for me. These fit as expected and are wide enough with extra room in the toe box, which I find comfortable. They are as comfortable as my previous shoes, if not more. The laces are strong, providing a tight fit, although the strap feels a bit flimsier. After a month of use, I haven't had any issues with it. The bottom is completely flat unlike my old shoes, but stability and traction are similar. These shoes have a taller heel, which suits me well, though the back lip doesn't match the extra height, causing slight slipping. Overall, I'm satisfied with the fit, feel, and appearance, especially considering the price.