The Nike Savaleos weightlifting shoes are what seems to be a spin-off from the popular Nike Romaleos weightlifting shoe line. The Nike Savaleos have a few key differences about them compared to the Nike Romaleos, especially the latest Nike Romaleos 4.
A lot of friends have asked me about the Nike Savaleos, and more specifically, if I think they’re worth it. I have a few thoughts, and some are stronger than others. I think I’ve built a pretty good framework for who this weightlifting shoe is best for.
In this Nike Savaleos review, we’re going to cover a variety of topics to help you decide if this weightlifting shoe is for you including:
- Who should buy the Nike Savaleos weightlifting shoe?
- Nike Savaleos Pros
- Nike Savaleos Cons
- Nike Savaleos Performance
- Sizing and Fit
- Price
- Construction Details
For my visual friends, check out my Nike Savaleos video review below. Also, make sure you visit my cross-training shoe calculator to find your perfect pair of training shoes!
Suggested Read: Nike Metcon 7 Review | Is It Worth Upgrading To?
Who Should Buy the Nike Savaleos?
I don’t think the Nike Savaleos are for everyone, however, I do think there are a few key populations that would benefit really well from them. They have a slightly more responsive insole and lower heel height, which makes them a viable option for entry-level weightlifters and athletes that want a weightlifting shoe for more versatile training.
Personally, I’m not a fan of using weightlifting shoes outside of the desired exercises that I want an elevated heel in, but that’s not to say some won’t really enjoy their performance in a more versatile. Plus, it’s tough to beat their $120 USD price point.
Nike Savaleos
$120
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Beginner Weightlifters
- Versatile-Style Training
Falls Short
- For Maximal Training
- For Long-Term Durability
Nike Savaleos Pros
Overall, I’ve found three key pros that come along with the Nike Savaleos.
- Budget-Friendly
- Outsole Construction
- Good Beginner Model
The first pro is obviously their price point. The Nike Savaleos cost $120 USD brand new, which is a stark difference compared to the Nike Romaleos weightlifting shoe line that starts around $200 USD a pop. For the budget-friendly shopper, this price point is awesome.
The second aspect that I really like about the Nike Savaleos is their outsole construction. Personally, I really like the traction that the outsole provides in this model, and the extended medial and lateral forefoot lips give this weightlifting shoe a very stable feeling.
The final pro that I think the Nike Savaleos have going for them is their beginner-friendliness. A lot of beginners tend to be hesitant about dropping $200 USD for a new pair of weightlifting. Plus, if you’ve never lifted in an elevated heel, then some weightlifting shoes can feel pretty awkward to acclimate to.
With their lower price point and heel (which is said to sit around .6″), I think the Nike Savaleos are a good option for the beginner or casual lifter that wants an elevated heel during their training sessions.
Nike Savaleos Cons
With budget-friendly shoes, you generally see construction quality dip, and that sentiment stands true in the Nike Saveleos. I have three cons with the Nike Savaleos.
- Lack of Heel Height
- Strap Durability
- Meh Construction
The first con, and pet peeve, I have with this model is that Nike doesn’t list the heel height for this shoe on their product page. Personally, I find that to be annoying because then you’re making athletes, lifters, and reviewers, guess a heel height. In my opinion, this is a detail that should be provided in a standard manner for weightlifting shoes.
Another drawback to this model is the strap construction. The velcro surface area is pretty limited on this model, and I think if you have higher arches and want to pull this model tight, then you might run into some security issues due to the limited velcro. Less velcro also tends to break down faster due to dirt and dust getting into the velcro’s hooks.
The final con that I have with this model is its overall construction. If you’ve ever worn a really nice pair of weightlifting shoes, then I think you’ll notice pretty quickly that this model feels fairly cheap.
Don’t get me wrong, I know this is a budget-friendly model, but even for $120 USD, I think the materials used in this model could be a bit better.
Nike Savaleos Performance
The Nike Savaleos perform like you’d expect a budget-friendly weightlifting shoe to perform. Across the board, they do okay, but no aspects of their performance really wowed me.
“Versatile” Training
The one area that I do think this model excels in over other weightlifting shoes is its ability to be versatile. Personally, I’m not a fan of leaving on weightlifting shoes to tackle versatile bouts of training, but if you are someone that doesn’t want to change shoes, then I think this model is a good bet for versatility.
The more responsive and cushioned insole gives this model a bit more of a forgiving feeling when doing bounding activities, so the versatile athlete that likes wearing their lifters for everything will enjoy this aspect, in my opinion.
Lifting
In a more focused lifting setting, this model is okay. Personally, I noticed the more responsive insole when working up to 365 lbs, so it certainly wasn’t the most stable weightlifting shoe I’ve ever used.
I think if you’re someone training very heavy and you want to maximize the amount of stability and security you can get from a weightlifting shoe, then you might want to look into other options on the market.
Sizing and Fit
If I had to compare this model’s sizing and fit with another weightlifting shoe, then I think the most similar feeling model is the Nike Romaleos 3. This model fits a bit tighter in the toe box, which I think can be both a good and bad thing depending on how you want your shoes to fit.
If you’re someone that likes a more “athletic” fitting shoe that hugs the forefoot fairly tight, then you should go true to size. And for my friends that want a bit more toe box room, then the move will be going up a .5 size.
Price
Once again, for the Nike Savaleos, you can expect to pay $120 USD for a new pair. When compared to other weightlifting shoes on the market, that is a very fair price point. For budget-conscious shoppers, it’s tough to beat this model’s price.
Nike Savaleos
$120
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Beginner Weightlifters
- Versatile-Style Training
Falls Short
- For Maximal Training
- For Long-Term Durability
Construction Details
Below, I’m going to list out some of the construction details that I’ve noticed and assessed with the Nike Savaleos. If you want a visual breakdown of this weightlifting shoe’s construction, then skip ahead to 7:18 in the video above.
- Nylon Strap
- TPU Heel Wrap
- Rubber Outsole
- Polyurethane/Mesh Upper
- Mesh Tongue
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I think the Nike Savaleos have a few areas where they excel and I think there a few niche populations that will benefit really well from them. With more budget-friendly shoes, I feel like it’s normal to see construction elements dip a little bit, but again, it’s tough to beat the price of this model.
That being said, if you’re a beginner or recreational lifter, then I think you’ll enjoy the Nike Savaleos. For the more advanced athlete, I think the move is opting for a high-quality weightlifting shoe.
