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The NOBULL Canvas Lifter is designed to be a budget-friendly no-frills weightlifting shoe. This model features a high-density EVA foam midsole, singular midfoot strap, and standard rubber outsole.
After finding the NOBULL Lifter to be a little overpriced and sub-par in its performance, I was interested to see if the Canvas Lifter would be any better, especially for a cheaper price.
In my NOBULL Canvas Lifter review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about this shoe before investing in it and assess if it stacks up to the market’s best weightlifting shoes.
Quick Take: The NOBULL Canvas Lifter is a relatively no-frills weightlifting shoe for a decent price. I think this model will suit casual lifters and first-time weightlifting shoe buyers well.
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NOBULL Canvas Lifter
$149
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Medium to Slightly Wider Feet
Falls Short
- For Flatter Toe Box Lovers
- For Exceptionally Wide Feet
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| Price | $149 | $299 | $220 | $199.99 | |
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Who Should Buy the NOBULL Canvas Lifter?
Across all of my testing in the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, I’ve found a few scenarios where I think this weightlifting shoe makes a lot of sense.
1. You’re New to Weightlifting Shoes
If you’re new to weightlifting shoes then I think the NOBULL Canvas Lifter can make a lot of sense. This shoe costs half of what the NOBULL Lifter costs and less than other premium models like the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3.
In terms of price, the NOBULL Canvas Lifter is what I would describe as a little more beginner-friendly. On top of this, this shoe has all of the features that you want in a standard well-made weightlifting shoe.
On top of this, this model’s heel-to-toe drop comes in at 17.5mm which translates to a heel elevation of about .68 inches. This puts this weightlifting shoe’s heel lower than the market standard which can be useful for beginners.
If you’re new to training with heel elevation then there will be an adjustment and learning curve so starting with a lower heel elevation can sometimes be useful for helping you acclimate.
2. You Like NOBULL and Have a Medium Foot Width
For NOBULL fans, I think the Canvas Lifter will be a good investment. This shoe has more flexibility than the normal NOBULL Lifter which is awesome for those that love more pliability in their shoe’s toe box.
On top of this, the Canvas Lifter does have a wider fit compared to the normal NOBULL Lifter which is great for those who want a little more width in their weightlifting shoes.
Is this model as wide as the TYR L-1 Lifter? Not necessarily, but it should do a good job for most lifters with medium to slightly wider foot widths this model should work fine.
I also feel like if you’re a fan of NOBULL shoes like the Canvas Trainer and traditional NOBULL Trainer then you’ll enjoy the overall fit and simplicity of the Canvas Lifter.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the NOBULL Canvas Lifter?
While I do like the NOBULL Canvas Lifter more than the traditional NOBULL Lifter, there are a couple of contexts where I think you’ll want to pass on this shoe.
1. You Like a Weightlifting Shoe With a Flatter Toe Box
I’m torn on the NOBULL Canvas Lifter’s toe box construction because I appreciate its flexibility, but I’m not the biggest fan of its toe spring. This model has a little more toe spring, which is the curling of the toe upwards, compared to other weightlifting shoes.
At times, this can be problematic in weightlifting shoes and cross-training shoes for athletes and lifters that constantly battle “being forward” in their squats, clean & jerks, and snatches.
If you fall into this camp of lifter and athlete then I’d pass on the Canvas Lifter and look for a weightlifting shoe that has a much flatter sole construction and forefoot.
2. You Want a Higher Heel Elevation
Another context where you might want to pass on the NOBULL Canvas Lifter is if you want a higher heel elevation. Different heel elevations will resonate with different athletes and lifters and this is based on needs and preferences.
For example, I tend to like higher heel elevations for movements like high-bar back squats because I have longer legs. A higher heel can support my desired form better compared to a lower heel elevation.
If you like a little more heel then you’ll want to explore shoes that have heel heights of .75 inches or higher like the ANTA 2 or UA Reign Lifter.
NOBULL Canvas Lifter Pros and Cons
If you’re thinking about buying the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, then you’ll want to consider some of the pros and cons that come along with this shoe. Below are a few pros and cons that I’ve noticed with this model.
Report Card: Get the Quick FactsNOBULL Canvas Lifter
Pros
- These can be good entry-level weightlifting shoes for beginners and those new to using a shoe with heel elevation.
- The high-density EVA foam midsole and rubber outsole do a good job of giving you a good level of stability and traction for training.
- The midfoot strap provides good security for the midfoot and the upper also comes with fairly good security.
Cons
- The toe spring can be a little off-putting at times and if you’re constantly forward with your lifts then you may notice this.
- If you have exceptionally wide feet (EE-Width) or wider then you’ll want to pass on these shoes.
- The upper isn’t the most breathable and lightweight and this is pretty standard for shoes with heavier canvas uppers.
If you’ve bought or trained in the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, what have been some of the pros and cons that you’ve noticed with this shoe?
Performance Assessment
To break down the performance of the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, I’ll discuss how this shoe performs for squats, weightlifting, and accessory exercises. This way, you can decide if this shoe fits your performance contexts well.
Testing the NOBULL Canvas Lifter for Squats
For squats, the NOBULL Canvas Lifter does a pretty good job across the board. This shoe’s EVA foam midsole is stable and should accommodate most squat weights with no issues.
The midsole in this model reminds me of the midsole materials used in models like the Adidas Powerlift weightlifting shoes and those shoes are typically really solid regarding stability.
I also like that this shoe has a little more of an anatomical toe box compared to narrower-fitting weightlifting shoes. This does make it a little easier to splay the toes in this model which is a perk.
My only concern with the Canvas Lifter for squats is this shoe’s toe spring. I mentioned this above, but for my forward friends out there who constantly battle this issue when doing front squats and high-bar squats, you may want to consider this.
Testing the NOBULL Canvas Lifter for Weightlifting
For weightlifting, the NOBULL Canvas Lifter has performed better than I expected it to. I went into this shoe with pretty neutral thoughts based on its construction.
However, this shoe has steadily grown on me and I’ve enjoyed them for my clean & jerk and clean complex sessions. This model feels responsive and the flexibility of the toe box was a breath of fresh air compared to the NOBULL Lifter’s stiffness.
I also enjoy the stability and ground feedback that you get from this shoe’s midsole. This model’s outsole and EVA midsole feel “snappy” when catching cleans and jerks which I’m a big fan of.
I also like the overall security that you get with this model. The midfoot strap should be more than enough for most lifters and the canvas upper does a pretty good job at preventing spillover.
Testing the NOBULL Canvas Lifter for Accessories
For accessories like leg presses, split squats, and lunges, the NOBULL Canvas Lifter does a pretty good job. This shoe is flexible enough to accommodate different accessories that require more toe box flexibility.
The rubber outsole with its herringbone tread pattern should also perform well for different accessory exercises that have different grip demands. You shouldn’t experience slip issues when doing things like hack squats and pendulum squats, for example.
This is another reason why I like the NOBULL Canvas Lifter for beginners who are just starting to experiment with weightlifting shoes for different types of exercises, goals, and workouts.
NOBULL Canvas Lifter Sizing and Fit
When it comes to the sizing and fit of the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, I think most athletes and lifters should be safe going true to size in this shoe. This model’s length runs true and they have a medium to slightly wider width.
I traditionally wear size 10 in NOBULL shoes and found that a 10 in this model fit really well for my needs. While the width is pretty good in this shoe, I would prefer a little less of a taper toward the end of the toe box.
That said, if you have a wider foot and you’re nervous about sizing then you may want to go up a half-size to play it safe. On the note of wide feet, if your feet are wider than a EE-width then you’ll probably want to pass on these shoes.
I also have a feeling that the NOBULL Canvas Lifter will work really well for most women’s foot anatomies. The last construction of this shoe seems like it’s more in line with this foot type.
- NOBULL Canas Lifter Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, drop a comment below and I can help you out.
Price Breakdown
The NOBULL Canvas Lifter costs around $149 USD. This price point puts this shoe right in the middle of budget-friendly models like the Adidas Powerlift 5 and premium models like the Adidas Adipower 3.
In the context of this shoe being worth the price, I think it can vary on a few factors. If you’re a beginner and want a consistent shoe for squats and weightlifting sessions here and there the price can make sense.
I also think the price makes sense for NOBULL fans who enjoy buying and collecting the different iterations of shoes that NOBULL creates. Arguably, this model performs just as well as the $300 NOBULL Lifter so it can hold its own regarding performance.
The miss of this shoe is that it does feel pretty simple and the quality isn’t necessarily the best. For example, I’ve already had my upper construction stain pretty badly in one of my models from sweat after a few sessions.
NOBULL Canvas Lifter
$149
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Medium to Slightly Wider Feet
Falls Short
- For Flatter Toe Box Lovers
- For Exceptionally Wide Feet
Construction Details
The construction of the NOBULL Canvas Lifter is pretty simplistic and there are not a lot of high-tech features in this shoe. Below are some of the key construction details to know for this model.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 17.5mm/.68 inches
- Stack Height: 10.5mm/29mm
- Weight: 15.50 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Canvas Upper Construction
- Single Velcro Midfoot Strap
- Rubber Outsole
- High-Density EVA Foam Midsole
- Lateral NOBULL Branding On Heel
- External Heel Tab
- 6 Core Eyelets
If you need further clarification on this shoe’s construction, drop a comment below and I can provide additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:What is the heel elevation of the NOBULL Canvas Lifter?
Q:Are the NOBULL Canvas Lifter good for beginners?
Q:Are the NOBULL Canvas Lifter wide?
Q:Are the NOBULL Canvas Lifter good for squats?
Takeaway Thoughts
At the end of the day, the NOBULL Canvas Lifter delivers a fairly consistent performance. This model comes in at half the price of the main NOBULL Lifter so it’s also better for those on a budget.
I think if you’re new to weightlifting shoes the NOBULL Canvas Lifter can make a lot of sense. There are a couple of things that could be improved with this model, but for the most part, it does a pretty good job.
If you have additional questions about the NOBULL Canvas Lifter, drop a comment below or reach out via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend)!
