Notorious Lift Ronin Review: Good Option for Flat/Wide Feet?

That removable insole is a nice touch, especially for lifters with a thicker foot. It gives you a bit more upper volume and a more grounded feel. Length aside, width through the forefoot is generous and should suit most wide-footed athletes.

I’ve also spoken to a few That Fit Friend community members who have wider and flatter feet about this shoe, and they’ve all commented on how the fit has been solid — and somewhat unexpected. My flat footed friends, recommended taking out the Ronin’s insole or swapping it for something thinner if you desire more midfoot width.

L-2 Lifter Vs Ronin Lifter

I’ve had A LOT of asks on YouTube about, “Should I go Ronin or TYR L-2 Lifters?” These are usually coming from athletes and lifters with either:

1. Wider feet
2. Goals of big squats
3. Recreational lifters like me wanting their investment to match their performance for squats, accessories, and casual weightlifting sessions

*Weightlifters, y’all are a different breed and likely already know the biases you want in your shoes. The following three graphs are for you and should hopefully help.

To be straightforward here, both of these shoes work great and will work for a wide range of lifters. If you’re deadset on a colorway and price point that one of these brands offers, I wouldn’t overthink this comparison because both shoes are exceptionally solid. Stability-wise, both shoes are super comparable, and the forefoot offers an equal level of density to them.

Now that that’s out of the way, one of the core nuances that exist between these shoes is their sizing and fit. The Ronin Lifter has a more spacious midfoot and tends to be a little better for flatter feet. It also has a little more upper volume in the forefoot, whereas the TYR has a lower profile and more “athletic” fit if you’re after that. The TYR L-2 and Ronin have comparable toe boxes for toe splay.

The midfoot security is also a subtle difference between these shoes. They both offer dual-straps, but the Ronin does have the asymmetrical strap system. It doesn’t bother me, but if you’re particular about that, then you may find it useful to mentally note that. I don’t think it impacts security at all; however, I know it triggers some lifters’ OCD about their straps.

Sizing wise, you’ll want to go up a half-size in both of these shoes. For my 3E+ foot width folks, go up a full size in both. The TYR L-2 Lifters heel-to-toe drop sits at 21mm and the Ronin Lifter is 20mm.

Performance

Ronin Lifter Squat Performance

The Ronin Lifter thrives under a barbell. The TPU midsole offers excellent stability and the wide base gives a planted feel, even when pushing max loads. The dual straps (more on these later) add a solid level of midfoot lockdown once you get used to them. That 20 mm heel-to-toe drop supports solid depth and torso positioning, especially for high-bar squatters alike. It’s also not so incredibly high that low-bar lifters will get deterred from this shoe.

Whether you’re squatting 225 or 500 pounds, the Ronin Lifter feels consistent and predictable. You won’t get much flex, which is a win for squat-focused lifters. And for the record, I’m not the BIGGEST squatter who’s rocking these, and I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I am. If they’re stable enough for the elite guys/NL’s athletes pushing 600+ lbs, then they’ll be good for most of us 200-400 lb squat folks, haha.

This is where the insole design helps too. The heel feels locked in, while the forefoot offers just enough give to accommodate toe splay without sacrificing drive. For anyone who prefers a more rigid heel for squats, this shoe sits right in that sweet spot between firm and forgiving.

I Like Them for Accessories/Machines

For machine work and general accessory lifts like hack squats, leg presses, or split squats, this shoe gets the job done. It’s heavy, which actually helps when you’re trying to stay grounded and drive force through the floor. It’s not the most flexible shoe up front, especially during week one, but once it’s broken in, it’s comfortable and the support is on point.

Good Option for Recreational Weightlifting

The Ronin Lifter brings legit value to weightlifting movements. Snatches and cleans feel secure thanks to the Novus Grip 2.0 outsole and full-foot lockdown. That said, it’s not the most rigid shoe in terms of forefoot density, so if you’re ultra-competitive in weightlifting and want max forefoot stiffness, you might want something more rigid (Nike Romaleos 4 or Adidas Adipower 3). For everyone else, it’ll more than do the job. You’ll get dependable stability without worrying about compression or foot slop.

The combination of the TPU midsole and layered mesh/faux leather upper locks the foot down enough to give confidence during foot turnover and landing. The only knock? That first week of breaking the shoe in is going to feel stiff, especially at the toe break. If you’re a lifter who relies heavily on feeling the floor through the forefoot during pulls, you might want to wait until week two before judging this shoe’s weightlifting chops.

Construction Details

This is a heavy shoe, to be expected from a weightlifting shoe, at 21.85oz in the US 10.5 I tested. The heel-to-toe drop is 20mm and it features a removable insole. The insole is designed to be more stable through the heel and give more flexibility through the forefoot.

The outsole extends up the forefoot for added durability. The forefoot features a breathable mesh upper before transitioning to faux leather overlays at the toe break that extend down both the lateral and medial sides. At the back, the boot is a low-profile padded mesh with a TPU skeleton overlay. 

The midfoot features four eyelets and dual straps that alternate directions, offering locked-in security. It’s a bit of an odd design, especially if you’re used to a traditional weightlifting shoe where the straps run laterally. There are no laces beneath the bottom lateral strap, which the strap makes up for in terms of security. It’s the upper strap that runs medially, which once you get used to, actually makes for a more locked down midfoot.

Underfoot, you’re getting a TPU midsole through the midfoot and heel that resists compression under heavy load. The outsole transitions to a thick rubber material at the forefoot that is a bit more forgiving and flexible.

The outsole uses Notorious Lift’s Novus Grip 2.0 tech, and the heel tread has a low-profile pattern for added traction.

Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?

The Notorious Lift Ronin Lifter gets a lot right. And at $150, it punches above its price. It’s not perfect out of the box. You’ll want to plan for a short break-in window. And make sure you size up. 

That said, it delivers where it matters: grip, stability, and upper security. The wide toe box, removable insole, and versatile construction make it a standout option for powerlifters and barbell-focused athletes.

It more than holds its own against more expensive models like the TYR L-1, and it provides a more accessible alternative for lifters who want serious performance without breaking the bank.

If I needed to buy it again, I wouldn’t hesitate. This shoe is staying in my gym rotation, especially for squat days and heavier sessions where I want to feel locked in and grounded. It’s a well-built, well-priced lifter that proves you don’t need to spend $200+ to get quality in the weight room.