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The Reebok Legacy Lifter III is the third model to debut in Reebok’s popular Legacy Lifter weightlifting shoe line. This model has received a few key updates compared to its predecessor.
I was a big fan of the Legacy Lifter II and use them regularly for training and have competed in powerlifting in them a couple of times. When I bought my pair of Reebok Legacy Lifter IIIs, I was super excited to put them to the test.
Not to mention, the Reebok Pump system gave me a nice flashback of nostalgia to the shoes I used to long for as a kid.
My Legacy Lifter 3 Summary
As a whole, I think the Reebok Legacy Lifter III delivers a pretty well-rounded and strong performance in the gym. It’s similar to the Legacy Lifter II in many ways so from a stability point of view this shoe delivers a strong performance.
I’ve back squatted 420 lbs and have front squatted 385 lbs in this model and they’ve performed exceptionally well. I also like the upper security that this shoe delivers. The pump and single strap work great to lock the feet down well.
In the context of weightlifting, I like the Legacy Lifter 3 but it can feel a tad heavy at times. However, I think that’s what draws some lifters into this shoe line. If you loved the bulkiness of Leg Lifters 1 and 2, then you’d like the 3.
- Effective Heel Height: 22mm/.86 inches
- Weight: 23.10 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Max Weight I’ve Squatted In These: 420 lbs
- Width: Medium/Regular
- Sizing: True to size for most
Reebok Legacy Lifter III
$220
Pros
- Good stability for squats and other lifts
- Strong upper security
- Outsole has great grip
Cons
- Upper lacks breathability
- Forefoot can feel snug
Best For
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Recreational Strength Work
- Narrow and Neutral-Width Feet
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 22mm |
| Weight | 18.85 oz |
| Width | Medium |
| Lifting Threshold | 420 lbs |
If you like to squat heavy, use lifting shoes on leg machines, and want a “do it all” model then the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 can be a strong option. This shoe’s upper strap and pump system provide good security and the TPU midsole is stable.
Who Should Invest In the Reebok Legacy Lifter III?
The Reebok Legacy Lifter III delivers a strong and consistent performance for squats, Olympic lifting, and recreational lifting. This shoe feels very similar to the Legacy Lifter II which is also a well-rounded weightlifting shoe.
That being said, I think if you were a fan of the Reebok Legacy Lifter II and your pair is on the outs, then the Reebok Legacy Lifter III can be a great option to explore as its core construction elements have remained similar to the Legacy Lifter II.
The TPU heel and midsole in this shoe deliver a high level of stability, and the full rubber outsole has adequate traction for different surfaces. The Legacy Lifter III has performed well for heavy squats, machine work, and cleans.
I think this shoe will also resonate really well with lifters with narrow and neutral-width feet who like a little more ankle support. For these foot anatomies, the Legacy Lifter III should fit true and like a glove.
Lastly, I think if you love Reebok and the novelty of the pump system, then I could see you also really enjoying the Legacy Lifter III. The pump isn’t necessarily a make or break with this regarding its performance, but it does add a cool element to this model.
Who Shouldn’t Invest In the Reebok Legacy Lifter III?
Despite the Reebok Legacy Lifter III being a pretty good well-rounded weightlifting shoe, I do find them to be a little hit or miss regarding them being worth it for their full-price investment.
More specifically, I find the pump system to be a little gimmicky with this shoe. Does it help with security? It can for some contexts, but I found myself not really using it after the first few wears because I got enough security with the strap and laces.
On top of this, this shoe has received a $20 USD price point increase which brings its price to $220 USD. The only real changes with this shoe compared to the Legacy Lifter II is the pump system that some might not need and a few upper changes.
To be honest, the Legacy Lifter III feels a little more like a 2.5, so I was a little let down by this shoe’s updates. That’s why I’m not convinced everyone should invest in it, especially those who don’t want to spend $200+ USD on a weightlifting shoe.
I think if you can find the Reebok Legacy Lifter II on sale, then you’ll be better off with that model. Additionally, I’d suggest trying to find coupons for the Legacy Lifter III if you can knock their price down a bit, then they can be more justified.
If you have wide feet you may also want to pass on the Legacy Lifter III. This shoe’s toe box runs a little more on the narrow side and if you want more width then you may be better off with something like the TYR L-1 Lifter.
Reebok Legacy Lifter III
$220
Pros
- Good stability for squats and other lifts
- Strong upper security
- Outsole has great grip
Cons
- Upper lacks breathability
- Forefoot can feel snug
Best For
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Recreational Strength Work
- Narrow and Neutral-Width Feet
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 22mm |
| Weight | 18.85 oz |
| Width | Medium |
| Lifting Threshold | 420 lbs |
Reebok Legacy Lifter III Pros
Over the course of my review process and testing with the Reebok Legacy Lifter III, I found a few things to really enjoy about this shoe.
- Good Stability for Squats and Olympic Lifting
- Pump System May Work Well for Some
- Outsole Has Adequate Traction
The first thing to like about the Reebok Legacy Lifter III is that it has really good stability for heavy squats and Olympic lifting. This shoe’s TPU is dense and stable and it delivered a great level of stability when working with 400+ lbs.
Whether you’re a recreational lifter investing in the Reebok Legacy Lifter III for your squat days or you’re a weightlifting competitive athlete wanting a consistent shoe, this shoe should deliver for your performance needs.
It’s worth noting that this shoe also has an effective heel height of 22mm (.86 inches) so if you like a slightly higher heel in your weightlifting, then I think you’ll resonate with this model’s feel when training.
Another thing to like about the Reebok Legacy Lifter III is that I think there are contexts where the pump system will be useful. The pump system runs through the tongue of this shoe and inflates to enlarge the volume of the tongue.
If you have low-volume feet, then I could see this feature being more useful for your security needs. The strap of this shoe can run a tiny bit long for low-volume feet, so the pump can be really useful for these instances.
On top of this, I think if you generally just like shoes that hug the entirety of the feet really, you’ll also enjoy the pump system and how it can influence the overall fit of the Reebok Legacy Lifter III. Plus, there is some novelty and nostalgia to it.
The last thing to like about the Reebok Legacy Lifter III is its outsole construction and its heavier build. This shoe’s outsole is built with a thicker rubber and has a ribbed tread patterning that does a really good job with grip.
Whether you’re lifting on rubber gym floors, wooden platforms, machines, or carpets often used in powerlifting meets, I don’t think you’ll have slip issues whatsoever in this model.
On top of this, the heavier weight of this shoe also gives them a “tank-like” feeling I think some athletes and lifters will resonate really well with. For example, I like how anchored you feel in this model when squatting and that has to do with their heavier build.
Reebok Legacy Lifter III Cons
The Reebok Legacy Lifter III is interesting because it’s a strong-performing shoe, but it does have a few cons that I think are worth acknowledging.
- Pump System Feels a Little Gimmicky
- Not the Best Option for Wide Feet
- Heavier Construction May Be a Turnoff for Some
While I do think there will be a small subset of athletes and lifters that genuinely benefit from the pump system, I think it feels a little gimmicky and I’m not convinced most lifters will even use it in most training sessions.
I didn’t think the Legacy Lifter II struggled with security issues, and this model is very similar regarding its midfoot strap system, it almost feels like this feature was added for a “wow” factor as opposed to being something that will drastically improve performance.
Essentially, I wish this model gave you more regarding its updates since it has a $20 USD price increase. This is why I also recommend trying to find coupons to knock down the price of this shoe if you plan to invest in them.
The second drawback that I have with the Reebok Legacy Lifter III is that I think it’s going to feel pretty limiting for wide feet. This shoe’s fit is pretty much identical to its predecessor the Legacy Lifter II.
If you didn’t enjoy the fit of the Legacy Lifter II whether it was due to width or heel slip issues, then you’ll want to pass on the Legacy Lifter III as the last construction feels pretty much the exact same.
This is why I also suggest opting for this shoe if you have narrow and neutral width but passing on them if you have wide feet. Even if you size up, I’m not convinced this shoe will give you enough width or be exempt from heel slip issues.
The last drawback that I could see some athletes and lifters having with the Legacy Lifter III is that they are heavier weightlifting shoes. Similar to its predecessor, this shoe has a heavier feel to them due to its TPU midsole and leather and textile upper construction.
If you like lightweight weightlifting shoes that help promote faster foot turnover, you may want to consider options like the Inov-8 Fastlight Power G 380.
Performance Assessment
To cover the performance of the Reebok Legacy Lifter III, I’ll discuss how they work in a variety of training settings. I’ll break down this shoe’s performance for squats, weightlifting, and recreational lifting.
Since this shoe has a higher price point, it’s a good idea to make sure they perform well for your individual training wants and needs.
Testing the Reebok Legacy Lifter III for Squats
When it comes to squats, I’ve really enjoyed the performance of the Reebok Legacy Lifter III. This shoe’s sole and heel feel stable for heavier sessions and if you’re investing in this shoe solely for squats, I think you’ll like its performance.
The outsole tread is also a nice perk of this shoe for squatting. No matter the surface you’re squatting on, I don’t think you’ll have traction or slip issues in this model which is great for lifters that vary the surfaces they train on.
The midfoot strap also does a pretty good job of providing a baseline of security and the pump system can be useful for those with lower-volume feet that like a snugger fit with their shoes for squats.
The effective heel height of this shoe sits at 22mm (.86 inches) so if you like a higher heel in your weightlifting shoe squats, then I also think you’ll resonate with this shoe’s overall fit.
In the context of only using these shoes for squats, I think their price, despite my thinking it’s high, could be more justified as they should last you years if you’re taking care of them and only using them for squats in your workouts.
Testing the Reebok Legacy Lifter III for Weightlifting
For weightlifting, the Reebok Legacy Lifter III has things to like and a few things that give me pause. When it comes to things to like, the stability, traction, and general security are all perks of this shoe.
This model feels anchored and planted when catching weight and its sole feels balanced for cleans and snatches when you may be off a little regarding your balance. Again, if you like heavier weightlifting shoes, I think you’ll enjoy this model.
The areas that give me pause with this shoe revolve around the midfoot strap for certain foot anatomies and its heavier weight. The base of the midfoot strap for this shoe has been decreased slightly which isn’t ideal for lifters that need to crank this shoe strap.
I noticed this when I was breaking this shoe in with thinner socks on. For volume feet, keep a close eye on this because you don’t want the strap making contact with the ground during cleans and snatches.
On top of this, if you’re prone to having slower foot turnover, you may want to make sure the weight of this shoe isn’t going to hinder your performance or an area that you’re constantly trying to improve on such as quicker feet.
Testing the Reebok Legacy Lifter III for Recreational Lifting
For recreational lifting contexts including using the Legacy Lifter IIIs for machines like hack squats and leg presses, these shoes perform pretty well. I think they’ll be best for training settings where you’ll be more static in nature.
For example, they performed exceptionally well when hack squatting and leg pressing and I liked their stability and grip for these settings. If you want weightlifting shoes that you can wear for squats to other strength settings, you’ll enjoy this model.
I also think the pump system could be useful for training settings like this, where you have a lot of variety of movements, as you can easily adjust their security and tightness fairly quickly.
Reebok Legacy Lifter III Sizing
For the Reebok Legacy Lifter III, I think most lifters and athletes should be safe going true to size in this model. This shoe length runs true and they have a neutral width to them.
If you have narrow and neutral-width feet, then you should be fine going true to size in this model. It is worth noting that narrow and low-volume feet may have some issues with the strap running long.
For wide feet, this shoe’s fit can be more variable, and you may want to either pass on this model or use them with the insole taken out to give you a little more space in the toe box.
On that note, if you’ve ever worn Reebok weightlifting shoes, and more specifically, the Legacy Lifter or Legacy Lifter II, then you should be safe opting for the same size in the III.
- Reebok Legacy Lifter III Sizing Thoughts: True to Size for Most.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Reebok LEgacy Lifter III, drop a comment below and I can help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the Reebok Legacy Lifter III, you can expect to pay $220 USD. Compared to the prior two Reebok Legacy Lifters which had price points of $200 USD, this is the first iteration where we’re seeing a price hike.
It’s interesting because we also saw a slight price increase with the Reebok Nano X3 this year, so I’m curious if this is where the new price points will settle for the new Reebok cross-training shoes and weightlifting shoes moving forward.
Personally, I find the price point to be a little high for the Reebok Legacy Lifter III and I think that’s due to it receiving updates that haven’t necessarily drastically improved this shoe’s performance.
For example, is the pump system and slightly tweaked upper worth an extra $20 USD? That’s my biggest internal dilemma with this shoe, especially when you consider the fact that the Reebok Legacy Lifter II was an arguably stronger model for a lower price.
For budget-conscious shoppers, if you can’t find this model on sale or find a coupon with them, I think you can definitely find just as strong weightlifting shoes for lower price points. I’d explore shoes like the Adidas Powerlift 5 and Do-Win Weightlifting Shoes if you want to spend around $100 USD.
Reebok Legacy Lifter III
$220
Pros
- Good stability for squats and other lifts
- Strong upper security
- Outsole has great grip
Cons
- Upper lacks breathability
- Forefoot can feel snug
Best For
- Squats
- Weightlifting
- Recreational Strength Work
- Narrow and Neutral-Width Feet
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 22mm |
| Weight | 18.85 oz |
| Width | Medium |
| Lifting Threshold | 420 lbs |
Construction Details
There are a lot of construction details that have remained unchanged from the Reebok Legacy Lifter III and Legacy Lifter II. That being said despite its consistency, there are a few major updates worth mentioning and pointing out.
- Effective Heel Height: 22mm/.86 inches
- Weight: 23.10 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Leather and Textile Upper
- TPU Heel and Midsole
- Reebok Pump System In Tongue
- Full Rubber Outsole
- Midfoot Strap (plastic anchor)
- TPU/Rubber Heel Wrap
- 6 Core Eyelets
If you have additional questions about the Reebok Legacy Lifter III’s construction, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Do the Reebok Legacy Lifter III fit true to size?
Q:Are the Reebok Legacy Lifter III good for squats?
Q:Do the Reebok Legacy Lifter III work well for Olympic lifting?
Takeaway Thoughts
To be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with the Reebok Legacy Lifter III. It delivers some commonality to the Legacy Lifter II which is a model I highly enjoy for lifting, but it has updates that have me wondering if they’re worth it.
For example, I think this shoe will work well for most athletes and lifters who want them for squats and weightlifting. Plus, if you enjoyed the Reebok Legacy Lifter II, then I think you will like the Legacy Lifter III.
I think I’m bummed about this shoe because I was hoping for more with its updates and for a price increase, I’m not sure the updates are drastic enough to improve the shoe’s performance as a whole.
If you have additional questions about the Reebok Legacy Lifter III, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
Adam
Hi, is the arch in the insole higher than legacy lifter II?
It’s pretty similar! I wouldn’t expect a huge difference in this model, tbh.