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The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 are both popular weightlifting shoes for lifters from all walks of life. If you’ve been considering new weightlifting shoes, then there’s a good chance you’ve looked at these pairs.
I’ve had multiple asks about the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 versus Adidas Adipower 3 when it comes to their performance so I wanted to build out a comparison to break down the key differences to know between these two shoes.
The Leg Lifter 3 and Adipower 3 both perform well in the gym, however, if you can understand the nuances that exist between them, then you can make the best investment for your needs.
In this Adidas Adipower 3 versus Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 showdown, I’ll compare these two shoes’ performance, construction, sizing and fit, and much more.
Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 Performance
To compare the performances of the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3, I’ll discuss how these shoes perform in a few key categories. I’ll cover their performance for squats, weightlifting, and recreational lifting.
Since we all use weightlifting shoes slightly differently, it’s a good idea to make sure a shoe’s performance aligns well with your needs, especially when you consider these shoes’ higher price points.
Testing the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 for Squats
In the context of squat performance, the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 are both fairly consistent. Both of these shoes deliver TPU midsoles and heels so stability shouldn’t be an issue with either of these models.
For heavy squats, both of these shoes have delivered nice stability and they feel balanced. The outsoles on both also grip the floor well which is nice for occasions where you’re squatting on wooden platforms, rubber gym floors, and carpet in powerlifting meets.
From a surface-level point of view, I think if you’re wanting either of these shoes for squats, then you’ll be happy with their performances. Plus, both of these models should last a while if you’re only using them for squat sessions.
Another similarity between these shoes is that their heel heights are both similar. With the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3, you have an effective heel height of 22mm (.86 inches) and this is also the offset or effective heel height of the Adidas Adipower 3.
One difference worth noting between these shoes for squats is their fits. The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 has a little more arch built into its insole but has a wider toe box, and the Adidas Adipower 3 feels a little flatter and is a tiny bit narrower.
This can be an important consideration when looking into either of these models. If you like a little more arch or need a bit more width, then opt for the Legacy Lifter 3 and if you have a narrower width foot, then the Adipower 3 will work well for you.
Winner: Tie. Both of these shoes provide a nice level of stability and I’d suggest selecting the model that has the better fit per your anatomical needs and asks.
Adidas Adipower 3
Reebok Legacy Lifter 3
Testing the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 for Weightlifting
When it comes to weightlifting, the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 will provide pretty different feels when training. From a stability point of view when catching weight in cleans and snatches, the shoes are comparable in their stability.
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3’s heel, despite being the same height as the Adipower 3’s, feels a little more aggressive. If you like more “heel” when catching weight or more aggressive heels at that, then you may resonate with the Legacy Lifter 3 more.
One fairly large difference to note between these shoes that I noticed in the context of weightlifting is the weight of each shoe. The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 has a weight of 23.10 oz while the Adipower 3 has a weight of 17.60 oz.
While this weight difference isn’t necessarily the end of the world, I do think it can play a role in influencing which shoe is best for certain athletes who struggle with foot turnover. If you’re constantly battling slow feet, then you’ll want a lighter shoe, generally.
If the above sounds like you, then the Adidas Adipower 3 will be your better bet as it feels lighter overall and less “clunky” for weightlifting and should feel better for your specific training needs.
Another niche difference between these two shoes for weightlifting is that the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3’s strap can run a little long for low-volume feet, which could be problematic for athletes that don’t want to stress strap overhang when training.
Winner: Adidas Adipower 3. However, both of these shoes work well, so if you resonate with a higher heel and don’t have low-volume feet, then the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 can be a great option as well.
Adidas Adipower 3
Pros
- Stable TPU midsole
- Good midfoot security
- Ripstop upper is durable
Cons
- Toe box runs narrow
- Forefoot runs a bit stiff
- Arch can be offputting for flat feet
Best For
- Weightlifting
- Squats and Lower Body Exercises
- Narrow and Neutral-Width Feet
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 22mm |
| Weight | 17.65 oz |
| Width | Medium |
| Lifting Threshold | 455 lbs |
Testing the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 for Recreational Lifting
For recreational lifting, or sessions where you’re going to be using the Legacy Lifter 3 and Adipower 3 for machine work and accessories, both of these shoes should work pretty well.
For example, if you plan to wear these for squats and then into things like hack squats and leg presses, both should deliver a good performance. Their stability and traction are major perks for this training context.
One difference between these shoes for this training context is that the Adidas Adipoiwer 3 is a little more breathable, which I like for sessions where I’m wearing them longer. The Legacy Lifter 3’s heavier leather construction can get pretty hot.
Regardless, I think both of these should perform just fine for general strength work where you want an elevated heel. Much like the above sections, I’d factor price and fit into which model you go with.
Winner: Tie. Both shoes will perform and work well. The Adipower 3 delivers more breathability while the Legacy Lifter 3 is a little easier to adjust regarding its midfoot security and fit.
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 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 Construction
To discuss the construction differences and similarities between the Reebok Legacy Lifter 2 and Adidas Adipower 3, I’ll break this construction section into different parts.
This can hopefully make this section more digestible and make it easier to identify what differentiates these models regarding their materials and builds.
Outsole
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 is built with a full rubber outsole with ribbed tread patterning. There’s a small cut in the heel where you can see the TPU, but grip-wise, this outsole does a good job of providing you with traction.
The Adidas Adipower 3 is also built with a full rubber outsole and its tread patterning is consistent throughout with almost a knurling-like texture. This shoe does not feature any areas where you can see its TPU heel and midsole. Both shoes have good traction.
Midsole and Heel
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3’s midsole and heel are built with a TPU. The TPU in this shoe extends from the base of the forefoot to the heel and the heel is flared to promote additional stability. The forefoot does not have a separate midsole layer and is built with thicker rubber.
The Adidas Adipower 3 also features a TPU heel. The TPU midsole in this model also extends from the base of the forefoot into the heel. As opposed to the forefoot in the Legacy Lifter 3, the rubber in the forefoot of the Adipower 3 is a lot thinner in comparison.
Upper
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 features a leather-esque upper material that extends from the forefoot into the midfoot. The heel is built with a padded mesh and there are external synthetic, TPU, and rubber components around the heel.
The Adidas Adipower 3 is built with a ripstop upper and this extends from the forefoot into the midfoot. The heel is built with a padded mesh and compared to the Legacy Lifter 3, the upper in the Adipower 3 feels lighter and is more breathable.
Laces and Tongue
The tongue of the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 is built with a thicker mesh and it has the Reebok Pump System included. The pump in this shoe inflates the tongue and increases its volume to add midfoot security. There are six core eyelets with this shoe.
The Adidas Adipower 3’s tongue is built with a thin mesh and provides a little more breathability compared to the Legacy Lifter 3’s tongue. This model features six core eyelets with a seventh eyelet for lace-lock.
Midfoot Strap
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 features a single midfoot strap that sits towards the top of the midfoot. This strap has a pretty good length to it but it can run a tiny bit long for low-volume feet. For most lifters, though, it should provide enough security.
The Adidas Adipower 3 also features a midfoot strap that sits towards the top of the midfoot. This strap does a good job providing security while training and it feels similar to the strap used in the Adipower 2 and Adipower.
Weight, Heel Height, and Insole
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 both come with removable insoles. The Adidas Adipower 3’s insole is a thin foam and the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3’s insole is built with denser material and has a built-in arch.
- Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Weight and Effective Heel Height: 23.10 oz (size 10), 22mm/.86-inch heel height
- Adidas Adipower 3 Weight and Effective Heel Height: 17.60 oz (size 10), 22mm/.86-inch heel height
If you have additional questions about the constructions of the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3, drop a comment below down below.
Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 Sizing
When it comes to the sizing of the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3, most athletes and lifters should be safe going true to size in these models with a few exceptions.
Both of these weightlifting shoes run true to size regarding their length and they have a neutral width. For the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3, narrow-width feet should be fine going true to size, but if you have low-volume feet, then you may want to size down a half size.
For neutral-width feet, you should be safe going true to size in the Legacy Lifter 3, and for wide feet, their fit can vary based on how wide your feet are.
For example, if you have exceptionally wide feet and often feel cramped in weightlifting shoes, you may want to pass on this model. The Legacy Lifter 3 also has more arch built into its insole compared to the Adipower 3.
For the Adidas Adipower 3, narrow-width and neutral-width feet should be safe going true to size in this model. If you have wide feet, you may want to pass on this model as it can feel fairly narrow through the toe box.
- Reebok Legacy Lifter III Sizing Thoughts: True to Size for Most.
- Adidas Adipower III Sizing Thoughts: Narrow and neutral-width feet go true to size. Wide feet, avoid this model.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 and how they compare or which is best for you, drop a comment below.
Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 Durability
One perk of both the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 is that their durability should be pretty well-rounded for most lifters and athletes. Historically speaking, both the Adipower and Legacy Lifter lines have been fairly durable in the long term.
Thurs far, the Adidas Adipower 3 has been pretty durable overall. The outsole feels well put together and the ripstop upper has done a good job of resisting tearing and lipping from the sole.
On top of this, the strap feels strong, and the lacing system should hold up over time. I think if you’re investing in the Adidas Adipower 3, then you should expect them to last at minimum a year if you’re taking good care of them.
Like the Adidas Adipower 3, the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 also feels sturdy and well-constructed. The upper is heavier and the overlays seem like they should prolong this shoe’s lifespan regarding the prevention of rips.
Plus, I like that the outsole and midsole have stayed consistent with the Reebok Legacy Lifter 2 which has been a highly durable shoe, so I think you can expect a similar performance with the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3.
That being said, I’m only one data point regarding durability so if you have had any positive or negative experiences with these shoes that you want to share with other readers, then I highly suggest adding comments below.
Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Adidas Adipower 3 Price
For the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3, you can expect to pay $220 USD for both of these models. These are definitely a little more on the premium end regarding their price points and quality.
Since both of these shoes should last, I think their prices can be a little more justified as they’ll likely last you a year plus if you take good care of them. Plus, if you’re only buying them for squats, for example, they should last you multiple years.
I think as long as you align with each shoe’s fit and performance, then both of these models could be a good investment if you’re on the fence about dropping that much money.
Now that being said, there are budget options available from both companies that also perform well. For example, the Adidas Powerlift 5 and Reebok Lifter PR II both have price points around $100 USD and strong performances as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:What are the effective heel heights of the Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3?
Q:Is the Adidas Adipower wider than the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3?
Q:Are the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adidas Adipower 3 good for squats?
Takeaway Thoughts
The Reebok Legacy Lifter versus the Adidas Adipower 3 is a fun comparison because both of these weightlifting shoes perform pretty well in the gym and they each have their respective nuances.
The Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 provides a heavier build with a nice stable sole construction for heavy training, and it utilizes Reebok’s pump system which is a nice nostalgic feature for some.
The Adidas Adipower 3 feels consistent with its stability and feel, which is great for Adipower lovers, and it’s ripstop upper gives it a lightweight feel with a bit more breathability.
If you have additional questions about the Legacy Lifter 3 and Adipower 3, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
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