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The Reebok Lifter PR II is a budget-friendly weightlifting shoe designed for a variety of athletes. This model features a slightly lower heel height and stable high-density EVA foam midsole.
I personally love using and testing new lifting shoes to see which models provide the best stability and performance in the gym. In the context of Reebok weightlifting shoes, the Reebok Legacy Lifter II is one of my go-to weightlifting shoes for powerlifting meets.
Overall, I think the Reebok Lifter PR II is a good weightlifting shoe for beginners and lifters on a budget. That being said, there are a couple of drawbacks to this shoe’s construction which I’ll discuss below in my cons section.
In this Reebok Lifter PR II review, I’m going to cover a variety of topics to help you decide if the Lifter PR II is a good fit for your training needs.
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Who Should Invest In the Reebok PR Lifter II?
The Reebok Lifter PR II is a good weightlifting shoe for beginners, lifters on a budget, and athletes that want a slightly lower heel elevation in their weightlifting shoes.
The construction of the Reebok Lifter PR II is consistent and delivers a strong performance for a variety of training contexts. This model features a high-density EVA foam midsole that does a good job of resisting compression and providing stability.
The Lifter PR II also features a heel height of 15mm or .6″, so if you want a weightlifting shoe with a lower heel height due to performance or acclimation reasons, then I could also see this model being a good fit for you.
I also like the price point of the Reebok Lifter PR II. This model has a price point that ranges from $70-$100 USD which makes it one of the more budget-friendly weightlifting shoes on the market.
Reebok PR Lifter II Pros
While training and reviewing the Reebok Lifter PR II, I found multiple pros and things to like about this model.
- Price Point Is Great for This Shoe
- Good Weightlifting Shoe for Beginners
- Consistent Performance and Stable
The first aspect to like about the Reebok Lifter PR II is its price point. This model has a price that ranges from $70-$100 USD which I think is incredibly fair for what this offers.
This model reminds me of other budget-friendly weightlifting shoes like the Adidas Powerlifter ¾ which have similar price points and the Nike Savaleos which are priced at around $120 USD. For the price, I think the Reebok Lifter PR II is a good weightlifting shoe.
Another aspect to like about the Reebok Lifter PR II is the fact that this model could be an awesome option for beginners who want to invest in their first pair of weightlifting shoes.
The heel elevation of the Reebok Lifter PR II comes in at 15mm/.6″ which is fairly low compared to other models. If you’ve never trained with an elevated heel, then opting for a lower heel elevation could be useful for acclimation purposes and to see what height would be best for your needs.
The construction of the Reebok Lifter PR II is also pretty solid for their price point sans a few quirks which I’ll discuss in my cons section below. For something consistent, especially for newer weightlifter shoe wearers, I like what the Lifter PR II has to offer.
The final thing to like about the Reebok Lifter PR II is the fact that their performance is consistent across the board and they have a good amount of stability. This model utilizes a high-density EVA foam to deliver its stability.
In regard to performance, I haven’t had compression issues yet in this model even when working up to 425 lbs on Hatfield squats. The full rubber outsole also does a good job of providing traction when training on wooden platforms and rubber gym floors.
Reebok PR Lifter II Cons
While I think the Reebok Lifter PR II is a good budget-friendly weightlifting shoe for most athletes, there are a couple of cons to note about this model.
- Quality Control of Construction Could Be Better
- Insole Construction Is Not the Best
The first drawback that I have with the Reebok Lifter PR II is the overall quality control of this shoe’s construction. For context, when I received my model I noticed that the toe box construction between my left and right shoe looked a little different.
Upon closer inspection, I realized that the outsole on my left model had more toe spring than my right shoe. I noticed this during my first few sessions while breaking this model in, and noticed it most when in-between sets.
After about two weeks of breaking this model, I stopped noticing it during my training sessions, or maybe I got used to it. However, it still looks off and you can even see that the toe boxes look slightly different due to this.
Another drawback that I have with the Reebok Lifter PR II is its insole construction. The removable insole in this model is a little short so you have a little room between the boot’s material and where the insole lies.
This isn’t necessarily the biggest deal for most lifters, but it’s a point that adds to the construction quality control point I noted above. I could also see this being annoying for foot security for certain athletes who find that their insole slides a little bit.
Performance
To break down and discuss the performance of the Reebok Lifter PR II, I’m going to talk about how this shoe performs in three different training contexts including squats, weightlifting, and recreational lifting.
This way you can hopefully better contextualize if this model’s performance and construction align with your training needs and wants.
Testing the Reebok Lifter PR II for Squats
In the context of using the Reebok Lifter PR II for squats, I think most lifters and athletes will enjoy their performance. This model comes with a good amount of stability and should work for most lifters.
Even though the Lifter PR II utilizes an EVA foam for its midsole and heel I never experienced compression issues when squatting. Foam midsoles and their stability can be hit or miss for squats as evident in the forefoot of the Nordic Powerlifting Shoes.
Thus far, I’ve done Hatfield squats up to 425 lbs in the Reebok Lifter PR II and back squats up to 365 lbs in this model and have enjoyed their overall performance.
The outsole also does a good job at gripping the floor and offers a similar tread pattern to the Reebok Legacy Lifter II which is one of my go-to weightlifting shoes for training and competing.
Testing the Reebok Lifter PR II for Weightlifting
When it comes to weightlifting performance, the Reebok Lifter PR II did a pretty good job. As mentioned in my pros section, this model can be a great option for newer weightlifters who are just getting into the sport of weightlifting.
It provides the essentials that you need from a pair of weightlifting shoes for clean & jerks and snatches. The midfoot strap provides a good amount of security and I never had slip issues when going into triple extension.
The outsole grips platforms well so this model doesn’t slide whatsoever and the high-density EVA foam midsole is stable. My only gripe with this shoe for this context is that I wish the forefoot was slightly wider, but that’s often my feedback with most modern-day weightlifting shoes.
Testing the Reebok Lifter PR II for Recreational Lifting
For this recreational lifting section, you can include squats and weightlifting in this category as well if you plan to use these for a little bit of everything.
I primarily wanted a separate performance section to discuss the Reebok Lifter PR II’s performance for things like machine exercises and variations where a heel elevation is desired like quad-biased split squats and walking lunges.
As a whole, I like the Reebok Lifter PR II for recreational lifting. This model gripped my hack squat and leg press well and I think it will offer enough heel for most lifters.
My only gripe with this model and recreational lifting is that it may not be the best option for lifters that want a more aggressive heel. For example, if you’re taller and need more heel elevation to support lifting mechanics, then the .6″ heel in this model may feel limiting.
Reebok PR Lifter II Sizing
I think most lifters and athletes should be safe going true to size in the Reebok Lifter PR II. This model’s length fits true and they have what I would describe as a neutral width.
That being said, I think if you have high arches or use inserts/orthotics, then you may find this model somewhat uncomfortable. The upper volume in this model is pretty tight through the base of the forefoot which could feel limiting for these contexts.
- Reebok Lifter PR II Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size.
If you have additional questions on the Reebok Lifter PR II’s sizing and fit or how they compare to other models, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally and I can help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the Reebok Lifter PR II, you can expect to around $100 USD. I say around because this model is a little older and you can often find them on sale if you shop around.
For example, a lot of sizes on Amazon are currently priced between $70-100 USD while this model is sitting consistently at $100 USD on Rogue Fitness. Personally, I think the price point is pretty fair for this model.
This model is designed to be a budget-friendly weightlifting shoe similar to Nike’s Savaleos weightlifting shoes. If you’re trying to invest in a consistent pair of weightlifting shoes without breaking the bank, then the Lifter PR II could be worth exploring.
Construction Details
Below, I’m going to list some of the key construction details that come along with the Reebok Lifter PR II. Overall, I like the construction of this shoe, but I do think there are a couple of areas that could be improved.
- Heel Elevation: 15mm/.6 inches
- Weight: 12.90 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- High-Density EVA Foam Midsole
- Full Rubber Outsole
- Mesh Upper With Additional Overlays
- Mesh Midfoot Strap (Velcro Security and Plastic Anchor)
- 5 Core Eyelets
If you have additional questions on the Reebok Lifter PR II, drop a comment below and I can help you out accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:What is the heel height of the Reebok Lifter PR II?
Q:Do the Reebok Lifter PR II fit true to size?
Takeaway Thoughts
The Reebok Lifter PR II is a pretty solid weightlifting shoe. I think this model will be best for lifters and athletes that want a budget-friendly model for weightlifting, squats, and other exercises where a heel wedge is desired.
I also think this model will be a good pick for anyone that wants a slightly lower heel elevation for training. With a .6″ heel height, this model is a stable option that provides a lower heel elevation.
My main gripe with the Reebok Lifter PR II is that I do think their quality control could be better in regard to their construction, and this is something that can typically accompany more budget-friendly shoes.
If you have additional questions on the Reebok Lifter PR II, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
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