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The Reebok Power Lite Mid is a shoe designed for powerlifting, and it comes with some unique construction features. To be honest, this model feels like Reebok’s leveled-up powerlifting-specific take on a high-top Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star.
There are commonalities between both of these shoes, but also some very unique differences. As a powerlifter, I always seek the best gear to support my squats and deadlifts.
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars are a shoe that I keep in rotation fairly often, but after testing the Reebok Power Lite Mid, I may be swapping them out more often than not in the future as I progress with my training.
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Who Should Invest In the Reebok Power Lite Mid?
The Reebok Power Lite Mid is a great option for powerlifting athletes and recreational lifters that love training in a zero drop mid-top shoe. Essentially, these feel like a leveled-up Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star and are specifically designed for heavy training, whereas a Converse is technically not.
This shoe features a stable outsole and midsole construction and has a wider toe box than what you’d traditionally get with Converse. For this reason, I think lifters who love having more toe box room will really enjoy this model and it’s a solid performer for squats and deadlifts.
Specs to Know
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
- Weight: 13.15 oz (size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Width: Medium/Wide
- Sizing: True to size.
Reebok Power Lite Mid
Pros
- The midsole is stable for heavy lifting and these feel great under big squats and deadlifts.
- The wider midfoot and forefoot are great for promoting toe splay and for higher volume feet.
- This shoe's outsole has good traction and these work great on wooden platforms, rubber gym floors, and powerlifting competition carpets.
Cons
- The upper lacks breathability when training in warmer gyms and when wearing them for longer workouts.
- This isn't the most versatile shoe in the gym and won't be ideal for cross-training like other high-top shoes such as the NOBULL High-Top Trainer.
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Powerlifting and Competitions
- Lifters That Find Converse Too Tight
- Long-Term Durability
Falls Short
- For Versatile Training
- For Cost-Efficiency Compared to Converse
Reebok Power Lite Mid Pros
There are multiple pros that I enjoy with the Reebok Power Lite Mid’s performance and overall construction.
- Durable Upper Construction
- Wider Toe Box Than Converse
- Stable Construction
- Adequate Outsole Traction
The first major pro I have with the Reebok Power Lite Mid is its upper construction. This model features a synthetic weave material throughout the boot, mid-foot, and end of the toe box. I like this material for abrasion resistance in the gym, and it feels much thicker in nature compared to a Converse.
On top of its thicker construction, I’ve also found that it stretches out less than the knit material you get in Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. This is huge for powerlifters who are using these for long-term durability for squats and deadlifts where the upper can stretch over time.
Another pro with this model is its overall width and toe box construction. This shoe’s last is fairly wide in nature so there’s never a point in which your toes feel cramped in this model. I find it easy to splay my toes and grip the floor when training in this model.
In regard to heavy squats and deadlifts, stability won’t be a concern for you in this shoe. The midsole and outsole are plenty stable and when pulling over 500 lbs, I don’t notice any compression whatsoever in this shoe.
The Converse’s insole can at times feel a tad soft when training, but you don’t really have that with this model. I’ve found in the Reebok Power Lite Mid, you feel locked down and stable regardless of the exercise that you’re performing.
The final thing to like about this model is the rubber outsole and the traction it provides. When squatting and sumo deadlifting, you want shoes that grip the floor well under to create stability up the kinetic chain.
I really like this shoe’s outsole pattern because there’s never sliding in this model even if you’re pulling sumo and really spreading the floor during your deadlift. Plus, this shoe has slight outsole deviations on the forefoot and heel, which help with additional stability and gripping the floor.
Reebok Power Lite Mid Cons
As a whole, I do like the Reebok Power Lite Mid for lifting. However, there are a couple of cons worth noting for this model.
- Cost-Efficiency
- Not a Great Daily Wear Shoe
- Limited In Functionality
The first con to this model is its price. At a price of $120.00 USD, that is a lot steeper than a Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star, which delivers a fairly similar base construction. In fact, Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars are about half of the price of the Reebok Power Lite Mid.
If you want to invest in this model, then I’d suggest picking up a pair when they’re on sale. Personally, I don’t think the price is necessarily unfair, but I do know most lifters like to save where they can so Converse may be a better call for my super budget-conscious friends.
Another drawback to this model is that it’s not a daily driver. With the Reebok Power Lite Mid, I’d suggest limiting its use for lifting only to get the most out of this model and have it last longer. Since it’s more expensive than a Converse, if you limit its use for lifting only, then it should last a considerable amount longer.
Also, the aesthetics of this model can be hit or miss for some. I personally like the colorways this model comes in, but if aesthetics are a factor for you, then you may find this model sub-par for daily wear styling.
The last con to this model is that it’s not going to be the most versatile option out there. With the Reebok Power Lite Mid, you’re getting a shoe specifically designed for powerlifting and recreational training. This is not going to be a great daily driver or a model for cross-training.
Reebok Power Lite Mid Performance
For the performance section in this Reebok Power Lite Mid review, I’m only going to discuss how this shoe performs in powerlifting and recreational lifting settings.
Stability When Lifting
The big performance aspect that I was concerned about with the Reebok Power Lite Mid is its overall stability. I wanted to know if this shoe could support heavy squats and deadlifts and display limited signs of compression.
Across the board, the Reebok Power Lite Mid has held up really well all of my tests. I’ve deadlifted over 500 lbs in this model and had no issues with compression. This midsole and outsole both feel firm and the additional heel wrap helps to lock down the heel so you have limited heel slip in this model.
In the context of deadlifting and squatting, I really like how this shoe’s upper doesn’t stretch and get loose over time. I’ve ripped multiple Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star’s upper construction (this is also why I also don’t buy low-top models any more), so it’s nice seeing this model avoid those issues altogether due to its weave upper.
On top of this, for my sumo deadlift athletes out there, the outsole in this model does a really good job of providing you with adequate traction. Whether you’re pulling on a wooden platform, rubber gym surface, or carpet at a powerlifting meet, you should have no issues with slipping in this model.
Another subtle pro to the Reebok Power Lite Mid’s performance is the wider build of this shoe. I know a lot of lifters feel cramped in Converse and as we see the benefits of wider shoes in general for lifting, it’s nice to see that this model has a wider build compared to Converse which is notorious for a more narrow construction.
Reebok Power Lite Mid Sizing
Most lifters and athletes should be safe going true-to-size in the Reebok Power Lite Mid. This model fits true in regard to its length and has a wider toe box, so unlike Converse, you should be safe staying true-to-size with this model.
In fact, I think some lifters may find that they feel like they have extra room in the toe, but I don’t think it will be enough to cause you to size down.
Construction Details
Interested in the construction features of the Reebok Power Lite Mid because Reebok’s page is pretty weak with listing this model’s details? Check out the key features below for this model.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
- Weave Outer Construction
- 9 Metal Eyelets
- Reinforced Toe Cap
- Additional TPU Heel Clip for Stability
- Full Rubber Outsole
- Stable Midsole
- Padded Tongue
If you have any additional questions about the Reebok Power Lite Mid’s construction, hit me in the comments below!
Reebok Power Lite Mid Vs Converse
From a macro level, the Reebok Power Lite Mid and Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star are fairly similar in nature. They both have a higher boot construction, 0mm heel-to-toe drop, and stable midsole/outsole construction.
For lifting, you really can’t go wrong with either shoe. However, there are subtle differences that can make a difference for some lifters.
Some of these differences include the price of each shoe and their upper constructions, which vary pretty greatly. Lastly, for my custom orthotic friends, the Power Lite Mid and Chuck Taylor All-Star have non-removable insoles which could be an issue for your overall fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Is the Reebok Power Lite Mid good for powerlifting?
Q:Can I squat in the Reebok Power Lite Mid?
Q:Is the Reebok Power Lite Mid better than Converse?
Final Thoughts
The Reebok Power Lite Mid is a great mid-top shoe option for the serious powerlifter and recreational lifter. This model delivers a stable construction for heavy deadlifts and squats and has a more durable upper construction for your toughest training sessions.
If you have any questions on this model, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).
That Fit Friend is supported by its readers. I [Jake Boly] run this site myself and buy the gear I review. If you purchase through my site, I may earn commissions on sales, read more here!
William
Is it even possible to buy these shoes anymore?
Not new. You’ll have to go off of ebay or Poshmark sadly. These were so sick, too.
Andy
Pretty accurate review, except why the con for daily wear? I bought these just for lifting, but occasionally forgot my street shoes and ended up wearing these out of the gym. That progressed to wearing them almost all the time. Really got me into the zero-drop, minimal shoe lifestyle and I almost can’t wear “normal” shoes anymore. One+ year later, they’re still in great shape and the sole shows almost no wear, although I’m only Middleweight class. Maybe don’t go full conversion right away, but I found these to be great for most daily wear. I’m still on a quest to find shoes with similar comfort that don’t look like sneakers.
That con is based on durability for price — not that it’s a bad shoe for daily wear outright. You can obv wear em for daily wear, buttttt since they don’t make them anymore, I dropped that con as a suggestion to probably limit them for walking if you want them to last years on years. It’s not like a Converse or Vans that you can daily drive, beat up and break, then go grab a new pair. These are tough to come by these days.