The Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes are a new weightlifting shoe from Workout.eu. This model is designed to deliver a premium performance for a more budget-friendly price.
Being described as a blend of the Anta 1 and Nike Romaleos 2, I was super excited to put the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes to the test. I was also curious to see how this shoe stacks up to the market’s best weightlifting shoes.
In my Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes review, I’ll cover the pros, cons, and performance of this shoe to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your needs.
Quick Take: The Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes are an okay shoe for beginners, in my opinion. This model has an interesting fit to it so I would highly make sure your foot aligns with this shoe’s last construction before buying.
Workout Warrior
Best For
- Recreational Lifters
- Squats
- Casual Weightlifting
- Feet With Higher Arches
Falls Short
- For Flatter Feet
- For Breathability
Who Should Buy the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes?
Below are a couple of contexts where I think the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes make a lot of sense.
1. Good Option for Beginners Newer to Weightlifting Shoes
If you’re new to weightlifting shoes and want a consistent pair that isn’t going to break the bank, then I think the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes could be a good option for your needs.
This shoe’s rubber outsole comes with a good level of traction for different surfaces and its TPU midsole and heel are plenty stable for a variety of strength needs.
On top of this, this model costs around $150 USD so it is better priced than some of the market’s more premium and expensive options like the Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 and Adipower 3.
2. Decent Shoe for Lifters With High Arches
Another context where this shoe makes sense is for the lifters and athletes that have higher arches. This shoe has a bit more medial support through the forefoot and midfoot.
At times, I found this to be off-putting and I’ll discuss that below, but I think that’s because my foot anatomy doesn’t align with this shoe’s last construction. For higher arches, this model could be a good option to look into.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes?
Throughout my testing, I’ve gone back and forth on the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes and I’d steer clear of these models if the below sounds like you.
1. You Want Less Medial Support In Your Shoes
One thing I didn’t like about the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes is its fit. This shoe has what appears similar sole construction to the Nike Romaleos 4, but it doesn’t feel the same on the feet.
The forefoot midsole jarred pretty hard into my forefoot which made this shoe difficult to wear during the break-in period and for longer workouts. If you like a flatter “feeling” last construction, then you’ll want to pass on these shoes.
2. Lifters That Want Breathability With Their Shoes
Another context where you’ll want to pass on the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes is if you like more breathable weightlifting shoes. This model doesn’t breathe the best and the leather upper can feel heavy at times.
This would not be my go-to option for sessions where I’m squatting, cleaning, and wanting a weightlifting shoe for accessories due to how hot they run. Plus, this shoe’s fit once again, isn’t the best, in my opinion.
Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes Pros and Cons
Report Card: Get the Quick FactsWorkout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes
Pros
- These can be a great option for beginners wanting a heavier-built weightlifting shoe.
- The last construction of this model feels like it has a bit more arch, so if you have higher arches these may work well for your feet.
Cons
- The width of this model isn’t the best through the toe box so they may feel limiting for wider feet.
- The aggressive forefoot outsole and midsole construction give this model an interesting feel that likely won’t resonate with flatter feet.
Performance Assessment
To break down the performance of the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes, I’ll cover how this shoe performs for weightlifting, squats, and accessory exercises.
Testing the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes for Weightlifting
When it comes to weightlifting, the Workout Warrior shoes do a pretty good job for the most part. This shoe is plenty stable with its TPU midsole and heel and its full rubber outsole provides a good level of traction.
Plus, this shoe’s heel elevation of .75″ should work for a wide range of athletes regarding their snatch and clean & jerk mechanics. When catching cleans, this shoe provides a good level of lockdown.
My complaints with this shoe when it comes to weightlifting, however, revolve around its forefoot midsole and its toe spring. The forefoot, as mentioned above, is pretty uncomfortable.
For the first two weeks of wearing this shoe, it was a battle to break them in to get them feeling remotely comfortable for longer sessions. I noticed the forefoot most when getting up on my toes to catch cleans.
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the toe spring in this shoe because it pushes you forward a little bit when pulling weight, and if you’re like me and already struggle with being forward, then this construction feature doesn’t do you any favors.
Testing the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes for Squats
For squats, I have a love-hate relationship with the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes. The stability of these shoes is fine and they should accommodate whatever weight you throw at them.
The TPU heel and midsole don’t compress whatsoever and they provide a nice base to squat on. I also like the overall upper security that you get with this shoe.
The longer laces, despite getting in the way sometimes, provide a good level of security, and when you pair them with the dual straps I don’t think you’ll have issues with not feeling locked down when training in this shoe.
My one concern with this model with squats is the toe spring and how that could impact lifters who already find themselves battling being forward with their squats.
If you constantly feel like you’re falling forward with your squats, then you may want to consider looking into different weightlifting shoes for squats especially pairs with less toe spring.
Testing the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes for Accessory Exercises
If you’re wanting to wear these shoes for things like leg presses and hack squats, then you definitely can and they’ll work fine for the most part. The stability and grip of these shoes are consistent which is good for training on machines.
However, for accessories, I have two complaints with these shoes and these are their discomfort and the breathability of the upper. If you’re wanting to wear these for quad-biased lunges, then I’d expect them to feel pretty uncomfortable until you break them in.
Regarding breathability, the upper of this shoe doesn’t have the best ventilation so if you’re doing a high-volume leg day in this model, then I’d expect your feet to run pretty hot in these shoes.
Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes Sizing
The sizing and fit of the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes are interesting and I don’t necessarily think this shoe is going to work for every foot anatomy.
That said, this shoe does fit true to size regarding its length and it has a medium/neutral width to it, so narrow and medium-width feet shouldn’t feel restricted in this shoe.
I found this shoe to have an interesting fit through the forefoot and I think that might have to do with my arch. If you have high arches, I think you’ll resonate with this shoe’s fit a little better.
For flat and wide feet, I would steer clear of this shoe due to its midsole construction and its width because I’m not convinced these will be comfortable for you whatsoever.
- Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes Sizing Thoughts: True to size, but tread lightly.
If you have additional questions about the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally.
Price Breakdown
For the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes, you can expect to pay around $150 USD. However, for US-based lifters, this price point can vary depending on taxes and shipping since you have to purchase these from a site overseas.
As for what these shoes are I’m indifferent about the price of this model. They have a lot of construction features that you want and typically get from premium weightlifting shoes but with some weird quirks.
To give an example, I like the idea behind the heavier leather regarding its long-term security, however, I’m not the biggest fan of how the upper folds at the base of the toe box.
I also like the dual strap system, but I’m not the biggest fan of the velcro used and the length of the base of the straps. For this reason, it’s tough for me to recommend this model to everyone.
Plus, with the sizing issue I had in this model, I’m not convinced every lifter will find these comfortable. You may want to explore other budget-friendly weightlifting shoes I’ve reviewed if you want to save money and need performance.
Workout Warrior
Best For
- Recreational Lifters
- Squats
- Casual Weightlifting
- Feet With Higher Arches
Falls Short
- For Flatter Feet
- For Breathability
Construction Details
The construction of the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes is interesting. There are things I like and things that I think could be improved on, and for a first pass, this shoe’s construction is just okay.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 19mm/.75 inches
- Weight: 18.50 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Full Rubber Outsole
- TPU Midsole and Heel
- Dual Velcro Straps
- Leather Upper Construction
- 5 Core Eyelets
If you have additional construction-related questions about the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes, drop a comment below and I can help you out.
Takeaway Thoughts
The Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes are interesting. I bought this model going into them with an open mind and while I want to like these shoes there are things with them that give me pause.
Note, I think this model will work for some athletes, but with their midsole being uncomfortable in the forefoot I have a time recommending them for everyone.
If you have additional questions about the Workout Warrior Weightlifting Shoes, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
