The just released Adidas Powerlift 2.0 Review

[Jason2459]

The Powerlift 2.0 Review also posted in my training journal but thought some people in this section may be interested. I do notice a couple shoe threads here and there come up. Something I didn't mention below is that they fit and feel like a sneaker, easier to walk around in than normal weightlifting shoes, and I could see people doing some crossfit training in them.

Knees are still feeling pretty good today which is a big plus. I got the Adidas Powerlift 2.0 which come in a few really nice looking color combinations
http://www.adidas.com/us/N?searchTer...0&x=-597&y=-39


For a weightlifting shoe $90 is a really good price. But I don't think I'd call these a weightlifting shoe due to the height of their heel which are lower than the standard 3/4" or above. From what I can figure out they are ~.55". The midsole measures just a hair under 9/16" and the insert that comes out gets a bit thicker in the toe box area though it compresses to just about nothing. This height I believe to be just about perfect for me and my knees and technique. I'm not using the really wide stance I used to use but not super close either. 3/4" was just putting too much pressure on my patella tendons and I was starting to feel it. I'll have to keep using these to find out but in just one session my knees feel better then they've felt in a good year.

best picture I could get of the insert


The midsole though is an EVA("high-density die-cut midsole wedge") that seems to also be used in the powerlift trainers and the powerperfect 2.0 which if anyone says it doesn't compress or take a LOT to compress like 800lbs is BS. If I can compress it with my hands it compresses. However I'd say these compress no more than a pair of samba's, vans, chucks or any popular sneaker type shoe recommended for powerlifting.


Adidas seems to have come up with a solution for the slight compression that does occur through what they call a Weight-distribution plate. Looks like a rigid plastic/tpu plate layer above the EVA that covers the entire shoe.

not sure why there's cutouts on the outside other than looks?




I know Dan Green wears either the PowerPerfect 2.0 or Trainers (look to me like the powerperfects but he's mentioned trainers) and says he has never had any issues with stability with them. I can't load up 800+ lbs like he can do but I didn't feel any instability while squatting and also did a couple walk outs specifically to try and feel any instability trying to push my feet around. I didn't feel any. They definitely do not feel as solid as the AdiPowers I have which have a solid TPU heel/midsole with 0 compression but I didn't feel unstable at all. I would say it felt like wearing my AdiPowers standing on top of horse stall mats instead of the wood section I put down. The grip on the Powerlift 2.0's were surprisingly good though and comparable to the AdiPowers but still didn't have that bolted down feeling the AdiPowers give.

I have to stop myself from comparing these $90 shoes to the $199(full retail) AdiPowers. The AdiPowers quality is absolutely amazing and feel like the shoes could last like a decade or more. The Powerlift 2.0 feels like they may last 3-5 years. The straps feel very flimsy and scared it will rip off before anything else falls apart. The fake leather right now feels like it could eventually tear. Not having any riveted eye's for the lacing makes me hesitate from really pulling hard on the laces. As for fit I got the same size I got the AdiPowers and are fairly snug. Right out of the box the AdiPowers required several sessions before breaking in nicely. The Powerlift 2.0 right out of the box feels like a broken in pair of AdiPowers. If that makes sense. So, basically they are cheap and feel like they were made cheaply but I was also spoiled with an amazing pair of AdiPowers. If I never had the AdiPowers I'm sure I'd have a different outlook on them.

Overall though, I'm super happy with them. I do wish the strap was a little more rugged. I would like the midsole to not be EVA. But the looks, feel, and performance are there. I would buy again and recommend them to at least be tried out to anyone that has gotten knee pains from higher heel shoes or squats with a just outside shoulder width to moderately wide stance. Any wider I still feel a flat shoe would be best and any narrower would probably benefit from a higher heel.


Last nights Max Effort Squats w/ Rev. Band monster mini's and first time in the shoes

[trnk1001]

Nice review. I don't have the Adipower or the Powerlift, but I do have the 2004 Adistar and PowerPerfect 2. The PowerPerfect 2 look almost identical to the Powerlift, but the sole is definitely not compressible like the one in the picture (just tested it ). It's not as solid as the Adistar's wooden sole though.

[Jason2459]

Nice review. I don't have the Adipower or the Powerlift, but I do have the 2004 Adistar and PowerPerfect 2. The PowerPerfect 2 look almost identical to the Powerlift, but the sole is definitely not compressible like the one in the picture (just tested it ). It's not as solid as the Adistar's wooden sole though.

Thanks, that's good to know. According to wlshoes.com the Powerperfect is an eva but more dense then the powerlift trainers.

[JohnP]

Thanks a bunch for posting this review. The thing I can't quite figure out from reviews of these shoes: are these the kinds of shoes you'd end up wearing to all of your gym sessions, or just when you're doing the powerlifting movements? Would you just throw this on for an upper body day, jump rope in them, etc, or would you want to switch to other shoes for that? Any input you have on that is appreciated!

[Jason2459]

Thanks a bunch for posting this review. The thing I can't quite figure out from reviews of these shoes: are these the kinds of shoes you'd end up wearing to all of your gym sessions, or just when you're doing the powerlifting movements? Would you just throw this on for an upper body day, jump rope in them, etc, or would you want to switch to other shoes for that? Any input you have on that is appreciated!

I personally just wear them for some squats and squat variants and then change out of them for the rest of my training. But I could see someone doing cross fit type training doing some kind of circuit or wod or what ever they call it and just wear these to perform multiple tasks. They are light, flexible, not a high heal to effect other exercises, and feel like a regular shoe. I would still suggest changing out of them when you really don't need them though just to help them last longer. I still wonder how they will hold up over the next year or more. But I'm still very happy with them for now and more importantly my knees still feel ok.

[SamTZ]

Solid review. Ive been wondering about these since they came out. I own a pair of romaleos, I like them except, they are too wide for my foot and my foot constantly slides around in them. I think in the next couple of months im going to buy a pair of adidas power perfect 2.0 or the powerlift 2.0.

[flanker34]

Was unsure whether or not to buy these but your review has pushed me in the get them direction. Can't wait to do some heavy snatch/cleans.

[Jason2459]

Solid review. Ive been wondering about these since they came out. I own a pair of romaleos, I like them except, they are too wide for my foot and my foot constantly slides around in them. I think in the next couple of months im going to buy a pair of adidas power perfect 2.0 or the powerlift 2.0.

If you plan to do strictly oly lifts then the power perfect 2.0. If you plan on doing multiple lifts with them then possibly the powerlift 2.0. The powerlift 2.0 are wider then the AdiPowers by a bit.

Was unsure whether or not to buy these but your review has pushed me in the get them direction. Can't wait to do some heavy snatch/cleans.

Good luck!

[Jason2459]

vid I just took last night trying out different shoes including the Powerilft 2.0.


Other shoes include the Rogue 1/2" Do-Wins, Generic Skate shoe with 1/4" raised heel, Chucks, Asics Wrestling shoes, and Adidas AdiPowers.

[tidnab]

If you plan to do strictly oly lifts then the power perfect 2.0. If you plan on doing multiple lifts with them then possibly the powerlift 2.0. The powerlift 2.0 are wider then the AdiPowers by a bit.




Good luck!

I would not recommend the Power Perfect 2.0s. They are meant to replace the old Ironworks series, but comparing a pair of PP2.0s side-by-side with my old pair of Ironwork IIs, with the PP 2.0s my footing seemed significantly less stable, especially for lateral movement. I wound up putting out the extra cash for the Adipowers, which are excellent--my feet feel like they are practically bolted in place.

No opinion on the Powerlifts fwiw, but if you are looking for wl shoes for a wider foot I'd go with Do-Wins.

[Jason2459]

Totally agree the AdiPowers blow everything else away and are a great shoe. You can even hear the difference in the video above when I put them on. However they are more expensive and if someone is looking to save a bit of money the PowerPerfect should suffice. There's several top level lifters using PowerPerfects so they can't be absolutely terrible but they were meant for the mid-level to beginner weightlifter. Lots of people say the old ironworks and adistars were better than their newer counterparts though but good luck finding a pair of either.

[tidnab]

Totally agree the AdiPowers blow everything else away and are a great shoe. You can even hear the difference in the video above when I put them on. However they are more expensive and if someone is looking to save a bit of money the PowerPerfect should suffice. There's several top level lifters using PowerPerfects so they can't be absolutely terrible but they were meant for the mid-level to beginner weightlifter. Lots of people say the old ironworks and adistars were better than their newer counterparts though but good luck finding a pair of either.

Yup. Only thing I'd add is that for beginners and/or lifters on a budget, Wei-Ruis deserve a look before you look at the PP 2.0s-- they cost half as much and I've heard good things. If you're going to spend $150 on the Power Perfects, you might as well spend $50 more and get a much better shoe.

[Jason2459]

Yup. Only thing I'd add is that for beginners and/or lifters on a budget, Wei-Rus deserve a look before you look at the PP 2.0s-- they cost half as much and I've heard good things. If you're going to spend $150 on the Power Perfects, you might as well spend $50 more and get a much better shoe.

Oh yeah, there's a lot of options out there for weightlifting shoes and wlshoes.com is a great place to start. But in the .5-.6 heel height range there's really only the Rogue and the Powerlifts right now.

[umopp]

Hmm, might buy these.

[fustuarium]

Thought I'd add my 2p worth as this write up influenced me getting them when the met strap snapped on my old wooden heel shoes.

They don't feel as narrow as addidas can do (I normally can't wear them) and I'd say they ran true to size, and fit pretty well for someone who can't use a tapering toe box.

Heel is prett stiff (I can't depress like OP) but it can distort when you walk out a squat or press into your heel when laying back in the OHP. It's the main downside that I can think of.

Whilst acknowledging they're not as solid a my old wooden heel I think they're good value and am happy with them.

Also thanks for the review by OP.

[Muscle Mania Matt]

I was considering switching over to these for squatting. I have pendlay 2010 shoes that I use for oly lifting, front squats, and high bar squats. Obviously, they aren't any good for low bar squats, though my stance and bar position are more "moderate" than anything, so I was looking at a oly shoe with a lower wedge. Might pick these up, or go full price and pick up the fancy version. I wish there was a place I could try them on before I shell out 200 for a shoe.

[Jason2459]

Just to add to this thread I just got the Inov-8 Fastlift shoes.





Will put up a review on those soon too after I get a good chance to use them. So far I'm very happy with them and like them just as much as the Powerlift 2.0's. They are a .65" heel compared to the Powerlift 2.0's .6" heel. Solid TPU heel and synthetic lightweight materials. They feel like I'm standing on a solid wedge with little to no arch support. They were reported to run small and should order a full size up. I went up a .5 size from the other shoes I have which were 10's for everything in that review video and got the 10.5 in the inov-8 fastlift which is what I normally wear in running shoes. I'm glad I didn't go up a full size and not sure if going with a 10 would have been to small. They fit snug around the ball of the foot but still have nice room in the toe box like the rogue do-wins. 

[Jason2459]

Did some more squatting in the Inov8 Fastlift 335. Actually kind of went back and forth with the powerlifts and the fastlifts. A few sets I wore both lol. I still don't have a verdict yet which one I will go forward with as my main squat shoe and which I'll keep as a backup. They have a very unique feel that I don't like just standing there but actually like once squatting. I want more time under the bar before I write up a separate review thread on them. I have a max effort session I'll probably do some reverse band squats with them this Sunday. I should know by then having gone through some heavy lifts, dynamic lifts, repetitive lifts, pauses, and coming up some max effort.

squat'n and dead'n from last night

[Jason2459]

Really liked this picture so wanted to share it

[prepremed]

this couldn't be more helpful. Great thread

for a shoe to pull in, Adidas' newish HVC shoes and most of their wrestling shoes in general have good lateral support. Dave Tate recommends Jordan boxing boots but those are obviously pricier.

[Jason2459]

this couldn't be more helpful. Great thread

for a shoe to pull in, Adidas' newish HVC shoes and most of their wrestling shoes in general have good lateral support. Dave Tate recommends Jordan boxing boots but those are obviously pricier.

Nice thing with wrestling shoes is you can find them at most athletic stores and try them on. The HVCs were a pretty good price and I tried them on but still liked the feel of the newest matflex 4. My old originals are starting to wear out. Something Pracilla Ribic would do is put a wedge in front of the foot to raise the toes instead of the heals. For conventional pullers flat or possibly healed shoes feel good but for sumo I haven't found anyone that likes a healed shoe and it kills my off the floor and lockout strength. But having the toes raised actually feels good and could be beneficial for a sumo deadlifter. Where I'm going with this is I've always felt the matflex wants to put me on my heels more then other wrestling shoes that tend to put you on the toes which is how you normally would when wrestling. For squats I don't think it matters but I use the wrestling shoes for pulling and like the matflex.

[Jason2459]

Will, have to write up more later. But I'm going with the Powerlift 2.0's over the Fastlifts. Mainly due to this ridge under the ball of the foot of the fastlifts to make them more flexible for crossfit but just don't really like it for strict powerlifting. Also, they are narrower base/out sole then all the other shoes reviewed above making them a smaller platform which I can feel just standing there and don't like. The fastlifts probably make for a great crossfit shoe because they are super light, nice TPU heel, and flexible front.

[InfiniteForward]

If they do last 5 years then the price is justifiable

[Jason2459]

If they do last 5 years then the price is justifiable

I'd be happy with 3-4.

Here's a picture of the bottom soles. Adipowers being my favorite with the Powerlifts being my second. I don't like the odd texture of the do-win or the shape of the sole (raised off the floor in the middle and front). Then the fastlifts being a 10.5 here is narrower and shorter than everything else which are 10's. Also you can see that ridge at the ball of the foot I don't really like either.

[onix45]

I'd be happy with 3-4.

Here's a picture of the bottom soles. Adipowers being my favorite with the Powerlifts being my second. I don't like the odd texture of the do-win or the shape of the sole (raised off the floor in the middle and front). Then the fastlifts being a 10.5 here is narrower and shorter than everything else which are 10's. Also you can see that ridge at the ball of the foot I don't really like either.

How would you compare the do wins and the powerlifts? Can you feel the difference between the 0.5 and 0.6 inch heels?

Also, could you compare which one of those shoes has a lower overall heel? I mean the total distance from your heel to the floor, as opposed to the height difference between the toe and heel area.

Thank you.

[Jason2459]

How would you compare the do wins and the powerlifts? Can you feel the difference between the 0.5 and 0.6 inch heels?

Also, could you compare which one of those shoes has a lower overall heel? I mean the total distance from your heel to the floor, as opposed to the height difference between the toe and heel area.

Thank you.

I don't have the exact measurements but the do-wins have a higher overall heel if measuring from the ground compared to the Powerlifts. I don't feel to much of a difference between the actual heel heights between the two.

[OdinsFirstBorn]

How well would you say these would work with olympic lifts?

[Jason2459]

How well would you say these would work with olympic lifts?

If you're looking for a shoe just for Olympic lifts then I would get a full 3/4" solid heel shoe. Like the Romaleos or AdiPowers but there are cheaper alternatives.

[OdinsFirstBorn]

If you're looking for a shoe just for Olympic lifts then I would get a full 3/4" solid heel shoe. Like the Romaleos or AdiPowers but there are cheaper alternatives.

Gotcha! I throw shot put, discus and hammer so I do a lot of squats and dead lifts as well

[GM54]

i dont compete or anything, but i do deadlift/squat and sometimes clean religiously. would a pair of these suit me well? Can i train calves effectively in them? I wear the new balance vibrams now for everything.