When Reebok asked if I wanted to test out the newest iteration of their top shelf Olympic weightlifting shoe, excited was an understatement. Previously, I’d always just get things like shorts and t-shirts to test, sometimes cool, sometimes not. You usually have to return the items after the testing period is up with the option to get paid in Reebok apparel or sometimes they just give you what you were testing back. To my surprise, they sent me the shoes back! Weird, since the shoes are so far from launch, but I’m not complaining. Thanks Reebok, for hooking me up with a pair of the upcoming Reebok CrossFit Lifter Plus 2.0. (Note: These are “prototype” versions of the shoe, but judging by the pictures released in the catalogue, they’ll be the release shoes.)
Looks:
Eye-catching. I’m not sure people are drawn to them because they look cool or because they’re different than what most people are used to. Personally I think they look great, much better than the original Lifters and Lifter Plus. They look a lot different than the typical modern weightlifting shoe with slimmer lines. The 2.0’s have more of a rounded toe box that reminds me of wearing skater shoes. The upper materials are made from a premium feeling synthetic besides the toe box, which is leather. The styling is on point with the look Reebok has been moving all their CrossFit gear towards, which some might not like, but I do.
Performance/Fit:
The Lifter Plus 2.0 feels like a lot more shoe than the previous iterations did. The base feels wider and the upper feels more cushioned. Naturally, the shoe is going to feel a bit more clunky while walking than the previous Lifters did. My theory is that Reebok noticed that people did WOD’s in Romaleos and Adipowers anyways, so they changed their hybrid shoe to lean more towards the weightlifting aspect. You’ll feel rock solid stability landing in these shoes, but at a cost of being less flexible and a little more heavy; though I haven’t put them on a scale. Not quite Romaleo heavy, but not FastLift light, probably somewhere around the weight of the Lifter Plus. Still a very WOD-able shoe, I’ve put these shoes through their paces and I haven’t had any comfort issues that I wouldn’t get from wearing any other weightlifting shoes while I WOD. Normally, I’ll get aching in my plantar facia from having to repeatedly jump during WOD’s. I’d still stick to WODing in Nano’s and lifting in these. Heel height seems the same at .75 inches. Reaching depth in squats is as easy as it’s ever been in any other weightlifting shoe.
The first thing you’ll notice when you slip these shoes on is that the insole is soft. A little too soft for my liking, but some people like that kind of support. U-Form is present still and remains the same with the “baking” to fit method. As with all the U-Forms, the soles felt more broken-in after the forming process, but the upper didn’t change much. I don’t have the widest or the most narrow feet, but I do have a bunion on my right foot so the roomier toe box is nice. The overall fit is a little wider, but you can really lock your feet into place with the two velcro straps. Size 9 is my general weightlifting shoe size, and these shoes fit me like a glove. For reference, my Nano 3.0 size is 9.5.
Value/Conclusion:
I’m fairly certain that when these shoes come out they’ll be priced the same as the original Lifter Plus 2.0 at $175. That puts it in the same range as the other premium weightlifting shoes. Before, it was hard to think of the Lifter as being in the same category as shoes such as Romaleos and Adipowers but I think Reebok has come up with a compelling alternative with the Lifter Plus 2.0. For those of you that need a shoe that accommodates all types of feet and has a little more support than typical weightlifting shoes do, you might want to look into copping a pair of the upcoming Reebok CrossFit Lifter Plus 2.0.
UPDATE: Just for reference, I’ve added pictures of the Lifter Plus 2.0 directly from the Reebok catalog we have at my box, showing that the shoes are pretty much, if not exactly the same shoe. Looks like the intro date on the white colorway is set to be later in the year. 🙂
What is the sizing of the toe-box in comparison the the Reebok Lifter? I also have the bunion issue and I’m currently in Reebok Lifters but in the market for something that feels more comfortable in that area since the lifters really don’t feel great in that regard.
The toe box is a lot more open in these shoes. They’re actually probably the most comfortable lifter I’ve used, as I too have a bunion on my right foot. I’ve also heard the newer Pendlay do wins have a pretty wide toe box, though I haven’t tried them personally.
Thanks! I’ve been torn between these and the Romaleos (since I was told that they were wider) but I wasn’t sure if these would be any better than the regular lifter. I really appreciate the information!
If I might add… The romaleos are wide but not so much in the toe area. Also since they’re made of a synthetic material they won’t stretch as much as something made of leather. They’re great and I wear mine to PR… But they kill my feet.
Thank you so much; your review/responses have really helped me out! I’ve been searching the web to try to find any reviews that would help me find the widest lifting shoes on the market but it’s been really difficult to find, and since this will be my 3rd pair of lifting shoes, I was hoping to finally find something that I can keep on for an hour without continuously thinking about how much pain my feet are in. You are awesome! I’ll be looking out for any other reviews you post on workout gear 🙂
No problemo! Thanks for reading, let me know how it goes.
Thanks for the review. I ordered these and I’m a little worried about the size. I wear size 9 in Nano 3.0..I ordered a size 9 Lifter Plus 2.0. Do you think they’ll fit ok?
I wouldnt worry, should be a comfortable fit.
Thanks man!
how do the plus 2.0s differ from the lifter 2.0s?
From what I gather, the extra metatarsal strap. Looks like a fully synthetic upper vs leather toe box on the plus. I haven’t seen the normal 2.0 in person yet so I could be wrong.
My Lifter Plus 2.0s didnt fit. I wear size 9.5 in the Nano 2 and size 9.0 in the Nano 3….I ordered a size 9.0 in the Lifter Plus 2. They were too big! I had to exchange for 8.5!!
Oh man that sucks… I’m asking myself the same: I wear a 11.5 in the Reebok Zquick TR, which are a little tighter than the nanos… which size to buy is the question..
Hey Joel, did you ever get a chance to weigh these?
I did not but according to Roadrunnersports they’re 14.9 oz.
When Reebok asked if I wanted to test out the newest iteration of their top shelf Olympic … nnanor.wordpress.com
Hey Joe,
Is it still worth it to buy these? Being that it’s 2017 and we now have a lot of new options.
I can’t decide if I go for the Lifter Plus 2.0 ($100) or pay twice as much for the Romaleos 3.
What do you think?
Keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot.
Hey Joel in Lima,
Im in a very similar case here. Im using Crossfit Lifter Plus 2.0 and i want to get either the Romaleos 3 or the Legacy Lifters.
The problem is i wear 9.5 on Lifter Plus / Nike Running but 9.0 would be better snug fit.
I tried 8.5 and 9 with Legacy/Metcons and they are both great.
Adipowers are too narrow for me. Size 11 is a good width but with an inch space in the toe box.
I cant try the Romaleos 3 so I probably have to return after buying the wrong size. Could you give me any tips on R3 based on the 5 shoes ive tried ? I know its asking alot. Thanks in advance.
Hey Raymond, personally I think you’d be safest getting 9.5s, assuming you didn’t want to return. Go up .5 from whatever size you thought was the best fit from the Legacys and you should be okay. I personally think the fit is close to Metcons…so maybe even that size too.