When shopping for the best deadlift slippers, you need a pair that provides optimum foot flexibility and grip while allowing you to transfer the required amount of force to the ground for a safe and effective deadlift.
Deadlift slippers aren’t the same as conventional shoes and only have a thin sole (usually made of rubber) to support your foot. Their main function is to provide good traction and sufficient grip between your feet and the ground and improve your lifting form.
Top 5 Best Deadlift Slippers Reviewed
1. Top Pick: LiftingLarge Ground Lock - Best Deadlifting Slippers
LiftingLarge Ground Lock lifting slippers is a competition approved (IPF, USPA, and IPL) pair of deadlift slippers that are designed to provide a natural and snug fit making your feet flexible to move freely. They provide superior grip allowing you to reach lower to the ground to maintain proper form throughout the lift. This is the best pair of deadlift slippers that we’ve reviewed.
What sets LiftingLarge apart from other slippers in the category is its suitability. Most deadlift slippers are not well suited for those doing sumo pulls, but LiftingLarge aims to provide a solution to this with their highly customized design and material.
- Material: PU with Rubber Insole
- Sizes: US 4-13.5
- Color palette: Black
- Feature: Competition Approved by IPF, USPA, and IPL
Material Quality
LiftingLarge deadlift slippers are made of high quality rubber providing optimum grip. The slippers have a covering on the toes which makes the material stronger and more durable. You’ll get a pair of removable rubber insoles with the slippers which helps you get as close to the floor as possible during the pull.
Sizing
LiftingLarge comes with a varying range of sizes. So, whether you choose a women’s size 4 or a men’s size 13.5, there’s something for everyone regardless of their needs. Thickness of the sole with the insert included is 3/11” and3/16” with the insole removed.
Color Palette
Right now, LiftingLarge deadlift slippers are only available in black. But, due to their superior quality the color is as long lasting as the material is durable. If you’d like more color options, check out some of our other recommendations later in the article.
Comfort
Apart from superior grip from its high quality rubber soles, the slippers come with 2 wide side-straps with velcro enclosure to give a snug fit and lateral support. That enables a well-rounded pull regardless of the kind of deadlift you’re performing. For an optimum snug fit, buy a pair that’s true to your size. If you’d like more breathing room, you can go for a size higher.
Design
LiftingLarge deadlift slippers are competition approved by IPF, USPA, and IPL and a lot of thought has gone into making the perfect slippers for powerlifters.
Warranty
LiftingLarge Ground Lock deadlift slippers come with a 1 year limited warranty provided you have proof of purchase.
Value For Money
As mentioned earlier, LiftingLarge lifting slippers are the best we have tested. They’re durable and long-lasting with the ability to withstand regular use, and fills a much needed void in the industry.
Positives:
Powerlifting legal and competition approved
High quality rubber sole with removable insert
Durable
Superior grip
Closed-toe slippers for optimum comfort
Could be better:
Limited range of colors
Customers have complained about the fit being loose
2. Runner Up: Deadlift Shoes Cross-Trainer
Manufactured by Lara Star, the Deadlifts Cross-Trainer powerlifting slippers is a minimalist shoe that fits like a second skin. Its barefoot feature comes with no raised heel arch and the slippers are flat enough to allow your feet to move as they need to.
The Lara Star powerlifting slippers come in various sizes and can be worn by both men and women. With superior comfort and breathability, these slippers easily take the position of the runner up in our review.
- Material: Synthetic PU with Rubber Sole
- Purpose: Cross-Training, Fitness, and General Powerlifting
- Sizes: US 6.5-14
- Color palette: Black, Gray, Light blue, Red, Red-Black
- Feature: Competition Approved by IPF, USAPL
Material Quality
The Lara Star deadlift shoes are made of synthetic PU with a firm but comfortable rubber sole providing superior grip for all kinds of workouts. The upper portion of the slippers sports a knitted material with a robust rubber bottom.
Sizing
The cross-trainer deadlift shoes have a wide range of sizes from US 6.5-14 and are suitable for all genders. The men’s variant is true to size but women should ideally go a size up for the most comfortable fit. For those who are in between sizes, its best to go for a higher one.
Color Palette
These slippers come in a wide color palette, and you can choose from black, gray, light blue, red, and red-black. The colors are durable and long lasting due to its superior make and finish.
Comfort
The Lara Star deadlift slippers are designed to give you a barefoot feel. The slippers adjust to the shape of your feet and the lack of a raised heel gives an optimum flat grip. The non-slip bottom and breathable fabric is great for any kind of workout, and suitable for all sports.
Design
These slippers are IPF and USAPL certified and designed for new and experienced powerlifters alike. They can be used in competitions.
Value For Money
The Lara Star deadlift shoes have a higher price tag but their versatility trumps the negatives. You may find deadlift shoes at a cheaper price tag but given the high quality material and manufacturing, it's bang for the bucks, especially since they can be used for all kinds of workouts.
Positives:
Wide range of sizes
- Fantastic floor grip
Competition approved
Great quality and durable
Flat soled slippers that adjusts to your feet for a snug feel
Available in 5 colors
Could be better:
Not great for those with wide feet
Fitkicks men’s walking shoes are an all-rounder pair of slippers that can be used for deadlifting or squatting (if you prefer to squat barefoot).
The best feature of this exercise shoe is its flexibility and ease of use. This can easily become your go-to pair of shoes for all things active. But does it fit equally well for powerlifters? Our research says yes.
Material Quality
Made with FlexForm sole technology, high quality rubber, and a toe guard, Fitkicks walking shoes are well suited for all kinds of activities, light or intense. Their spandex exterior fitted with side pull tabs fit snugly while providing enough movement in your feet.
These shoes have the perfect features for powerlifting, including a sturdy rubber sole, good fit, and support. These shoes are also water resistant and can be used as aqua shoes, at the pool or the beach.
Sizing
Fitkicks walking shoes come in different sizes - small (7-8), medium (8.5-9.5), large (10-11), and extra-large (11.5-12.5). This ensures there’s a size suitable for everybody.
Color Palette
If you’d like a bright colored pair of shoes to amp up your deadlifts, then Fitkicks walking shoes are perfect for you. They come in four colors - gray, green, black, and navy. The color looks sleek and gives the shoe a new life of its own!
Comfort
Fitkicks walking shoes are perfectly comfortable for a wide range of activities. Whether you’re commuting walking or commuting, working out or practicing yoga, these shoes are designed to fit your lifestyle. Their versatile design and fit makes them great for deadliftsas well.
Design
Fitkicks shoes are lightweight and ergonomically designed with ample flexibility for your feet to move and support in a natural way.The company’s motto is to make their shoes accessible and comfortable for active lifestyles, and might be worth checking out for lifting purposes as well.
Value For Money
Whether Fitkicks shoes are worth the investment will largely depend on what your purpose is. If you want a pair of shoes that are lightweight with an all-round functionality, then these might be worth the price. If you’re looking specifically for deadlift slippers, then there might be other options that suit you better.
Positives:
Great fit and support
Superior grip
High breathability
Affordable
Attractive colors
Could be better:
Not specifically designed for deadlifts
Has a thicker sole than what’s suitable for powerlifters
Joomra sock shoes are another multi-purpose pair of shoes that give a barefoot and natural feel. Although not specifically designed as deadlift slippers, they have many functionalities that will make it suitable for powerlifters as well.
Material Quality
The shoes are made from lightweight stretch knit fabric and rubber soles for optimum ease of movement and breathability. The rubber outsole is of superior quality that doesn’t squeak as you walk or move. The material is washing-machine friendly and doesn’t contain any adhesives. The shoes are sweat and shock resistant and protect your feet as you move freely. They can be used as aqua shoes too.
Sizing
Sizing ranges from US 6-14 and is suitable for all genders. If you want a snug fit, go for your usual size and a size higher for more flexibility.
Color Palette
The Joomra sock shoes have a wide color palette for you to choose from. They’re available in the following colors: brown-black, gray-black, all black, blue, green, brown, and olive.
Comfort
They’re ultra-light, breathable, with high traction against different surfaces. Its barefoot style and minimalistic build is good for performing deadlifts.
Design
The joomra sock shoes are built in an eco-friendly fashion and are adhesive free. They’re water and sweat resistant, ultra-portable and lightweight, making them a good option for travel.
Value For Money
Similar to Fitkicks, these shoes are good for not just deadlifts but a wide range of activities. They might be perfectly worth the price if you need an all-around pair of comfortable shoes to fit your active lifestyle.
Positives:
Great traction and high-quality rubber
Eco-friendly design with no adhesives
Sweat and water resistant
Available in a wide range of colors
Suitable for machine wash
Ultra-light and portable
Could be better:
Not specifically designed for deadlifts
Might be a little thick for lifting
MAX² deadlift slippers are the fifth and final product on our review list. Like the other deadlift slippers on our list, they have a barefoot feel, aggressive rubber grip on all sides, breathable material, and lateral straps for deadlifts and sumo pulls alike.
Material Quality
MAX² is made of rubber soles and PU leather and lateral straps with velcro for a great fit. The material is breathable and flat with no heel rise, a design that is perfect for deadlifts.
Sizing
Sizes are rather limited for this pair of slippers and range between US 6-12. Women are suggested to go for a size lower than usual. For in-between sizes go for the next higher size.
Color Palette
As of now, these slippers are only available in black.
Comfort
Light-weight, breathable, and easy to carry, the MAX² can easily double as an aqua or walking shoe. It is versatile in its functions and comfortable for a wide range of activities.
Design
Ergonomically designed with a flat sole to give a barefoot feel and flexibility movement. They don't have a heel rise and are suitable for sumo pulls and deadlifts.
Value For Money
The MAX² slippers might be worth the investment if your goal is to buy a shoe that can easily sustain easy to moderate deadlift intensity. They’re also multi-purpose and durable for the price.
Positives:
Good rubber quality sole with superior grip
Multi-purpose and suitable for numerous activities
Reasonable price range
Lightweight and portable
Flat with no heel raise
Could be better:
Limited colors
Limited sizes on offer
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Benefits Of Deadlift Slippers
Grip and traction
The best deadlifting slippers come with a thin rubber sole with minimal to no heel raise. The thinner the insole is, the lower you can go while performing a deadlift. The rubber needs to be firm yet supportive, and not too hard. They provide aggressive grip from all around the feet which helps you reach lower and execute a pull efficiently.
Fit
Deadlift slippers not only improve your lifting form and performance, but they also feel snug and protective around your feet. Just the right amount of flexibility mixed with a supportive cushioning made of breathable material is your best bet when choosing a slipper. Ankle and metatarsal support can make your deadlifts a lot seamless while protecting you from injury.
Competition Approved
If you’re a pro powerlifter, it's important to select shoes mandated by your competition rules.
As a good rule of thumb, you might want to choose a pair of deadlift slippers that are approved by IPF, USAPL, and IPL. Most competitions would require you to use a pair of deadlift slippers.
Suitable For Various Activities
If you’re new to performing deadlifts, you may wonder if it's the same as squat slippers. Or which is better - deadlift slippers vs wrestling shoes? All three have similar features - thin rubber sole, great traction, and a snug fit. Due to this, you can use one pair of deadlift slippers for a wide range of activities.
Drawbacks Of Deadlift Slippers
Fit Issues
It can be hard to find a pair of deadlift slippers that fit you properly. Most of them don’t have laces and are not adjustable when it comes to getting a snug fit. However, you can fix this by choosing one of our recommended slippers that come with velcro straps.
FAQs
Do Deadlift slippers make a difference?
Deadlift slippers definitely make a difference if you’re looking to improve your stance and get better grip. Slippers are lightweight with a barefoot feel, and minimum to zero heel raise that makes you feel as comfortable as possible, so you can work on perfecting your technique. The thinner the sole, the lower you can go.
Are Deadlift Slippers Better Than Deadlift Shoes?
Deadlift slippers are lightweight, portable, and hassle-free to use. They have a lighter construction and thinner outer material whereas deadlift shoes are more like regular shoes - bulky, heavy, and thick compared to slippers. If you’re more comfortable with a barefoot deadlift, you can try slippers. For a thicker sole and more durable construction, you may check out shoes.
Should I Deadlift In Crocs?
Crocs are not ideal for performing deadlifts and their high level of compression is to blame. When choosing deadlift footwear, you need one with a thin rubber sole so you can go as low to the ground as possible and lift through proper weight distribution between your feet. For this reason, you may want to choose footwear specially designed for lifting.
Conclusion
A good pair of deadlift slippers should not only improve your form and technique but also help support your joints and reduce the risk of injury. When choosing one for the first time, it may be helpful to buy one with a thin rubber sole with great traction, comfortable straps for a snug fit, and a breathable and lightweight material for its exterior surface. Our top pick for this review - LiftingLarge Ground Lock deadlift slippers tick all these boxes.
References:
- Definitive Deadlift Shoes Guide | Benefits, How They Should Fit, and More// That Fit Friend: https://thatfitfriend.com/deadlift-shoes-guide/
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.