Squatting footwear

[manlet]

When it comes to squatting, is it better to squat in flat soles (chucks or wrestling boots) or with an elevated heel like weight lifting shoes? Please explain.

[Skeletor]

I think it may come down to a person's individual leverages . I started in flats then switched to heels while I was high bar squatting but now I'm low bar I squat in chucks and can't see myself going back to heels ever. Would be keen to try wrestling boots.

[Wookie]

The best shoe is the one that allows you to lift the most amount of weight.

 

I wear wrestling shoes for back squats, bench and deadlift, and Nike Weightlifting shoes for front squats. and overheads.

[maccaz]

with my leverages/mobility i find i can drive through heels better in weightlifting shoes.

i think there was a informal study done which found more high level back squatters use flats rather than heels, on average.

 

eg odell manuel uses flats

chad wesley smith uses heels

 

so not one rule for all

[manlet]

I'll stick with my wrestling boots then.

 

Cheers for the feedback guys

[Bigken1985]

I use the Reebok lite tr which are flat. Have got heels and did squat in them for a year but I find they throw me forward and I get twisted. Flats seem to be more stable. I also squat pretty low bar

[bang_bang]

Seems like a lot of shorter lifters prefer heels, Gibbs etc 

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

best way to find out is try both for a while and see which one really gives you the competitive advantage. wouldn't expect to find out if you lift more with oly shoes on your first time using, just like if you suddenly switch to sumo stance or something . sure theres a more complex answer out there somewhere, something to do with mechanics and levers or whatever.. inb4 snoopy

[Skeletor]

47 minutes ago, bang_bang said:

Seems like a lot of shorter lifters prefer heels, Gibbs etc 

Gibbs squats flat now doesn't he. He was using the Romaleos I gave him but has since switched to flats I thought 

[Bruce Al]

I prefer bare feet.