As evidenced by the number of inquiries we receive, this is an essential issue for many people. Most people who ask this question are in their early to mid-20s, and they usually know little about weightlifting or ergonomics. They often attempt a workout in a brand new pair of sneakers that they’ve never worn before. When they find out later that the shoes don’t work well for weightlifting, it’s too late to do anything about it, and their knees hurt every day.
This article will teach you, in a straightforward way, how to choose the right weightlifting shoes for your workout. There are no shortcuts, and all of this information comes straight from the best weightlifting coaches in the world. The data will not come from a website, blog, or magazine trying to sell you shoes. These are actual experts in weightlifting who have devoted their entire lives to learning how to eliminate pain and injury while lifting weights. This is the best advice you will ever read on choosing weightlifting vans shoes.
Vans weightlifting shoe buyers can use the information below to determine whether or not their current footwear is up to snuff. This article is written from the point of view that you do not currently have any weightlifting vans shoes, and you are trying to find a pair that will be good enough.
What is a Vans Shoe?
Vans is an American shoe company that specializes in shoes with rubber soles. Vans were initially skateboarding shoes made to be more durable, but at this point, they are worn as everyday footwear. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors.
The Vans brand is more than just the type of shoe you wear; it’s how you live your life. From hip-hop legends to backyard athletes, we’re born on the beaches and pools of Southern California and bred on the sidewalks and streets all over the world—all wearing classic Vans authentic styles with signature waffle rubber soles made to stand up against demanding use by those who know what it means to live life hard.
Vans is a lifestyle brand for those who live life hard and play harder. Vans became a household name in the mid-1980s when Ollie Van Doren and Paul Van Doren, after discovering the connection between surfing, skateboarding, and music, launched their company (mind you, they were still in high school at the time!) in Anaheim, CA – now a worldwide brand that stands for punk rock calm. Since day one, Vans has been an innovator by creating vibrant colors and patterns on their sneakers that make them unique. One of the first companies to use ways to garner attention internationally.
The Reason Why Vans Shoes are Suitable for Lifting Workout
It may not be the most commonly used option for a lifting shoe, but Vans are well-known for their durability, making quite the most durable shoe. And maybe that’s why they’re a favorite amongst lifters worldwide.
The shoes have taken on a cult following, with many people touting them as highly effective and versatile shoes that can be worn in almost any situation. You might even say Vans are “The Perfect Shoe.”
Arches
The Vans brand was famous for the iconic high-top shoes with grooves in the sole to decrease friction. This design resulted in “Vans” as a verb meaning “to put on or wear Vans.”
Arches are essential for your feet and lower body. When you have hooks, it is easier to create force because you can use the weight of your feet and push into a small surface area, so having arch support shoes is crucial during lifting workouts. If you’re struggling with form or keeping balance when performing exercises like squats and deadlifts, then Vans may be better suited than some other shoes that lack this particular feature.
Breathable
Vans shoes are breathable and offer good ventilation. This is important for exercising because it prevents the feet from sweating, leading to dry skin or sore toes. The shoe’s high top also contains rocks, small pebbles, and dirt from getting into the shoe and potentially damaging your feet. The top of the shoe also protects your feet from zippers, strings, and shoelaces that could harm your feet.
Traction
Vans shoes have much more traction than your average sneakers. This is because it has a rubber sole that grips onto surfaces and gives us better control when lifting weights. The sole also keeps our shoes from slipping or sliding when we squat or push-ups. More traction means we can lift weights without worrying about the weight falling off our feet, resulting in injury if we lift hefty weights or potential harm if we are trying to get away from a surprise attack.
Versatile
There are many different Vans shoes, most of which are very versatile in their uses. Examples include the slip-on, canvas shoes, and the Sk8-His. The Sk8-His is particularly good for working out because they’re made to be worn without laces or straps, which means that your foot can slide right into the shoe and stop when you reach the natural stopping point around where your toes begin. The canvas shoe is also suitable for working out because they can hold up while walking or running a long distance, and they still feel comfortable when on their feet.
Durable
As you may have guessed, Vans was initially meant to be worn by skaters when they were on their boards. As a teenager, or if you still do, you’re likely to have worn these when skateboarding. While thrashing, you’re traveling in the lateral plane, which means that when you bail, your foot hits the ground lateral to inertia. This is something you may not know.
What does this imply? Vans’ lateral seam and toe box have to be extremely strong to withstand the opposing force; otherwise, the shoe would be destroyed. As a result, Vans were built to last. For lateral shear support, they are good. In other words, if you use Vans for lifting, they will last you a long time. Additionally, they can assist you in developing your lateral speed and agility as part of your overall training regimen.
Non-slip Sole
Many lifting shoes have a thin and slippery sole, making it challenging to maintain your grip. The Vans Classic Slip-on don’t provide the same level of traction as other shoes, but they do have a non-slip sole which is worth mentioning. The soles are made of gum rubber, and that’s a good thing. Gum rubber is sticky and tends to stick better than rubber or most other materials. If you have ever seen basketball players dribble in their shoes, you would know that gum rubber works well for this. So if you are doing heavy deadlifts or rows, the non-slip sole is a good thing and can improve your results.
Minimalism
Vans are flat with little padding. When it comes to losing weight or saving money, that’s a good thing. Minimizing your weight sounds like something contrary to lifting, but actually, it can make a big difference in some cases. For example, if you want to get bigger biceps, you want them solid and dense instead of fluffy and big. Heavy compound lifts can add a lot of bulk that may not be needed for strength purposes. Vans will not add any extra weight to the bar and will allow you to keep your biceps dense without all the extra bulk.
Low Weight
The Vans Classic Slip-on weighs around 250 grams, so they are one of the lightest lifting shoes available. The more lightweight the shoe, the less energetic your tendons and muscles will have to be to lift the same object. If you are lifting heavy weights, you want a lightweight lifting shoe or risk injuring your knees and back. Importance is not as crucial for squats because most of the stress is on your quads, but you do want an extremely lightweight shoe for deadlifts because the focus is on your back and legs.
Affordable
Lifters on a tight budget: which pair of lifting shoes would you prefer, a team that costs roughly $200 or a couple that costs less than half but does just as good a job?
Even though Vans aren’t the ideal shoes for lifting, they’ll do if you’re strapped for cash or only lift on rare occasions. Rather than having a lifter skip workout because they can’t afford “expensive” shoes, I’d rather have a lifter in Vans show up. Heck, Vans is the only brand of shoe I ever see people wearing, and it must be the most popular sneaker brand in the United States.
Comfort
Vans aren’t the most comfortable shoes. They come in all sizes, it’s not like they provide extra space in the toe box, and there’s no arch support. Vans are great gym shoes, but they’re not optimal for lifting. However, the lack of comfort isn’t that big of a deal because the shoes you wear don’t have to provide any arch support.
You may either get used to everything or have a shoe that accomplishes everything perfectly for your feet’ comfort. Having something that does what you need to do at the price you can afford is much better than having something uncomfortable but will do what you need it to do. Unless you’re more of a guy than I am, it doesn’t matter if the shoes are comfortable or not. For guys like me, the quality of the shoe isn’t as important because all we need to do is feel stable and secure.
You can check Vans size chart in this post
What Lifts Should You Avoid When Wearing Vans?
Vans, a type of shoe with rubber soles and canvas and leather uppers, are famous for athletes because they provide support but can still be worn casually. Many people, especially those participating in strength-building workouts such as CrossFit, choose to wear vans. However, many people have found that wearing vans can lead to injuries during the lifting phase of the movement.
When a person is lifting weights, the best shoes for them are either regular sneakers or lifts. Both sneakers and bangs can support the feet during exercises involving weight lifting or body squats. Regular sneakers are often referred to as “lifting shoes,” They can be worn anytime a gym-goer is lifting weights. However, more specific types of shoes are designed specifically for weightlifting instead of running or other activities. They offer additional support by reinforcing critical areas of the shoe, such as with an over-the-ankle design.
Lunges
Lunges are an excellent exercise because the movement targets your butt, thighs, and hamstrings. Lunges are great for toning and shaping these muscles. They also work your core (the power in your stomach) as you have to use it to balance.
It is essential to keep a straight back and not arch or curve your spine when lunging. Keep the front of your shoulders over the ankle of the bent leg (this will help you balance). The knee at the bottom of the lunge should be bent out over your ankle. This makes it easier to keep your balance. The back leg should be straight but never stiff – bend only at the knee and foot. Go as low and forward as you’re comfortable with.
Maintain balance by touching the floor with your fingertips if you need to and placing your hands on your hips (this will help you keep balanced). You can hold a dumbbell in each hand or a kettlebell in both hands to work more muscles (but not to add resistance). Maintain a straight back and avoid arching your back.
Type of Calf Exercise
To activate the calf muscles during calf raises (such as the downward dog, jump rope, standing wall calf stretch, seated calf raise, etc.), the toes are often bent. As a result, refrain from doing any of these activities while wearing Vans.
The shin bone is positioned parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the foot on each side. Bend only the knee joint, keep your back straight, and do not bend backward while doing this exercise. Do not attempt this calf raise practice if you find it challenging to maintain good posture when wearing Vans. To perform this exercise correctly, avoid using weights. Alternatively, you may use ankle weights to lift your feet more quickly.
Agility Exercises
To increase your speed and agility, perform various agility drills (dot drills, jump box drills, and lateral ply metric jumps). As a result, these exercises would be impossible to achieve in Vans; instead, train your agility in a pair of running shoes.
Another essential factor to consider is the flexibility of your toes. If they’re painfully stretched out, you’ll need to break them in before training your agility in Vans. The stretching process can cause your foot to feel quite heavy for the legs, so check that this is not a factor if you have any problems with leg pain.
Vans Shoes For Lifting Weights
Check out vans if you want a shoe that can handle any lifting workout. With a stable base and additional cushioning around the heel, this shoe is ideal for high-impact exercises such as weightlifting and powerlifting. There is more to these shoes than meets the eye, even though they are suitable for the gym. To understand why these shoes have become so popular among fitness buffs, let’s examine all of their advantages.
Vans Authentic Shoes
Just enough arch support is provided by the low-cut design and a heel rest that helps alleviate foot fatigue. The Vans Authentic is ideal for lifting because of its thin and light construction. They’re still built to last for a few years out of high-quality, long-lasting materials.
UltraCush padding in the footbed of this shoe provides additional cushioning and support for the most vulnerable areas of your feet. The firm yet pliable sole made of thick waffle rubber provides excellent lifter feedback.
Vans Sk8-Hi Shoes
The Vans Sk8-Hi Reissue Skate Shoes are one of the most famous Vans models, evoking the Old Skool Vans. Finally, a shoe appears good from every angle, whether from the side, front, or back. It has a thickly padded collar that provides excellent support and comfort for your ankles, keeping them safe while lifting. The Vans’ rubber soles are sturdy and durable, and they feature the famous Vans waffle design.
Vans Atwood Shoes
The low-top design of the Vans Atwood Shoes makes them lightweight and low-profile. It’s a throwback to the original classic Vans design, with its slimmer, understated look. The low-rise ankle collar is also cushioned to provide moderate support and comfort. You can also rest your toes on the padded tongue of these Vans.
The canvas upper features a double-stitched construction, which provides extra durability and longer service life. For this reason, the Vans Atwood Shoes are an excellent pick for lifters just starting and those who want a quality shoe at an affordable price.
FAQs
Are Vans Shoes comfortable?
Lifters will have an easier time finding a pair of shoes that fit correctly because Vans shoes run on the good-to-size side of the spectrum. When shopping, vans don’t come in half sizes, so keep that in mind. As a result, if you’re usually a size in between, I suggest going up a size. A size 11 would be appropriate for someone who usually wears an AU size 10 12 shoes.
How long are Vans Shoes expected to last?
Vans are pretty durable, but they are also susceptible to wear and tear due to their regular use. It depends on how much wear and tear you put on your Vans. Most Vans will last about two years, on average. A little upkeep here and there can extend that time frame.
Is squatting in Vans comfortable?
Although Vans’ durable soles are a plus, the firmness and flatness of the sole matter most when performing squats. To keep your foot as close as possible in contact with the ground, you need a firm and flat shoe. As a result of the shoes’ squishy soles, you can exert a lot of force against the floor while wearing Vans. This means that you won’t have any problems squatting if you’re wearing Vans. Squatting in a traditional lifting shoe, on the other hand, will yield a lower level of performance.
Is Lifting Barefoot or in Vans Better?
Barefoot lifting is a unique experience that any other type of shoe can’t match. Vans are known for their firm and flat soles, as previously stated. Even though this is a good idea, it isn’t relatively as stable as the ground itself. Many lifters I know use this method, which seems to work well for them. Just be aware that most gyms won’t permit this and will at the very least require you to wear socks. Vans are an excellent choice if your gym prohibits barefoot lifting.
Is Vans Allowed in the Gym?
Vans are perfectly acceptable footwear for the gym. In the gym, I also wear and use Vans. As you already know, Vans are great for working out, as evidenced by their popularity. Vans can be worn to the gym for the same reason.
Is Squatting Possible in a Vans?
Because of their flat and durable soles, Vans are excellent for squatting. Flat soles come in handy in squatting situations because we all know how important stability is. Because some athletes prefer the sensation of going barefoot, you can also get a similar effect and some protection by wearing Vans for your squats.