Yes, You can lift in Vans because Vans have firm and flat soles which provide protection and stability. So they are great for Squats and Lifting. They are also comfortable durable and slip-resistant. Lifting in Vans is a good choice. You can stop worrying about spending a lot of money on gym shoes.
In this article, we will discuss various aspects of lifting in Vans such as are Vans good for lifting, are Vans good workout or GYM shoes, and whether Vans for weightlifting or working out in Vans is a good idea. We will also mention some popular Vans lifting and workout shoes. Let’s dive in!
What Kind of Shoes Are Required for Lifting?
The majority of consumers who prioritize fitness do support purchasing a budget-friendly product. So, how significant is it to buy a footwear product designed to target the market of fitness and gyms?
In other words, do you require specific footwear to carry out your daily workouts?
The answer may appear a little congested, but it is not a necessity to purchase lifting shoes. However, it shall prove to be beneficial if you use it. Wearing casual shoes or slippers while working out might become a hindrance, and your performance might not reach its full potential. So, wearing shoes that can assist you in improving your routine can be a step towards achieving your goal!
In a short glance, Vans for lifting is an attractive idea if your budget agrees with it.
- It includes flat and stiff soles that are useful for leg days like squats and deadlifts
- They may prove to be better than running shoes and appear to be cheaper than general lifting shoes.
Requirements for Weight Lifting Shoes Include –
- 2.5cm raised heel for less forward trunk flexion angles; it also shifts the balance of the weight and lifter forward, which makes the torso stay more upright
- A stiff, non-compressible, and inflexible sole provides substantial support through the ground and more excellent stability.
- The broader base for improved stability
- Strong traction so that the feet don’t slip
- A very snug and comfortable fit, with maximum support from all angles so that the feet are secure and stable
- Feet are protected from accidental weight drops.
Let’s explore, can you lift in Vans?
Are Vans Good for Lifting?
Lifts such as squats, weightlifting, etc., need the perfect kind of footwear. To have a unique and lit experience while lifting, shoes are the most crucial thing.
We all are aware of the fact that Vans are good Skateboarding shoes but are they really good for lifting?
At the very least, Vans shoes are a perfect choice for beginners and people who enjoy doing casual lifts. They are better functioning than running shoes. Specialized lifting shoes costing makes their pockets hurt. Therefore, Vans are great for regular usages to do some casual liftings.
Vans have firmer soles than most shoes, assuring protection and are comforting to wear. Vans shoes are also easy to clean. You can always enjoy the fact of it being new.
The high tops of Vans are good support for ankles and your body stability. Although it isn’t required for lifting, a good option never hurts anyone. Vans are also easy to find in stores.
So are Vans good really for lifting as suggested by many people? Well Yes, lifting in vans is worth the price and worth choosing. Vans shoes work great for lifting.
What Makes Vans Good for Lifting?
The five features of Vans which are mentioned below prove precisely how Vans can be beneficial for lifting-
ZERO DROP
Since the ’60s, Vans has been marketed as a “zero drop.” The term means that the heel and the ball of your foot are at the same height. Where other shoes have a drop in the shoe’s sole from the heel to the toe, Vans shoes don’t have these anymore. This is a huge plus point for lifters as a no-drop sole provides excellent stability, maintaining the foot’s natural position. This feature makes Vans a good choice for lifting.
BREATHABLE
Vans are made of a superior quality canvas, which is a plain-woven fabric. This provides a very long-lasting and sturdy build, which keeps your foot secured in place while having a certain level of flexibility. What’s more, the fabric offers excellent breathability, which prevents the interior from overheating during heavy lifts.
DURABLE
Vans hold up great against wear and tear. Originally a skating shoe, they handle thrashing well according to their sturdy lateral seam and toe box, which can endure opposing forces. Not only are Vans renowned for lifting because of their guaranteed long life, but they can also help you add some agility training and lateral speed to your general workout routine.
FIRM, FLAT, NON-SLIP
The most significant Unique Selling Proposition of shoes for the department of weightlifting would be the firm, flat, and non-slip sole. Fortuitously, Vans have all three of these qualities.
Firm soles provide you with a solid and hard surface, making it easier to push up off the ground. It also offers friction and comfortable performance.
The increased friction of flat soles is essential while you are lifting as it supports you with a good, balanced surface to push up off when needed while boosting ground reaction force which gives you a more sturdy training response.
The brand’s signature honeycomb zero-slip sole is hard enough to let the wearer push against the ground in squats and deadlifts.
HIGH TOP OR LOW TOP
High-top shoes expand above the ankle and help to maintain the natural posture of the body. While, on the contrary, low top shoes keep the ankle comparatively open to enable additional flexibility
The advantage is that Vans are available in both high top and low top models, so you are free to choose the perfect fit for you depending on your style and the type of lifts you plan on performing.
You can also check our article, Can You Lift in Nike Blazers?
Are Vans Good for Weightlifting?
Weighlifting is a part of the overall lifting exercise. Vans are ideal for weightlifting for the same reasons it is good for lifting. Vans provide stability to the weightlifters through their flat and tough soles. So you can choose Vans for weightlifting.
Are Vans Good Lifting Shoes? Popular Vans Lifting Shoes
Vans shoes offer outstanding support with all-day-long convenience. The powerful combination of durability and finesse has made them one of the most popular shoes. Their signature waffle rubber outsoles are perfect for lifting weights; that is what makes them the best! Thus, allow me to present some of the best VANS shoes for weightlifting:
Vans Authentic Shoes–
The Vans Authentic Shoe is a globally desired shoe that poses a trendy flowing style. It has a classic canvas upper for comfort and durability.
The thick waffle rubber sole’s flexibility is enough to give outstanding feedback while lifting weights. It is prominently known for being featherweight and floaty, which makes them considerable for weightlifting.
The shoe also offers top-quality UltraCush padding in the insole, which protects your foot’s soles from foot fatigue and any unnecessary pain on the sensitive parts of your feet.
Vans Sk8-Hi Shoes-
The Vans Sk8-Hi is one of the most iconic shoes throughout the world. It was a neoteric style that took sneakers to a whole new level.
It offers a durable canvas, suede paper, and detailed side strips. The vulcanized waffle outsole provides stable friction on rough street surfaces, making them a lot more sturdy, which lasts a couple of years.
The high-top ankle is augmented with a well-padded collar that supports a high level of comfort in the insole, which helps during lifting. Lifting in Vans Sk8-Hi shoes gives a lot of protection for your ankles and avoids severe pain while lifting weights because of its high-top shoes.
Vans Atwood Shoes-
These have a sleek, aesthetic low-top style which contributes to an easy-going look. This shoe guarantees excellent comfort, traction, and durability. The signature waffle rubber outsole features a double-stitched upper for sturdiness.
The waffle rubber outsoles are also very grippy, which provides reliable traction for weightlifters. It has a very lightweight construction, and the metal eyelets present sufficient airing for the feet during weightlifting.
So these are some of the widely used Vans lifting shoes.
Are Vans Good Workout Shoes? Working out In Vans
Yes, vans shoes are quite good for working out making Vans good workout shoes.
These shoes are designed with a “zero drop” nature. “Zero drop” nature means, there is no drop from the toe to the heel of the shoe. This design makes a flat floor feel to the wearer. This flat feel gives stability to the feet. Moreover, this also keeps the natural positioning of the feet which is very much necessary for workout.
Furthermore, vans are designed with a non-slip sole. Although the non-slip sole of the vans doesn’t give firmness like that of a converse, it gives a decent firmness.
In addition, the lower ankle cut of vans provides the feet easiness while moving which is essential in exercise and training.
Besides, the lateral seam and the toe box is another important structure of vans that helps in workouts. This design holds up the opposing force on different surfaces.
Lastly, the durability of the shoe gives an overall layer to use it while physical exercises and workouts.
So can you workout in Vans? Absolutely yes.
Can You Wear Vans to the GYM?
Yes, you can definitely wear Vans to the GYM. I also wear and use Vans in the GYM. As you already know that Vans are good for working out. For the same reason, you can wear Vans to the GYM.
Different Types of Vans Shoes for Workout
Different sports demand different things, which come with diverse terrain and environments, so there are shoes for other sports explicitly built for what a sport demands.
Cross-training shoes-
- Have a little bit of everything; they give you some stability to move forward and backward and side to side, and while they aren’t as squishy as a running shoe, meaning you can lift in them.
- Cross-training includes most sports.
- Although not recommended for professional use, it can be used as a beginner for most sports.
Weight lifting shoes-
- High-heeled shoes are needed.
- Specific cushioning, supports, and reinforcements required
- Vans weightlifting shoes are not the best for weightlifting, but as they feature flat, rigid soles, they can be used for lifting.
Low budget lifting shoes
• Vans Old Skool Pro, Price- $86,
• Adidas Powerlift 4, price- $100,
• Reebok Lifter PR II, Price- $100,
Reebok Men’s Lifter Pr Cross-trainer Shoe
These shoes are 100% synthetic and have rubber soles. The measurement of its shaft is approximately low-top from the arch. These weightlifting sneakers have a full-grain leather toe. They also have an air mesh tongue on the upper for support and breathability; it also reduces moisture and heat build-up by anti-friction lining, therefore keeping you cool and dry.
Price: $61.00 – $144.57
Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Slip Resistant Work Shoe
These are 100% leather and consist of rubber soles. To address occupational needs, materials such as durable leather and synthetic overlays are provided. Even though these are designed to prevent slips, customers should always exercise caution on slippery surfaces. For additional comfort, they have a memory foam sock liner and midsole along with a lace-up front closure for relaxed feet and perforations for breathability.
Price: $35.66 + $42.87 shipping
VANS OLD SKOOL PRO
The Vans Old Skool Pro shoes have padded tongues and footbeds to make them comfortable. They also have removable inlets for easier cleaning and pro-Vulc lite. Additionally, they have the Vans ultra cush HD polyurethane-based soft sock liner. The pro version has vulcanized traditional gum rubber makeup. The toe box area of the old skool pro is meld with DURACAP rubber. The pro version also offers a broader range of colors and designs.
Price: $86
Are Vans Good for Squatting? Vans for Squatting
Vans are good for squatting because of their flat and tough soles. As we all know the importance of stability while squatting, flat soles really come in handy in such situations. So instead of going barefoot which some athletes prefer, you can try Vans for squatting which will give you a similar feeling as well as some protection.
Are Vans Affordable?
Now here’s the reality- No matter how many pros and cons there’re of a product, it all comes down to the price. Unless you’re Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, money will always be the make-or-break factor!
Considering everything, a pair of Vans can be the go-to for lifters on a budget or those who only lift occasionally and aren’t professionals. Vans are considerably better than running shoes when it comes to lifting, and it costs significantly less than specialized lifting shoes. While traditional lifting shoes are pretty expensive (which is expected, since they’re made with better and specialized materials), you can get a good pair of Vans for about half the price!.
There’s an upside and a downside to wearing Vans. While it’s a cheaper alternative, it gives the best experience as specialized lifting shoes do. A pair of Vans would work, just not as well as the traditional lifting shoes. So, Vans is ideal for those who are searching for budget-friendly casual lifters. In short, those who want to have a better experience end up emptying their wallet on their footwear.
What differentiates a lifting shoe from a standard sneaker?
As stated earlier, different shoes are made for particular purposes. Thus, a lifting shoe is professionally designed to make your experience of lifting better. They have no magical features, but the following characteristics indeed make it possible for you to lift more weight than you could in an ordinary sneaker:
STABILITY
Weightlifting shoes are more stable than any regular shoes, both around and under your foot. They will make you feel locked into the proper position and cemented to the ground without your toes spilling over the sides. This firmness can additionally provide more power transfer than usual.
THE WEIGHT AND FLATNESS
Compared to an ordinary sneaker, lifting footwears usually are heavier, with a flat sole and usually a type of midfoot straps for a regular fit. They assist you in generating more area through the ground so that you can pull something heavy even higher.
HIGH HEEL
These shoes have a raised heel made of rugged, non-compressible material. This is the main benefit of these shoes, as it lets you squat into a deeper position via improved mechanical angles and increased range of ankle motion. And unlike squish-able soles, firm/con-compressible soles allow you to push up off the ground quickly.
DURABILITY
Mainly, weightlifting shoes are manufactured with high-quality material that is extra durable and makes your investment worth it.
Indeed, any sneaker is entirely fitted for your casual walk or jogging. But regarding flexure and extension in exercise, we should always keep in mind to make the best out of our efforts. That is where lifting shoes help!
These shoes have been around since a long time ago, mainly used by competitive Olympic weightlifters and powerlifters to support transferring heavyweights around.
Which lifts to avoid while wearing Vans?
Even though we’ve seen that Vans are advisable for lifting, some lifts should be avoided while wearing Vans. Let us review which lifts they are and why we should avoid them.
– Lunges: Lunges are one of the top lifts that should be avoided while lifting in Vans because while lunging, a considerable part of the exercise focuses on bending the foot on the toe. Vans are not structured to endure this work. Hence the workload will be bad for the shoe as well as the feet of the person lifting.
– Any Type of Calf Raise: Calf Raises also often require you to bend your feet on the toe to activate your calf muscles. Wearing Vans for this kind of lifting is restricted for similar reasons as for lunges.
– Agility Exercises: Many agility exercises require a person to move around very quickly and stand on their toes. Because of these reasons, the Vans shoes specialized for lifting are said to be avoided during these lifts. The Vans running shoes fit the criteria well and are advised for this lift.
Which lifts are possible while wearing Vans?
Vans shoes are featured with firm, non-slip, squishy, and flat soles, which allows you to create more pressure on the ground while working out. Because of this, many lifts are possible while wearing Vans, including Squats and Deadlifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people wear Vans while lifting?
One of the biggest reasons people lift in Vans is the soles. The stability and compression resistance that Vans offer are unmet by most training and running shoes. The zero-drop construction also appeals to the consumers. Last but not least, Vans are much more price-friendly than other lifting shoes.
Are Vans gym-friendly?
Some gyms make it compulsory for people to wear clean shoes or at least socks. And even if they don’t, some people like to wear shoes in the gym for safety and hygiene purposes. If you’re going for lifts and squats only, then Vans would be a good choice in the gym. But activities like running would not be advisable in Vans because they’re not made for it.
Are Vans suitable for squatting?
The non-compressible, durable, flat, and firm soles are exemplary for squats. The rubber waffle outsoles also prevent the user from slipping.
How long do Vans shoes last?
Generally, Vans are pretty durable. With a bit of maintenance, a good pair of Vans can last for over two years.
Summary
Therefore we arrive at a valid assumption, considering the design and reviews made by the majority of the consumers who are casually looking for fine lifting shoes within a low budget indicate that Vans shoes can be used for lifting. Still, there can be better lifting shoes as well.
For squats and deadlifts, flat, rigid soles are required, unlike running shoes or Basketball shoes which require tons of cushioning. So, Flat shoes are more appropriate for lifting.
Moreover, Vans shoe is not expensive like other specialized lifting shoes, making them ideal for casual lifters. However, competitive powerlifters may have better options.
In conclusion, we can say that Vans lifting shoes are a great choice. Nonetheless, some Vans products should be avoided while uplifting. So what are your thoughts on lifting in Vans? Let us know in the comments.