What footwear do you wear for squats?

[speedmachine]

I've always worn flat soled tennis shoes for doing squats. Now that my current pair are pretty worn I'm looking to get something new. Half the internet seems to swear by Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars. Anyone here find them good for squats? Do provid any arch support? Alternatively does anyone here where specialist weightlifting shoes such as Adidas Adistars? At around £150 I can't see my self buying. Are there any cheaper alternatives available here in the UK? I don't know any shops where I can actually try a pair on.

[didelydoo]

I wear tescos version of cons for lowbar (£5.00 a pair) and weight lifting shoes for high bar (got mine here https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/clothing/lifting-sh... )

Depends on your tech and what's comfy.

[Hiromitsu11]

Whats the opinion on squatting and deadlifting bare footed?

That is what I've been doing and just wondering if it could be the reason for the lateral knee pain i'm suffering

[LordGrover]

I wear either Converse All Stars or Vibram FiveFingers.
Neither offer any 'support' as such but are very comfortable and feel very safe.

Bare feet are frowned upon in most gyms for good reason. I wish they were as concerned about people wearing their gym footwear outside but you can't have it all.

[Hiromitsu11]

LordGrover said:

I wear either Converse All Stars or Vibram FiveFingers.
Neither offer any 'support' as such but are very comfortable and feel very safe.

Bare feet are frowned upon in most gyms for good reason. I wish they were as concerned about people wearing their gym footwear outside but you can't have it all.

I'm working out at home so that isn't an issue

[br d]

I wear flats for squatting, the Lonsdale boxing training ones.
I occassionally forget and start squatting in normal trainers and find it very uncomfortable on my hips and knees.

[didelydoo]

Hiromitsu11 said:

Whats the opinion on squatting and deadlifting bare footed?

That is what I've been doing and just wondering if it could be the reason for the lateral knee pain i'm suffering

I wouldn't have thought it'd be the cause of pain (shouldn't be?). I've tried it bare foot but prefer my fake cons.

[Easty-5]

Vibram 5 finger Bikilas.

These to be precise - http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fin...

They are excellent.

[Hoofy]

FWIW, I do it bare footed at home but prefer flat hard soles in the gym. I only do Bulgarian squats which requires more balance (as you're on one foot!) so having shoes that have a wide but firm base are useful. They are £7 trainers from Tesco hence poor shock absorption ie hard base.

[XG332]

[Hoofy]

[Bolognese]

^^^^^

[MacGee]

XG332 said:

how come you have my squatting shoes?

[speedmachine]

didelydoo said:

I wear tescos version of cons for lowbar (£5.00 a pair) and weight lifting shoes for high bar (got mine here https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/clothing/lifting-sh... )

Depends on your tech and what's comfy.

Thanks didelydoo. Had a look in town today and found a couple of shops selling Converse All Stars and tried them on. They don't seem very supportive though. Can get them from Amazon for around £30 so might give them a go. I tends squat slightly below parralel. Which shoes from the Strenghshop in the link above do you use?

I've also seen these

http://www.bournesports.com/do-win-zhu-zai-weightl...

Never squatting with shoes with chunky heal but I'm guess this helps squat deepers especially if your hamstrings aren't that flexible?

[speedmachine]

LordGrover said:

I wear either Converse All Stars or Vibram FiveFingers.
Neither offer any 'support' as such but are very comfortable and feel very safe.

Bare feet are frowned upon in most gyms for good reason. I wish they were as concerned about people wearing their gym footwear outside but you can't have it all.

Are your Converse All Stars the high (boot) style on low style?

[XG332]

MacGee said:

XG332 said:

how come you have my squatting shoes?

So that we match when we squat together.

[didelydoo]

speedmachine said:

Thanks didelydoo. Had a look in town today and found a couple of shops selling Converse All Stars and tried them on. They don't seem very supportive though. Can get them from Amazon for around £30 so might give them a go. I tends squat slightly below parralel. Which shoes from the Strenghshop in the link above do you use?

I've also seen these

http://www.bournesports.com/do-win-zhu-zai-weightl...

Never squatting with shoes with chunky heal but I'm guess this helps squat deepers especially if your hamstrings aren't that flexible?

I don't really think you need any support in your foot/ankle- I never have and haven't had any issues. I just like a flat sole. Re the strength shop link- I got lions, but either are great shoes. Do-win weight lifting shoes are good too, similar to the lions.

[LordGrover]

speedmachine said:

Are your Converse All Stars the high (boot) style on low style?

I didn't know there were different types.

Like these: click.

I don't lace the top couple of eyes though, so maybe the lower stylee may've been a better bet?

[Ordinary_Chap]

Hiromitsu11 said:

Whats the opinion on squatting and deadlifting bare footed?

That is what I've been doing and just wondering if it could be the reason for the lateral knee pain i'm suffering

I always do it bare foot when I go heavy, I personally find it far more comfortable.

[Mojooo]

I am currently working out indoors and do it barefooted.

In the sumemr I work out on my sandstone patio and I wear socks which give me some grip - by the end of the workout the feet can start sweating and cause slippage so you need to know when thet time has come - usually I finish my workout by that time anyway.