Nike Romaleos 3 weight lifting shoe Review
If you want to be successful, you need a few things – self-discipline, hard work, the ability to adapt, good coaching, and tools that will help you achieve your goals. When it comes to weight lifting, one of the most important and basic tools is a good shoe.
Although a good weight lifting shoe is not going to make or break your effort, it can definitely give you a boost.
Because of this, it would not be a bad idea to think about investing in a high-quality lifting shoe.
The first step, is knowing what you’re looking for. And, I’m going to let you know my thoughts and experiences.
Nike has been making lifting shoes for a few years now. And, with Nike, you just can’t go wrong (usually).
Today, we are talking about one of the most popular shoes for weight lifting, the Nike Romaleos 3. So, keep reading to find out more.
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Why you should consider the Romaleos 3:
-The weight is greatly reduced when compared to the Romaleos 2, so you will feel lighter on your feet.
-They offer great support and stability, making them ideal for any weightlifting discipline.
-The materials used in making this shoe, make the shoe more breathable.
-With the solid rubber sole, you get excellent traction during explosive movements.
-The Flywire locking system keeps your feet in a place all the time, so you feel secure during lifts.
About the shoe
The original Romaleos were released right before the Beijing Olympic Games. They were heavy, somewhat comfortable, and very durable.
Then, in 2012, before the London Olympics, the second Romaleos series was released – the very well-known, Romaleos 2.
The Romaleos 2 was more comfortable, more flexible, and much lighter than its predecessor. Because of this, the Romaleos 2 reached a peak of popularity, and is still a favorite among many athletes.
But, even though the Romaleos 2’s were lighter than the 1’s, they were still thought of as a heavy shoe among many athletes (especially CrossFitters).
Now we have the Nike Romaleos 3…
Nike is one of the best sports equipment brands in the world, and with good reasons. They are constantly working on the improvement, and delivering what people need and want.
One of the things that athletes and fitness enthusiasts needed was a lifting shoe with stability but less weight – so, in the Nike Romaleos 3’s, that was delivered.
The next generation Nike weightlifting shoe is a training shoe designed for everyone who lifts weights, regardless of the discipline. But, is it right for everyone…
Let’s take a closer look at the Nike Romaleos 3
Construction and Appearance
First of all, they are designed to be durable. However, the word on the street is, they may not be as durable as the earlier editions, so you might have to replace them earlier than you expect. I have only been wearing mine for a few months, and have noticed zero wear. I will update this post if that changes.
Second, this shoe is built with support and comfort in mind. Everything about this shoe, from outsole to sole, to materials, is designed to give your feet what they need for lifting. Compared to the Romaleos 2, this model is sleeker (in my opinion) and Nike claims they are better built. I will update this if I notice otherwise.
The upper synthetic material is designed to give your feet breathability. The toe area feels more like leather, while the back of the shoe feels like fabric. This helps the shoe to be not as bulky as the Romaleos 2.
The toe box is pretty tight, but you are still able to move your toes, which is what you want in a weight lifting shoe. You don’t want your feet to move, or feet sloppy in these shoes.
That being said, these shoes are pretty narrow, which isn’t normal for Nikes. I have a pretty wide foot, so having a narrower shoe has taken some getting used to. For lifting shoes, I thinks it’s good to have your feet really tight in the shoe, they just have to be comfortable enough to lift in. And these are comfortable, even though they are narrower than most of my other Nikes.
Much like other Nike training models, these also feature the Flywire lacing system. When lifting, it is important to have a shoe that fits you tight, and offers support. This system helps prevent your feet from moving in the shoe. You also get the extra set of eyelets if you want to use lace lock (I haven’t felt the need to use this).
How about the looks… This shoe has a nice-looking design, and you can get some pretty sweet color combinations.
Compared to its predecessors, this shoe is much lighter, weighing only 12.02 oz. without the insoles. To help you get a better picture, this is a regular weight for a training shoe.
But, then again, you will wear the shoe with the insole, so the shoe will weigh a bit more.
Now, this is where you get the options. Namely, the shoe comes with two insoles – a firm insole and softer one. That way, you can adjust it to your needs, or desires…
With the softer insole, the shoe will weigh 13.04 oz., while with the firm one it will weigh about 15.04 oz. Either way, the weight of the shoe is greatly reduced compared to the previous models.
Now, you may be wondering why you would need two insoles, and what they are meant for.
Well, the softer insole is ideal for CrossFit, so that you can do CrossFit workouts with a lighter, and more comfortable shoe.
While, on the other hand, a firm insole is designed for weight lifting purists, giving you a more solid feeling for lifting weights more confidently and securely.
The next thing to talk about is the heel. It is 20mm, making it great for weight lifting. You will feel like it’s much easier to get into the bottom of your squat during range of motion limiting movements (overhead squats, snatches, push jerks, etc.).
In fact, I PR’d my overhead squat the first time I used the Romaleos 3’s. They feel great when I have the bar overhead.
In addition, the heel has a honeycomb TPU plate. The plate is designed in such a way that it looks like a honeycomb (obviously), cutting down the weight of the shoe. The pylons are placed all over the heel, to give it a firm structure and to offer you stability.
As far as the outsole, it is made of tacky materials, so as to stick to the rubber floor and lifting platforms.
Price
If you’ve been into lifting, or CrossFit for any period of time, then you’ve come to expect a hefty price tag for shoes.
It should be noted, that if you are interested in performing at your best, and want to give yourself all the advantages possible, you should have lifting shoes.
So, the Romaleos 3 costs about $200, and the price doesn’t differ much from other weightlifting shoes.
However, it could be possible to find anything on sale, or pick up a pair used, if you’re on a budget.
Are there downsides to the Nike Romaleos 3
All in all, this shoe doesn’t offer as much stability as the Romaleos 2, due to its different design, and lighter weight.
However, that part could be compensated for by features such as being lightweight and having added breathability.
Being lightweight is a huge upside for me, and why I chose the 3’s over the 2’s.
Lastly, as I just mentioned, this shoe is a bit pricey. And, it would be silly to spend a bunch of money on a shoe only to find out that it doesn’t do what you expected it to, right?
Because of that, I would highly suggest trying on any lifting shoe before buying it, or being comfortable returning them, if they don’t feel right for you.
Usually someone at your gym will already have a pair of these shoes that you can wear for a few sets. Give them a try.
Recap
Pros:
-Gives you flexibility and comfort
-Breathable
-Honeycomb TPU plate
-Dynamic lockdown
-Provides excellent support & stability (although less than the 2’s)
-Two interchangeable soles (firm and softer)
-Lightweight design
-Nice-looking
-Great traction
Cons:
-Expensive
-Not as stable as the Romaleos 2
Final thoughts on the Nike Romaleos 3
And there you have it, folks – all I have to say about the Nike Romaleos 3. I hope that this article has helped you decide whether or not this shoe is something you would like to have.
If yes, then I would really appreciate you clicking through any of my links, as it will help me to continue running this blog.
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Other helpful links
Why Weightlifting Shoes are Gaining Ground
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