The Legacy Lifter 3’s midsole is built with a TPU so it will give you a “denser” feel when squatting and will have a tiny bit less compression than the high-density EVA in the Lifter PR 3. That being said, though, I don’t think most athletes will notice a difference. The construction of the Reebok Lifter PR II is consistent and delivers a strong performance for a variety of training contexts. This model features a high-density EVA foam midsole that does a good job of resisting compression and providing stability. Coaching Tip: If you’re brand new to weightlifting shoes, I’d suggest wearing them for training sessions where you’re working on sub-maximal loads to get used to this style of footwear as opposed to going super heavy right away. If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Reebok LEgacy Lifter III, drop a comment below and I can help you out accordingly. Price Breakdown

Once broken in, the toe box in this model also feels good and delivers a nice level of maneuverability for different training settings. Size-wise, this shoe’s toe box airs on the neutral side and is slightly wider than other weightlifting shoes on the market. Third and lastly, this shoe’s high-density EVA foam midsole’s stability should be plenty fine for beginners. When squatting up to 3 plates and more and when cleaning over 250 lbs, I never had issues with the stability in this model.

Reebok Legacy Lifter 3 Vs Reebok Lifter PR 3 Price

The Lifter PR 3 can be a great option for beginners getting into weightlifting shoes as they have a lower price point and heel-to-toe drop to help newer lifters acclimated to heel elevated shoes.

The first thing to like about the Reebok Lifter PR 3 is that they can be a good beginner weightlifting shoe for three key reasons. First, they have a lower price point which makes them a little more inclusive for a wider range of lifters.You’ll see a combination of three types of closure systems on weightlifting shoes. Almost all of them have laces and midfoot velcro straps, but some have an additional closure mechanism called BOA. BOA is a third-party supplier of shoe technology, specifically a dial closure system that allows you to achieve a superbly snug fit compared to just laces and/or velcro. A weightlifting shoe will have anywhere from .5 inches to 1 inch of heel elevation, which puts the foot into a plantarflexed position when wearing these shoes. Plantarflexion means that your toes are flexed downwards below the heel (dorsiflexion is flexing upwards). The Reebok Lifter PR 3 can be a viable weightlifting shoe for beginner and intermediate athletes wanting a consistent shoe that’s stable for their squats, weightlifting, and strength sessions. Having around a half inch of space will typically give you enough room in the toe box to not feel cramped, but it will also allow you to tighten your shoes enough to prevent sliding into the toe box when training. The heel height (blast) is the core element of every weightlifter shoe. Most models have a heel height of about 0.7". This corresponds to a blast of 17 millimeters.

For example, someone who struggles with ankle dorsiflexion, and thus struggles to squat to full depth and receive the barbell in the correct position during a clean or snatch, would benefit from weightlifting shoes with a higher heel.

Takeaway Thoughts

The TPU heel and midsole in this shoe deliver a high level of stability and the full rubber outsole has adequation traction for different surfaces. For heavy squats, machine work, and cleans, the Legacy Lifter III has performed well. In the context of using the Reebok Lifter PR II for squats, I think most lifters and athletes will enjoy their performance. This model comes with a good amount of stability and should work for most lifters.

So to answer the question—what do weightlifting shoes do?—it depends on what type of lifting shoes you buy. Do You Need Weightlifting Shoes? This model features a full rubber outsole with a ribbed tread pattern that is consistent with the Reebok Lifter PR 2. Whether you’re training on wooden platforms, rubber gym floors, or machines, you shouldn’t experience slip issues in this model.

Reebok Lifter PR II - Men's 

Since weightlifting shoes have a higher price point and increased level of specificity to their constructions, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re investing in a shoe that best aligns with your needs. Using a tempo can also be great to help you “feel” the difference when wearing these shoes compared to your normal workout shoes. Will Weightlifting Shoes Help My Squat?