Are Vans Good For Lifting?

When you step foot in a gym and see people lifting weights, or exercising in general for that matter, you’ll see that generally, they all seem to be dressed very similarly.

 People will wear sweatpants, shorts, and typical workout apparel, along with running shoes on their feet, even if they aren’t running.

When you see powerlifters, or people generally lifting heavy weights, you’ll notice that more and more of them are wearing Vans. But are Vans good for lifting?

When you see Vans footwear, you’d be forgiven for not immediately thinking of the gym and heavy weights.

Despite that, however, it turns out that more and more gymgoers and lifters are using these shoes for training, and not just for aesthetic purposes.

Wearing the right footwear when exercising is essential. It’s why runners wear running shoes, why golfers wear golfing shoes, bowlers wear bowling shoes, and so on.

Vans were not specifically designed for weightlifting, but it turns out that they may be surprisingly beneficial.

If so, then what makes Vans so beneficial and are they as effective as say, squatting barefoot or with powerlifting footwear? Keep reading for the answer.

What Are Vans?

When people think of Vans footwear, generally they don’t picture huge meathead powerlifters or strength athletes.

They generally picture skateboarders and for good reason.

Though anybody can wear Vans shoes and footwear, initially the shoes were created for skateboarders.

Vans specializes in skateboarding shoes and apparel.

The company was established in Anaheim, California, and is commonly associated with skateboarding, surfing, BMX, snowboarding, Moto X, and other extreme adrenaline sports.

Vans shoes are renowned for their comfort, unique style, and their collectability as well.

One other thing that sets Vans apart from other types of footwear, however, is the fact that they are flat.

The consensus, however, is that, yes, Vans are good for lifting, though there is still a lot to learn first.

Are Vans Good For Lifting?

Whereas most lifters in the gym will wear running shoes, powerlifting shoes, or even train barefoot, we’ve lately been seeing more and more lifters executing big, complex, compound lifts while wearing Vans.

Well, generally, the answer to that question is yes.

Even though Vans was initially designed with skateboarders in mind, it turns out that the shoes have a unique design that makes them very good for lifting weights in the gym.

While Vans will offer no additional strength or benefits for simple exercises like bicep curls, for compound exercises such as squats and deadlifts, they certainly can, and do, offer a wide range of advantages that will help lifters with their form and their power.

It doesn’t matter whether they’re high tops, low tops, or slip-ons, Vans offers a wide waffle outsole tread, a zero drop design (more on that shortly), comfort, durability, and stability.

As you can see, it isn’t just skateboarders that can benefit from these awesome shoes.

If you’re training as a bodybuilder, I.E. with aesthetics in mind, you probably won’t benefit all that much from Vans, Converse for lifting, or any similar footwear.

If however, you’re training with explosive strength and power in mind, these types of shoes could offer you a wide range of different benefits.

Why Are Vans Good For Lifting?

Okay, the answer to that question is a big, fat yes. What we haven’t done yet, though, is explain why Vans are so beneficial for lifting weights and building strength and power.

Here’s a look at several reasons why Vans are good for lifting.

Vans are ‘Zero Drop’

When people talk about the benefits of wearing Vans for lifting weights, you will probably notice the fact that ‘Zero Drop’ is a phrase that is used a lot to describe why they’re so beneficial, but what does zero drop mean?

Vans have a 0mm heel-to-toe drop.

This means that they have no drop in the soles of the shoes from the toes to the heel. This means that they’re great for added stability and leg drive on certain lifts.

Just be aware, that a zero-drop design is not needed for every lift.

More lifts than not would benefit from a bit of a drop in the sole.

Flat soles are NOT needed for every lift and anybody who tries to tell you otherwise is either lying or is very misinformed.

Some exercises, such as squats and deadlifts, can benefit from these designs because having flat feet means that you can plant your feet firmly on the ground, maintain stability, and generate more power from your legs.

Depending on your body mechanics, having less of a drop and a flatter sole means that you’re more likely to execute the lift more efficiently.

As for bodybuilding, the main benefit of training with flat soles such as Vans is the fact that you can bring your knees further forwards naturally, and execute better form.

This isn’t essential, but it is certainly beneficial.

So, if you’ve ever wondered why people sometimes train barefoot when deadlifting and squatting, now you have the answer.

Wearing Vans is more beneficial than going barefoot, and is also safer as well.

Vans Has a Very Stable Sole

As we’re talking about the many lifting benefits associated with Vans, you’re going to hear us talking about the soles of these shoes a lot.

You can tell a lot about a shoe by looking at its sole. If it is thin, flimsy, and poorly designed, it will come apart quickly and you’ll wish you’d spent a bit more on a decent product instead.

On the flip side, if the shoes are good quality they’ll have thick and durable soles. Well, Vans certainly have those.

Depending on the style of Vans that you get, you’ll find that, generally, these shoes have thick, durable, waffle tread soles.

This rubber waffle outsole tread design is somewhat synonymous with Vans and shows you that you’re getting a fantastic product for the money you’re spending.

Most training shoes and running shoes offer thick and dense midsoles made from foam.

These are ironically designed to provide comfort and support, yet they collapse under heavy weight and compression.

This can then lead to foot pain, impingements, balance issues, and much more besides.

Vans soles are made from durable vulcanized rubber and can therefore withstand compression, regardless of your size, your gait, or how much you are lifting.

This stable and durable sole, combined with a thin insole, means that with Vans you are getting a high-quality piece of footwear that not only looks great, but that also feels great too, especially when you’re pumping iron.

For any weight-bearing exercises such as squats, cleans, presses, or for exercises requiring ankle stability, I.E. deadlifts.

Vans Look Cool

Okay, you could argue that how they look shouldn’t actually make much of a difference, but for some people that’s not necessarily the case.

People are willing to spend big money on workout attire so that they look great and feel great when training and the same can be said for footwear as well.

Sure, wearing a cool-looking set of Vans will not offer any strength-boosting benefits from a physical perspective, but mentally it just might.

If you look great you feel great, and if you feel great, you’ll be more driven and motivated and will likely train a little bit harder.

Vans shoes look fantastic and come in a wide range of styles, colors, patterns, and designs. If you want to look the part when training, Vans are the shoes for you.

Oh, and as a side note, you don’t need to dress like a skater to wear Vans either.

Vans Are Very Grippy

When you’re lifting weights, it doesn’t matter if you’re lifting 50 pounds or 500 pounds, safety must always, always be your main priority.

Lifting weights is a serious business.

If you aren’t safe you run the risk of suffering an injury, or even possibly losing your life.

Yes, it is that serious.

When you’re lifting heavy weights you need to ensure that you’re stable and secure.

One slip, trip, or wobble and you could wind up with several hundred pounds crashing down on top of you.

This is where Vans are so useful for lifting weights.

Because of the thick waffle tread rubber soles on Vans, as well as the thick outsole design as well, Vans are very grippy.

The last thing you want is to slip over a patch of sweat or water on the gym mats when you’ve got a barbell over your head or behind your neck, which is why Vans is a great choice.

The waffle tread design, the thickness, the fact that they are zero drops, and the material they’re made from, mean that the treads and soles on Vans are amongst the grippiest that you could ever wish for.

The soles work well on different surfaces which is why they’re so great for skateboarding. They’re also great for different fitness environments.

Whether you’re lifting on thin mats, thick mats, carpet, grass, astroturf, or a deadlift platform, you needn’t worry about slipping and losing your balance with a pair of Vans on your feet.

Vans Are Cost-effective

Let’s be real here, in a time where inflation and energy prices are out of control, and where interest rates keep getting hiked every few months, we all need to be careful with how much we’re spending.

This is where Vans comes into their own.

If you were to invest in a pair of lifting shoes, you would need to spend a heck of a lot of money, especially on a high-spec pair.

If you want the benefits of lifting shoes, however, along with an eye-catching design, Vans are perfect.

A typical pair of Vans will come in considerably less than $100, which is much more affordable than a pair of lifting shoes, powerlifting shoes, or CrossFit shoes.

If you are on a budget or are perhaps thinking of upgrading to a pair of lifting shoes in the future, a decent pair of Vans will help you get an idea of whether or not it’s worth upgrading in the future.

Vans Help Your Feet Breathe

When you’re lifting weights, especially in the summer during a spell of very hot weather, the last thing you want is to suffer with sweaty, swollen, damp feet.

Not only can having damp feet put you off and distract you from training, but it can also lead to possible health issues.

This is another reason why Vans are so beneficial.

Vans are made from a breathable material that allows your feet to breathe, rather than become damp and sweaty. Not only is this more comfortable, but it also means that they promote more mobility as well.

Vans Are Durable

When you lift weights regularly, your feet take a surprising amount of punishment. Add to this, the fact that you sweat so much when training, and you can see why cheap footwear doesn’t last long for lifters.

Vans, however, is made by an established brand with a proven track record for providing high-quality footwear.

This means that your feet are well protected, are comfortable, and it means that the footwear will last for longer.

You bet they are, especially when you consider just how durable they are. A decent pair of Vans will last years if you look after them, and will withstand even the toughest of workouts.

Vans Are Comfortable

Finally, the last reason why people consider Vans to be so fantastic for people lifting weights is that they are so comfortable.

Honestly, if you’ve never worn a pair of Vans before, you’re missing out because they are honestly amongst the most comfortable shoes you could ever wish for.

For lifting, this is of course beneficial because it means that you can train comfortably and focus on the lift, rather than thinking about how painful and uncomfortable your feet are.

Are Vans Good For Squatting?

Yes, they are, as we have already established.

The next thing to establish, however, is which exercises can benefit the most.

When people wear Vans for lifting, they typically perform heavy compound exercises. Compound exercises are ones that hit multiple muscle groups at the same time.

When it comes to compound lifts, there is one that is considered king, and that lift is the squat.

Squats are a must for functional strength and fitness and are included in virtually every leg workout you can imagine.

Squats build muscle, strength, power, and stability, yet they must be performed correctly and safely if we wish to benefit. This is where wearing a pair of Vans would be so useful.

Vans are great for squats because they have thick soles, flat soles, and grippy treads for added stability.

When you squat in Vans, you can get added depth without having to worry about slipping or losing your footing or balance, especially with a heavy barbell behind your neck resting on your traps.

Just be aware, that if you do suffer from ankle mobility issues, Vans while squatting may not be the best choice as having your feet flat and firmly on the ground will make it harder to hit depth.

If however, your ankle mobility is fine, go ahead and throw on those Vans and you’ll be amazed by just how much of a difference they will make to your squats.

We aren’t saying you’ll add 100 pounds to your squat by just switching to Vans, but you should gradually be able to squat more and execute perfect form if you do wear Vans while squatting.

Are Vans Good For Deadlifting?

The deadlift is arguably the most popular gym lift performed at the moment, and for good reason. Deadlifts are great for working your legs and back, as well as overall strength and power. It is perhaps the ultimate test of strength, which is why the exercise gets so much attention.

Ever since Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall became the first man in history to deadlift 500kg, the stock of this exercise has increased dramatically.

Now we have Thor Bjornsson having lifted 501kg, and guys like Larry Wheels, John Haack, and Jamal Browner showcasing their lifts on social media, and it’s easy to understand why people are so desperate to bring up their deadlifts.

That’s all well and good, but will wearing a pair of Vans shoes help you to deadlift more weight?

Well, the answer is yes.

A lot of the time, you’ll see people deadlifting barefoot, or in socks.

That’s because they want to get their feet as close to the ground as possible to anchor themselves in place and allow them to generate more power for the lift.

As Vans have a zero drop sole, they are essentially flat, which means that they’re a solid choice as deadlifting shoes.

Not only that, but as we previously mentioned, the shoes do not compress under heavy loads which means that they’re great for heavy days, or even for days when you’re chasing a 1 rep max PR.

The rubber outer sole is also beneficial for added traction when performing sumo deadlifts with a wide stance.

Are Vans Good For CrossFit?

While Vans are extremely beneficial for people lifting weights and performing static movements such as squats or deadlifts, Vans are not ideal for people who take part in CrossFit workouts.

While some CrossFit workouts or WODs (Workouts of the Day) incorporate static movements, a lot of the time they will also incorporate explosive movements and exercises, which require you to be fast on your feet.

A burpee in Vans, for example, is not ideal because the shoes are so grippy and you want them to glide on the floor.

Exercises requiring you to jump, rebound, run, hop, or skip are much better suited for people wearing running shoes rather than Vans.

You can even find shoes designed specifically for CrossFit, so naturally, they would be the best choice.

What Are The Best Vans For Lifting Weights?

While we won’t be reviewing Vans today, what we can do very quickly, is provide a brief overview of the best Vans for lifting weights.

If you’re looking for a pair of Vans to help you push or pull more iron, the following should be very useful indeed:

• Vans Authentic
• Vans Sk8-Hi
• Vans Atwood

Can You Run In Vans?

As we’re looking at ‘Are Vans good for lifting?’

We’ve already established that they are. Does this mean, therefore, that Vans can also be worn for doing other types of exercise such as running? Well, not really.

Vans are ideal for some weightlifting exercises, but they are not suitable for running.

Vans will feel too heavy, grippy, and clunky on the feet and are therefore detrimental to runners.

If you want to take up running you should pick up a good quality pair of running shoes instead.

Final Thoughts:

As you can see, Vans are not only okay for lifting, but they are also very beneficial for lifting.

If you’re looking to improve your squat or deadlift, or simply to lift a little safer, and a little heavier in the process, a pair of Vans on your feet will give you exactly what you need.

They’re comfortable, they grip the floor, they don’t compress under heavy weight, and they help your feet to breathe.