Power shoes...

        I would like to make a comment on lifting (squat) shoes (will talk another time on the footwear for deadlifters and bench pressing). Every sport (and I mean every sport) has a little different requirement for footwear, that is why we have specialty shoes available to all athletes of every persuasion. In powerlifting the main concerns are ankle support, traction (no slippage) and lightness (with strength you should not feel like your feet are stuck in mud when walking with the weight).

        I have sold, at one time or the other just about every weightlifting shoe that has been available over the past 20 plus years. There seemed to be a deficiency in all of them of some type or the other. All were either developed for olympic lifting, or field olympic events or were converted shoes from another sport. So we at CRAIN'S decided to start from scratch and develop one of our own squat shoes. (And yes we make it in America). Using the above criteria as well as others plus input from hundreds of lifters we designed what we considered to be the ultimate squat shoe.

        After the first year or two of production we even made a few changes based on the consumer card we put in with the shoes. We listened to what the lifter had to say and responded. First a shoe must be light, 2-3 lb. per pair (unless it is a size 15, which we stock). We use a pigskin inner lining for comfort and a cowhide outer for the stiffness, but kept it light and maneuverable. You will not feel like you are walking through mud when setting up for a heavy squat. Why in the world would you wear a heavy pair of 5-LB combat boots and take the chance of stumbling with 500-600-700 or more on your back? Very foolish indeed. There are two Velcro straps, one around the ankle to tighten up so your ankle will be kept as vertical as possible and the one on the instep so your foot will not slip in the shoe. We recommend the straps and not the shoestrings be used for the tightness aspect. I personally loosen up the straps after each lift, like you do a pair of wrist wraps, then cinch them back up for the big ones. It is in a wrap around design, like a wrestling shoe, which is the best design to keep the foot still and able to move about.

        Many or most people nowadays tend to wear street shoes and/or tennis shoes that are a size too big. That seems to be the style. When they first put on the power (squat) shoe it may seem uncomfortable because they have not been wearing a shoe that actually fits their foot. The all leather shoe will gradually conform to your foot and you will become used to the tightness (I actually wear it so tight as to the point of being uncomfortable), just as you do the power suit or power wraps when you first put them on. Remember tightness is the name of the game. The tighter you are and/or feel the better you will lift. After studying all the heels of the many different shoes, and looking at different styles of squatting we believe a heel of 3/4" is the ideal height for the shoe. It will increase your leverage to the point of adding 10-20 lb. over and above a shoe with no heel. And it looks sharp (good) also. A perfect shoe with a perfect design. We have even had Olympic lifters, shot putters and discus throwers who like it and use it for their sport. Anyway, another product to enhance the safety of your lifting and to enhance the strength aspect for a bigger squat.

	The Only Shoe Ever Designed For Squatting By A World Class Squatter White w/Black
Key Benefits Wedge Heel Wrap Around Style for Incredible Support Cowhide Outer for Stiffness Pigskin Inner for Comfort 2 Velcro Straps for Support Sizes 03 - 15
"The Ultimate Trainer" White or Black White / Charcoal Sizes 04-14
Power Deadlift Shoes      $50 Sizes 03-13      Call for Colors
Power Deadlift Slippers $12 Sizes 01-15 Call for Colors

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