Introduction to the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: Most of us who have ever gone to the gym, grabbed a barbell, and set off on the journey to learn how to squat properly have run into a few hiccups along the way. It can feel awkward. You may feel unbalanced or have a hard time squatting low enough. So, after querying Google/TikTok/ChatGPT, you’ll find recommendations for cues to make it easier, and generally one recommendation will appear time and time again: Don’t squat in running shoes. We love our running shoes at Believe in the Run, but while high stacks, drops, and supercritical foam may help us with running, they make squatting heavy weights pretty unstable. So, many venture down the path of squatting in Chuck Taylors or Vans or even barefoot (you do you) only to find that they don’t have the ankle mobility to squat with full range of motion.
Enter the weightlifting shoe.
Weightlifting shoes are something you’d find on the r/buyitforlife subreddit because they’re all very similar, rock solid, and usually made from quality materials and components. They’re made specifically for Olympic Weightlifting, a sport where lifters compete to lift the most combined weight between two lifts: the clean and jerk and snatch. Weightlifting shoes have a high, firm heel, which allows athletes to drop quickly and safely into the “catch position” aka the bottom of the squat. Because of this, many find squatting in them more comfortable, and aside from the risk of them smelling like trash juice if you leave your gym bag in the back of your car in the summer (hypothetically), they should last forever.
I bought my first pair of Adidas Adipowers in 2015, and since then, there have been many shoe iterations from competitors such as the Nike’s Savaleos or the Reebok Legacy Lifter, however few have turned more heads than when TYR teamed up with Dr. Aaron Horschig of Squat University to create the TYR L-1 Lifter. For the first time, similar to what Altra and Topo have been doing in the running shoe space, TYR created a weightlifting shoe with a wide “foot-shaped” toe-box. Squat University has gained a ton of popularity in the gym community for providing resources to improve squat form and deal with injuries, so this was a highly anticipated release back in 2022. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with what is called Morton’s Neuroma, so as someone who wears exclusively wide toe-box running shoes to combat the pain, a shoe like this is super interesting. So, does it live up to the hype?
Let’s find out.
ROBBE: While I’ve written nearly a hundred reviews on running shoes for Believe in the Run, I have yet to review a lifting shoe. That’s because I’ve never lifted until two months ago. But the truth is, I’m growing older and my muscles ain’t what they used to be. Changes needed to happen before I pull my back picking up a gallon of milk. And so I’ve begun my powerlifting journey.
I first showed up to the gym wearing a pair of running shoes, at which point the owner looked at me the same way I look at someone wearing the On Cloudboom Echo as a walking shoe. With sympathy and pity. Such a simple and naive child. I went home and emailed TYR to ask for a pair of lifting shoes for review (we’ve reviewed their running shoes in the past), and they sent over the L-1 Lifter. I had no idea that the L-1 was a revolutionary shoe in the lifting space, or at least a much-talked-about one. Apparently it is, thanks to its anatomical toe box (something we’re familiar with on the running side with Altra and Topo Athletic).
I didn’t know any better, so I laced/strapped them up and got to lifting. Luckily, I have Brady pairing up with me on this review, who is a runner and lifter with years of experience under his belt. I’d pay attention to what he says and I’ll fill you in with all the expert knowledge of an amateur who’s new to the sport.
Shop TYR
What we like about the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: For starters, the colorway I have is, in my opinion, one of the best ones available. I think the combination of a white upper, a white logo, and the gold midsole looks dashing. With the shoe on my foot, I felt the upper was secure. I didn’t have to tie the laces super tight to get a solid lockdown, and that is primarily due to the two straps provided that help you tailor your fit to your preferences. I prefer to leave the strap closer to the toe box a little bit looser and cinch the strap over my mid foot tighter, but having both straps allows you to get the fit you want.
That being said, I typically wear a size 10 in all running shoes, however I have the size 10.5 in the L-1 Lifter, and they fit well, if not a bit tight. So, I would probably recommend sizing up a half size to get the right fit. I took these through both heavy front squats and back squats, and after unracking the bar, I noticed immediately that the outsole, touting TYR’s “hex tread” felt very grippy and secure to the lifting platform.
While going through the movements, I also felt that when I pushed through my forefoot during squats, I had a ton of ground-feel, almost as if the outsole under my toes was compressing. This was surprising for a weightlifting shoe, as most are incredibly stiff, but I really enjoyed the sensation. Finally, the upper itself felt soft and comfortable walking around in-between sets. I wouldn’t walk around the city wearing these, but they’re comfortable enough that I wore them for hours in the gym and didn’t feel like they were rubbing or constricting me in any way.
What we don’t like about the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: Okay, now onto the negatives, and in my opinion, this might be a dealbreaker for some. I don’t have the widest foot out there, but I found TYR’s patent-pending anatomical toe box to be a bit disappointing. Compared to shoes like the Nike Romaleos 2, it’s clear that the TYR L-1 Lifter’s toe box is wider and allows for a natural foot shape, but when I first slipped them on, I found that all of my toes were still very scrunched.
Luckily, I didn’t notice it too much during my workout, and I was still able to achieve some toe splay during my lifts. Additionally, I feel that for a premium shoe that ideally lasts me years, I want premium materials and components. The rectangular split loops provided are plastic, and the micro fabric material used for the upper is fine at best. This isn’t only a TYR issue, because it feels in line with the synthetic or woven uppers used in its competition, but I think at this price point, we deserve better.
ROBBE: I’ll be honest– I don’t know if a 21 mm drop is high or not for lifting shoes. From what I can tell, it’s pretty high. Its purpose is to give better torso position and improve squat depth. I think it did that; I mean, I could get my squat low enough that my trainer told me to take it easy and come up a little bit. If this were a trail running review, the low squat would be great for taking a dump in the woods; apparently that kind of activity is frowned upon in an open gym. That said, there were times when I felt I was moved a little bit too much up on my toes, especially during a squat, so I just had to be more aware of that.
As Brady mentioned, the upper materials did seem a little bit on the “not so premium” side for such a premium price point. But it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Shop TYR
Final thoughts on the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: As it stands, TYR is in a league of its own here with the TYR L-1 Lifter. No other weightlifting shoes on the market have the anatomical toe box, and for its flaws, it does a pretty good job executing on its promise. If I’m going to the gym with a weightlifting shoe in my bag, it would be this one. I would say if you don’t typically wear or prefer wide toe box shoes, you could get away with something like the Nike Romaleos 4, the Adidas Adipower III, or even the Under Armour Reign Lifter, but if you want to have a bit of toe splay while squatting, this would be the one to get. Fortunately, TYR has released the TYRFORCE Elite Carbon Lifter which I am currently testing, and it addresses many of the issues I mentioned here such as improving the toe box, materials, and sizing, but that shoe is in a whole new price category of its own ($350!).
ROBBE: For my first foray into lifting, the TYR L-1 Lifter seemed to do everything I needed it to do. We’ll definitely be testing more of these throughout the year (including the now-released L-2 Lifter), so come back for more and follow us on our journey as we fulfill our destiny as hybrid athletes.
You can pick up the TYR L-1 Lifter for $150 (on sale) at TYR.com by using the buttons below.
Shop TYR
Introduction to the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: Most of us who have ever gone to the gym, grabbed a barbell, and set off on the journey to learn how to squat properly have run into a few hiccups along the way. It can feel awkward. You may feel unbalanced or have a hard time squatting low enough. So, after querying Google/TikTok/ChatGPT, you’ll find recommendations for cues to make it easier, and generally one recommendation will appear time and time again: Don’t squat in running shoes. We love our running shoes at Believe in the Run, but while high stacks, drops, and supercritical foam may help us with running, they make squatting heavy weights pretty unstable. So, many venture down the path of squatting in Chuck Taylors or Vans or even barefoot (you do you) only to find that they don’t have the ankle mobility to squat with full range of motion.
Enter the weightlifting shoe.
Weightlifting shoes are something you’d find on the r/buyitforlife subreddit because they’re all very similar, rock solid, and usually made from quality materials and components. They’re made specifically for Olympic Weightlifting, a sport where lifters compete to lift the most combined weight between two lifts: the clean and jerk and snatch. Weightlifting shoes have a high, firm heel, which allows athletes to drop quickly and safely into the “catch position” aka the bottom of the squat. Because of this, many find squatting in them more comfortable, and aside from the risk of them smelling like trash juice if you leave your gym bag in the back of your car in the summer (hypothetically), they should last forever.
I bought my first pair of Adidas Adipowers in 2015, and since then, there have been many shoe iterations from competitors such as the Nike’s Savaleos or the Reebok Legacy Lifter, however few have turned more heads than when TYR teamed up with Dr. Aaron Horschig of Squat University to create the TYR L-1 Lifter. For the first time, similar to what Altra and Topo have been doing in the running shoe space, TYR created a weightlifting shoe with a wide “foot-shaped” toe-box. Squat University has gained a ton of popularity in the gym community for providing resources to improve squat form and deal with injuries, so this was a highly anticipated release back in 2022. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with what is called Morton’s Neuroma, so as someone who wears exclusively wide toe-box running shoes to combat the pain, a shoe like this is super interesting. So, does it live up to the hype?
Let’s find out.
ROBBE: While I’ve written nearly a hundred reviews on running shoes for Believe in the Run, I have yet to review a lifting shoe. That’s because I’ve never lifted until two months ago. But the truth is, I’m growing older and my muscles ain’t what they used to be. Changes needed to happen before I pull my back picking up a gallon of milk. And so I’ve begun my powerlifting journey.
I first showed up to the gym wearing a pair of running shoes, at which point the owner looked at me the same way I look at someone wearing the On Cloudboom Echo as a walking shoe. With sympathy and pity. Such a simple and naive child. I went home and emailed TYR to ask for a pair of lifting shoes for review (we’ve reviewed their running shoes in the past), and they sent over the L-1 Lifter. I had no idea that the L-1 was a revolutionary shoe in the lifting space, or at least a much-talked-about one. Apparently it is, thanks to its anatomical toe box (something we’re familiar with on the running side with Altra and Topo Athletic).
I didn’t know any better, so I laced/strapped them up and got to lifting. Luckily, I have Brady pairing up with me on this review, who is a runner and lifter with years of experience under his belt. I’d pay attention to what he says and I’ll fill you in with all the expert knowledge of an amateur who’s new to the sport.
Shop TYR
What we like about the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: For starters, the colorway I have is, in my opinion, one of the best ones available. I think the combination of a white upper, a white logo, and the gold midsole looks dashing. With the shoe on my foot, I felt the upper was secure. I didn’t have to tie the laces super tight to get a solid lockdown, and that is primarily due to the two straps provided that help you tailor your fit to your preferences. I prefer to leave the strap closer to the toe box a little bit looser and cinch the strap over my mid foot tighter, but having both straps allows you to get the fit you want.
That being said, I typically wear a size 10 in all running shoes, however I have the size 10.5 in the L-1 Lifter, and they fit well, if not a bit tight. So, I would probably recommend sizing up a half size to get the right fit. I took these through both heavy front squats and back squats, and after unracking the bar, I noticed immediately that the outsole, touting TYR’s “hex tread” felt very grippy and secure to the lifting platform.
While going through the movements, I also felt that when I pushed through my forefoot during squats, I had a ton of ground-feel, almost as if the outsole under my toes was compressing. This was surprising for a weightlifting shoe, as most are incredibly stiff, but I really enjoyed the sensation. Finally, the upper itself felt soft and comfortable walking around in-between sets. I wouldn’t walk around the city wearing these, but they’re comfortable enough that I wore them for hours in the gym and didn’t feel like they were rubbing or constricting me in any way.
What we don’t like about the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: Okay, now onto the negatives, and in my opinion, this might be a dealbreaker for some. I don’t have the widest foot out there, but I found TYR’s patent-pending anatomical toe box to be a bit disappointing. Compared to shoes like the Nike Romaleos 2, it’s clear that the TYR L-1 Lifter’s toe box is wider and allows for a natural foot shape, but when I first slipped them on, I found that all of my toes were still very scrunched.
Luckily, I didn’t notice it too much during my workout, and I was still able to achieve some toe splay during my lifts. Additionally, I feel that for a premium shoe that ideally lasts me years, I want premium materials and components. The rectangular split loops provided are plastic, and the micro fabric material used for the upper is fine at best. This isn’t only a TYR issue, because it feels in line with the synthetic or woven uppers used in its competition, but I think at this price point, we deserve better.
ROBBE: I’ll be honest– I don’t know if a 21 mm drop is high or not for lifting shoes. From what I can tell, it’s pretty high. Its purpose is to give better torso position and improve squat depth. I think it did that; I mean, I could get my squat low enough that my trainer told me to take it easy and come up a little bit. If this were a trail running review, the low squat would be great for taking a dump in the woods; apparently that kind of activity is frowned upon in an open gym. That said, there were times when I felt I was moved a little bit too much up on my toes, especially during a squat, so I just had to be more aware of that.
As Brady mentioned, the upper materials did seem a little bit on the “not so premium” side for such a premium price point. But it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Shop TYR
Final thoughts on the TYR L-1 Lifter
BRADY: As it stands, TYR is in a league of its own here with the TYR L-1 Lifter. No other weightlifting shoes on the market have the anatomical toe box, and for its flaws, it does a pretty good job executing on its promise. If I’m going to the gym with a weightlifting shoe in my bag, it would be this one. I would say if you don’t typically wear or prefer wide toe box shoes, you could get away with something like the Nike Romaleos 4, the Adidas Adipower III, or even the Under Armour Reign Lifter, but if you want to have a bit of toe splay while squatting, this would be the one to get. Fortunately, TYR has released the TYRFORCE Elite Carbon Lifter which I am currently testing, and it addresses many of the issues I mentioned here such as improving the toe box, materials, and sizing, but that shoe is in a whole new price category of its own ($350!).
ROBBE: For my first foray into lifting, the TYR L-1 Lifter seemed to do everything I needed it to do. We’ll definitely be testing more of these throughout the year (including the now-released L-2 Lifter), so come back for more and follow us on our journey as we fulfill our destiny as hybrid athletes.
You can pick up the TYR L-1 Lifter for $150 (on sale) at TYR.com by using the buttons below.
Shop TYR
