Nike Romaleos gym runners

Romaleos training shoes

Nike’s first weightlifting shoes debuted in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until 2008’s Romaleos that the brand had a significant impact on the sport. Released ahead of the Beijing Olympics, this mighty squat shoe’s Greek-inspired name means ‘strong’ or ‘robust’, thus indicating its awesome power.

The original Nike Romaleos has a thick, durable, snug-fitting mesh and synthetic leather upper with a plush tongue and traditional laces. Two adjustable Velcro metatarsal straps provide firm lockdown as the non-compressible sole anchors the foot and Nike’s revolutionary PowerBridge supports the heel. This high-density TPU wedge is more lightweight and versatile than traditional wooden versions, with a contoured shape that cradles the heel for outstanding stability under stress and a 20mm elevation that helps weightlifters maintain planted feet and good posture for deep, powerful, energy efficient squats. The flat, wide rubber outsole further increases stability, while its traction pattern eliminates slippage. Lastly, it has two different insoles: a softer, flatter one aimed at training, and a firmer, more contoured version designed for competitions.

Nike launched the Romaleos 2 ahead of the 2012 Olympics with a few subtle changes, such as a thinner tongue, more lightweight build and more flexible forefoot, which improve mobility without sacrificing stability. 2017’s versatile Romaleos 3 is even more lightweight and manoeuvrable, with a more breathable and flexible upper, Flywire lacing and a single midfoot strap. Sporty and agile, its TPU sole is narrower, less structured at the heel and hollowed out through the centre, while the grippy honeycomb traction pattern on its tacky rubber outsole features cutout sections that further reduce weight. The Romaleos 3 is more appropriate for intermediate lifters and hybrid workouts, but it presents durability challenges for Olympic weightlifters, so Nike released the more robust Romaleos 3XD with sturdier materials and a thicker tongue.

In 2020, Nike refocused on stability and strength with the Romaleos 4, bringing back two heavy-duty metatarsal straps, with one passing through the sturdy midsole for maximum lockdown. Tough yet breathable mesh covers the forefoot, and synthetic layers add durability around the midfoot and heel. Underfoot, the wide, well-structured TPU sole is flared at the back for increased stability, and its hard-wearing rubber outsole is long-lasting and grippy. Lastly, it comes with one all-purpose insole that is somewhere between the hard and soft options of its predecessors.

The Nike Romaleos was initially showcased by Chinese Junior World Champions Zhang Jie and Lu Changliang at the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, before being worn by Long Qingquan and Zhang Xiangxiang during their victories at the Beijing Olympics. Highly decorated Georgian lifter Lasha Talakhadze is a renowned proponent of the popular Romaleos 2, donning it across three gold-medal-winning Olympic campaigns and his record-breaking appearance at the 2021 World Championships in a compelling demonstration of its performance capabilities.

The Nike Romaleos is an innovative and impactful line of highly stable weightlifting shoes that allows competitive athletes and serious lifters to perform the full repertoire of Olympic lifting movements with maximum confidence and power.