After some research today, I decided against special weightlifting shoes and in favour of wrestling shoes, and I wanted to share my thoughts with you - maybe it helps someone else.
I think one disadvantage of weightlifting shoes like Adidas Adipower or Nike Romaleos might be a lower versatility. They may be great if you only do olympic powerlifting, but might be detrimental for other exercises which require more flexibility in the foot. See, for example, these exercises: Scott Herman exercises
The dude from the video (Scott Herman) shortly explains his choice of shoes (also while deadlifting) here at 17:02 minutes: Scott Herman explanation on deadlift mistakes.
He basically just says the shoes should have a thin sole (as close to barefoot as possible). The advantage to being barefoot, in my eyes, would be (a) not having to take off shoes between various exercises in the gym and (b) increased support for the foot.
Powerlifting guru Mark Rippetoe advises against lifting barefoot in this video. He says the shoes should provide support, and that it increases the risk of injury. He also doesn't like Chucks. According to him, they are mere mocassins made of canvas.
The versatility of wrestling shoes (as compared to weightlifting shoes) became fully apparent to me when I realised that I could also wear them for martial arts. They are sold alongside boxing and Muay Thai equipment in the online stores.
The way I see it now, barefoot lifting is a a bit of a cheap way for powerlifters who do not have optimal shoes, and Chucks are a cheap way to wear shoes with a flat sole. Cheap does not necessarily mean bad, but I'd prefer to have shoes that are well usable for various purposes which I do not need to take off in the gym. Personally I came to dislike the cheap quality of Chucks. I think Chucks are primarily worn because everybody else does it and people want to be cool, not for real quality.
For these reasons, I had a look at a range of wrestling shoes - among which I also count the brand Otomix - and ended up purchasing the exact ones worn by Scott Herman in the first video (Asics Split Second 9 in black/red). I haven't tested them yet but will post a review here in a few months.
I think one disadvantage of weightlifting shoes like Adidas Adipower or Nike Romaleos might be a lower versatility. They may be great if you only do olympic powerlifting, but might be detrimental for other exercises which require more flexibility in the foot. See, for example, these exercises: Scott Herman exercises
The dude from the video (Scott Herman) shortly explains his choice of shoes (also while deadlifting) here at 17:02 minutes: Scott Herman explanation on deadlift mistakes.
He basically just says the shoes should have a thin sole (as close to barefoot as possible). The advantage to being barefoot, in my eyes, would be (a) not having to take off shoes between various exercises in the gym and (b) increased support for the foot.
Powerlifting guru Mark Rippetoe advises against lifting barefoot in this video. He says the shoes should provide support, and that it increases the risk of injury. He also doesn't like Chucks. According to him, they are mere mocassins made of canvas.
The versatility of wrestling shoes (as compared to weightlifting shoes) became fully apparent to me when I realised that I could also wear them for martial arts. They are sold alongside boxing and Muay Thai equipment in the online stores.
The way I see it now, barefoot lifting is a a bit of a cheap way for powerlifters who do not have optimal shoes, and Chucks are a cheap way to wear shoes with a flat sole. Cheap does not necessarily mean bad, but I'd prefer to have shoes that are well usable for various purposes which I do not need to take off in the gym. Personally I came to dislike the cheap quality of Chucks. I think Chucks are primarily worn because everybody else does it and people want to be cool, not for real quality.
For these reasons, I had a look at a range of wrestling shoes - among which I also count the brand Otomix - and ended up purchasing the exact ones worn by Scott Herman in the first video (Asics Split Second 9 in black/red). I haven't tested them yet but will post a review here in a few months.