Vans vs Converse: Best Lifting Shoe

January 4, 2024/Cody Allen/

For weight and heavy lifters, shoes are pretty essential and their specifications. When it comes to which is best, Vans and Converse seem to be at loggerheads for the final spot.

We bring you the showdown between both lifting shoes to clear things all up. This means access to their accurate specifications, ratings, pros, cons, and perks. While both are overall good lifting shoes, they each still have their advantages over the other.

With the Converse fans going on and on about how great Converse Shoes are for lifting and Vans fans doing just the same, you might be a little bit caught up in between trying to decide which is best for YOU!

Now that you are here, it is time to get off the fence and find which one of both is your pick for lifting shoes. Should you dig into Vans or go for the Converse?

The good news is that you are not going to make that decision alone! Right here, we will dive deep into every essential detail about both lifting shoes. This includes their significant differences, build, performance stats, and user ratings.

Here are some critical angles we will be looking into to help you decide which lifting shoes are better

Vans vs Converse: Which is best built for lifting
Vans vs Converse: Which has better performance
Vans vs Converse: Which has higher durability and last longer
Vans vs Converse: Price comparison
Vans vs Converse: Fittings and sizing

Finding the best lifting shoes between both options starts with knowing how their specs come to play in your gyming experience. They both work pretty well for gyming shoes. However, it’s time to get a little more specific when deciding between either of them. So, we would be discussing different categories that are critical to each shoe and how they compare with one another.

If you are on the fence on which shoes to go for, here are all the details you need to know about which lifting shoes are better; Vans or Converse.

Vans vs Converse: Which Is Best Built for Lifting

When it comes to getting the right lifting shoes, a key metric to consider is the performance rating of both, and how well they work under different lifting conditions and activities.

Lifting shoes, in general, are specially designed for lifting-related activities, including heavy and deadlifting. It allows for better muscle action and balance that lets you push through the floor much better while lifting.

Good lifting shoes play a highly critical role in successful weightlifting. Since weightlifting has different aspects, we would look at each one and how lifting in Vans and Converse works best.

Powerlifting

This type of lifting works on your strengths and focuses on three attempts at lifting weights. It is a strength sport most accustomed to the Olympic games. It combines a squat, bench press, and a deadlift.

Both Vans and Converse work pretty well in this field where these three categories are concerned. This is primarily due to their builds and design. The toe to heel drop position of the feet is critical in powerlifting, and both Vans and Converse come with a zero-drop design, making both perfect options for powerlifting.

The best options in powerlifting are shoes with a flat outsole construction that lets you connect better with the ground to help lift maximum weights.

While both Vans and Converse are quite adequate shoes for powerlifting, when it comes to which is better between both options, we can but let the Converse model shoes have it. Here’s why:

Converse shoes, for one, come with a firmer insole construction, especially all-star models. This gives them an edge over the Vans shoes when it comes to lifting maximum loads. The heel-to-toe drop is highly essential in powerlifting, and in terms of design, the Converse has an edge on this one.

So yeah, while the Converse has this one in the bag, not precisely by much difference. However, with powerlifting, even the littlest of inches matters.

When it comes to other kinds of lifting like heavy and recreational lifting, it is a tie where Converse and Vans are concerned.

Vans vs Converse: Which Has a Better Performance

When it comes to general lifting like heavy and recreational lifting, Vans and Converse are neck-long rivals in the drive for which is better. Other shoes can be used for lifting, but it all burns down to how long they will be effective in that activity. Both Vans and Converse in view perform pretty well for lifting and more extended periods.

Here are a few things to put in mind when comparing the overall performance of both shoes

Stability

Both Vans and Converse have paid close attention to the essentiality of the heel-to-toe drop in their design. Thus, they are exceptionally comfortable and suitable for a better connection with the ground, better balance, and ultimately increased stability while lifting.

In this category, however, we can say that the all-star Converse has one over the Vans shoe models but not by very much. Each shoe design is intentional with the insole and outsole construction, promoting traction. They both have the same hyper lift range, so it’s likely a tie in this metric.

However, if we pick just one between lifting in Converse and lifting in Vans, the latter will have it thanks to their slightly cushioned insole, which increases comfort when lifting. It also works quite well as regular wear compared to Converse and does not seem to affect the recreational lifter in any way.

Workouts and Training

While you can use both shoes for training and workouts, it is not advised, especially in non-lifting-related activities. They are great lifting shoes and could also work for running, but they are not the best options for running shoes.

The flat sole with zero drop constructions makes it suitable and perfect for lifting. However, this does not work out very well with other types of training and workouts.

However, if we say which is better, then the Vans are a better option than the Converse; if you want to get a little bit of warm up before lifting and wouldn’t want to change options in between, you stand a better chance with the Vans shoes.

This edge is thanks to its slightly cushioned insole, making it a tad more comfortable and suitable for non-lifting activities.

Vans vs Converse: Which Has Higher Durability and Lasts Longer

The first thing to note is the aspect of durability and long-lasting shoes are that it all depends on its use. These are lifting shoes, and if used for other activities they are not suitable for, the chances are that they will not last for very long.

Now where lifting and lifting activities are concerned, Vans and Converse are highly durable when it comes to lifting. The reason is that their construction and design are specifically to suit lifting purposes. However, for those who wear Vans and Converse shoes daily, it will last longer than when it is worn for lifting purposes that are a tad bit more demanding.

Durability Comparison

Material- Vans

Durability- Converse

Quality- Converse

Most Converse and Vans models are made from reasonably durable canvas material. When lifting activities in the gym, it is prone to collapse, wear, and tears. However, this does not reduce its effectiveness as a good lifting shoe. Moreso, because lifting shoes take on a lot of stress and strain, it is only natural.

Vans and Converse shoes remain fairly great options where durability is concerned. Especially since they can last up to 7 or 8 months, they stay a top choice for lifting even under these conditions.

Vans vs Converse: Price Comparisons

Like most other metrics we have compared Vans and Converse, the price comparison also ranks almost close to a tie. Their prices are pretty similar with not much difference between them. What is more, both shoe models have very consistent price points and usually cost between $40 to $60 on average.

Lifting shoes that undergo much strain and last between 6 to 8 months are definitely worth the cost. You can always check out suitable Vans shoes and Converse shoes. With the help of this comparison and analysis, you will have no issues with finding the perfect one.

Vans vs Converse: Ratings

Both shoe models have closely related pros and cons. What matters here is how much of an edge one has over the other.

Vans vs Converse: Sizing and Fittings

With lifting shoes, fitting, sizing, and comfortability play a highly essential role in your lifter performance. Thus, getting the sizing and fittings right when getting a pair is vital.

Specific training shoes work best when you go a little bit undersized and, for others, a bit over the top. However, you are advised to be quite the goldilocks with Vans models. It means you might want to go true to size if you opt for a Vans Model.

Vans shoes scarcely stretch out and have a narrower midfoot area than other training shoe models. So, where comfort and performance are concerned, fittings play a critical role with Vans shoes.

Some people, however, seem to have a wider foot which might be a bit of discomfort even after getting the right length. What you need to do is to half up the size, and it should be fine.

On the other hand, the Converse is not the most straightforward option in the block when getting the sizing right. It takes several trials and errors to understand the sizing and find the perfect fit, especially if you are trying out the Converse model for the first time. Unlike Vans shoes, Converse shoe models stretch out compared to the former.

So, if you would be getting a Converse pair, you are advised to size it down a bit to avoid a swimming toe box situation. Going a half smaller than your full size will give the perfect fit after a few sessions with the shoes. This gives them space to stretch out without looking like goofy shoes.

One edge Converse shoe seems to have over Vans shoes is that it gives your feet enough breathing space. So, if you have wider feet, Converse Shoes are pretty accommodating.

Best Lifting Shoe

There are quite several shoes used for lifting. However, whether the Converse and Vans models are concerned for lifting, they are basically both holding their own. It all depends on your personal preferences and what features matter the most to you.

While both shoes are great for lifting, avoid wearing them for long periods. They might be great for lifting but far from forgiving where a long term or all-day wear is concerned. All in all, both shoes work well in their respective fields.