Most weightlifting shoes are designed to elevate your heel. But what if you're a deadlift specialist or a low-bar squatter that constantly feels pitched forward at the hips? The SABO PowerLift goes in the exact opposite direction, featuring a zero-drop ultra-thin sole that gets you as close to the floor as humanly possible while simultaneously locking your ankle in place.
The Key Specs
Heel Height: 0.0 inches (Flat / Zero drop!)
Material: Extremely thin, high-grip synthetic rubber outsole
Lockdown: High-top ankle collar + heavy-duty metatarsal strap
Fit: Roomy toe box to allow for toe splay
Best For: All-around deadlifts, low-bar squatting, and powerlifting.
How It Feels on the Platform
Putting on the barbell in the SABO PowerLift instantly gets you grounded. As you'll notice, due to the extreme thinness of the sole, you are literally millimeters closer to the floor compared to any other weightlifting shoe. This can have a major impact on how much range of motion you need to pull a deadlift. And in many cases pulling that extra 1/8th of an inch less can mean the difference between a missed lift and a new PR.
The grip of the shoe is absolutely sensational. The specially designed pattern bites through any wood or rubber plate you might be using. There's not a chance you'll be sliding during your wide sumo pulls! Similar to doing deadlifts in socks or thin wrestling shoes, but with the high ankle collar and mid-foot strap, you're able to create a wall around the foot to prevent rolling your ankles outwards when kneeling out.
Sizing Advice
All Foot Types: SABO uses European sizing and is exceptionally generous (but still keeps competition-ready toe room), so I'd advise ordering true to size. If you are in between sizes, order the smaller one to get a competition-ready fit.
The Pros:
- Zero drop gives maximum leverage on deadlifts.
- High ankle collar and a non-slip grip.
The Cons:
- It is extremely niche.
- Provide absolutely no help for Olympic lifting movements or high-bar squatting.
- Has a tedious lacing system.
The SABO PowerLift is without a doubt an extremely specific tool. If you're an Olympic weightlifter or have poor ankle mobility, save your money and look elsewhere. But if you're a powerlifter looking to maximize your leverage on deadlifts or a squatter looking for a flat shoe with insane levels of lateral support, these are a fantastic piece of equipment.