Weightlifting Shoes 101...

[BrotherIron]

Look at my avi. That is the bottom position (or catch position) of the squat snatch. Notice how low he is. His hams are literally touching his calves.

 

[Koncina]

For lifting i m using weightlifting shoes and for strongman events(tyre,conan,yoko,farmers,..) adidas stabilo.

 

[schultz1]

YouTube - David Rigert Clean and Jerk

This link shows why too those of you asking the question. Also, I back squat in my oly shoes without any problems. I do not take the wide stance that most plers take and, I do keep the bar higher rather than real low. As brother iron said, two completely different movements. As already mentioned oly athletes go ass to ground, thus requiring the positions mentioned.

 

[schultz1]

YouTube - 210 Squat, 80kg bodyweight (77kg category)

here is another vid of a back squat by an oly lifter and you can see the tech diferrence vs a pl back squat. this is a 462lb sq @ 176lb bdy wt. No belt no wraps no spotter.

 

[BrotherIron]

Here's another Oly Squat...

 

[PillarofBalance]

Reebok, based here in the People's Republic of Massachusetts is developing some new shoes... They've come out with a cross fit shoe and have brought in Mark Bell to help develop a powerlifting shoe. I'm sure this is mostly marketing bullshit, but we'll see.

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

I was actually all set to spend a few hundred on a proper Oly shoe, but then I found an old pair of work shoes with a nice big wooden heel on them. So I've held off for the meantime and I thought I'd try them for a while and see how I go.

Seem pretty good actually!

 

[BrotherIron]

I aint about to swap out my Adipowers any time soon. IMHO best shoe to do everything cept pull in.

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

They've come out with a cross fit shoe and have brought in Mark Bell to help develop a powerlifting shoe. I'm sure this is mostly marketing bullshit, but we'll see.

I'm inclined to think that if Mark puts his name to something it will be at worst reasonably good.

 

[PillarofBalance]

I'm inclined to think that if Mark puts his name to something it will be at worst reasonably good.

I'm a little more skeptical. Especially since money will be involved with endorsements.

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

Yeah, I guess you could well be right.

 

[porky little keg]

A teammate got a pair of the reebok crossfit shoes...... they seemed stable and have less of a heel than oly shoes, but still too much of a heel for a wide powerlifting squat.

I've had good success having people squat in oly shoes, but only if they lack the flexibility to get down in a flat shoe, and never for powerlifting. On the platform I'll take my old school adidas or PF Flyers over the 5x more expensive oly shoes any day.

The OP has it exactly right though - any cushioning in the shoe becomes instability and lost force when lifting. With 1000+ on my back I can feel the difference between a platform made with rubber mats and a plywood platform, I couldn't imagine what the soft foam of a sneaker would feel like.....