The Adidas Powerlift 4 is the latest Adidas shoe to debut in the popular “Powerlift” shoe line. This weightlifting shoe tends to have a pretty consistent reputation across all lifting circles, and that’s for good reason. The Powerlift shoe line has largely grown in popularity due to the shoe’s no-frills construction and cost efficient pricing. They are one of the most affordable shoes on the market, but how do they perform to some of the market’s best weightlifting shoes?
In this review, we take a deep dive look at the Adidas Powerlift 4’s construction, performance, price, and discuss some of our pros and cons that come along with this weightlifting shoe. After all, the previous model, the Adidas Powerlift 3.1, were not released that incredibly long ago and they performed really well, so what really changed in the Adidas Powerlift 4?
To provide you with an idea, we looked at both shoes side-by-side in our video and really dug into each weightlifting shoe’s differences. We also confirmed that the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 and 4 have the same heel height, contrary to what Adidas’ website says.
Adidas Powerlift 4 Summary
- NEW: Canvas outer construction and reinforced material surrounding the mid-foot and the laces.
- NEW: Heel-loop to promote ease of putting the shoe on without crushing the heel cup.
- SAME: Consistent outsole, high density EVA foam feel, and midsole as the Adidas Powerlift 3.1.
- Price: $100.00
- Check out the Adidas Powerlift 4
The brand new updated Adidas Powerlift 4 offers a lightweight canvas outer construction, an open forefoot design, and a strong single strap for stability.
Adidas Powerlift 4 Construction
Outer Construction
One of the biggest construction differences in the Adidas Powerlift 4 is the outer construction and the material Adidas has used on this shoe. This model now offers a full outer canvas construction, which is a significant change from the mesh and synthetic leather the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 offered. Canvas is a durable material that is often used in things like backpacks and tents.
This material provided the Adidas Powerlift 4 with a lightweight and maneuverable feeling. In fact, it sped up the “breaking in” period to only a couple lifts, which is pretty significant since many weightlifting shoes require handfuls of lifts before they begin to feel really good. The only potential downside that came along with the canvas material was how how these shoes got throughout long workouts. There are no holes on the toe or mid-foot, so this isn’t the most breathable weightlifting shoe we’ve tried.
Heel Construction and Height
The heel construction and height of the Adidas Powerlift 4 is pretty much synonymous with the Adidas Powerlift 3.1. The color schemes are drastically different, so it appears like they might be different, but the foundation of each is the same. There is one slight heel cosmetic difference and that’s the lack of ridges in the Adidas Powerlift 4 model, although, these don’t have an impact on the shoe’s performance. On top of the missing ridges, the Powerlift 4 also offers a heel-loop to help with the ease of pulling the shoe on. This is a nice perk for mid-workout, sweaty feet shoe switches.
The Adidas Powerlift 4 offers a .6″ heel height that is constructed high-density EVA foam. Generally, if you are new weightlifting or lifting in an elevated heel, then this heel height is a nice introductory point to lifting with an elevated heel. It’s a good in-between option from a flatter shoe like a Converse to the traditional .75″ weightlifting shoe heel height.
Outsole
The outsole includes Adidas Adiwear, which is constructed the exact same as the Powerlift 3.1. This outsole is firm and offers similar ridges as the Powerlift 3.1 towards the toe and heel on this model. Two things to note about the Powerlift’s outsole is that it’s very firm and stable, but can slip out easily on wet platforms. That being said, if you’re sweating on a wooden platform, then be very cautious to wipe it down before lifting in this model.
Foot Strap and Mid-Foot
The foot strap on the Adidas Powerlift 4 is in the same position as the previous Powerlift models and is constructed with the canvas material. Since the strap is made of canvas, it does feel slightly more lightweight when compared to the 3.1’s thicker synthetic leather strap. In respects to performance, this strap provided plenty of security and the lighter construction didn’t impact the ankle’s support whatsoever.
Another big difference that comes with the Adidas Powerlift 4 is the additional material that encloses the outside of the shoe that surrounds the shoelaces. In the Powerlift 4, there’s a thick tube-like construction that covers the outsides of the mid-foot around the tongue, and this was both a good and bad thing. We like it for creating durability and limiting any potential ripping of the laces, but we didn’t like how it somewhat bunched up at the bottom of the mid-foot.
Performance
The performance of the Adidas Powerlift 4 was consistent across the board. This shoe felt incredibly similar to the Adidas Powerlift 3.1, so if you’ve owned that model, then you can expect the same performance feeling in the 4s that you have when wearing the 3.1s. If you have never owned a pair of Powerlifts, then you can expect a shoe that’s stable, lightweight, and somewhat reactive with the heel.
For this Adidas Powerlift 4 review, we performed the same lifting tests that we do in all of our weightlifting shoe reviews. One thing to note, this shoe has a slightly more reactive toe box compared to the Powerlift 3.1 and breaks in at a faster rate, so that’s a performance perk with this model. Below, we’ve included a chart of the main lifts we performed and how they rated with notes.
| Movement Test | Rating + Note |
| Back Squat (Up to 315 lbs) | 9.3/10 — Stable and Flat AdiWear Outsole |
| Power Clean Circuit (Worked Up to 185 lbs) | 9.1/10 — Maneuverable and Stable |
| Clean Pulls (Worked to Doubles With 405 lbs) | 8.7/10 — No Compression and Adequate Stability |
If you’re new to lifting, or you’re a veteran under the bar, then this shoe will be a pretty solid option for you across the board. The only population that may not like this model are the athletes consistently hitting squats over 600+lbs, as they may want to opt for a slightly more stable TPU heel, although, that’s a very limited population.
Price
The price of the Adidas Powerlift 4 starts around $100.00, which is standard for this model. The Powerlift models generally start around $100.00, then decrease as newer editions and color schemes are released. In respects to price, this shoe is pretty fairly priced compared to other weightlifting shoes on the market, and is one of the most cost efficient options out there.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, the Adidas Powerlift 4 did not disappoint in the gym and performed consistently across the board. Additionally, the construction changes were steps in the right direction when it comes to the Powerlift shoe line’s innovation. If you’ve ever worn a Powerlift model, then you can expect a shoe that feels eerily similar, and if you never have, then this shoe will more than likely be a solid choice for you.
The only real gripe we had with this model included the lower mid-foot dip in material that we discuss in the sizing section on our video. Granted, the dip didn’t impact performance, although, it was slightly annoying at times when pulling the shoes fully tight.
Adidas Powerlift 4
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Pros
- Cost Efficient
- Durable Canvas Material
- Consistent Performance
Cons
- Mid-Foot Material Dip
