Concept2 Forum

Anyone rowing in these?

They look like they would be good for rowing??

Thoughts?

Mike in Oklahoma

Not sure which model I had, but I tried rowing in the bright red power lifting shoes (Adidas or Reebok, can't remember). Those particular shoes were too stiff for me, could not get far enough forward. I believe the Adidas are much more flexible (my crossfitter daughter has a pair). You may also want to check out a shoe/clip in system called "Batlogic". Don't think it would work for competition as it needs to be mounted to the foot stretchers.

With that said, fastest time at a local event last year, the Center City Slam, was a 5:59. The kid was barefoot; go figure.

I have a pair of Powerlift 2.0 shoes I use for squatting. Never considered trying to row in them. They are flexible enough that they would probably work. Although, they aren't the most comfortable.

I just row in my running shoes, New Balance 993s.

Although many people prefer to row barefoot or wear only socks, I like to wear a shoe. I feel more comfortable when I feel that something is protecting my feet, although such protection probably isn't necessary. But I also want the most minimal kind of shoe possible. Because of that reason, I wear lightweight (about 6 ounce) racing flats. They provide very little cushioning and that's fine. I want to feel my feet against the footplates as much as possible and cushioning detracts from that feeling.

I understand that the Powerlift shoes are very heavy at just over 13 ounces. Even if they aren't heavily cushioned, I can't understand why someone would want to wear such a heavy shoe when a much lighter one is available. On the other hand, I've heard of people who wear combat boots when rowing, so I guess I can't argue with anyone's choice of footwear.

sekitori wrote:Although many people prefer to row barefoot or wear only socks, I like to wear a shoe. I feel more comfortable when I feel that something is protecting my feet, although such protection probably isn't necessary.

I have had the problem of the top of my foot being cut by the straps on a long row, so I switched to wearing socks for anything over 20 minutes. Finally, out of concern for wearing out the socks at the heels, I got a pair oaf light-weight slippers (Patagonia Advocates) with a thin hard sole. I use those for long pieces or whenever I row on some machine other than my own.

Note: The use of built-in shoes in rowing shells is a relatively new development. Up until the 70s most rowers just used socks. Many still do and dispense with the shoes. The shoes are a damn nuisance installed in boats that are used by a number of different rowers - especially club eights.

Bob S.

Thanks for the input all, it's cool to get a worldly perspective on things.

Mike from Oklahoma.

I rowed with these shows for the first time today... LOVED THEM! Great support, no loss of power like using a running shoe (even a worn down one), I could feel a difference in my 'post rowing' workout as well.

I threw $75 bucks at these, well worth it. I would go a 1/2 size larger than your normal shoe... at least I did, they fit snuggly, but not small feeling.

Did I mention I loved them...

Mike from Oklahoma.

I just use old running shoes that are no longer any good for running in.

The shoes stay strapped in the rower at all times, I just slip my feet in and out of them, for a cool down I don't even bother doing up the laces. For anything with pace the laces get tied VERY loosely as anything too tight can result in restriction of blood flow causing numbness or pins and needles in your feet. The shoes are really only there to just take any cutting of the straps into my feet so its a comfort thing.

I have the powerlifts (but version 1.0) and use them for squatting and almost every rowing workout.

i guess everbody ergs barefoot/socks. I should try it so as not to wear out the shoes. but im used to em now and i like it. someone made the argument to me that the wedge heel helps you get full power down to the plates a hair sooner, and i bought it. although there are people setting WRs and much much faster than me without this supposed mechanical advantage.

had them for 4 years so far, used for a few million meters im guessing and many many squat sessions (AND NOTHING ELSE), and they are finally starting to show some minor signs of wear. the major stress points don't look like they're going to blow out soon at all though, should get another 4 years out of em at least.

make sure to store them in a dry place with airflow; wearing the same shoes 2 workouts a day 6 days a week makes for some nasty stank.

I use the reebok weight lifting shoes they make (cant remember the name of them). They are designed for crossfit workouts, so the forefoot is almost as flexible as a runner, but the heel is raised and hard like a lifter. I love them, my heel is almost totally on the erg when I'm in the full position of the catch, so I'm able to push hard right away. I'm sure the powerlifter Addidas are very similar. I don't have the ankle mobility needed to row in socks or barefoot (yet).

I do love the shoes... best $75 I have spent in a long time!

Mike from Oklahoma

danielcccook wrote:I use the reebok weight lifting shoes they make (cant remember the name of them). They are designed for crossfit workouts, so the forefoot is almost as flexible as a runner, but the heel is raised and hard like a lifter. I love them, my heel is almost totally on the erg when I'm in the full position of the catch, so I'm able to push hard right away. I'm sure the powerlifter Addidas are very similar. I don't have the ankle mobility needed to row in socks or barefoot (yet).

I scored a pair of these Reebok crossfit lifters today for FREE from a local crossfit Facebook sale group! Haven't had a chance to try them on the erg but hoping they will do the job.

Why anyone would repeatedly waste energy to deform a soft rubber sole while rowing on an erg is beyond me.

I've been using a minimal trail running shoe for quite a while now, it has a zero mm drop. It's a few years older, but looks a lot like the Merrell Trail Glove 2.

I took to using these on unladen, fast hikes a few years back. The zero height keeps my ankles healthy, on rocky terrain I came to understand that any sort of lift from the sole of a boot or hiking shoe just created more leverage to twist my ankle over. I've done a lot of intense hikes at about 1-1.5 hours or so in these shoes, have never tuned my ankle once. Turns out they have a good second life use as well!

left coaster wrote:I've been using a minimal trail running shoe for quite a while now, it has a zero mm drop. It's a few years older, but looks a lot like the Merrell Trail Glove 2.

I took to using these on unladen, fast hikes a few years back. The zero height keeps my ankles healthy, on rocky terrain I came to understand that any sort of lift from the sole of a boot or hiking shoe just created more leverage to twist my ankle over. I've done a lot of intense hikes at about 1-1.5 hours or so in these shoes, have never tuned my ankle once. Turns out they have a good second life use as well!

I use an old Nike "Flex" running shoe, also a minimalist running shoe. I normally hate Nike's but my stepson bought these for me. Terrible running shoe but great on the rower. Prefer them vastly over my running shoes with too much support for the rower.