The Nike Romaleos 2 has single-handedly changed the face of weightlifting. The iconic design, the clever touches, and the quality had professional and amateur weightlifters hooked in no time. This is the first shoe to feature a TUP heel (a solid, yet light plastic that breaks less easily than a wooden version would) and a sturdy, practically indestructible outer sole. It’s no wonder that acquiring a pair had become a rite of passage for many. As award-winning weightlifter Chrissy Pulsinelli remarks in a guest column for Everyday Lifters, the Nike Romaleos 2 is the shoe she prefers for professional meet and greets up until this day. The design is synonymous with competence and expertise, she argues. The Nike Romaleos 3 is different. Designed for a broader, more versatile audience, it’s become a favorite among cross-fitters, would-be weightlifters, and casual sportsmen. The Nike Romaleos 2 is the shoe reserved for Olympic weightlifters and the like, while the Nike Romaleos 3 is the pair everyone could invest in and wear with the utmost comfort. Unlike the older design, the Nike Romaleos 3 features a unique honeycomb pattern, a full rubber outsole for a more aerodynamic, compact feel, and a slimmer, more snug fit. The modernized iteration of the all-time-favorite, the Romaleos 3 garnered popularity for its versatility and slick, modern feel. We put together this article to help you figure out which shoe is the most optimal for your needs and requirements. From fit to built-in features and availability, we ranked the two shoes based on their specific shortcomings and advantages. Release date One of the most reliable Nike Romaleos prototypes of all time, the Nike Romaleos 2 was released eight years ago, on January 15, 2012. The reason why people still talk about it so enthusiastically? It remains the most popular shoe among amateur and professional weightlifters alike. The Nike Romaleos 3 came out on January 21, 2017, causing a great stir within the weightlifting community. Unlike the Romaleos 2, it features a slick, minimalistic design, a super-stylish, generously-sized strap, and durable rubber outsole. It’s an easy-to-wear, conveniently shoe that requires no breaking in. Unlike the Romaleos 2, you can move around in the Romaleos 3 comfortably, and you will barely feel it on your feet. This garnered some criticism from those who have been in the field for decades, claiming the shoe is simply too snug. Up until this day, many professionals swear by the Nike Romaleos 2 and consider it the ultimate shoe of the weightlifting world. However, if you prefer comfort over stability, you are likely to appreciate the Nike Romaleos 3 all the more. Heel height The Nike Romaleos 2 and the Nike Romaleos 3 come with the same heel height, 0.75 inches. Why is that? The heel allows you to squat into a deeper position, helping you perfect your exercise routines, push yourself further, and achieve more. Both shoes incorporate the so-called innovative thermoplastic (TPU) heel wedge that cups the heel and supports the foot to provide unmatched lifting stability. The heel is a prerequisite if you want to take good care of your feet. Weightlifters subject their feet to borderline-inhuman challenges. If you want to prevent severe leg, knee, hip, or back conditions, it’s a wise choice to consider investing in professional gear. Once you start lifting heavier weights, it’ll become particularly crucial to opt for the equipment best suited for your aims, goals, and purposes. What sizes are available? Are they true to size or do they run big or small? The Romaleos 2 fits true to size. As reviewers point out, the shoe works particularly well for weightlifters with broader feet. Under any circumstances, it’s a sage idea to try on the shoes before making a purchase, as it’s better to have an idea of what fit works best and which is less ideal. The Romaleos 2 is the sturdier, heavier, more durable version, while the Romaleos 3 is widely applauded for its flexible, easily-bending design. These shoes run true to size as well, though some recommend choosing the option that’s half size smaller than your normal shoe to achieve perfect snugness. Colors available The Nike Romaleos 2 are available in a vast range of colors, including a classic, unfailing black-and-red version adorned with a swoosh, a stripped-down, minimalistic black and silver, and a more daring claret red one. For those who want to turn heads, the quirky, fluorescent orange and deep azure blue version would make a strong choice. Alternatively, the bright neon green pair offers an easy way to stand out from the homogeneous crowd of gyms and weightlifting competitions, while the unmistakable color would certainly be the easiest to spot in your gym bag as well. Not enough to choose from? You’re far from the only one to feel that way. Several reviewers mention that the Nike Romaleos 2 comes in a limited number of colors, failing to cater to customers’ needs. However, as some note, this adds to its charm in certain ways, making it the iconic shoe professionals would wear regardless of the unmistakable aesthetic. On the other hand, the Nike Romaleos 3 is available in dozens of colors, which is often credited as a conscious choice on behalf of the Nike design team. In a bid to differentiate the shoe from the Nike Romaleos 2, the brains behind the brand chose to create an ultra-modern, fashionable, more covetable shoe available in pure white, black, taupe, and other iterations. Quality The Nike Romaleos 2 remains the most-preferred shoe within the community. The sturdy, tough design has to be broken in gradually — which makes it more reliable and static. This shoe can last up to three-four years, which is partially why it earned so many accolades in the past. It’s an investment that’s bound to pay back. The Nike Romaleos 3 is a more contemporary, versatile design that can be used by cross-fitters and weightlifters alike. As many customers note, this shoe is nowhere near as long-lasting as its cultic counterpart. According to some, frequent use heavily increases wear and tear, and it’s not unusual among weightlifters to opt for a replacement after just half a year of use or less. Where to buy & availability As the newer design was rolled out, it became increasingly hard to attain a pair of Nike Romaleos 2. This predicament has only gotten worse since 2017, when the Nike Romaleos 3 shoe was released, and many people struggle to get their hands on the authentic, much-coveted shoe. However, this doesn’t mean that the shoes are completely unavailable. While a few-hour-long browse on eBay in search of the best possible option might not sound like your cup of tea, a tiny bit of research does go a long way. Several sellers offer unused shoes for a jaw-droppingly optimal price. Alternatively, you can also try Strength Shop, Workout, Rogue, and Amazon, all of which stock the much-favored item. The Nike Romaleos 3 is available on the website of every major retailer, including the official Nike website, Nike Sales US, Live Your Sport, and of course, Amazon and eBay: See the Nike Romaleos 3 on Nike.com See the Nike Romaleos 3 on Amazon.com Conclusion The Nike Romaleos 2 entices with its incredibly durable, sturdy design, clever strap placements, and unparalleled quality. Designed specifically with Olympic weightlifters in mind, the shoe comes with a softer ‘training insole’ and a stiffer competition insole. Tiny details like this make it into the most-favored shoe within the community, but — and this is worth emphasizing — this isn’t the easiest or cheapest shoe to obtain. On the other hand, the Nike Romaleos 3 boasts a narrower, more convenient design, a softer, more versatile outer sole, and a larger, more aesthetically-pleasing strap. If you’re relatively new to the world of weightlifting or haven’t made up your mind yet, this is the shoe to consider.
