This Nike Romaleos 4 review covers a dedicated weightlifting shoe. It costs $200 at full price on Nike's page, weighs about 20 oz and has a raised heel of about 0.75 inch, a rigid base and two straps. RunRepeat praises its stability, but notes upper durability and a restrictive toebox. It's built for squats and Olympic lifts, not general gym work. Best for: serious lifters who squat or Olympic lift and want a rigid raised-heel shoe.
Illustration drawn from the product’s specs — see the brand’s site for real photos and colors.
Nike · Training & lifting shoes
Nike Romaleos 4 Review (2026): Worth $200?
4/5
our rating
our rating
$200Full price on Nike’s site, checked Oct 7, 2026
Best for: Serious lifters who squat or Olympic lift and want a rigid raised-heel shoe.
Skip it if: You do cardio, HIIT or only light lifting.
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What we like
- Phenomenal stability per RunRepeat
- Two-strap lockdown
- Sturdy, wide platform
- Raised heel for squat depth
- Comfortable for a lifting shoe
Watch out for
- Heavy (about 20 oz)
- Upper durability
- Restrictive toebox and half size small
- Not for cardio
On this page
Fit and sizing
RunRepeat says the Romaleos 4 fits half a size small and advises going up half a size for wide feet. The toebox feels restrictive and it's not good for narrow ankles. Two straps help lockdown. Use our training shoe finder to compare options.
Cushioning and ride
Nike's heel elevation is 0.75 in (about 19 mm), and RunRepeat measured about 20.5 mm. The platform is rigid with extended TPU walls and an extra-stiff heel counter. Expect a flat, firm, immovable base.
How it performs for squats and Olympic lifting
By design it raises your heels for squat depth and gives a stable base under heavy loads. Reviewers rate it phenomenal for stability and comfortable for a lifting shoe. It's not for cardio. See our lifting shoes list.
Price and value
At $200 it's the priciest in this batch. RunRepeat's catalog showed it discounted to around $130, so watch sales. Nike's 60-day Wear Test return window applies.
Alternatives
The Nike Savaleos is a cheaper, lighter raised-heel lifter. The Nike Metcon 10 is the flat all-rounder. More on the Nike brand page.
Who should skip it
Skip the Romaleos 4 if you do HIIT, circuits or run, or only lift lightly.
Specs
| For | Men & women |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) |
| Weight | 570 g (20.1 oz) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 19 mm |
| Heel stack | 33.5 mm |
| Cushioning | Firm |
| Support | Neutral |
| Widths | Regular |
| Plate | Plastic |
| Surface | Gym |
| Best use | Lifting |
| Heel | Raised |
| Rope guard | No |
| Good for | Lifting, Gym training |
The verdict
A rigid, supportive lifting shoe for serious squats and snatches. It's pricey and heavy, so wait for a sale. Skip it if you do cardio, HIIT or only light lifting. Ratings here are editorial estimates, not our own testing.
Alternatives to consider
Frequently asked questions
Is the Romaleos 4 good for squats?
Reviewers rate its stability highly, thanks to the raised heel and rigid base. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves. Check the brand page or a retailer for the latest colors, sizes and price before you order.
Does it run small?
RunRepeat says half a size small. Fit is personal, so try it on with your usual socks if you can, and buy from a retailer with an easy return policy. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves.
Is there a Romaleos 5?
We did not find one on Nike's weightlifting page. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves. Check the brand page or a retailer for the latest colors, sizes and price before you order. Models are updated often, so make sure you are looking at the current version.
Can I use it for HIIT?
It's not designed for cardio; use a cross-training shoe instead. Specs here come from the brand and independent testers, since we have not tested it ourselves. Check the brand page or a retailer for the latest colors, sizes and price before you order.
Sources and last checked · Oct 7, 2026
Notes: Nike's weightlifting listing 2026-10-07 shows Romaleos 4 at $200 and no Romaleos 5 (keywords.md lists a 'nike romaleos 5' query but we found no such product); Adipower 3 could not be verified (RunRepeat page 404), so Romaleos 4 is the lifting pick. Per-product page URL 404'd; official_url is Nike's weightlifting listing. Weight 20.1 oz / 570 g and heel elevation 0.75 in (about 19 mm) per RunRepeat quoting Nike; lab 571 g, 20.5 mm drop, 33.5 mm heel. Forefoot stack, foam and widths not published (set null/Regular). Runs half size small. RunRepeat's catalog showed a sale around $130. Release 2020. Ratings estimated; we have not tested this shoe.
Specs and prices come from the sources above and change often; ratings are our editorial estimates, not lab tests. Spot something out of date? Tell us.