Question on oly shoes

[Kurt Hessenbruch]

I was wondering if anyone has used these oly shoes?

http://www.vsathletics.com/product.php?xProd=1301&xSec=136p a pai

I'm looking to pick up a pair if these are decent quality. I don't compete in oly and I wear my Chuck's for most of my training, so as long as they're comfy and they're not going to fall apart with once-a-week squatting, they should be OK for me. I'm not really willing to spend much more than this, so any other recommendations on affordable quality would be greatly appreciated, as well.

Also, how should oly shoes fit? Really snug or just like a casual walking-around type shoe?

[Ryan Rhodes]

VSA just came out with those last month, but I think that they are just a DoWin shoe branded for VSA. I've never used it, but from what I've heard, it's just a cheaper asian made shoe with decent quality and performance. This might not matter though; the margin that shoes actually assist you in your lifting is so little and I doubt if a cheaper shoe would affect you much performance-wise. Durability is another issue, though. If you couldn't find an Adidas shoe in your size at dynamic-eleiko.com, the VSA shoes might be the only alternative in that price range. I myself would still prefer the tried and true german made Adidas shoes. I have Adistar IIs.

[Mike Westerling]

I have been using them a few months now. I think they make me feel more solid at the bottom of front squats and allow me to get in slightly better position on push presses but my actual numbers have not yet reflected it. I don't know how the quality compares to the vs but I am not sure oly shoes are all they are cracked up to be yet.
-Mike

[Michael Shoretz]

They are a little wider than the adidas adistar II's and their heel is slightly higher i think. If you have any flexibility issues, that will probably help alot. I'm going to be switching to them or the do-wins real soon. My adistars are too narrow.

[Eric Zender]

I just got a pair about 2 months ago and really like them. Seem pretty durable especially since I am very hard on stuff. Worth the money IMO>

[jon hergert]

i have two pair, think highly of them. Didn't really need two pair but there was a huge sale when i got mine ($35 pair) so thought i would stock up.

Since first pair is holding up so well, don't think i will have opportunity to use second pair until i am in my 50's.

[Joshua Davis]

I love my dowins, and they are wider and have a higher heel than the Adidas. They work well for me.

[jbeeks99]

the cats out of the bag! i'm trying to get vs athletics to put something on my website so i could tell ya'll about them. they are great shoes! $60 shoes compared to addidas! they feel great and you can't beat the price. i front squat 600 pounds with these babies. they are really great shoes and they have actually improved the quality since i bought a pair! i would highly recommend these!!!!!!

[benjamin d. moore]

I like them. I've used mine for 3 years now. Scott Tully, a member here, sells them on his site as well. BS Olympic Gym. Do a search and support a member.

[Kurt Hessenbruch]

Great! Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like a worthwhile buy and I'll definitely do a search to help support a forum member. Any comments on sizing? Should I just get what I would normally wear in an athletic shoe?

[Michael Shoretz]

if you are between two sizes go with the smaller.