The first-ever AMP version of the Nike Romaleos 4 Oly lifter. This is Nike’s premium weightlifting shoe for 2020.
It’s a bold styling option – these are very unique colorways that are usually made in somewhat limited numbers.
Beyond the bold design statement, the shoe looks and acts like a regular Nike Romaleos 4.
We’ve tested the Nike Romaleos 4 extensively – it’s a good Oly lifter (even if it is a bit noisy.) This is one of the more mundane colorways.
Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at:
Nike Romaleos 4 AMP With extra-bold styling the Nike Romaleos 4 AMP is a good looking shoe. It packs all the same performance features as the regular edition Romaleos 4 - and that's a good thing..
Nike Romaleos 4 (White/Black) The Romaleos 4 has a very firm sole and very little cushion - which is exactly what you want for heavy barbell weightlifting. Shown here in Black/White, this is one of the colorways in many of the photos.
Nike Romaleos 4 (Black) Also available in black, you can see the tall heel raise (or drop) that these shoes provide - making getting low in the squat easier.
Nike Romaleos 4 – Video Review on our YouTube Channel
Why read when you can watch? Check out this video from our YouTube channel:
(NOTE: The Romaleos 4 AMP is identical to the regular Romaleos 4 shoe from a performance and features standpoint.)
Nike Romaleos 4 AMP – Overview
Let’s take a tour of what makes the AMP shoe special.
We’ll explain the features of the shoe as we go.
Let’s start with the mile-high heel raise. This shoe gives you a 20mm heel to toe drop. That means it’s easier to get deep into the squat.
Not only does it have a large amount of heel raise, the midsole and outsole are rock solid. These are effectively zero cushion shoes – and that’s what you want for lifting heavy barbells. Whether you are powerlifting (squat, deadlift) or Oly lifting (clean/snatch/jerk) this is the best shoe.
From the top view you can see the dual midfoot straps – these are a key ingredient to getting the most secure, locked-in fit possible. You can’t have loose fitting Oly lifters – that means a loss of power when you explosively lift the weights.
The Romaleos 4 has a very intricate looking outsole. It’s rubber and it gives great traction on the gym floor.
The only real complaint we have about the Romaleos 4 is that it is the noisiest Oly lifter of 2020. How so? It makes a very high pitched clatter sound when you land after the 2nd pull (or walk). All Oly squat shoes are noisy – but these are noisier than all the rest. Why? Maybe it’s that plastic heel and the thin knife edge it has…
Nike Romaleos 4 Regular Versus AMP
As we’ve mentioned, there’s no performance difference between the two shoes.
The AMP colorway is just a bold style.
Great for those that want to stand out from the crowd – and declare “I am not a robot.”
Here’s some photos of the other colorways available.
Want something more subtle? Check out the Black/White colorway shown here – my personal favorite.
Some people don’t like the ostentatious swoosh logo on these shoes, but there’s no escaping it – it’s on every edition of the shoe.
There is a hollow section to the outsole – I suppose to help lighten the shoe. This doesn’t compromise traction.
Here’s another colorway that we tested. Sharp!
Nike Romaleos 4 AMP – Sizing
As with the regular edition of the shoe, I recommend you go 1/2 size up on the Romaleos 4.
Why? The toe area is quite “pointy” and it’s a tight fit on my feet in my normal shoe size.
Going up from an 11 to an 11.5 was the perfect solution for me.
I recommend you consider doing the same.
I tested these in both 11.5 and 12 size (my normal size is 11). I recommend you go 1/2 size up for this shoe – it’s pointy and narrow up in the toe box.
Nike Romaleos 4 AMP – In Summary
The Nike Romaleos 4 is our top pick for an Oly lifter shoe in the year 2020.
The new AMP edition brings bold style to the game.
It’s more expensive, but under the covers, it’s the same great Romaleos 4 as the regular edition.
Nike Romaleos 4 AMP – the upper is a dense cloth – it’s supportive and somewhat breathable – but as with all Oly lifters these aren’t meant to be lightweight shoes.
Photo Credits
Some product photos on this page are property of Nike.
This website is not affiliated or associated with CrossFit, Inc. CrossFit is a registered trademark of CrossFit, Inc.
Close-up of the alternating midfoot straps – I like having two straps because you can dial in the precise amount of tightness up high and down low on your foot (as compared to an Oly lifter with a single strap.)
Affiliate Disclaimer
We are an affiliate of Rogue Fitness, and other sellers of this shoe. If you buy shoes after clicking the links in this article, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us to bring you in-depth information and content on these great lifting shoes.
Here’s a closeup of the raised heel. The 20 mm heel to toe drop ensures you can lift with ease, but this is a noisy shoe.
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The Nike React Metcon was just released in November 2019, but Nike is already making some new colorways available. Here’s the Nike React Metcon in white. What’s React? It is Nike’s reactive foam cushioning system. For the React Metcon, it’s a drop-in midsole that works in conjunction with the regular outsole – which is the same as that of the Metcon 5. The React Metcon also uses FlyKnit – that is a yarn-like knit material that allows Nike to make a seamless, one piece upper. It’s not as lightweight as the FlyKnit in the React running shoe line from Nike, as it is double layer instead of single. But, it’s still pretty good. The Nike React Metcon doesn’t have laces – instead it uses Nike’s quick pull system.
Disclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
There’s the Nike Free x Metcon 2 Men’s Cross Training shoe in BLACK / BRIGHT CACTUS PURPLE / NEBULA / WHITE. What is the Nike Free x Metcon 2? Nike has combined the key elements of the Nike Free running shoe line with the Metcon cross-training shoe. And this means the Nike Free X Metcon 2 is the best of both worlds for the dynamic athlete. The Free shoe line replicates the barefoot running experience – the deep siping and hexagonal foam blocks of the sole give flexibility along the length and width of the shoe. Let’s take a look. Shown: Black/Purple Nebula/White/Bright Cactus Style: AQ8306-035 Photo Credits Product photos in this article are property of Nike, Inc.
Disclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Let’s review the best CrossFit shoes for 2020. We’ve compared all the major cross training shoes that have released in 2020 to see which is the best for functional fitness, and CrossFit style WOD workouts. Based on our in-depth testing, we believe the Nike Metcon 6 is the best CrossFit shoe for 2020. But, as with many things, whether or not it is the right shoe for you depends on a few factors. In this article, we’ll give you all the pros and cons of the best shoes – and help you decide which is perfect for you. What are the contenders? We’ve extensively tested all of these major brands, and we’re ready to speak on this topic. Here are the top CrossFit shoes for the year 2020, ranked in order: Want to deep-dive on each shoe? Continue reading, and we’ll talk about how we tested – and what we found out. Best CrossFit Shoes for 2020 – Criteria What’s a CrossFit shoe? To be clear, nobody can market a “CrossFit” shoe without approval from CrossFit Inc. The last “official” [Read more …]
