The first-generation 2008 Nike Romaleos were known for being heavy and stiff, with an outsole that was nearly impossible to bend. How far has the apple fallen from the tree? All the way to a different orchard!

The Romaleos gradually faded from the marketplace after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The original version had several issues: it was heavy, stiff, and prone to splitting soles. With the new version, the Romaleos 2, Nike aimed to address these issues by increasing flexibility and reducing weight—and they succeeded.

Weight Reduction and Redesigned Features

Nike claims an approximate 20% reduction in weight over its predecessor. In our review, the 2008 Romaleos weighed a hefty 620g (size 9), while the new, svelte Romaleos 2 tipped the scale at 477g (size 9). This is a 23% reduction! Nike completely redesigned the shoe internally, specifically focusing on the toe box and midsole. Despite these changes, the Romaleos 2 visually appears almost identical to the original. The welt and outsole are now mildly pliable, but it’s still difficult to bend the shoe in the metatarsal area. Even with its diet, it remains, by a small margin, the heaviest shoe in its category.

Key Redesign Features and Improvements

• Weight Reduction: Approximately 23% lighter compared to the original version.
• Toe Box and Midsole Redesign: Improved internal structure for better comfort and fit.
• Mildly Pliable Welt and Outsole: Enhanced flexibility while maintaining stability.
• Retained Visual Design: Minimal external changes to maintain familiarity for lifters.

Subtle Design Changes

Nike made only a few styling changes between the original 2008 Nike Romaleos and the 2012 Nike Romaleos 2. The “08-08-08” marking on the back heel cup was removed, and a “2” was added to the tongue. These subtle updates are the only visual clues that distinguish it as a new model. Nike likely chose to make minimal changes to the visual design to retain familiarity for lifters who were accustomed to the original version, while focusing their efforts on improving the shoe’s internal features and performance.

Fit and Finish

The fit and finish are excellent. Nike has always done a fantastic job with aesthetics, and the 2012 Nike Romaleos 2 is no exception. Every detail looks polished, making it a shoe worthy of its cost.

All the features from the 2008 Nike Romaleos version remain, including the dual opposing straps for lateral support and the option of using either of the two included sole inserts—one soft and the other less pliable. The lighter “Training liner” weighs 29g (size 9), while the “Competition liner” weighs a hefty 116g.

The Competition liner is designed for maximum stability during high-intensity lifts, making it ideal for experienced lifters who need extra rigidity for competitions. However, with the overall stiffness of the shoe, many lifters may find the Training liner sufficient for most purposes, which is why the Competition liner might end up collecting dust in the box.

A tiny yet interesting detail carried over is the inscription on the inner side of the midsole: the left shoe reads “Go forth and…,” and the right “Dominate.”

Heel Design and Stability

As with the previous model, the heel consists of TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), which offers several advantages over the traditional wood used by other shoe manufacturers. Nike calls the heel design the “Power Bridge.” It’s transparent, visually appealing, and offers a high level of stability. TPU keeps manufacturing costs low and provides more flexibility in design. For instance, Nike markets this shoe with “variable height heels,” allowing the pitch of the shoe to remain consistent regardless of size. We measured three different sizes, and all had the same 8% pitch.

Quality Control and Sizing

For quality control, we weighed both the left and right shoes to check for consistency. Being a giant shoe manufacturer, it’s no surprise that both shoes were almost identical. Nike was the best in this category. The shoes differed by less than 1% in weight, a very narrow margin compared to other weightlifting shoes.

The width of the shoe is accommodating. Although Nike lists it as D, lifters with wider feet didn’t experience any discomfort using them. They fit true to size for both men and women.

Performance: Mixed Reactions

After lifting in the 2012 Nike Romaleos 2 for a week, we had mixed feelings. Some lifters appreciated the stiffness, noting that it provided excellent lateral support, almost as if they were “planted to the ground.” However, others found it too stiff—comparable to walking in a ski boot rather than a shoe. This stiffness posed challenges during the split jerk, especially for the trailing foot, which needs to be on the ball of the foot. The difficulty in bending the shoe made it hard for some lifters to achieve an ideal receiving position.

The built-in arch is quite high; some found it obtrusive, while others didn’t notice it at all. The main issue is that the arch is part of the Power Bridge and cannot be removed. On the positive side, the lace design works very well, allowing the shoes to be snugged tightly with little effort. The bottom strap felt unnecessary, as we couldn’t notice a difference with it on or off. Additionally, the top strap was too long for some users, often dragging on the ground.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros:

• Excellent lateral support
• Secure lace design
• High-quality construction
• Two liner options (Training and Competition) for customizable support

Cons:

• Too stiff for some users
• High, non-removable arch
• Overly long top strap
• Useless bottom strap

Nike vs. Adidas

At our gym, whenever a discussion arises about the best lifting shoes, the favorites always come down to Nike or Adidas. This speaks volumes, considering Nike is relatively new to the Olympic weightlifting shoe scene, whereas Adidas has been a dominant force since the late 1970s.

The key differences between the 2012 Nike Romaleos 2 and 2012 Adidas Adipower ✏️come down to stiffness and weight. The Nike Romaleos 2 is stiffer and slightly heavier, providing a solid, planted feel that is ideal for lifters seeking maximum stability. In contrast, the Adidas Adipower is lighter and offers more flexibility, making it a better choice for those who need a balance of stability and agility.

Another significant difference is the arch height. The Nike Romaleos 2 features a higher arch, which some lifters may find obtrusive. The Adidas Adipower, with its slightly lower arch, can be more comfortable for those who prefer less arch support.

Quick Comparison Chart: Nike Romaleos 2 vs. Adidas Adipower

Feature	2012 Nike Romaleos 2	2012 Adidas Adipower
Stiffness	High	Moderate
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Heel Design	TPU Power Bridge	TPU Torsion System
Arch Height	High	Lower
Color Options	4	1
Ideal User	Stability-focused lifters	Versatility-focused lifters

Final Thoughts: The 2012 Nike Romaleos 2

Make no mistake: the new, 2012 Nike Romaleos 2 is a top-notch Olympic weightlifting shoe and has come a long way since the original version. The option of multiple color combinations is an added plus, allowing lifters to express their personal style.

If your goal is strictly Olympic weightlifting and you prefer a cemented, rock-solid feeling, this shoe will not disappoint. It’s by far the best in this area and definitely worthy of the price.