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Avancus Apex Power: V3 vs High Top, Sizing and What They Are For
Avancus makes flat, zero-drop shoes for powerlifting. The heel and forefoot sit at the same height, the outsole is thin enough to...
Avancus makes flat, zero-drop shoes for powerlifting. The heel and forefoot sit at the same height, the outsole is thin enough to feel the floor, and the toe box is wide enough for the toes to spread and grip. That is the opposite of a raised-heel weightlifting shoe, and it is what most powerlifters want for deadlifts, low-bar squats and bench press: the shortest, most stable path from foot to floor.
Apex Power V3 or High Top
The Apex Power V3 is the low-cut shoe and the one most lifters should start with. Zero drop, a 4mm outsole in Avancus' Viziun grip rubber, extended contact points at the heel and under the metatarsals so the shoe does not roll when you drive out laterally in a sumo pull, and an anatomically shaped toe box. It is light, minimal and feels closer to a slipper with grip than a trainer.
The Apex Power High Top is the same platform with an upper that extends above the ankle. The outsole, grip and toe box are identical; what the high top adds is lateral and medial support around the ankle, which some sumo deadlifters and lifters with mobile ankles prefer, and the feel of the shoe locking onto the foot. It costs the same. If you are choosing between them, pick the V3 unless you have a specific reason to want ankle coverage.
Both come in several colourways, and colourway stock varies by size; if the colour you want is not in your size, the black or white V3 is usually the one in the fullest range.
Sizing
Avancus sizes are EU. The fit is true to length with a deliberately roomy forefoot, so measure your foot and take your normal EU size rather than sizing up for width the way you might in a narrower brand. The toe box is meant to feel spacious. If you sit between sizes, take the larger; the strap and lacing will take up the slack, and a cramped toe box defeats the point of the shoe. If you are unsure, message us with your foot length in centimetres and we will tell you which size to order.
What they are for
Deadlifts first: conventional and sumo, where every millimetre of sole height adds range of motion and any compression under the foot costs stability. Low-bar squats for lifters whose ankle mobility does not need a heel. Bench press, where a flat, grippy shoe gives you a solid leg drive. General gym work, walking, and warm-ups. What they are not for is high-bar or Olympic-style squatting where you want a raised heel; for that, see our weightlifting shoes.
Avancus compared with other flat shoes
Against a Converse-style canvas shoe, Avancus gives you a wider toe box, a thinner and grippier sole, and a shoe that is built for the loads. Against a deadlift slipper, you get more grip and a proper upper you can walk around in, at a small cost in sole thickness. Against Notorious Lift, the other zero-drop shoe we stock, the differences are mainly in fit and grip compound; both are good, and trying both in store is the honest answer.
Common questions
Are Avancus shoes good for squats? Yes for low-bar and for lifters with good ankle mobility. If you find yourself pitching forward or struggling to hit depth in a flat shoe, a raised heel will help more.
Can I wear them for everyday training? Yes. They are comfortable enough for a whole session and most owners wear them for everything except Olympic lifts.
Are they allowed in competition? Yes. Flat-soled shoes are legal for all three lifts in the IPF and its affiliates.
How do they wear? The outsole is thin and grippy, so dragging your feet on rough gym floors wears it faster than a trainer. Used as a lifting shoe rather than an everyday shoe they last for years.
Every pair ships from our Sydney warehouse, and both models are in store to try on.