Shoes, socks and headwear
This is a plain-English guide. The official IPF Technical Rules are the final word.
You must wear shoes on the platform. Bare feet are not allowed.
Shoes
You can wear indoor sports shoes, lifting shoes or deadlift slippers. Hiking boots and rubber-soled socks are not allowed.
- Sole no more than 5 cm thick, and flat underneath with no grips
- Any loose inner sole no more than 1 cm thick
- Laces tied or straps fastened on the platform
- No glue, resin or chalk on the soles (a light spray of water is fine)
Socks
Socks are optional, except for the deadlift, where you must wear shin-length socks to protect your shins. Any colour is fine. Socks must not touch your knee wraps or sleeves. Full-length tights or leggings are not allowed.
Headwear
No hats on the platform. You may wear a hijab. For the bench press, the referees may ask you to tie your hair back. You may wear a plain black or white sweatband up to 12 cm wide, but not with wrist wraps.