We like our LALOs here at SGPT. That’s no secret.
We’re big fans of their boots, and after testing out some Bloodbirds and Grinders, pretty big fans of all their footwear.
If you missed our previous reviews check out the Bloodbird or Grinder review.
Now to business – this shoe was creating in collaboration with Bobby Maximus, the General Manager, Training Director, & Lead Seminar Instructor at Gym Jones. Gym Jones is an elite, strength & conditioning facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.
These kicks are built to deal with the punishment of the gym. They boast the grippy sole of the Grinders – which are built for dynamic movement – but don’t have the pliability of their brother.
They also have a more solid sole, which excels in power and olympic lifts – much like their other brother, the Bloodbird.
These shoes do a great job of melding the dynamic realm the Grinders excel in, with the solid base of the Bloodbird – making it a great all around shoe for sprints, box jumps, deadlifts, and jerks – all without changing footwear.
The construction also has what we’ve come to expect from LALO – Anti-Inversion technology, with ample support under the arch. Again, this extra chunk is meant to be there, but does bar rope climbs from the docket. The Maximus also has the ceramic-coated SUPER FABRIC™ toecap – which I can say takes a beating and doesn’t break down like the other cross-trainers out there. They also have a cleaver pattern outsole, for increased traction on the floor. And then they give you a strong base, with a high density, stiffer shore EVA for your WODs which involve deadlifts and squats, further bolstered by the rocker toe profile.
Stylish, sleek, and filled with utility, these shoes are a great addition to any gym bag. They run right in the middle of the road between the other two cross-trainers LALO makes – the Bloodbird and Grinder – and offer the best of both worlds.
Pros, what we like:
Great stability and traction, solid base and stability when doing heavy lifts and overhead work.
Cons, what we don’t like:
No rope climbs with these on. Womp, womp.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter.
Where-abouts include getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies, which holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.
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