Paul Mescal Just Mastered the Art of Styling Weightlifting Shoes

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WHEN PAUL MESCAL steps onto the street, the whole world pays attention. Short shorts have fueled much of the online surveillance, but while the rest of the internet remains fixated by his five inch inseam, it's the Gladiator 2 star's recent shoe choice that has caught our eye.

Pictured at the weekend in his typical workout attire as he headed to a fitness studio in New York, the 28-year-old was seen without his usual choice of footwear, adidas Sambas, opting instead for a subcategory of trainers that arguably rivals only the slipper and the sandal for its lack of aesthetic appeal: weightlifting shoes.

The pair in question are the 'Preloved Green' version of the adidas Dropset 2 trainers—a choice likely inspired by his Irish roots. Designed specifically for strength training, the Dropset 2 is, by all accounts, an excellent gym trainer, with a 6mm midsole drop that offers a flat and stable platform for performing heavy lifts. These aren't as rigid as more traditional weightlifting shoes for competition, which have a more extreme platform and reinforced heel, but they are certainly not normal walking around shoes.

The Oscar nominated actor was also seen in a matching training top and shorts from O'Neills, an Irish sportswear brand which also sells Gaelic football gear. Up top were a pair of what looks to be his favored Finlay Douglas sunglasses. To finish the look, and what is arguably the real talking point of Mescal's gym fit, were a pair of circa 2012 Apple earpods.

Mescal's footwear choice was likely inspired by his training for Gladiator 2 which saw him undergo a significant bulk up for the role. In June last year, a leaked video showed a topless, long-haired Mescal performing standing dumbbell rows ahead of filming for the much-anticipated sequel.

Lifters unquestionably have their place in the gym, but wearing a pair in public is a fairly bold fashion statement, even for Mescal. Convenient if you're already on your way to a workout, but reinforced heels, in public? It's a hard sell, regardless of how much you can squat in them. Even if you are on the way to the gym, a pair of cushioned walking shoes will be a much more enjoyable experience—plus, you'll prolong the tread of your weightlifting shoes if you save them only for inside the gym.

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