What are the best shoes for kickboxing?
If like me, you’ve ever sat down and asked yourself that question, it probably took you a while to come up with a satisfactory answer. Indeed, with the art of kickboxing generally being something you either grow up in or turn to a bit later in life, trying to get yourself equipped can be really rather difficult.
Basically, the crux of it is that the best kickboxing shoes are usually made out of dense foam, allowing them to be both flexible and supportive in equal measure. They must be lightweight, boast ankle support and provide quite a lot in the way of traction.
With that in mind, it’s best to look for sparring shoes.
Not quite sure what they are? Well, luckily for you, the point of this article is to help narrow that down.
Here’s our in-depth review of the FIVE best shoes for kickboxing.
1. Rival Boxing BOOTS-LOW TOPS - Best Kickboxing Shoes for Serious Athletes
My absolute favorites and the shoes that helped take my love for kickboxing seriously.
So lightweight but so supportive, they are an essential for people who want to indulge in this amazing art. Offering support for your ankles, they’re so comfortable to land on and absorb shock amazingly well.
Oh, and they look fabulous too.
Pros
- Supportive
- Absorb shock
- Comfortable
Cons
- Probably a bit too much for newcomers
2. Ringside Diablo Wrestling Boxing Shoes - Perfect for Kickboxers With Big Feet
- The Ringside Diablo Boxing Shoes are contemporary...
- These sport-specific shoes have a patent leather...
- Made with a breathable nylon mesh pattern and a...
- Please see size chart with foot measurements to...
Contemporary in style, the Ringside Diablo range are some of the best on the market.
Made specifically for this kind of sport, their rubber sole affords you so much extra comfort when fighting, and they are tailored for high performance. Naturally wide, they’re brilliant if you’ve got big or wide feet, and their low-top ankle gives you so much flexibility while also retaining a huge amount of support.
Pros
- Very breathable
- Hugely comfortable
- Lots of ankle support
Cons
- Can only really be used for contact sports
3. Adidas Aldi-KICK 2 Martial Arts Shoes - Best Shoes For Experienced Kickboxers
- Pu material
- Short lace better fit
- Very light shoe
- Please note that these are tight fitting
- Please order a size bigger than usual
If you’re experienced in the art of kickboxing, the Adidas Aldi-Kick range is a perfect way to go. You can also use these for tae kwon do, and the pivot points included in the rubber sole allow for maximum flexibility in your feet.
Very light, they’re brilliant if you’ve done the rounds and don’t feel you need the comfort of higher ankle support.
Pros
- Very light
- Can be used for more than one sport
- Pivot points really help wrap your foot around opponents
Cons
- Lower ankle support may scare off newcomers
4. Adidas Box Hog 3 - Best Shoes For Kickboxing Support
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Another from the Adidas range (aren’t they just the best?), the Box Hog is more your traditional type of kickboxing shoe. Indeed, the lace closure keeps your foot in place, so you don’t risk nasty injuries, and the all-round support doesn’t stop there.
The EVA midsole forms part of the enhanced durability of the product, which offers terrific support and grip all around the ring.
Not bad looking either; they allow you to train longer and fight harder.
Pros
- Offer all-round support
- From a very respectable brand
- Very, very durable
- Protected toe cap to guard against toe injury
Cons
- Lace holes have been known to rip early
5. Mooto TKD - Best Shoes For People Who Do More Than One Sport
- New concept shoes Sock type martial arts, even...
- 1. Hygiene: Protects sweat and harmful such as...
- 2. Activities: Non-slip fabrics on the bottom...
- 4. Keep Warmth: Neoprene that provides comport...
- Color: Navy or Red / Material: Neoprene / Contain:...
Given how light they look, you may be surprised that the Mooto Korea Taekwondo range can protect your feet so much. Still, this new concept may look like a sock, but a pursuit will always use something like this.
Kickboxing shouldn’t hurt unless you get caught. The whole practice behind it is to inflict your opponent with damage and not yourself, so this kind of shoe is frequently used. Boasting a non-slip function for added grip, they can also go in the washing machine, saving you lots of hassle.
Pros
- Light
- Machine washable
- Non-slip function
- Suitable for more than one combat sport
Cons
- The lightness of them might put off people who aren’t used to kickboxing
Our Buying Guide
So, as you can see, there are some key areas you need to focus on when it comes to buying the best shoes for kickboxing.
Considering this is a specialist sport, getting your purchase right is an absolute must. Indeed, there are a few features you need to be thinking about when searching online and, if you can meet all of those, you’re likely to be happy with what you buy.
Durability
When you think about just how much bouncing and general stress your feet and legs will come under while kickboxing, getting something durable is an absolute must.
If you skimp out on cost from the start, you’ll only end up trying to replace your athletic shoes or sneakers quickly, eventually costing you more money.
Support
Just as your shoes need support, so do your feet.
The amount of stress you are putting your body through is no joke. If your shoes do not offer you support, you risk nasty damages to your ankles and your feet. With that in mind, get as much support as you possibly can when it comes to buying shoes.
DON’T RISK IT!
Breathability
It’s imperative to get something with air holes. Not only for the condition of your feet but, of course, for the sake of anyone you’ll come into close contact with after your session. Don’t put them through that smell.
If your shoes offer air circulation, they will be easier to lift off the ground and provide much more in the way of comfort.
By sticking to those three principles, you’ll get the perfect shoe for all of your kickboxing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best kickboxing shoes made out of?
Usually, like any athletic shoe, the best kickboxing footwear will be made out of dense foam. That helps support you on your feet but support you too, helping avoid nasty injuries such as plantar fasciitis.
What does plantar fasciitis mean?
Basically, plantar fasciitis is just a Latin way of describing foot pain.
Common in sports like basketball or kickboxing – things that result in landing on your feet after leaving the ground – it usually means an inflammation between your heel bone and your toes.
Do kickboxing shoes HAVE to be lightweight?
This is pretty much a resounding ‘yes.’
Given the sport requires so much in the way of footwork in both kicking and jumping, it’s imperative you get something lightweight. Chunky shoes simply need more energy to lift off the ground, slowing you down and leaving you exhausted when trying to defend against your opponent.
Can I use kickboxing shoes for other sports?
Depending on what you’re doing, yes (to an extent).
Unlike other athletic shoes, you can’t really start donning a pair of kickboxing shoes for running or lifting weights because there is no heel to support you.
A light jog wouldn’t be too much of a big deal, but, really, I’d stick to just kickboxing when wearing them. If done right, that’ll get you fit enough!
How seriously should I take ankle support?
Really seriously.
Though you might think you’re invincible if you’ve not been unlucky enough to encounter ankle problems in your time, one bad move can lead to a lifetime of issues. Trust me, I’ve seen it before.
With that in mind, it’s always worth buying the best product you can afford when it comes to ankle support. If you’re into keeping active, it just isn’t worth the risk.
Last Advice
Hopefully, you’ll have found this helpful.
Kickboxing is just as much an art as it is a sport. To do it successfully, you need to don the right pair of shoes and – to be honest – I really do prefer the Rival Boxing BOOTS-LOW TOPS.
They offer so much in the way of breathability to keep your feet ventilated, and they look so cool too.
It’s absolutely crucial you keep our principles in mind. Really focus on the support and the durability of your boots; I cannot stress that enough. I’ve seen so many injuries rear their ugly heads over the years by people trying to get into kickboxing without being smart about their footwear.
Sure, some of the products may look a little light but don’t be fooled. As long as they support your ankle, you really should have no worries in and out of the ring. The power, of course, lies with the precision of your shots, not any clunky shoes weighing you down.
Keep yourself safe out there. We hope we’ve helped. There’s so much to like about kickboxing; make sure your choice of footwear is one of them!
