How To Choose The Best Wrestling Shoes

Think of a wrestler. Any wrestler.

Now place them in a wrestling ring with an opponent and listen to the noise of the crowd as the bout begins. 

Let your wrestlers execute a few moves until the bell sounds for the end of the first round.

During all this, we are guessing that you haven’t once thought of their footwear. You may have envisioned their outfit, their moves, their body, their face, their hair…

… But not their wrestling shoes.

Wrestling shoes are very much the unsung heroes of the wrestling world: a lot more of the tactical advantage a wrestler can gain is provided by their footwear.

This is why we are about to help you understand the perfect way to find the most effective wrestling shoes for your wrestling style so you can smackdown any challenger you face.

What can the best wrestling shoes deliver?

Your body pivots on your ankles and your feet, and wrestling shoes are designed to offer maximum stability and support to these critical points. 

They keep your feet from slipping on the smooth, and often sweaty, surface of the mat, even when you are being forced in all directions by your opponent.

They also provide support higher up the ankle area than most other shoes, to prevent the rolling or spraining that can be caused by sudden, unexpected movements.

What features should I look for in a wrestling shoe?

Aesthetics is, of course, important in sports like wrestling that love to put on a good show. And there are many styles of wrestling shoes, in a wide variety of colours, to choose from. 

But aesthetics alone is not enough. Wrestling shoes need to support the demands that the sport will place you under.

Here’s what’s so different about wrestling shoes:

• Wrestling shoes are flexible and lightweight. They are made to feel almost as if they are not there at all and you are walking barefoot.
• Most wrestling shoes have a high-top design that stabilises and protects your ankles.
• Wrestling shoes usually have rubber soles to offer superior traction and prevent slippage.
• Some wrestling shoes will have studded soles for greater traction.

It is features like these that make wrestling shoes unique and make other training shoes unsuitable for wrestling.

What’s the difference between boxing and wrestling shoes?

Boxing shoes and wrestling shoes are designed to do different jobs.

• Boxing shoes are flat but wrestling shoes have elevated arches.
• Boxing shoes are made to support balletic pivots of the body, whereas wrestling shoes must support your body as it contorts and hyperextends.
• The soles of boxing shoes are patterned to optimise nimble sparring, but wrestling shoes need to provide grip-like support at whichever angle the foot is placed.

What is a split sole wrestling shoe?

Wrestling shoes are either split sole or non-split sole. Let us review the differences between these so you can decide which is best for you.

The sole of split sole wrestling shoes has been cut in half to produce a front and back piece. This means it offers an incredibly flexible fit that allows you to remain light, quick and highly responsive.

Non-split sole shoes are often referred to as ‘unisole’ shoes as they have a single piece of rubber that covers your footwear’s base. One of the main reasons to choose these is their better durability and longevity.

How can I choose the best wrestling shoes for me?

Check that they fit perfectly

Your wrestling shoe should fit very snugly and feel tight all around every part of your foot. You are not looking for breathing space or wiggle room. 

A simple test to try is to place your fingers between the shoe and ankle. If they fit, you may want to consider a smaller size. 

A looser fit will lead to a loss of balance on the mat. And your shoe will only get looser as you wear the shoe in.

Check that they offer maximum ankle support

Wrestling shoes are unusual in the level of ankle support they offer. This is because of the strain placed on your ankles during a wrestling bout.

Some of this support is provided by the lacing style. Look for shoes that can be tied tightly around the ankles, and have little to no gap in between their laces. 

Some shoes have asymmetrical lacing, where the eyelets are not aligned at the front of the shoe. This allows you to tie your laces up even tighter than usual.

It is also possible to find wrestling shoes that have an additional strap across the front of the ankle for an extra level of support.

Check what they are made from

There are many materials used for making wrestling shoes, but perhaps your main consideration will be whether the material is lightweight enough to enable greater agility and speed of movement. 

The lighter your shoe, the faster you will be on your feet.

Alongside the weight of your shoe, you may also wish to check how good the material is at letting moisture escape from the inside of the shoe. It is worth noting here that the materials that are used for longer-lasting wrestling shoes, such as leather and suede, tend to offer more durability and support but do not allow moisture to escape very well.

Check how they are stitched

The strength of the stitching is an important consideration here, and certainly much more important than when looking at running shoes. 

Wrestling involves a great deal of dynamic movement and, poorly-constructed stitching will become quickly weakened by this.

ASICS wrestling shoes store

With a wide choice to choose from, why not head over to our ASICS wrestling shoes store to find the best wrestling shoe for you?