Hey Everyone! We are back again with another gear review on our quest of crowning the best wrestling shoe that is currently on the market on our quest of crowning the best wrestling shoe that is currently on the market. Today we’re going to be reviewing the adidas mat wizard 5 wrestling shoe. Today we’re going to be reviewing the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 Wrestling Shoe.
We ordered a size 9.5 on this shoe. Normally we order a size 9, but based on the reviews we saw online, it was best to size up by half a size. We ordered a size 9.5 on this shoe. Normally we order a size 9, but based on the reviews we saw online, it was best to size up by half a size.Â
As always, we review with a scale that we use internally known as the Graveyard Scale (here) this is a scale that we use to help us rate the gear that we get our hands on from 1 – 10. For wrestling shoes, we’ll be looking at categories that matter most to wrestlers: traction, comfort & fit, durability, weight, and price/value.
The Adidas Mat Wizard 5 ended up being a pretty average wrestling shoe in my experience. While it was undeniably comfortable once it was on my foot, there wasn’t anything about the shoe that truly stood out compared to the other wrestling shoes we’ve reviewed.
The biggest issue was the grip. The outsole felt a little too sleek and never gave me the confidence or traction I look for when wrestling. The shoe also felt somewhat stiff around the ankle and featured a higher tongue design, which made longer socks almost a necessity to avoid rubbing and irritation. Overall, comfort was the strongest part of the Mat Wizard 5, but the lack of grip ultimately held it back from ranking higher on our list.
Reminder: We are on a mission to help people find the best combat sports gear across categories. Our goal is to review a list that consists of 8 to 12 more pairs and share our thoughts to the Reddit communities r/fightgear and r/grapplersgraveyard.
Overview of the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 Wrestling Shoes
The Adidas Mat Wizard 5 is a comfortable, lightweight wrestling shoe that feels well-built and should hold up through multiple seasons of training. Unfortunately, the traction was the biggest drawback during our testing, as the outsole felt too sleek and never provided the same level of grip as competing shoes like the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 or even the ASICS Matflex 7.
Overall, the Mat Wizard 5 earns a 7.3 out of 10 on the Graveyard Scale. While it isn’t a bad wrestling shoe by any means, there are simply better options available in the same price range that offer stronger grip, better value, and a more complete experience on the mat.
First Impressions
- Grip is super iffy
- Do not love the suede on the outsole of the shoe the suede on the outsole of the shoe, lots of moisture will make that stinky and dirty pretty quickly. lots of moisture will make that stinky and dirty pretty quickly.
- Shoe feels well constructed and sturdy. Shoe feels well constructed and sturdy
Video Review: coming soon
Pros
- Comfortable once broken in and on foot
- Lightweight
- Clean, classic Adidas wrestling shoe design
Cons
- Grip leaves a lot to be desired compared to competing wrestling shoes
- Outsole feels too sleek and lacks confidence-inspiring traction
- Ankle area feels stiff, especially during the first few sessions
- High tongue design can cause rubbing if you’re not wearing longer socks
- Â I personally hate that different colorways at different sizes cost different I personally hate that different colorways at different sizes cost different
Traction & Grip (1.5/3)
This was easily the weakest part of the Adidas Mat Wizard 5.
When I look at wrestling shoes, grip is one of the most important categories because it directly impacts how confident you feel during scrambles, shots, and positional exchanges. Unfortunately, the Mat Wizard 5 never really gave me that confidence.
The outsole felt too sleek and didn’t have the same level of traction that I’ve experienced from other shoes we’ve reviewed. For example, the ASICS Matflex 7 provided noticeably better grip, while the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 landed somewhere in the middle and still performed better in this category.
What’s interesting is that there is a pretty significant difference between the two Adidas wrestling shoes we’ve tested. If you’re specifically shopping within the Adidas lineup, I would personally recommend the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 over the Mat Wizard 5 every single time. The traction alone makes a noticeable difference on the mat.
Key Takeaways
- Grip was the biggest weakness of the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 and felt below average compared to other wrestling shoes we’ve tested.
- If you’re choosing between Adidas models, the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 offers noticeably better traction and would be our recommendation.
How We Evaluated Traction (Apartment Testing Disclaimer)
While we don’t have a full mat setup at home, we do have a home rollout mat area where we tested the traction. We tested traction using pressure resistance, pivot movements on hard surfaces, and press-off simulations on our home roll out mat. We also compare outsole design and material to shoes we’ve used extensively in live training
Comfort & Fit (1.8/2)
Comfort was one of the stronger areas of the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 and ultimately earned a 1.8 out of 2 on our scale.
Once the shoe was on my foot, it felt comfortable throughout training sessions and never felt overly restrictive. The toe box had enough room to let my foot breathe without feeling sloppy, which is something I always appreciate in a wrestling shoe.
The only reason this shoe didn’t receive a perfect score was because of the tongue and ankle design. The tongue felt noticeably longer than most wrestling shoes I’ve worn, and the ankle support, while supportive, was a little stiff. Neither issue was a dealbreaker, but they’re worth knowing about before you buy.
Key Takeaways
- One of the most comfortable wrestling shoes we’ve tested, with a roomy fit and breathable feel.
- Long tongue and stiff ankle support kept it from earning a perfect score.
Durability (1.5/2)
While durability can only truly be judged after months of training, my first impression of the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 was positive.
The shoe feels well constructed from top to bottom, and I didn’t notice any manufacturing defects, loose stitching, or quality control issues right out of the box. The materials feel durable, the seams appear reinforced, and the overall build quality is what you would expect from a company like Adidas.
At the end of the day, Adidas has been making athletic footwear for decades, so it’s not surprising that the Mat Wizard 5 feels like a shoe that should hold up well through multiple wrestling seasons with proper care.
Key Takeaways
- Quality materials and solid construction give the shoe a durable feel right out of the box.
- No noticeable defects or build quality concerns during our initial testing.
Weight & Flexibility (1/1)
I don’t have a ton to say about the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 when it comes to weight and flexibility, which is generally a good thing.
The shoe feels light on the foot without feeling flimsy or cheap. It moves naturally with your foot and offers plenty of flexibility for shots, scrambles, and mat movement. At no point did I feel like the shoe was fighting against my movement or restricting my ability to wrestle.
While flexibility isn’t necessarily a standout feature of the Mat Wizard 5, it does exactly what you would want a wrestling shoe to do. It stays comfortable, bends where it needs to, and feels well-built throughout training.
Key Takeaways
- Lightweight feel with enough flexibility for natural movement on the mat.
- Well-constructed without feeling flimsy or overly restrictive.
Price & Value (1.5/2)
One thing that has always annoyed me when shopping for wrestling shoes is when different sizes and colorways have completely different prices. I’d much rather see a consistent price across the board, but that’s more of a retailer issue than a shoe issue.
As for the Mat Wizard 5 itself, I paid around $80 for my pair. While I don’t necessarily think that’s a terrible price, I also don’t think the overall experience justifies it. The shoe is comfortable and well-built, but when you compare it to other options in the same price range, it starts to lose some ground.
The biggest comparison for me is the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0. Not only did that shoe perform better in key categories like traction, but it can often be found at a similar price point or even cheaper. When that’s the case, it’s hard for me to recommend the Mat Wizard 5 as the better value.
Key Takeaways
- Decent shoe for the price, but there are stronger options available in the same price range.
- Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 offers a better overall experience and is often available for a similar cost.
Final Rating For the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 Wrestling Shoe ( 7.3 / 10 )
The Adidas Mat Wizard 5 earns a 7.3 out of 10 on the Graveyard Scale, placing it firmly in the middle of the pack. While the shoe delivers solid comfort and quality construction, it falls short in some of the categories that matter most, particularly traction and overall value.
As of writing this review, it currently holds the lowest score among the wrestling shoes we’ve tested.
That said, our rankings are constantly evolving as we purchase and review more shoes. The Mat Wizard 5 isn’t a bad wrestling shoe by any means, but there are simply better options available today that offer stronger grip, better performance, and a more complete experience for a similar price.
Alternatives and Recommendations
If you’re considering the Adidas Mat Wizard 5 but want to explore some stronger options, these are the wrestling shoes we would recommend looking at first:
- Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 (review)– Our preferred Adidas wrestling shoe
- Adidas Combat Speed 4 (review in progress) – A longtime favorite in the wrestling community
- RUDIS Wrestling Shoes (review)
- ASICS Aggressor 6 (review)
- Nike Inflict (review in progress) – remains a popular choice among high school, college, and freestyle wrestlers.
Our Recommendation
If you’re already looking at Adidas wrestling shoes, we would strongly recommend starting with the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 before considering the Mat Wizard 5. The performance difference, particularly in the traction department, was noticeable during our testing and makes the Tech Fall the better overall value.
Buying Guide
Where can people buy these wrestling shoes?
Our updated list of Best Wrestling Shoes will showcase new pairs as we get around to updates.
Best Wrestling Shoes List
The updated list of Best Wrestling Shoes will showcase new pairs as we get around to updates.
Here is the running list we have put together with the corresponding score:
- Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 (review) – 9.8 / 10
- Rudis Wrestling  (review) – 9 /10
- ASICS Aggressors 6s (review) – 8.75 / 10Â
- Â ASICS Matflex 7 (review) – 7.5 / 10Â
- Â Adidas Mat Wizard 5 – 7.3 / 10Â
Reviews in Progress:Â
- Nike Inflict 3Â
- Funky Flicr
- ASICS MatblazerÂ
- Â Adidas Mat Hog 2.0
- ASICS Mat Control 3
- Â Nike Speedsweep VII
Graveyard Scale Criteria for Wrestling Shoes
To keep it universal across combat sports gear, each product type should have its own tailored categories, but always balanced to equal 10 points. For wrestling shoes, here’s the breakdown:
- Traction & Grip – 3 points: Because grip on the mat is the single most critical factor for wrestling shoes.
- Comfort & Fit – 2 points: Fit and snugness are essential for explosive movements and avoiding injury.
- Durability – 2 points: Shoes take a beating; how long they last is a major consideration.
- Weight & Flexibility – 1 point: Lightweight = speed, but flexibility is also crucial for footwork and control.
- Price & Value – 2 points: Balancing budget with performance, especially since many wrestlers are in high school/college.
- Price & Value – 2 points: Balancing budget with performance, especially since many wrestlers are in high school/college.
