Hey Everyone! We are back again with another gear review this time we are reviewing some more wrestling shoes! The ASICS Matflex 7 are probably one of the more recognizable pairs of wrestling shoes on the market. They are a great entry point that gets you a semi-decent shoe at a very affordable price. To hold everything constant, we order a size nine on all the shoes that we review because that is the size shoe that we wear in everyday life.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.
Overall, I think if a parent is looking for a shoe that gets the job done, is a good practice shoe, and is not trying to break the bank, this is a pretty solid option. But this shoe is notorious for being returned after buying…
The construction of the shoe makes me a little bit wary because it feels like it wouldn’t last an entire season. You may find yourself buying multiple of these as the traction stickiness wears off, and if you are an athlete who competes often.
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 ASICS Matflex7 Wrestling Shoes
The ASICS Matflex 7 is a lightweight, budget-friendly wrestling shoe that does a really good job in the traction and mobility departments. It offers some of the stickiest grip we’ve tested right out of the box, feels extremely flexible on foot, and serves as a solid beginner or practice shoe for athletes who do not want to spend premium money. While there are definitely concerns around long-term durability and overall construction quality, the Matflex 7 still provides strong value for wrestlers who understand the trade-offs that come with buying a lower-cost option.
First Impressions
- Traction is super sticky
- Shoe glue sloppiness throughout the shoe
- The mesh outing feels like my foot would eventually go through my shoe at some point
- Really narrow/tight
Video Review: coming soon
Pros
- Great out-of-the-box fraction
- Super affordable pricing
- It’s true to size**
*If your wrestler has wide feet, they may find some discomfort and would be wise to size up by half a sizeÂ
Cons
- very flimsy
- the company may have quality control issues. There is some glue, shoe glue residue, all around
- higher possibility of having to replace a couple times a season
Traction & Grip (3/3)
The ASICS Matflex 7 has some of the strongest traction and grip we’ve experienced right out of the box.
There is a noticeable sticky feel to the outsole that really helps when taking shots, scrambling, pivoting, or making explosive movements on the mat. During testing, the grip inspired a lot of confidence and easily stood out compared to many of the other wrestling shoes we’ve reviewed so far.
My only long-term concern is that ultra-sticky outsoles can sometimes wear down faster over time, especially with heavy use, but from a pure traction standpoint, these shoes perform extremely well.
- One of the grippiest wrestling shoes we’ve tested straight out of the box
- Sticky outsole gives you a strong control during shots, scrambles, and quick movement
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.Â
Comfort & Fit (1.2/2)
These wrestling shoes start off a little tight around the upper part of the foot, especially during the first few times wearing them. If you have wider feet, that is definitely something worth considering before buying, because the snugness is noticeable. That said, after breaking the shoes in through multiple use cases, they start to mold much better to the foot and become noticeably more comfortable over time.
The shoe itself has a flatter feel overall, so while I would not call it the most cushioned wrestling shoe we’ve tested, it still feels supportive, secure, and stable during training.
Fit-wise, the Matflex 7 runs true to size. We went with a size 9 and had enough room in the toe box for movement without the shoe feeling loose or unstable. Even with the snug fit, there were no concerns about blisters or discomfort during longer sessions.
- Initially snug around the top of the foot, especially for wider feet
- True-to-size fit with solid support and enough toe room once broken in
Durability (1/2)
Durability is probably the biggest weak point of the ASICS Matflex 7, and that is important to understand before buying these shoes. While they are one of the most affordable wrestling shoes on the market, the lower price point does show up in the overall construction and materials. The outer mesh material feels fairly thin and flimsy compared to higher-end wrestling shoes, and in our pair specifically, there was visible glue residue around the toe box area that raised some concerns about quality control.
To be fair, these shoes are not really trying to compete with premium models like the Aggressor line from a durability standpoint. The Matflex 7 feels much more like an entry-level wrestling shoe designed for beginners, casual training, or athletes who need a low-cost practice shoe. For that role, they honestly do a solid job, but if you are training heavily year-round, there is a good chance you may need to replace them sooner than more premium options.
- Thin mesh materials and lighter construction raise long-term durability concerns
- Great beginner or budget-friendly practice shoe, but not built like premium models
Weight & Flexibility (1/1)
These wrestling shoes weigh just about 7.2 oz per shoe, making them the lightest wrestling shoes we’ve tested. That lighter construction makes them extremely flexible and easy to move in.
That said, the flexibility and lightweight design also tie directly into the thinner materials used throughout the shoe. The Matflex 7 are clearly designed as a budget-friendly option first, so while the flexibility feels great from a movement standpoint, it does come at the cost of some long-term durability compared to more premium wrestling shoes.
- Extremely lightweight at only 7.2 oz per shoe
- Highly flexible and unrestricted, but thinner materials affect durability
Price & Value (1.3/2)
At the end of the day, the ASICS Matflex 7 deliver pretty solid value for the price point it comes in at. If you’ve been following Grapplers Graveyard and our review process for a while now you will know we usually lean toward recommending higher-end gear when possible, but we also understand that not everyone wants or needs to spend premium money on wrestling shoes. If you are shopping on a budget, just getting started in wrestling, or need a lower-cost practice shoe, the Matflex 7 absolutely has a place in the market.
The biggest thing is understanding what you are buying before pulling the trigger. You are getting a lightweight shoe with excellent traction at an affordable price, but there are trade-offs when it comes to durability and long-term longevity. For the right buyer, especially someone looking to stay within a budget, these are still a solid option.
- Strong value for beginners and budget-conscious buyers
- Affordable price comes with trade-offs in durability and longevity
Final Rating For the ASICS Matflex Wrestling Shoe ( 7.5 / 10 )
The ASICS Matflex 7 are one of the better budget wrestling shoes for beginners or athletes looking for a lightweight practice option. The traction is pretty sticky right out of the box, the flexibility is noticeable, and the overall fit feels secure once broken in. just a fair warning: don’t be surprised if these shoes end up having to be replaced a couple times throughout the season if you buy them.
Alternatives and Recommendations
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:
- Rudis Wrestling Shoes (review)
- ASICS Aggressors 6s (review)
- Nike Inflict 3Â
- ASICS MatblazerÂ
- Adidas Tech Fall 2.0
- ASICS Aggressor 4s
- Â Adidas Mat Hog 2.0
- Â Adidas Mat Wizard 5Â
- Â ASICS Matflex 7 (review)
- 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.
