It is a common misconception that boxing is all about how strong and agile your upper body is, this is far from the truth. Your lower body is just as important when it comes to moving around the ring and executing good footwork.
This is where boxing shoes come into play, a good pair of shoes designed specifically will make all the difference in helping you become a better boxer.
Read below to learn all about the best boxing shoes the market has to offer, their pros and cons, and how to pick the right pair of shoes for you.
Short on Time?
- Best Overall Boxing Shoe: Venum Elite Boxing Shoe
- Best Designed Boxing Shoe: Nike HyperKO
- Best Adidas Boxing Shoe: Adidas Speedex Boxing Shoes
- Bets Boxing Shoe for Women: Hayabusa Talon Boxing Shoes
- Best Budget-Friendly Boxing Shoe: Title Speed-Flex Boxing Shoe or Rival RSX Boxing Shoe
- Best For Beginner Boxers: Everlast Boxing Shoes
- Top Rated Boxing Shoe by Grapplers Graveyard
- Great ankle support
- Excellent for slim feet
- Excellent Traction
- Top Rated Boxing Shoe by Grapplers Graveyard
- Great ankle support and form fit
- Excellent Traction
- Beautiful Designs
- Top Rated Adidas Shoe on the list
- Great Ankle support
- Excellent traction in the ring
- Lightweight
- Everlast is known for their exceptional quality
- Many colorway options to choose from
- Durable and long lasting shoes
- Great Shoe without having to break the bank
- Easy to break in
Best Boxing Shoes
When it comes to buying the best boxing shoes for you, there are a few factors you should consider.
For starters, it’s important to prioritize comfort and breathability. Look for shoes that fit you well and provide ample cushioning to support your feet. The shoes should also made of breathable material so you do not sweat too much during intense training sessions and fights.
Secondly, you should consider the level of ankle support you need. If you know yourself to have weak ankles or a history of ankle injuries, opt for high-top shoes for added stability, otherwise, you can choose mid-top shoes or low-top shoes.
Traction is another crucial factor to consider when buying boxing shoes, this will ensure a proper grip on the canvas. Look for shoes with a rubber sole or multidirectional tread pattern. Lastly, look for lightweight shoes as they can enhance your speed and agility in the ring.
Nike HyperKO Boxing Shoes
Known for their lightweight construction and ankle support, Nike’s HyperKO shoes are favored by many professional boxers.
The hyperKo shoes are also known for their aesthetic. When you wear these shoes, not only will you perform at your best, but you will also catch many glances.
Pros:
- Lightweight and Breathable
- Excellent Ankle Protection
- Rubber soles and provide excellent traction
Cons:
- On the Expensive Side
- Limited Color Options Available
- Usually takes 10 days to deliver
Known for their lightweight construction and ankle support, Nike's HyperKO shoes are favored by many professional boxers.
Adidas Speedex 18 Boxing Shoes
These shoes offer excellent traction and support, with a lightweight design ideal for quick footwork in the ring.
Adidas has a variety of options when it comes to boxing shoes, however the Speedex 18 takes the cake. These shoes are perfect for hard and long training sessions. They are breathable, help you stay light, and transfer power to your hands, throughout your training
Pros:
- Lightweight and Agile making it smooth to move around in th ring
- Excellent Grip and Traction (Rubber soles)
- Three, good looking colorways
Cons:
- Limited Ankle support
- Inconsistent Sizing and Fitting
These shoes offer excellent traction and support, with a lightweight design ideal for quick footwork in the ring.
Rival RSX-One Boxing Shoes (Best Youth Boxing Shoes)
Rival’s boxing shoes are known for their durability and ankle support, making them a popular choice among serious boxers.
These are also one of the best budget options available in the market, this makes them highly attractive for beginners looking to get into boxing without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Superior Comfort
- Excellent Durability and is made with high-quality material. Breathable on the foot
- Great value for money (Excellent option for your kids)
- Slightly higher on the ankle than a traditional running shoe and makes them super stable
Cons:
- Limited Color Options (Only one)
- Sizing can run slightly small or narrow
Rival's boxing shoes are known for their durability and ankle support, making them a popular choice among serious boxers.
Hayabusa Talon Boxing Shoes (Best For Men & Women)
Hayabusa pro boxing shoes are known for their durability, comfort, and superior ankle support, making them a top choice for many boxers and martial artists. These shoes have the perfect amount of grip, as too much grip can hinder smooth movement in the ring. These are definitely one of the best shoes, especially when paired with Hayabusa boxing gloves.
Pros:
- Enhanced Ankle Support (mid-height of the ankle)
- Good soles on the shoe make it easy to move around in the ring, feel nimble
- 5 different colorways to choose from, minimalist design
- Breathable and very comfortable
Cons
- Require a Break-in Period
- Higher price compared to competitors
- Runs a little small
Hayabusa pro boxing shoes are known for their durability, comfort, and superior ankle support, making them a top choice for many boxers and martial artists.
Everlast Elite High-Top Boxing Shoes (Best for Beginners)
Everlast offers these high-top boxing shoes that provide excellent ankle support and stability during training and fights. These are excellent training shoes that come with cushioned insole conforms, this soft padding helps you stay comfortable in longer training sessions.
Pros
- High tops allow for excellent ankle stability
- Lightweight and very breathable with mesh ventilation
- Great shoe to start your boxing training off with
- Designed to be both useable for boxing and the gym
- Starp across the top of the ankle making it more stable
Cons:
- Limited colors available
- Sizing Considerations
- Not our favorite-looking shoe in the world
Everlast offers these high-top boxing shoes that provide excellent ankle support and stability during training and fights.
Title Speed-Flex Encore Mid-Boxing Shoes (Budget-Friendly Option)
These shoes feature a lightweight design with decent ankle support, perfect for boxers who value speed and agility. If you are a beginner with a budget, these are a great pair of shoes to help you get started with the basics.
Pros:
- Excellent flexibility
- Lightweight, comfortable and breathable
Cons:
- Less ankle support as they are mid-cut shoes
- The sizing chart may be slightly inaccurate
These shoes feature a lightweight design with decent ankle support, perfect for boxers who value speed and agility.
Venum Elite Boxing Shoes (Best Overall Boxing Shoe)
Venum Elite shoes are known for their sleek design and comfortable fit, providing boxers with the support they need during training and fights. These shoes come with a superior amount of grip to provide traction. They also have a good balance between cushioning and padding to protect your feet and ankles.
*important to note: fit will be a half size larger than standard US sizing
ex) If you are a size 9, you should order an 8.5
Pros:
- Superior Traction (Rubber Sole with increased grip)
- Comfortable and Supportive
- The shoes themself look great when worn
Cons:
- Pricier option for Veum Shoes
Venum Elite shoes are known for their sleek design and comfortable fit, providing boxers with the support they need during training and fights.
Venum Contender Boxing Shoes
Made from high-quality leather, Venum Contender Boxing Shoes offer durability, great grip, and comfort, along with good ankle support. These shoes will easily last you a few years of rough use without any problems.
Pros:
- Durable Construction (High Tops)
- Lightweight Mesh and Agile
- Flexible and easy to move around in when sparring
- Great traction on the shoe because of the non-slip rubber sole
Cons:
- Sizing problems with shoes being slightly bigger or smaller than advertised
Made from high-quality leather, Venum Contender Boxing Shoes offer durability, great grip, and comfort, along with good ankle support.
Can you Wear Wrestling Shoes in Boxing?
Technically, wrestling shoes can be worn during boxing training. Wrestling shoes offer certain advantages like having a lightweight build and good grip, both of which can be beneficial in the boxing ring.
However, there are a few differences between wrestling shoes and dedicated boxing shoes. Boxing shoes usually have thinner soles for better ground feel and pivoting, while wrestling shoes have thicker soles for better grip on the mat.
Additionally, boxing shoes often provide more ankle support with a mid-top or high-top design to protect against lateral movements, whereas wrestling shoes prioritize flexibility and are almost always low-top shoes.
Best Wrestling/Boxing Shoes
When it comes to getting the best wrestling shoes, there is a wide variety to choose from. The right pair of shoes depends on your needs and goals. Some things to consider before buying your first pair are, how they fit, the amount of ankle support you need, and also your budget.
If you are already wrestling yourself and don’t want to go off buying more shoes, here are some great options that can be a bit more versatile so when you buy wrestling shoes you have a viable option to train with
Venum (Men’s & Women’s) Wrestling Boxing Shoes
Venum is known for its wide variety of combat sports-related gear, their wrestling and boxing shoes are an excellent option for those looking to get something versatile. These shoes are made of lightweight material to prioritize proper footwork. They have exceptional grip and amazing durability which helps them last for years.
Agressor 5 ASICS Wrestling Shoes (Best Overall Wrestling Shoe)
These shoes are widely regarded as the best overall wrestling shoes in the market. They have a winning combination of performance, comfort, and unmatched durability. The Agressor 5 features an advanced lightweight outsole that provides exceptional grip on the mat, giving wrestlers the stability they need to push and pull their opponents as needed.
Adidas Mat Wizard 4 Wrestling Shoes
These shoes are truly a wrestler’s favorite. The Mat Wizard 4s are truly magical, they are highly durable and have excellent grip thanks to a specialized outsole. These shoes are made of lightweight material that ensures breathability and enhances your ability to outmaneuver your opponents with precision, speed, and ease.
Complete List of Best Wrestling Shoes: Top 10 Wrestling Shoes
Frequently Asked Questions
What boxing boots does Canelo wear?
Canelo Alvarez is one of the most legendary boxers of the modern era, with titles of multiple divisions. He always wears the top-of-the-line best boxing shoes, specially tailor-made for him. He has been seen fighting in boxing shoes made by Kiko Baez and also Dominic Ciambrone.
However, on regular instances during training, Alvarez regularly uses Under Armour boxing shoes.
Are Running shoes OK for boxing?
Running shoes can be used for basic boxing training, it’s important to note that they may not be the most ideal footwear option. They are designed to provide cushioning and support for forward motion, however, they lack the specific features required for boxing movements.
On the other hand, boxing shoes are specifically designed to provide stability, traction, and ankle support for quick footwork and pivoting in the boxing ring. boxing training shoes offer a lower profile and more ankle protection compared to running shoes.
If you plan to join a boxing gym and engage in more intense training or sparring, investing in a pair of mid-top shoes would be beneficial for optimal performance and safety. However, if you’re just starting or doing light workouts, running shoes will get the job done.
Do you want flat shoes for boxing?
You don’t need flat feet shoes for boxing. Most boxing shoes usually have a slight heel lift to help with proper foot positioning, ankle stability, and balance. This little elevation in the heel is great for distributing your weight, proper footwork, and making quick movements and pivots in the ring.
The extra rubber sole gives you some extra agility and stability during your boxing workouts and sparring sessions.
Should I get high-top or mid-top boxing shoes?
When it comes to choosing between high-top and mid-top boxing shoes, it depends on your individual needs, preferences, and requirements.
High-top shoes offer increased ankle protection and stability with a stronger ankle strap, which can be advantageous for individuals with weak ankles or a history of ankle injuries. They provide added support and help prevent excessive ankle rolling.
On the other hand, mid-top shoes offer a wider range of motion and flexibility in the ankle area. They are usually lighter and help with quicker footwork. Overall, the choice you make should be based on what feels most comfortable and supportive for you.
Do boxing shoes make a difference?
Boxing shoes can make a big difference. Wearing shoes that are specially designed for boxing will help you enhance your performance and keep you safe in the ring. Boxing shoes provide many performance-boosting features like lightweight construction, proper traction, and ankle support to optimize your footwork, agility, and stability during training and boxing matches.
These training shoes allow for quick movements, pivots, and a better grip on the canvas. Boxing shoes are designed to protect your feet and ankles from potential injuries and are also breathable since they have a mesh material insole.
Can I Wear Boxing Shoes Outside?
Although boxing shoes are specifically designed for the demands of boxing, they can also be used for various other activities on smooth terrain. Having a lightweight construction and excellent traction make them suitable for outdoor training sessions and running.
However, keep in mind that boxing shoes have thin soles that are not designed for long-distance running or rough terrains, so it’s best to use them for activities that align with their intended purpose to ensure longevity.
