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Are you considering getting into wrestling? In that case, you’ll need to invest in some high-quality, durable wrestling shoes. We’ll take a look at the best wrestling shoes on the market.
By wrestling shoes, we don’t just mean regular athletic shoes that can be used for wrestling. A wrestling shoe is a specific type of shoe specially designed to be worn in the ring.
Wrestling shoes are lace-up, boot-style shoes made of supple, lightweight material. They provide some support for the wearer’s feet and ankles while protecting their opponent(s) from toenail scratches. They are characterized by their flexible, lightweight design, which doesn’t impede movement or grip.
Training or competing without wrestling shoes is associated with a higher risk of injury to all parties involved. Plus, they are often a mandatory requirement, meaning you may not be able to wrestle without them in certain environments.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the 5 best pairs of wrestling shoes on the market right now!
Our 5 Best Wrestling Shoes Reviews
Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 Wrestling Shoe
Out of all the wrestling shoes currently on the sportswear market, our top pick is the Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 Wrestling Shoe.
The upper construction of this Adidas wrestling shoe is made of a durable, yet breathable mesh material that allows proper air circulation to the feet while wrestling.
Although the mesh isn’t overly thick, it’s wear-resistant enough to ensure that you won’t need to replace your wrestling shoes any time soon.
Inside the shoe, the midsole is densely cushioned, providing the perfect amount of comfort. In turn, this comfort helps to improve your footing and balance, which is key to optimal wrestling performance.
If you look at the bottom of the shoe, you’ll see that the sole is textured and made of rubber. This rubber sole construction is excellent in terms of traction, and just like the upper, it’s very durable.
There is a downside to the sole construction, however, which is that it is slightly on the stiff side. Before you wear your new wrestling shoes on the mat, we recommend breaking them in first so that the sole becomes a bit more supple.
This wrestling shoe comes in 8 different color options, so it’s quite easy to find a style that goes with your other wrestling apparel. It also comes in sizes 4 to 16, so it will fit most wrestlers.
Pros
- Mesh construction – Highly breathable
- Cushioned midsole – Comfortable footing
- Textured rubber sole – Excellent grip and durability
- 8 color options – Style-compatible
- Sizes 4 to 16 – Inclusive size options
Cons
- Slightly stiff sole – Needs breaking in
ASICS Aggressor 4 Wrestling Shoe
Wrestling shoes can be very expensive, so when you buy a pair, it makes sense to prioritize durability. This will ensure that you don’t have to spend more money replacing your wrestling shoes periodically.
Based on our research, it seems that the best wrestling shoe in terms of durability is the ASICS Aggressor 4 Wrestling Shoe.
The upper construction of this shoe is made from Ecsaine mesh. Ecsaine is a tightly-woven fiber made of polyurethane-impregnated polyester. The tight weave makes this material highly durable, while the mesh construction ensures maximum breathability.
Another highly durable component of this wrestling shoe is the DuoSole outsole, which provides a high level of traction and flexibility in addition to being very wear-resistant.
The ankle padding built into the ASICS Aggressor 4 wrestling shoe helps to prevent injuries and accidents by enhancing stability. Meanwhile, the EVA sockliner improves the overall comfort of the shoe, meaning your wrestling performance won’t be negatively impacted by discomfort.
You can purchase this wrestling shoe in sizes 4 to 15, so it’s compatible with the majority of adult men’s foot sizes. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that this shoe is quite narrow, so it’s not a very good choice for wide feet.
Pros
- Ecsaine mesh upper – Tough and breathable
- Ankle padding – Supportive
- DuoSole outsole – Durable, high-traction, and flexible
- EVA sockliner – Comfort-enhancing
- Sizes 4 to 15 – Widely size-compatible
Cons
- Narrow fit – Not suitable for wide feet
ASICS Matflex 6 Wrestling Shoes
Although wrestling shoes, as a rule, don’t come cheap, some wrestling shoes are less expensive than others. If you’re looking for great quality at an affordable price, we recommend the ASICS Matflex 6 wrestling shoes.
The construction of these wrestling shoes involves California lasting, which is where a non-slip material is added underneath the upper using machine heating. This ensures a tight, durable construction and a supportive fit.
Thanks to the EVA sockliner, the ASICS Matflex 6 shoe is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and the mesh insole ensures that your feet will be able to breathe properly throughout training and matches.
You won’t need to worry about slipping on the mat when wearing these shoes because the vinyl acetate sole is not only wear-resistant but high-traction, meaning it grips the mat perfectly.
The ASICS Matflex 6 wrestling shoes are available to purchase in 10 colors, so matching them to your gear shouldn’t be difficult.
However, although the size range for these shoes goes up to size 15, it starts at size 6.5, meaning that they are not a good choice for wrestlers with smaller feet.
Pros
- California lasting – Extra durable
- EVA sockliner – Soft and comfortable
- Mesh insole – Breathable
- Vinyl acetate sole – Tough and high-traction
- Available in 10 colors – Easy to match
Cons
- Sizes 6.5 to 15 – Not for small feet
Adidas Adult Combat Speed 5 Wrestling Shoe
Wrestling shoes can be worn for a variety of activities, and certain manufacturers actually prioritize versatility in their designs.
In our opinion, the best wrestling shoe in terms of versatility is the Adidas Combat Speed 5 Wrestling Shoe.
The upper construction consists of faux leather and mesh, ensuring both long-term durability and ventilation.
One of the most versatile features of this wrestling shoe is its unisex design, meaning the fit is compatible with all wrestlers’ feet within the size range.
The elasticated ankle strap also delivers enhanced stability without restricting movement. Because the strap is elastic, it’s suitable for all ankle sizes.
This shoe is even versatile in terms of style thanks to the 9 available color options.
The Adidas Combat Speed 5 wrestling shoe features a one-piece rubber outsole for stable footing with minimal risk of slipping due to the solid grip.
Our only criticism of this shoe is the fact that the sole is partially made of suede, making it an unsuitable choice for outdoor wear. While this limits the shoe’s versatility in one area, you can still wear these shoes for almost any indoor activity.
Pros
- Faux leather and mesh construction – Wear-resistant and ventilated
- Unisex – Designed for all wrestlers
- One-piece rubber outsole – Stable and non-slip
- Elasticated ankle strap – Comfortable and supportive
- 9 styles – Good color compatibility
Cons
- Partial suede sole – Not for outdoor use
Adidas HVC Youth Wrestling Shoe
Finally, it’s important to remember that kids can get involved in wrestling, too! These Adidas HVC Youth Wrestling Shoes are perfect for young people of all ages with an interest in wrestling.
These youth wrestling shoes are made from 70% leather, ensuring a good level of durability. The remaining 30% of the construction is suede, indicating high quality and providing lightweight flexibility.
A single layer of mesh built into the shoe makes the construction breathable, while the thin rubber sole delivers on grip and suppleness.
The Adidas HVC Youth Wrestling Shoe is designed for ages 0 to 12, so sizes cover infants to tweens.
It’s worth noting that these sizes do run small, though, so it’s a good idea to size up if possible.
Pros
- 70% leather construction – Durable
- 30% suede – High-quality and flexible
- Single mesh layer – Breathable
- Thin rubber sole – Supple and non-slip
- For ages 0 to 12 – Compatible sizes
Cons
- Sizes run small – Size up if possible
Buyer’s Guide
As we’ve already mentioned, a pair of wrestling shoes is quite an expensive purchase. For this reason, it’s important to make your choice carefully.
By considering the following features before completing your purchase, you’ll strengthen your chances of getting a durable, comfortable, and performance-enhancing pair of wrestling shoes.
Upper Material
The upper material is probably what you’ll see first when looking at a wrestling shoe, and it’s one of the most important parts of the construction.
Upper material should be durable and breathable at the same time because it needs to be tear-resistant, but not so thick that it restricts airflow.
Layers of mesh are always a promising sign on wrestling shoes because mesh is a highly breathable, moisture-wicking material.
Ecsaine is a particularly good upper material. Ecsaine fibers are made from polyester that has been impregnated with polyurethane. It’s highly durable because of how tightly the fibers are woven together.
Leather is also a popular material for upper wrestling shoe construction, as is faux leather. The combination of durability and suppleness makes both of these materials good choices.
Inner Construction
The construction of the inside of a wrestling shoe should prioritize comfort because an uncomfortable fit is likely to impact your wrestling performance in a negative way.
Cushioning in the midsole is especially important. This will prevent the impact of your foot falls from hurting your feet and will generally make the shoe more comfortable to wear.
Another comfort-enhancing feature to look for is a sockliner, which should be made of a thick, yet breathable material such as EVA foam for comfort and ventilation.
In the shoe industry, there are a number of known types of construction. The type of construction we recommend prioritizing for wrestling shoes is California lasting, also known as the Strobel construction.
California lasting is a construction type that aims to ensure durability and stability by tightening the materials and incorporating a sockliner. If you see this type of construction listed in the specifications of a wrestling shoe, that’s a very good sign.
Sole Construction
Next, it’s time to take a look at the sole construction. The soles of your wrestling shoes will need to either match or enhance the natural grip or movement of your feet, so this is a very important feature to consider.
Generally speaking, rubber is the best material for wrestling shoe soles because of the grip and traction that it is able to provide, especially if the sole is textured. Plus, rubber is a durable material that won’t easily be worn through from repeated use.
However, a potentially more budget-friendly option is vinyl acetate, which is also wear-resistant and provides a good grip on the mat.
Some wrestling shoes incorporate suede in the sole construction. This has advantages and disadvantages wrestling, the main advantages being that suede is supple and lightweight, which are both good qualities in a wrestling shoe. However, the downside is that it means you can’t wear your wrestling shoes outside without risking damaging them.
Ankle Construction
Wrestling shoes are styled like ankle boots, so you’ll also need to think about the ankle construction.
An elasticated ankle strap is one of the best ankle features you can find on a wrestling shoe. An elastic strap will help to ensure that the shoe fits properly regardless of how thick or thin your ankles are. However, its most important function is to provide support, which may help you to avoid injury.
Ankle padding is also an effective way of providing ankle support, so we’d recommend looking out for this feature in wrestling shoes.
Fit And Sizing
Choosing wrestling shoes in the right size might not sound like a difficult task, but it’s important to bear a few things in mind before you choose the size.
Firstly, sizes from different manufacturers may run smaller or larger than what you’re used to. This is why it’s beneficial to look at customer reviews before completing the purchase so that you can base your choice of size on the experiences of others.
Some wrestling shoes are available in half sizes, while others are not. If you usually wear a half-sized shoe, this is definitely something to think about.
The overall fit of the shoe in terms of width is also crucial since a shoe that is too wide or too narrow for your foot will be impractical and perhaps even painful to wear. The wrong fit can also increase your risk of injury, so be sure to check the width in addition to the length.
Color And Style
Finally, it’s only natural that a wrestler would want their wrestling shoes to go well with the rest of their gear.
Therefore, the color and style of a wrestling shoe should be considered in addition to the more practical features.
Luckily, wrestling shoes usually come in quite a wide range of colors and styles, with some manufacturers producing the same shoe in over 10 different colors. This means you’ll always have plenty of options when it comes to creating your physical image as a wrestler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Really Need Wrestling Shoes?
Some wrestling events and venues make the wearing of wrestling shoes mandatory, in which case, you will definitely need wrestling shoes if you want to be involved.
However, regardless of whether wrestling shoes are mandatory or not, it’s a very good idea to get yourself a pair.
Wrestling shoes may improve the grip of your feet on the mat and protect you from injury by providing ankle support and general foot covering.
Essentially, if you want to reach your full potential when it comes to wrestling while minimizing your risk of injury, wrestling shoes are important.
What Is The Average Price Of Wrestling Shoes?
The average price of wrestling shoes differs depending on whether you’re looking at starter shoes or more high-level wrestling shoes.
For a pair of starter shoes, you can usually expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $75. More professional wrestling shoes will retail for about $100.
Why Do Wrestlers Take Their Shoes Off?
If you’ve watched a fair amount of wrestling, you may have noticed one or more wrestlers removing their shoes after a match. If you’ve seen this happen, you may have wondered why and what this means.
You might be aware of a common saying in the wrestling industry, which is: ‘leave it all on the mat.’ The removal of wrestling shoes in professional wrestling is a gesture intended to reflect this idea.
Specifically, a wrestler removing their shoes after a match is intended to indicate that they are retiring from the sport for good.
Final Thoughts
Buying a good pair of wrestling shoes is one of the easiest ways to improve your performance in the ring and minimize your risk of sustaining injuries during training and matches.
The best wrestling shoes on the market provide a supportive, comfortable fit as well as good traction and durability. They will be made of wear-resistant, high-quality materials and should ideally be designed by a trusted manufacturer such as ASICS or Adidas.
You can find quality wrestling shoes for reasonable prices in a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles, making finding the perfect pair for your needs easier than ever.
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