Martial arts is a beautiful sport that challenges all aspects of one’s body. From subjecting the mind to the most intense bouts of concentration to pushing your body to its utmost limit in bringing out complex and powerful moves, few could deny that these aspects hold irrespective of discipline. Kung Fu is a very popular type of martial arts, let’s dive in the best shoes for Kung Fu.
Because of martial arts’s harsh, demanding nature, complimenting your journey with the best possible diet, training regimen, and equipment becomes imperative. And among all this, we truly believe that one of the most important things you cannot skimp on is on a good pair of kung fu shoes.
They will support your ankle, allowing you to bring out the best in your movements, and they will also serve to minimize long-term injury, keeping your body as healthy as possible even under the most grueling training programs.
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So, if you’re a practitioner looking to step up your game, read on and check out our take on the best shoes for kung fu out there!
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Best Shoes for Kung Fu
Adidas Adi-Kick 2 Tae Kwon Do
Kickstarting out list with one of the most solid shoes out there, Adidas’s Adi-Kicks are revered by the Tae Kwon Do community for good reason: it delivers.
Carefully created out of the best PU materials out there, you’ll be able to reap the full benefits of this shoe without its weight ever going noticed, keeping your movement light and as quick as if you were barefooted.
You’ll also find adequate ankle support and a rubber grip outsole on key pivot points. This will ensure that the shoe will snugly conform to the unique contours of your feet while keeping you light on your toes even during the craziest of kicks.
And yes, the material is extremely breathable so even during the longest of sparring sessions you don’t have to worry too much about sweaty feet!
DoGeek Kung Fu Shoes
Probably sitting as the most affordable pick on our list, if you’re looking for quality combined with a cheap price then DoGeek’s take on kung fu shoes should be just right for you. Don’t be fooled by its generous price point though.
It still offers a great product for anyone with its cloth and rubber composition that will give your feet all the flexibility it might need for kicks and footwork. It also is ergonomically designed and with its wide toe space area and openings, it minimizes the risk of your heel slipping. This means that no matter what you do from Tai Chi to even dancing, this shoe is will be able to functionally adapt.
It also is surprisingly durable thanks to its canvas top and rubber sole, so you won’t be burning through pairs in mere weeks!
PUMA Men’s Roma Basic Sneaker
Thinking of combining both martial arts with a fashionable pair of shoes? Puma’s Roma Sneakers have got you covered. Coming in a range of colors including black, red, silver, and white, you’ll be able to be easily noticed (if you wish) with a pair like this.
This retro-designed sneaker isn’t just a pretty looker though. With form strips on its ends and lug outsole for traction purposes along with EVA foam, cushioning for your foot’s arch along its t-toe construction, this is a shoe designed for daily life and martial arts.
Just trust us on this, it’s been a classic in the martial arts community for ages now and is continuing to do so as each year passes by. Your feet will get all the support they need for quick movement and powerful kicks with the Roma. And best of all? This can double as a daywear shoe outside your gym or dojo.
Mooto Korea Taekwondo MarShoes
Coming in either navy or red the MarShoes will provide your feet with a steady foundation upon which you can build your kung fu prowess. Formed out of highly breathable fabrics that prevent athlete’s foot to a non-slip layer on the bottom, even the craziest of kicks and footwork will come to heel with this pair.
It is also incredibly light and unassuming in size, so throwing it into your gym bag should be a breeze. Thanks to its neoprene composition, it is fully able to keep your feet sufficiently warm even during the coldest of seasons, bringing out the best in your feet every time even when warm-ups are lacking.
Century Lightfoot Martial Arts Shoes
Looking quite similar to specialized sports shoes (such as bowling shoes) this cutting-edge martial arts shoe by Century offers a practitioner’s take on the ideal shoe.
Highly lightweight, pliable so as to adapt to your feet, and breathable to ensure hygiene and comfort even during longer sessions, you shouldn’t find a want for more here.
With its rubber soles and emphasis on key pivot points, a shoe like this is great for actual martial arts, and you’ll find it great for cross-training. And don’t worry about durability. With its high-grade synthetic leather composition, a shoe like this will last for months even with heavy usage.
UNOW Chinese Traditional Cloth Kung Fu Shoes
If you specialize in Chinese martial arts such as Kung Fu, Wing Chun, or even Tai Chi, the UNOW Traditional Cloth Kung Fu Shoes should be high on your list.
Made carefully after conducting research in what Kung Fu practitioners need, these old Beijing cloth constructed shoes represent the best of Chinese traditional shoe design which it by itself, has a history spanning thousands of years.
With its upper sections composed out of high-quality cloth and bottom soles created out of rubber along with cotton lining, this shoe may look simple, but it is still as every bit durable, flexible, and comfortable as any modern product.
Regardless of whether you practice out in the street, on a grass floor, or in a dojo, these pairs of shoes will be suitable for any environment.
Vbestlife Martial Arts Sneakers
Combining versatility with quality, Vbestlife’s Martial Arts Sneakers is one that will be suitable for everything including Karate, Boxing, and even Tae Kwon Do.
With excellent craftsmanship, these specialty shoes offer comfort and stability to even the most elite of martial artists. This is best depicted by its excellent stitching around key stress points of the foot, ensuring solid durability and stability. With its rubber soles, non-slip functions, and plastic build, it’ll adapt to just about any movement no matter how unorthodox.
It also goes in a wide range of sizes that’ll accommodate just about any type of feet so as long as you pick the right size, you’ll be all set.
Adidas Men’s HVC Wrestling Shoe
For those out there more interested in developing your ground game than your striking game, it goes without saying that a wrestling shoe is what you need.
On that end, Adidas’s HVC Wrestling Shoe has got you covered. Loved by wrestlers across the world, a pair like this is rooted in deep wrestling history and has been developed with the best sports science available. With elastic straps, it’s lightweight, and a sturdy rubber sole that’ll withstand the most powerful of movement, even elite-level athletes and Olympians have used this pair for perfectly good reason.
From padding on key pivot points to some of the best ankle support out there, no movement should ever prove impossible for this pair to handle. So regardless of your skill, if you haven’t tried this pair yet, you better get moving!
ASICS Men’s Matflex 6 Wrestling Shoes
Another great alternative when it comes to kung fu shoes are ASCIS’S Matflex 6. An absolute essential in the wardrobe of any wrestling amateur or professional, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned vet – if you don’t own a Matflex 6, you’re missing out.
Equipped with the best materials and California lasting, a shoe like this will give you total confidence on the mat both thanks to its functionality and durability. Its mesh insole too keeps nasty odors at bay while allowing yourself to exert the most force possible in your pushes.
And don’t forget about its sock liner. Made out of EVA material, it provides all the support your feet may need to get that final takedown.
DOUBLESTAR MR Rubber Sole Light Shoes
Probably sitting as the most versatile shoe on our list, the Doublestar MR offers something for just about anyone. Not only is it stylish enough to be worn outside the gym but you’ll find it more than adequate for any outdoor activity. From jogging to cross training to full martial arts, this simple yet elegant product will deliver on all ends. With its fiber and rubber sole along with its light composition, balance, and canvas body, you’ll find everything you might need for martial arts jam packed here. Its minimalist style is of course, the highlight of this shoe. Choosing to opt for a more modern, youthful style, you don’t have to feel guilty if you don’t like the aesthetic of more traditional variants such as those classic Chinese Kung Fu shoes. The Doublestar MR has got you covered on that end.
A Buyer’s Guide to Kung Fu Shoes
Discipline
Not all shoes are designed to be used across all sorts of martial arts. While certain martial arts shoes can be used across disciplines such as the Doublestar MR, to bring out the best in your technique, look to what you practice and then choose an appropriate shoe.
For instance, if you are a kicker who loves delivering round horse kicks in a TKD-styled manner, opt for something like the Roma. Conversely, if you are far less concerned with striking and are more of a ground-game person, a wrestling shoe should do the best for you.
Comfort
If a shoe doesn’t feel comfortable and doesn’t go unnoticed, it may not be the shoe for you. A kung fu shoe should feel like a second skin. To ensure that you pick the best shoe possible, before making a purchase, ensure you pick one that you know will fit well on your feet.
Measure your feet in every position from standing to sitting, with and without putting weight on them. Use a measuring tape or brannock device before you have one and jot down careful measurements. You’ll thank us later when you start training in well-fitting shoes!
Hygiene
Athlete’s foot is the bane of every martial artist. To prevent this all you need is to ensure good hygiene practice. You can do this in two ways.
First, by ensuring you give your shoes a good wipe down once every few weeks. And second, by picking a shoe that promotes breathability. All the options on our list should fit this criterion but should you choose to venture elsewhere, always keep this little point in mind.
Shoes for Kung Fu explained (video)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I just use my normal exercise trainer shoes instead?
You can absolutely get by with wearing normal exercise shoes, but this may not be the best idea. Firstly, your instructor if he or she leans towards the more traditional side, may simply disallow any shoe that does not match the uniform of your chosen discipline.
And secondly, normal shoes just aren’t designed for martial arts in mind. They often are bulkier, heavier, and offer support in all the wrong places. It may seem to work at first if you’re a beginner, but to develop and truly bring out everything from a practice session, going for a dedicated martial arts shoe is the best course of action.
How long will my shoes last?
It is impossible to give an answer that applies to everyone. This depends heavily on how often you train and what discipline you are working on. That being said, there are signs to note that indicates that it is time to purchase a new pair.
If the soles or sides of your shoes start to tear, have lost their grip, and even look burnt, it is a clear sign of excessive wearing. What this means is that it’s time to head back to Amazon to pick up a new pair!
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