When it comes to choosing shoes for your boxing and kickboxing workouts, you have options. It’s important to have shoes that are effective for training and keep you safe from injury. Boxing and kickboxing both require a lot of pivoting and twisting on your feet, so you need shoes that won’t hold you back from moving in proper form. FightCamp Trainers Aaron Swenson and Coach PJ break down what to look for in shoes for boxing and kickboxing.
General Options for Boxing and Kickboxing Shoes
Here are the general options you have for boxing and kickboxing shoes:
- Boxing Shoes
- Boxing shoes
- Minimalist shoes
- Training shoes (back-up)
- Running shoes (back-up)
- Kickboxing Shoes
- Barefoot
- Barefoot with shin guards
- Taekwondo shoes
- Minimalist shoes
Boxing Shoes
Most boxing shoes generally have two signature features:
- A higher supportive ankle
- A good base for rotating and turning off the heel and toe
Not all boxing shoes are created equal, but good boxing shoes are worth the investment. Check out more on what to look for in boxing shoes if you’re ready to level up your workout gear.
Running Shoes - Boxing (Back-Up)
Coach PJ did a great comparison on boxing shoes versus running shoes. He explains that running shoes don’t get a lot of use in the boxing gym for two main reasons:
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- They have a lot of padding on the bottom
- They don’t offer a lot of ankle support
Running shoes are usually made for running in a straight line, not for pivoting and turning. In Coach PJ’s opinion, running shoes should be the last option you choose, but if they are all you have available, use them.
Training Shoes - Boxing (Back-Up)
Training shoes are another option to consider for boxing shoes, but not necessarily the best one. Coach PJ and Aaron both do CrossFit, so they have training shoes specifically for lifting that they don’t use for boxing or kickboxing.
Training shoes are designed to help you produce power and work on lifts, but not to transfer power by twisting or rotating. Again, if they are all you have, use them.
Minimalist Shoes - Boxing & Kickboxing
If you don’t have specific boxing shoes, Aaron says that any shoes without a lot of cushion on the soles are recommended for both boxing and kickboxing. Minimalist shoes are ideal because they:
- Allow for more movement
- Strengthen your feet
Be cautious of cross training shoes with a lot of cushioning on the soles. These can feel awkward and increase your risk of twisting an ankle.
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From Aaron’s reading list: The book ‘Born to Run’ chronicles some of the best long-distance runners in the world, many who train barefoot to strengthen their feet. This is the same philosophy behind going barefoot for kickboxing or using a more minimalist shoe for both boxing and kickboxing training.
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Kickboxing Footwear Options
Barefoot - Kickboxing
You generally kickbox barefoot. You don’t wear any shoes because when you pivot and kick you don’t want a lot of grip. Too much grip can cause injury to your knees.
Aaron explains that it is common to feel some soreness after kickboxing barefoot because it takes time to condition the muscles and bones. His tip is to get a pair of shin guards.
Shin Guards - Kickboxing
Aaron recommends getting a pair of thin kickboxing shin guards to start with conditioning. At first, hit the heavy bag lightly to allow your bones to calcify and get stronger. Slowly but surely, you’ll be able to “blast those kicks with bad intentions,” as Aaron says.
Taekwondo Shoes - Kickboxing
Kickboxers can also wear Taekwondo shoes for training. Aaron recommends Adidas, which makes a very light, minimalistic Taekwondo shoe.
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If you are ready to start boxing but don’t have boxing shoes, or if you want to start kickboxing but aren’t ready to go barefoot, you do have options! What is most important is to have shoes that allow for free range of movement and aren’t too clunky in the sole.
Additional Considerations for Kickboxing Shoes
In kickboxing you want to be able to rotate and kick without any restrictions around your ankle or a lot of grip for the soles of your feet. Whereas in boxing, ankle protection is especially important for boxers to avoid injury as you move around.
If you’re trying out kickboxing for the first time, you probably have lots of questions. Since you won’t be kicking any actual people, there’s no concern that someone could be injured from a shoe in the face. Not to mention, these gyms don’t normally have expensive mats that could be damaged by shoes.
But even though your cardio kickboxing class might allow shoes, there are certain types of shoes that will be better suited for your class to give you the best experience possible. In kickboxing you will be pivoting on your toes often, so you will want a lightweight shoe that has a thin, flexible sole with a good amount of grip to resist slipping. It’s also helpful to have a breathable upper since these classes get pretty hot and sweaty.
Recommended Shoe Types
- Cross Training Shoe: A favorite for fitness classes involving pivoting and jumping. These have a pivot point on the bottom of the shoe that makes it super easy to twist and turn. They also have the perfect amount of arch and heel support, as well as a “dual impact” midsole that gives you plenty of cushion for your jump kicks.
- Sparring Shoe: If shoes are allowed at all in a match, these are the shoes competitive kickboxers will wear. Sparring shoes are typically made of foam so they are very flexible and lightweight. They often have the heel, ball of foot, and toe cut out for better grip.
- Martial Arts Shoes: Designed specifically for practicing the martial arts such as Karate, Jujitsu, and Tae kwon do- all of which emphasize kicking movements.
- Wrestling Shoes: Often used in MMA because they have so many attributes that will also contribute to a great MMA training experience. Because they are made to be extra lightweight, you can snap those kicks and move quickly with ease.
Potential Risks of Kickboxing Barefoot
If you are kickboxing without shoes or ankle guards, there is no doubt you will experience some bruising. Athlete’s foot is a foot fungus that can be spread through a break in the skin. Staph infection is transmitted through open cuts and sores. If someone had a staph infection at your gym, the staph bacteria can live on the gym mat long enough to be spread to others. This infection can be lethal if it gets into the bloodstream and therefore should be treated right away.
Nobody wants a nasty rash or sprained ankle to hold them back from their training. To stay healthy (and happy), here is a list of some of the things you can do to to fend off foot problems from the gym.
As you can see, there are many negative aspects to kickboxing barefoot. Kickboxing barefoot is not recommended. It will make you more susceptible to injuries such as, sprains, fractures, and plantar fasciitis. It can also leave you vulnerable to skin conditions such as plantar warts, athlete’s foot, and staph infection. You can reduce your susceptibility to all of these by wearing shoes or neoprene foot grips.
Hayabusa Boxing Shoes
Advanced technology and upgraded designs have elevated the way fighting shoes are made.
The lightweight Pro Boxing Shoes have a form fit giving fighters better control over their movements. Equipped with a mid-height design, ankles receive ample support during boxing footwork drills. The streamlined, lightweight design of these go-to boxing shoes enhances agility. This is particularly helpful when performing boxing drills for speed.
These boxing training shoes also come in a variety of sizes to accommodate a form fit, traditional fit, or when you need boxing shoes for wide feet. The latest addition to Hayabusa’s impressive footwear collection is the Strike Boxing Shoes. Additionally, with a shock-absorbing, drop-in midsole and variable tension strap, these fighting shoes become custom-fit to your unique footwork.
Regardless of whether you’re a rookie or veteran on the mat, Hayabusa Boxing Shoes will benefit you as you learn how to improve your footwork.
Final Thoughts
Kickboxing is a great workout with many amazing benefits, but if you don’t take precautions to protect yourself from injuries and infections you’ll be stuck on the sidelines.
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