Boxing is a sport that requires fidgety foot movement, superior balance, constant pivoting, and throwing powerful punches repetitively; thus, injuries are inevitable. So, like any other sports, especially high-intensity activities, you will need to invest money and time in selecting the right gear. With boxing, your pair of shoes can either bring you victory or harm. The best pair of shoes for boxing can significantly impact your overall performance, at the same time, provide safety, making it the most crucial gear in that sport. 

There are countless shoes for boxing available anywhere, and it can be confusing, especially for the beginners where to start. This list of the best shoes for boxing should be able to help you come up with an informed decision.

• Adidas Men’s Adizero Boxing Shoes
• Ringside Undefeated Boxing Shoes
• Adidas Men’s Combat Speed .5 Boxing Shoes
• Reebok Men’s Boxing Boot-Buck Sneaker
• Everlast New Elite High-Top Boxing Shoes
• Venum Elite Boxing Shoes

The Benefits of Wearing Them

You might be wondering why choosing the best shoes for boxing has been given too much attention. That is because choosing your shoes for boxing is not the same as choosing running shoes, basketball shoes, or just your everyday shoes. It may sound simple, but it is much more complicated than that. 

When you get yourself the perfect pair of shoes for boxing for your feet, you will instantly feel and see the improvement of your performance. The comfort it provides will allow you to maximize your speed, mobility, and power. Shoes for boxing are specifically designed for boxing stances and positions, which are completely different from other forms of sports except wrestling. The boxing shoe features will enable you to move how a typical boxer moves spontaneously with grace and confidence. And if you’re able to move better, the better your performance will be.

Best Boxing Shoes Top Picked Brands

Adidas Men’s Adizero Boxing Shoes

This specific model of Adidas brand is the type of boxing shoes that can be used either in boxing or wrestling. This brand has a long history of sports and is deeply rooted in it. Ardently driven for innovation, they used their accumulated science expertise to design this men’s boxing shoe to be sturdy and at the same time comfortable to the extent that it would feel like a sock, yet, provides top-notch efficiency.

Pros:

• Upper area is carved from a single layer mesh which makes it extremely breathable
• Versatile fighting shoes
• Extra light with a tight fit that goes around the back of your heel
• Designed with a lace pocket to securely tuck them away

Cons:

• It holds odor
• Because the sole is flatter with minimal rubber, it doesn’t provide a strong grip. Some may prefer this type of sole for smoother pivoting.
• Breaking in takes time

Ringside Undefeated Boxing Shoes

This model is a combination of style and substance, which will help you attain the peak of your skillset. It is a high-top ankle weighing 1.5 lbs. It’s lightweight and stylish, making it great on both inside and outside the ring.

Pros:

• The breathable nylon mesh adds comfort to your feet as you slip into them
• The leather vinyl finish adds value to its aesthetic
• High-top ankle provides superior support for your top-notch performance
• Non-slip rubber sole offers a tight grip
• Extra light

Cons:

• Soles are flat with no cushion. Some may prefer this to have a full feel of their feet touching flat on the ground.
• Size accuracy is not yet well established
• It’s a bit costly compared to the other models of the same brand

Adidas Men’s Combat Speed .5 Boxing Shoes

Adidas is one of the veterans when it comes to designing shoes for athletic sports, so another entry for one of their top picked boxing shoes can’t hurt. They know the sport well, so the material used for this model was particularly selected to offer flexibility and support for an improved range of movements, keeping you from possibly stumbling during miscalculated dodge or sidestep. The level of comfort was well thought of, so your focus stays purely on the game.

Pros:

• Lightweight at 2.5 lbs
• Close-fitting that gives a sock-like feeling for better stability
• Lace-up closures for added comfort and secure fitting
• Breathability made possible by single-layer mesh. Helps maintain regular temperature on your feet and protect you from any discomfort
• Soles are made of rubber and split-suede leather providing stronger grips 

Cons:

• Shaped for boxers with slender feet

Reebok Men’s Boxing Boot-Buck Sneaker

What this model can boast of, among others, are its stability and support. Stationary stability is one of the important factors in winning in the ring, and Reebok Men’s Boxing Boot-Buck Sneaker offers a lot of that. Its lace-and-strap design offers the support you will need from all that pivoting and fidgety movements.

Pros:

• It is still lightweight at 5 pounds
• Dual lace-strap design allows a snug fit to secure your feet
• Made of textile and leather materials for a sowp but durable outer layer
• High shawp for added protection
• Outside sole is made of full rubber for traction and durability
• Comes with EVA midsole cushioning for added comfort

Cons:

• Size accuracy is still questionable
• Shoe shape is too narrow for the majority of users
• It takes time to put in and take off

Everlast New Elite High-Top Boxing Shoes

For budget-restricted enthusiasts, this model can be the best pick for you. It’s not relatively cheap, but because of its versatility, you can maximize the use of your shoes, making your expenditure worth it. This brand understands that boxing is all about footwork, so they formulated hybrid shoes you can use for boxing exercises, training, and in the ring.

Pros:

• Textured soles for an increased traction 
• Dual lace-strap for added support
• Upper section is made of mesh weave to keep your feet cool in the middle of intense training or match
• Versatile
• Easier to put on and take off
• Lightweight at 2.7 lbs

Cons:

• Size accuracy is questionable
• Designed for narrow feet

Venum Elite Boxing Shoes

Another brand that comes with a flashy design is the Venum Elite Boxing Shoes—thoughtfully designed by professional boxers whose names are worth mentioning: Juan Francisco Estrada, Miguel Berchelt, and Jorge Linares. This model comes in glossy finishes in a black background. It may cost more than your typical brand of boxing shoes, but that is because of the superior mobility and stability.

Pros:

• Rubber outside sole for an increased grip and stability
• Inside sole has been anatomically designed for an optimized comfort
• Laced and strap for a secure fit
• Made of lightweight and flexible materials

Cons:

• Size accuracy is questionable
• Takes time to put on and take off

Basis for your Selection

Brands

A brand is the identifier of a seller’s goods, which renders their products to stand out from other similar products being sold. Although it is not required to purchase a pair of shoes for boxing exclusively only to sophisticated brands, it is easier and reliable to buy them from brands that have already made a name in the sports field. For a contact sport such as boxing, the shoes that will be used are expected to be abused. So, it is important to get the brands that have a good history when it comes to durability. There are luxury brands and budget brands that have been tried and tested and proven to be trustworthy. However, experimenting is not a wise choice because “budget” doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. It won’t hurt to go for the brands that are popular with the athletes. Go for something that lasts both in and outside the ring.

Reviews

Determining your pair of shoes for boxing doesn’t just start and end with the brand. If you already have preferred brands in mind, you need to do a little more research from the people who have used and worn them. Fortunately, reviews are accessible these days. This is the avenue where the feedback is genuine, legit, and unfiltered. What good way to base your decision other than real-life experiences? The information you will scour in the brand reviews can potentially change or reinforce your decision. It is important to be open-minded to make a sound judgment.

Quality

Boxing as a sport requires its player to be nimble and have exuberant energy to survive its routine. The same goes for the gears. You have to own something that can withstand the pressure brought by the game. It is your feet that will decide which brand is the best shoes for boxing. Listen to its needs, and don’t shrug it off. Even the tiniest discomfort can affect your game significantly. You may have all the techniques memorized by heart, but any unpleasant surprises can be an advantage to your opponent.

Features You Need to Pay Attention To

You have to be conversant with the different parts of a boxing shoe. Each part is made of different material and serves different purposes. 

• Comfort – The upper part is usually made of a combination of suede, leather, or synthetic material. One thing you need to make sure of is that it is made to be breathable to prevent accumulating sweat that could cause you to slip while in the game. Another contributor to comfort is how the shoe is glued or stitched together. When trying on a pair, make sure to move your feet and see if you can bend, push, or spread them without pain or pinch. 

• Sole Support – This is solely dependent on your preference. Find a boxing shoe brand that can provide support to what type of sole you have; high-arched or low-arched feet (flat). You may prefer a well-cushioned insole or naked flat. Your workout floor is another factor that needs to be considered. Usually, cushioned or contoured shoes for high-arched feet work well with sowp flooring. Hard flooring, on the other hand, could work well with flatter shoes or shoes for low-arched feet.

• Width – Like sole support, this will also be based on your personal preference. You select a pair of shoes that are well-shaped to allow a snug fit. If you have wide feet, find shoes that have wider soles. The same goes to narrow feet, or at least have laces that you can tighten for maximum stability. If you can’t comfortably set your feet flat on the ground, you will get less balance. 

• Light and Thickness – This factor is, again, entirely up to you. When you put a pair on, make sure it is in your desired weight and thickness. Light shoes mean there is a thin and light material used in the soles and uppers. Adding thickness to these adds to its support but also with weight and ankle restriction. Find something that feels light in the feet and agile yet, thick enough to be supportive as you unite your foot, ankle, and knee when you throw a movement.

• Fit and Stability – Contrary to popular beliefs, boxing is a sport that consists of stationary positions with small and quick foot movements. That is why it is essential to have strong sole support to maintain your balance as you throw your punches with maximum power level, sit down on it, pivot, and sit back down again. All that simultaneously, so maximum stationary support is crucial. The sole construction of your chosen shoes for boxing should feel like your axis is in the right balance when standing up. Hence, the straps and laces. They add support aspects to the shoes, although not every boxing shoe has straps. The straps help in wrapping your ankle and foot to join as one. And if laces are tied incorrectly, it can compromise your game.

The outside texture of the sole also affects your balance. You can choose between soles with ridges at the very bottom or flat. The little bumps add more grip while the flat surface lets you feel the ground directly. Choose one that provides you superior balance.

• Grip and Ankle Support – All shoes for boxing offer ankle support since you are prone to ankle injuries from constantly putting pressure on your ankles in different directions, shiwping angles very owpen, and lots of jumping around. This feature will vary on different factors, such as fighting style, genetics, and your personal preference. If you need superior ankle support, especially if you are prone to spraining your ankles, opt for a high top, however, if you need more mobility, opt for a low top. Now, the fit is different in each model in each body. Shop around until you find the shoes for boxing that give the feel like it is one with your feet so you can deliver fluid movements successfully. 

Related Questions

Do I already need boxing shoes as a beginner to the sport?

This is a common factor overlooked by most beginners in the sport of boxing. The most known reason is that they don’t see the benefit of spending much money on shoes when they can use other athletic shoes they already own. That logic rooted in a common misconception that boxers move a lot just like any other sports, so wearing any athletic shoes should work just as well. That is one hundred percent inaccurate. Boxing requires stationary stability, and its shoes are specifically built for that. You can’t wear a pair of shoes that are designed for running movements on a sport that needs your feet planted flat on the ground. When you wear shoes other than shoes for boxing, you restrict yourself from any necessary movement and may possibly risk yourself in physical danger, even when you are just going through beginner’s training. So, do you need it? YES. It is lighter, and it lets you move with more agility and will help your training more effectively.

What’s the difference between a high top and low top boxing shoes?

High top is a traditional design for boxing shoes, but a low top’s popularity started catching up. Both designs are good for boxing. The difference takes place, depending on your needs. If you are just starting and will only need shoes for shadow boxing exercises, sparring sessions, or heavy bag workouts, you can opt for low top type boxing shoes. But, if you are regularly competing or need superior ankle support, high top type boxing shoes are your best pick. 

If you are new or just planning to start a career or hobby in boxing, it is in your great advantage to get accustomed to wearing boxing shoes early on. Don’t delay it and wait until you have a concrete decision whether to pursue it or not. Like what they say, “experience is the best teacher.” Wearing one will let you feel the benefits and assess it yourself, not to mention the fun that comes along with it. Boxing professionals or enthusiasts can agree that a pair of the best boxing shoes can give someone a run for his money.