Just as there are special shoes for running, football, bowling, tennis, golf and countless other sports, there are of course also special shoes for boxing. Boxing shoes are designed specifically for the demands placed on you and your equipment during a regular boxing training session (or match).
Of course, you can box in regular sports shoes, and many people do, but why shortchange yourself and not just buy a pair of shoes for your favorite sport? As mentioned before, there are also specific shoes for other activities.
Main advantages of boxing shoes:
The main advantages that boxing shoes have over regular sports shoes and sneakers are simply:
- Grip: Boxing shoes provide much more desirable grip due to the specific sole and grooves.
- Lightweight: Boxing shoes are very light compared to many other (sports) shoes.
- Support: Boxing shoes provide much more support for your feet and especially your ankle joints.
Improved grip of boxing shoes
As soon as you start wearing boxing shoes during your training, you will immediately notice that they provide much more grip and support than your regular sneakers. The grooves in the soles of good boxing shoes are placed in specific directions to support and enhance every movement made in boxing.
Boxing shoes are suitable for various types of flooring, such as wooden floors and, of course, the type of canvas used in a boxing ring. Because the soles of boxing shoes are also relatively thin and flat, you feel much more connected to the floor than with a thicker, padded regular sports shoe.
With good boxing shoes, you feel much "freer" in your movements, as if you're hardly wearing shoes at all. This is because a good pair of boxing shoes is compact and fits snugly around your feet, as if they are "wrapped" in them.
In terms of performance, the grip of boxing shoes is fantastic; you can turn much more easily with them, and they seem to stick when you want them to and release when you want them to. This means you don't have to worry about your regular shoes slipping or coming undone.
Boxing shoes are designed to function in a boxing ring. A boxing ring during a match can become quite slippery due to condensation, sweat, and water used (for cooling and hydration of the boxer). They can handle this, so they can certainly help you avoid unnecessary slips and falls on a (slippery) gym floor.
Lightweight boxing shoes
Almost all (good) boxing shoes are significantly lighter than regular sports shoes or sneakers. This feature, combined with a snug fit , allows for quick and agile movement (light-footedness). This is, of course, a requirement if you want to box well. It makes it much easier to move, dodge, and set up punches.
The lower weight of boxing shoes also means you'll experience significantly less fatigue in your calves and legs. This reduces the strain on your legs, leading to greater explosive power and endurance during long training sessions.
Support for your ankles and feet provided by boxing shoes.
Boxing shoes offer greater support through specific features and properties. They are generally mid-top to high-top models for firm ankle support , which is essential for boxers and their quick movements.
The advantage of high-top boxing shoes (somewhat similar to basketball shoes) is that they offer a kind of ankle brace for support. In boxing, you constantly make explosive movements, and you don't want to sprain your ankles in normal low-top sports shoes!
In addition, boxing shoes provide better stability thanks to their special (inter)soles, minimizing the risk of sprains. The support of your arches is also important, which will significantly reduce the feeling of tired feet.
Especially during longer training sessions, you will notice that your body weight is distributed more evenly over the soles of your feet, allowing you to perform better and for longer periods of time.
The outsole of boxing shoes is also much thinner and more flexible than that of normal shoes. This allows for easier and better movement on the balls of your feet. The soles are also designed to allow for all forms of lateral movement, which is essential for the footwork of a good boxer.
View in webshop:
External sources:
- Reddit.com: Do boxing shoes make a big difference when sparring, or are they not really necessary?
- Reddit.com: Boxing Shoes - Do they really help?
- YouTube: Csquaredboxing: Everlast Elite 2 Pro Shoes Unboxing & First Look
- YouTube: Csquaredboxing: Everlast Elite 2 Review - My Favorite Boxing Shoes?!
- YouTube: Everlast ELITE 2 Boxing Shoe Review
