Wrestling Shoes for Grapplers!

Seconds Out, Round 1

Just like most noobie wrestlers, you wannabe Hulk Hogan you, it’s a sure fire bet that now you’ve made a decision to grapple, you are just itching to get in the ring and sort out anyone who dares to challenge you right? But just slow down a bit Tiger, because your wrestling career will be short lived if you put style or cost above quality and safety when it comes to choosing your wrestling shoes.

As with all footwear, finding the correct size is the number 1 factor and this starts with knowing your regular shoe size exactly. You see, a typical pair of wrestling shoes will usually run at about one half to one full size bigger than your everyday shoes, but that said, new wresting shoes will stretch somewhat with use. They must be snug but with room to spare. It's advisable if you're new to the sport to seek professional assistance when choosing your first pair of shoes.

Wrestling Shoe Brands. How do you choose?

Just as with all products, there are those items which are good, others which aren’t so good, and the plain inadequate. And determining the best, is not always based on the price alone. Although some of the lesser known brands might be perfectly ok, they haven't yet earned their reputation in the marketplace, so it's always a good idea to go with the tried and battle tested brands, which include some of the following; Adidas wrestling shoes, Asics wrestling shoes, Adistar wrestling shoes, and of course Cael wrestling shoes. Others popular brands are Nike, Infinity, and Brute.

The brands mentioned above are mostly well thought-out and reputable shoes that have been tried and tested in the ring. Depending on frequency of use and the intensity of the fights, these shoes can be expected to last anywhere between one and two years on average. If you decide to skimp a bit on the shoes until you decide if wrestling is something you want to pursue of not, then at least look for shoes that have a decent rubber sole and high ankle support. You will also come across options for a split sole or a non-split sole, but in general the split sole shoe is by and large more comfortable and provides better traction.



There's a lot of contact in wrestling, and it can be a bit of a boney sport. You're feet are going to get hot, they're going to sweat, and they're going to get knocked about. Therefore, make sure that you check the shoes are made of a breathable fabric so that your feet don't suffocate. If you don't , they become uncomfortable, and that's not going to help your fighting any. You might also want to consider buying a little-used second hand pair of wrestling shoes. This way you will get the quality without the price tag to match.

Most training venues will be able to tell you the best places to shop for used clothing and equipment and that will also include other items such as wrestling kneepads, wrestling tights, and wrestling mats. You'll be surprised at how many wannabe wrestlers go out and buy all the gear only to ever use it once or twice before throwing in the towel. There really are some good bargains to be had with second hand sportswear.