Whether you are a novice stepping onto the mat for the first time, or a hardened veteran of many wrestling seasons, you will need the best wrestling shoes you can get on your feet to wrestle comfortably, safely, and effectively.
In the dynamic sport of wrestling, the best wrestling shoes need to be comfortable, breathable, provide proper traction, and be flexible enough to allow you to freely move your feet in any position.
There are a number of high quality wrestling shoes on the market to suit the needs and foot shape of every wrestler.
If your feet tend to cramp while wrestling, you should take a look at the best wrestling shoes for wide feet. Wrestling shoes with a thinner tongue and more breathable construction, may be a good wrestling shoe option for sensitive feet.
Since the best wrestling shoes are usually lightweight, flat, and have good traction, athletes from other sports often wear wrestling shoes for boxing, powerlifting, strength training, and conditioning.
Whether you need wrestling shoes for wrestling, weight lifting, or boxing, there are overwhelming variety of options available. But don’t worry, we have done the work for you.
After hours of research, we have narrowed down to 6 of the best wrestling shoes on the market today. In this guide, we review and breakdown each shoe, to help you decide which wrestling shoe is the best for you!
Table of Contents
Best Wrestling Shoe Reviews
The ASICS JB Elite IV wrestling shoe is built from the specifications of Four-Time World and Olympic Wrestling Champion Jordan Burroughs.
Offering an improved rubber split sole design with rear and forefoot wrestling traction pods, the ASICS JB Elite IV wrestling shoe offers great flexibility and grip, during fast-paced wrestling matches. The redesigned upper construction features a single layer mesh body for a more breathable wrestling shoe.
Features
- Fabric and synthetic material
- Rubber sole
- Lace-up closure provides a custom fit
- Breathable mesh uppers in a supportive, hi-top silhouette
- Synthetic overlay throughout upper provides added durability in high-stress areas
- Available in a wide variety of color schemes
Review
The ASICS JB Elite IV wrestling shoe provides great traction for cutting and driving on the mats, and the breathable mesh keeps your feet from getting too hot or sweaty.
What we like most about this wrestling shoe is the split sole design, which not only helps with grip, but also allows a lot more range of motion compared to other shoes on the market.
Another thing worth mentioning, is that these shoes fit great compared to others, they are super comfortable, grippy, great ankle support, and still offers all the flexibility you need.
Last but not least, how can we not mention the great design and look of the shoe. Also the fact that it’s available in variety of colors, so you can buy a color scheme that matches your school or club.
At the time of writing this review, there’re over 800 reviews on Amazon, with majority being positive – click here to read them.
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PROS
- The thin tongue design helps prevent cramping
- The breathable mesh construction improves comfort
- Offers wide range of motion
- Comfortable fit and durable
- Good grip but still flexible
CONS
- Lacing could be better
If you prefer a lightweight shoe with a minimalist design, then the Adidas HVC Wrestling Shoe is a great and affordable option.
This lightweight wrestling shoe features a single layer mesh upper made of synthetic suede and leather for breathability, durability, and comfort. An elastic ankle strap keeps your laces secure and the full length, one piece outsole delivers excellent traction. The pivot points on the Adidas HCV wrestling shoes are excellent for fast turning and cutting.
This is an excellent entry level wrestling shoe for kids and adults, and outperforms most similarly priced wresting shoes.
Features
- Flat Rubber sole
- Single layer mesh upper
- Synthetic leather and suede
- Pivot points for precise turning and cutting
- Elastic velcro keeps laces secure
Review
The Adidas HCV wrestling shoes are a very comfortable and durable at the same time. These were actually the second pair of wrestling shoes I purchased, and they lasted through several years of wrestling and cross-training.
The upper construction is surprisingly comfortable given the price point. The breathability of the single layer mesh construction makes this an excellent shoe for hotter climates and long periods of use.
Although the Adidas HCV wrestling shoes are great for cross-training sports like boxing on a padded floor surface, they are not so great for use on concrete, particularly for activities that impact the foot such as jump roping.
If you are looking for your first pair of wrestling shoes, the Adidas HCV wrestling shoe is a very affordable option that provides great value for money.
At the time of writing this review, there’re over 3,500 reviews on Amazon, with majority being positive – click here to read them.
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PROS
- Durable synthetic construction
- High performing shoe for the price range
- Single layer mesh upper is very breathable
- Light weight and flexible
CONS
- Velcro may damage laces
The sleek ASICS Aggressor 4 wrestling shoe is one of the latest high-end wrestling shoe from ASICS. With re-designed suede Ecsaine textile and synthetic upper construction, the ASICS Aggressor 4 wrestling shoe provides reliable comfort and lasting durability.
The no-scratch lace up garage ensures that you laces stay secure during any wrestling match. The padded tongue and collar offers a high level of support and comfort. The ASICS Aggressor 4 is equipped with DuoSole technology to enhance flexibility while reducing weight and maintaining traction.
Features
- Fabric and synthetic Ecsaine Suede construction
- Synthetic sole
- Lace-up closure
- No-scratch lace garage
- Padded tongue and collar
- Available in white and black
Review
As far as high-end wrestling shoes offering premium comfort, you cannot beat the ASICS Aggressor 4. The elite DuoSole technology provides traction and durability that make this shoe perform season after season.
The padded tongue and collar are unrivaled in terms of support and comfort around the ankle. The no-scratch lace garage keeps your laces safely tucked during all wrestling exchanges, and protects the laces from damage.
Although the ASICS Aggressor 4 is one of the most comfortable wrestling shoes around, it does not breath as well as shoes with less padding.
One thing to note, these shoes do run a bit narrow, and takes time to break in. so be patient with them, they fit like a glove once broken in.
At the time of writing this review, there’re over 530 reviews on Amazon, with majority being positive – click here to read them.
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PROS
- Offers great support and stability
- Excellent traction and flexibility
- Durable fabric and Suede construction
- Sleek design and good looks
CONS
- Does not breath as well as some lighter wrestling shoes
The Adidas Adizero XIV is the signature wrestling shoe of Jake Varner, and it’s Adidas’s entry into the high quality wrestling shoe market.
Adidas designed the Adizero XIV with a superior outsole for enhanced grip and speed. The engineered-mesh upper construction provides a broken-in feel out of the box.
Features
- 100% synthetic textile
- Rubber sole
- lightweight construction
- Mixed-overlay
- High-tech outsole
Review
The Adidas XIV is a great wrestling shoe for wrestlers who likes speed, as well as for heavyweights who prefer a lighter shoe. The rubber sole provides excellent grip, and it doesn’t restrict your movement. It has just the right balance between friction and slide.
The mesh dries out quickly, however for those who prefer wrestling shoes that don’t show dirt, the lighter Adidas XIV colors get dirty more quickly than other materials.
Being such a light weight shoe, it’s also great for boxing, MMA and other martial arts training. Although the downside of being extremely light weight, is that it might not last as long as the heavier, more padded shoes.
Nevertheless the Adidas XIV it is an excellent wrestling shoe for wrestlers of all levels.
At the time of writing this review, there’re over 360 reviews on Amazon, with majority being positive – click here to read them.
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PROS
- Lightweight construction great for fast-paced wrestling
- Excellent grip on rubber sole
- Breathable and flexible material
- Allows ease of movement
- Great for sliding and a fast shoot
CONS
- Shows dirt easily
- Might be a little too light weight when it comes to durability
Originally made for four-time undefeated NCAA Champion Cael Sanderson, the ASICS Cael V8.0 is constructed from Ecsaine synthetic leather with open mesh upper material. It features a high-cut design for added ankle protection.
The ASICS Cael V8.0 wrestling shoes deliver wrestling-specific traction with the split-sole design. The padded tongue-and-collar provides premium comfort and support.
Features
- Rubber soie
- Wrestling-specific traction
- High-cut design for added ankle protection
- Ecsaine synthetic leather and open mesh construction
- Lace Garage closure keeps laces secure
Review
The ASICS Cael V8.0 wrestling shoes are a great option, if you need a high quality wrestling shoe with extra ankle support. The wrestling-specific traction on the rubber sole offers some of the best grip on the mats of any shoe on the market.
The open mesh upper is more breathable than other wrestling shoes with ankle support, and the durable synthetic Ecsaine leather will last for several seasons. The laces stay fairly protected in the “Lace Garage” during high-paced wrestling.
It’s worth mentioning that these shoes do run a bit small and narrow, but they do break in nicely after a few wears.
At the time of writing this review, there’re over 250 reviews on Amazon, with majority being positive – click here to read them.
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PROS
- Durable materials last several seasons
- Superior traction for wrestling
- Added ankle support
- Very comfortable
CONS
- The inner sole can get slippery
If you are looking the highest quality wrestling shoe you can find, and plan to use your wrestling shoes for weightlifting or MMA training, the Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape Wrestling Shoes are one of the best options on the market.
The Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape Wrestling Shoes are designed to combine the features required in shoes for all mat-related sports.
These wrestling shoes are great for the mats, weight room, and the ring. The thin sole allows you to do everything from grappling in wrestling shoes to deadlifts and kettlebell swings.
Features
- Thin Rubber sole
- Leather and synthetic construction
- Extra padding for ankle support
Review
The Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape Wrestling shoes are my favorite wrestling shoe for all purpose gym use. Its no secret that even casual martial artists need to cross-train, and these shoes provide a great way to avoid having to purchases separate shoes for the different sports.
The added ankle support makes the Otomix Men’s Stingray Escape a great wrestling shoe for boxing.
They are a great all rounder shoe to keep in your gym bag, as they can be used for the majority training in most gym settings. Although if you plan to compete in wrestling, boxing, or weightlifting, you will probably need a more sport-specific shoe.
One last thing to note, if you have wide feet, you should definitely consider the Otomix Stingray Escape wrestling shoes. As these shoes run wider than rest on our list, they are probably the most comfortable shoes for wide feet.
At the time of writing this review, there’re over 1,200 reviews on Amazon, with majority being positive – click here to read them.
PROS
- Great for cross training in other sports like boxing, weight lifting
- Excellent ankle support
- Very comfortable fit
- Good for wide feet
CONS
- Slippery insole
Conclusion
So, which wrestling shoe should I choose?
First, identify what you need out of your wrestling shoe. Once you know what you needs are, decide how much you can spend on a wrestling shoe. From there, match your needs with a wrestling shoe on this list that fits your price range.
Which ever wrestling shoe you pick off this list, you can be sure you are well prepared for the upcoming wrestling training, or any other sports you cross train for that matter, like boxing, MMA, and weight lifting.
