Taekwondo Shoes - What Style Will You Choose?

When you choose a pair of taekwondo shoes you need to think about what you want from them.

Do you plan to wear your martial art shoes regularly for training?

Or just occasionally for seminars and competitions?

Do you want to train outside in your shoes?

Basic tkd shoes are light and comfortable. The padded, soft leather top protects your foot when you kick a hogu or heavy bag.

And if you look at the sole and you'll notice a black circle. This area helps you to pivot your bottom foot smoothly when you kick. You'll find this especially useful if you train on grippy mats.

This classic Adidas martial art shoe has been around for over 10 years and is still a top seller. It will be ideal for you if you want to train in shoes once in a while or if you're looking for a shoe to help you look the part at seminars and demos.

These shoes are easy and quick to slip on and off. Sizing is men's US - ladies will need to order a size smaller than normal. There's more information about sizing and prices here.

If you plan to use your taekwondo shoes outdoors or train on hard or rough surfaces you'll need a stronger shoe. The Adidas III is an example of a shoe with a tough sole designed for outdoor use.

This shoe has a pivot point on your heel as well as the ball of your foot. The usual soft leather is combined with a mesh to help keep your feet cool and dry.

Again sizes are men's US - more detail here. These shoes cost a bit more but are worth the extra if you are going to use them heavily or train outdoors.

It's important to realize that there is very little shock absorption in the soles of taekwondo shoes. So if you're heading out for a road run - we suggest you wear running shoes instead to minimise the impact on your joints.

For most of your taekwondo training we think it's best to train in bare feet.

When you train without shoes you condition your feet. This means your feet get tougher and stronger. Barefoot training also strengthens all the muscles in your feet which helps your posture and keeps your feet healthy into old age.

Although having said that...

... recently we went to a state sparring seminar.

The floor of the dojang was wood.

As you can see from the state of his feet it's a long time since Neil trained on wood!

Wearing martial art shoes would have been a good option!

And what about You?
Do you have a favorite pair of taekwondo shoes?

Could you help other visitors to this site by recommending a martial arts shoe you like? Or maybe you can advise others what brand NOT to buy?

To make your contribution as useful as possible tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? How long have you been training? How often do you use your tkd shoes? Why are they so good (or bad)? Are they comfortable? Have they lasted well? Can you kick easily in them?

(You don't need to give a login or e-mail address to contribute).

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