People new to boxing tend to buy all the boxing gear except boxing shoes.
Unlike hand wraps and boxing gloves, beginners haven’t been convinced that boxing shoes are necessary.
Instead, most beginner boxers use running shoes or basketball shoes for their workouts.
So do boxing shoes make a difference? Keep reading to find out!
Do Boxing Shoes Make A Difference?
Boxing shoes make a difference because:
- Boxing Shoes Offer Superior Ankle Support
- Boxing Shoes Offer The Right Amount of Traction
- Boxing Shoes Have Less Weight Than Regular Shoes
- Boxing Shoes Improve Your Connection To The Ground
In the beginning of your boxing journey, it’s ok to wear whatever shoes you have to complete a basic boxing workout, like hitting the heavy bag or doing pad work.
However, to enter competitive sparring and compete, you need a pair of boxing shoes. The right boxing footwear will elevate your footwork and movement around the ring.
When you try on your first pair of boxing shoes, the difference is night and day; you’ll never go back to a regular pair.
Once you’re ready to upgrade, see our choices for the best boxing shoes available on the market!
Boxing Shoes Offer Superior Ankle Support
First, boxing shoes offer superior ankle support.
Boxing shoes are constructed to offer more support in the ankles compared to your standard pair of athletic shoes.
Even if you choose low-top boxing shoes over high-top boxing shoes, you’ll feel a big difference in security.
Some boxing shoes even offer extra support by having dedicated ankle straps along with laces.
Wearing boxing shoes will prevent a sprained ankle, which will take you out of the ring for weeks.
Boxing Shoes Offer The Right Amount of Traction
Next, boxing shoes offer the right amount of traction.
In the ring, you need to be able to pivot and change angles easily.
Regular shoes or basketball shoes don’t perform well in the ring. They tend to grip the canvas and cause boxers to trip.
This is because basketball shoes, for example, are made with the hardwood floor or concrete in mind.
With boxing shoes, their soles are designed with the canvas in mind to give enough traction so you can move around the ring without tripping.
Boxing Shoes Have Less Weight Than Regular Shoes
Next, boxing shoes offer less weight than regular shoes.
You need to stay light and able to move freely in the ring.
When you wear boxing shoes, you’ll feel that they’re much lighter than your average pair of athletic shoes.
Even the high-top boxing shoes are considerably lighter than your pair of tennis shoes.
They’re made with special, breathable material so that they’ll feel like an extension of your feet.
Boxing Shoes Improve Your Connection To The Ground
Lastly, boxing shoes offer a solid connection to the ground.
You need full range of motion in the ring to perform well. You have to balance staying on the balls of your feet with lateral movement.
The soles of boxing shoes are designed with this in mind, enabling boxers’ feet to stay grounded while always ready to pivot or shuffle.
This is what people mean when they say boxing shoes are “responsive”.
When we use regular shoes for boxing, we feel like our feet move first and then our shoes move second.
Furthermore, the soles of your regular shoes will wear down and this uneven surface will make you feel disconnected from the ground or worse, even injure your feet.
Disadvantages of Boxing Shoes
Still, there are some reasons beginners choose not to get boxing shoes:
- Boxing Shoes Are Inconvenient To Lace-Up
- Boxing Shoes Can Cost Extra
- You Can’t Use Boxing Shoes Outside Of The Gym
Despite these reasons, we think the advantages of having boxing shoes greatly outweigh the disadvantages.
Boxing Shoes Are Inconvenient To Lace-Up
First, one of the disadvantages of boxing shoes is that some boxing shoes are inconvenient to lace up.
We empathize with this reason; when it comes to boxing equipment, we’re lazy. We don’t like lacing up gloves or setting up dedicated ankle straps.
With athletic shoes, you only need a few seconds to slip them on and tie a basic knot.
On the other hand, some boxing shoes (especially high-tops) have extra-long laces and ankle straps that can take minutes to secure.
Though inconvenient, these extra measures ensure a perfect fit, provide ankle stability, and make your shoes feel like an extension of your feet.
Boxing Shoes Can Cost Extra
Next, one of the disadvantages of boxing shoes is that they’re are an extra cost to beginners.
For a beginner, there’s already so much boxing equipment to get.
To start, you need to pay your gym dues, as well as pay for gloves, hand wraps, and sparring gear. Boxing shoes end up as a lower priority.
However, boxing shoes become necessary as your skills start to improve.
You Can’t Use Boxing Shoes Outside Of The Gym
Lastly, a disadvantage of boxing shoes is that you can’t use them outside of the gym.
Their soles are specifically made for surfaces inside the boxing gym, such as the canvas of the ring.
Running or walking with them outside on concrete or gravel will ruin their soles and make them useless.
The good side is that once you buy a pair of boxing shoes, it should last you years if you only use them inside the boxing gym.
Conclusion
The right pair of boxing shoes will elevate your footwork and movement around the ring.
When buying quality boxing shoes, it’s best to consider these factors:
- Material Quality
- Weight
- Ankle Support and Stability
- Price
Though a pair of boxing shoes that meets all these requirements can be expensive, it’s worth it and you’ll never go back to boxing wearing a regular pair of shoes.
If you’re having trouble deciding what boxing equipment to get, check out these articles: