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Best Martial Arts Shoes - 2024 Market Review

taekwondo fighter barefoot - featured image

Last Updated on March 16, 2024

Your shoes say a lot about you.  But honestly, not everybody considers it important. Try showing up at the dojo wearing tennis shoes, and let's see what happens.

Can you imagine? 

My point is... Not all shoes are alike. They serve distinct purposes, and that’s why you need a pair that will help you get through your martial arts classes. So, in this article, I bring to you what I believe are some of the best martial arts shoes. 

The Adidas Adi-Kick 2 Taekwondo Shoes is my list topper. What could be yours? Let’s cut loose, footloose! 😉

Product Details
1. Adidas Adi-Kick 2 Taekwondo Shoes

Total Head Turner

  • Very Comfortable
  • Breathable Structure
  • Provides Optimal Traction
  • Super Lightweight
  • Reasonably Priced
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2. T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Shoes

Impressive Features

  • Very Affordable
  • Unisex
  • Great Grip
  • No Sweat Buildup
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3. Century Lightfoot Martial Arts Shoes

Ultra-Lightweight

  • Resilient
  • Breathable
  • Pivot Joints
  • Great Grip
  • Some Sizing Issues
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4. Adidas Box Hog 2 Men’s Boxing Boots

Rough & Rugged

  • Breathable Mesh
  • Hardcore Matches
  • Anti-Fungal
  • Ankle Support
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5. Otomix Lite Martial Arts Shoes

Works Like A Charm

  • Easy To Wear
  • Lightweight
  • Variety Of Disciplines
  • Not Very Breathable
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The 5 The Best Martial Arts Shoes Reviewed

1. Adidas Adi-Kick 2 Taekwondo Shoes – Best Overall

adidas Adi-Kick 2 Tae Kwon Do, Martial Arts Shoes, Sneaker (7.5 M US)

At the top of my list, I have the Adi-Kick 2 from Adidas. Is it even a surprise to anyone that these made their way into my top list?

Adidas is a well-reputed and top-ranking manufacturer of sporting equipment, and these are among the best taekwondo shoes out there. And so, it goes without saying that this is the best martial arts shoes in this review. 

With these, you will do pretty well with almost all mainstream martial arts. What I love the most about the Adi-Kick 2 shoes is how agile they are. Their dedicated pivot points allowed me to turn rapidly without losing my balance or slipping, which can be handy in certain situations.

The comfort factor is also a major selling point, and I was impressed by how light they feel. This makes them perfect for long martial arts training sessions, which will allow you to maximize your training and exert as much as your body allows you to.

The rubber-made soles maintain a perfect level of traction, not too high and not too low either. Instead, it offers fluidity in the motion, all the while keeping it perfectly controllable. Simply put, these shoes are both agile and allow calculated movements.

The visual appeal is also something to be amazed at. These are Adidas-made shoes, after all, and that says a lot.  

And since the model is made up of highly breathable materials, it creates a perfectly cool interior and fights off sweat buildup, which is a blessing, considering that a rough martial arts session is bound to get your feet all soaked up otherwise.

Overall, an impressive pair, I have to say, and it is all the more mind-blowing when you take these features side by side with its price tag – a decently affordable sum. 

Now, are all these enough to say this is the best martial arts shoes after all I've said above? I bet you agree. 😉

Pros

  • These are bound to steal some looks in your martial arts classes, owing to their visual appeal.
  • The shoes are dedicated to martial arts activities like Taekwondo.
  • You can use them for prolonged sessions without tiring your feet.
  • The breathable structure keeps the interior fresh and prevents any sweat buildup.

Cons

  • For some, the laces may be a bit uncomfortable.
  • The return policy is not as impressive as some high-end models.

Verdict

I must say that the Adidas Adi-Kick 2 Taekwondo Shoes thoroughly impressed me with their ingenious design and effective usability. The best part is that they are dedicated to martial arts like Taekwondo.

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2. T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Shoes – Best Budget

T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Martial Arts Parkour Shoes,Rubber Sole Sneakers-Black 42(Men 9|Women 11)

You want them to be visually appealing, practical, resilient, and durable, all at the same time, but you can’t afford to pay what high-end shoes usually cost. Luckily, you don’t have to; you can get all of these qualities in a pair that will fit perfectly in your budget.

The T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Shoes are unparalleled in their excellence, given the price range. Not only is this pair very handsome, but works exceptionally well for any number of martial arts like Kung Fu, Karate, and Taekwondo, to name a few.

The main contributors to this excellence are the rubber-made soles which provide optimal traction for quick and calculated movements. Moreover, their lightweight build and breathable upper parts are also worth praise as they allow you to wear them for prolonged sessions.

Since they are universally compatible, I’d say that these are undoubtedly the best martial arts shoes for women in their price range. Don't get me wrong, they work just as well for men too, but it is harder to find some decent martial arts shoes for women.

Lastly, they are perfect for martial arts in general, too, as they will keep your feet from stinking up the whole place after hours of martial arts practice.

Pros

  • These are among the most affordable martial arts shoes with such impressive features.
  • They work equally well for men and women (children can use them too).
  • The lightweight build and breathable materials make them perfect for prolonged practice sessions.
  • They counter sweat buildup with great effect!

Cons

  • Some users felt that the sides were a bit too thick for them.
  • They fade in comparison to high-end models.

Verdict

The T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Shoes offer a myriad of features in exchange for a minimal price, and this will make them much appreciated by anyone running on a tight budget. They work perfectly for either gender and are easily among the best martial arts shoes for women, given their price.

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3. Century Lightfoot Martial Arts Shoes – Best Lightweight Option

Century Lightfoot Martial Arts Shoes, Black, Size 9

In martial arts, you need to be quick on your feet; otherwise, you’re already beaten before the game’s even begun. This necessitates using lightweight, or rather “ultra-lightweight” shoes to maintain an agile approach throughout the game.

The Century Lightfoot Martial Arts Shoes are exactly as implied: “ultra-lightweight.” This light frame should not deceive you into thinking that they are any less impressive than the models discussed so far. On the contrary, this pair is as resilient as it gets.

Their biggest selling point is how they aid your footwork, allowing you to stay agile yet in complete control of your swift movements. The last thing you want is to slip and fall amidst an intense fight, and these shoes will ensure that it never happens.

Naturally, the physical exertion involved in an intense karate session is bound to get your feet all sweaty and stinky. But this is also one of those things that won’t have to deal with owing to the breathability of these shoes; they are designed to keep your feet perfectly cool and aerated.

It also has those iconic pivot points that I discussed earlier on, making your movements all the easier. These shoes go as far as any decent pair would, and they undoubtedly deserve their rank among the best martial arts shoes in various disciplines, one of them being karate.

Pros

  • They are surprisingly lightweight.
  • The breathable material keeps them cool and perfectly aerated inside.
  • They offer an excellent grip.
  • The pivot points are essential in improving your movements.

Cons

  • Some reported issues with the sizing; be sure to get an exact measurement from the manufacturers before you set an order.
  • They don’t work as perfectly on rubber mats.

Verdict

The Century Lightfoot Martial Arts Shoes are perfect for enduring the vicissitudes of martial arts training and the actual sport too. They are lightweight martial arts shoes but, at the same time, very resilient and effective.

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4. Adidas Box Hog 2 Men’s Boxing Boots – Best Option For Boxing

It is no wonder that another entry from Adidas has made its way into my list, and this one won’t fail to impress, just like the last one. The only difference this time is that these are boots, not shoes.

The Box Hog 2 is not made for walking (see what I did there? :)), but instead, they are meant to give you a competitive edge in hardcore boxing matches. Using high-end materials, the manufacturers have created these robust and resilient boots which can withstand even the roughest of treatments.

The breathable mesh on top is perfect for allowing air to circulate freely through the shoes and preventing your feet from getting soaked in sweat and stinking up the whole place. 

This serves a more practical reason, too, and that is combating fungal infections such as athlete's foot which is not that uncommon and is very annoying, to say the least.

However, despite such a robust construction, the boots are deceptively lightweight, making them perfect for maintaining an agile flow throughout the game. Lastly, they are very comfortable to wear, surprisingly so, considering that they are athletic shoes.

All of these qualities, combined with an extended lifespan, are enough to make these among the best MMA shoes that a boxer can put on. And although they may cost a bit more than some other products, they do afford features that are virtually unparalleled by all cheaper options.

Pros

  • The boots have a formidable look to them.
  • They are highly resilient and robust.
  • The ankle support offered by these boots is very impressive.
  • They are deceptively lightweight.
  • The breathable material accounts for a cool and well-aerated interior.

Cons

  • Users have reported some sizing problems.
  • Finding the right size may be harder for female athletes.

Verdict

Overall, the Adidas Box Hog 2 Men’s Boxing Boots are well worth your investment if you value resilience and durability in a product and don’t mind paying a sizable sum for it.

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5. Otomix Lite Martial Arts Shoes – Best Classic Option

Otomix Men's Original Lite Martial Arts Karate Taekwondo MMA Kicking Shoes White 9

I’m not sure if you’ve heard the name before or not, but odds are that you do have a faint idea about this pair. These martial arts shoes are based on the first original product from the company that came to retail shelves in 1988.

Of course, much has changed over the past decades, but classic design is still booming like the good old days. Otomix is no stranger to producing high-quality sporting footwear, and these are by all means among the best shoes for martial arts training.

These shoes are not only very durable but also work like a charm.

With a pair of these on, you will be able to stay quick on your feet, all the while never losing your grip on the surface. To aid the fast-paced action even further, these shoes are ultra-lightweight, making them perfect for prolonged usage.

They are easy to wear, feel very comfortable, and have a great overall feeling to them. All in all, you get these features in a classic look; if this doesn’t say “the best shoes for kung fu,” then I don’t know what does. 

Pros

  • They are easy to wear.
  • They feel very comfortable.
  • Being lightweight, they are perfect for accentuating your fast-paced movements.
  • They can be used for a variety of martial arts disciplines.

Cons

  • Some users complained about sizing issues.
  • These shoes are not all that breathable.

Verdict

The Otomix Lite Martial Arts Shoes are not only a timeless classic but also very practical, making them worthy of admiration, investment, and of course, one of the best martial arts shoes.

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What To Look For In Martial Arts Shoes?

The martial arts shoe reviews covered in the previous section detailed some of the most iconic and highly functional products available in the market. But your options don’t end here, you may want to explore further, and that’s okay.

If you do go on, on your own, how will you ensure that you don’t end up with a pair that only looks good but offers no merits in the sport? In this section, I will guide you through some parameters that you should always consider when picking a product.

I used these same criteria to pick out these shoes for my list, and I am certain that they will work well for you too:

Do They Fit Perfectly?

Ideally, your shoes, or any pair of shoes, should not push against your toes. Instead, they should leave enough space for your toes to be seated comfortably; this space should be almost as wide as the width of your index finger.

However, for being the best martial arts shoes, the inverse applies to the heel area, which should be firmly (but comfortably) placed against the back of the shoe, not pressed against it but not loose either. This way, you will not slip, and neither will the shoes come off accidentally during a fight.

With these, you can only ensure by trying them on yourself, but if you’re buying them online, ask the manufacturers for the exact measurements to get a clearer idea. It'd also be safe to ask if the shoes you're buying are designed for boxing, MMA, or whichever type of sports you're involved in.

Do They Offer Enough Protection?

Kicking is almost ubiquitous in martial arts, and many variants of it use the upper portion of your foot’s front for striking. Unless padded properly, this part is vulnerable to injury during your training sessions, and this is why several martial arts shoes offer protection in this region.

Make sure that the martial arts shoes you’re buying do the same, unless, of course, you’re buying boxing shoes, in which case never mind. But if you do plan on joining MMA after boxing then it is best to get the ones with the padding.

Most of all, they should be high-quality. Otherwise, all of this is a moot point.

How Do They Look?

Visual appeal has nothing to do with the actual sport, but it is still something to look for in your choice of martial arts shoes because it adds up to how you look. You’d be surprised by the variety of colors that martial arts shoes come in. Heck, you can even find pink ones!

My point is that just because they’re meant to be tough doesn’t mean that they can’t come with nice visuals. There is no right or wrong when it comes to the type of design or color you pick, just make sure that the shoes are functional for your sport, and you’re all set!

Versatility Is Important

Just because the label says that they’re martial arts shoes doesn’t mean that you can’t use them otherwise. On the contrary, any decent pair would go perfectly into any number of roles such as running or everyday use.

If you are going to wear shoes for prolonged periods, though, make sure that they are perfectly breathable to avoid sweat buildup and consequent infections like athlete’s foot.

In case you do get “athlete’s foot,” avoid wearing your shoes for a while instead, keep your feet perfectly dry and try out some home remedies to kill off the fungus.

Picking The Correct Size

Sizing is often an issue when buying martial arts shoes or any other type of shoes. That's not because manufacturers aren't honest but instead due to the confusion created by several measurement systems that run parallel to each other.

In simple words, an 8-size is not standard throughout the world. By some measures, this may be a big shoe, but by others, not so much. Be sure to check in with the supplier about what sizing scale they use before you take your pick.

Picking the correct size of martial art shoes is no different from picking sizes for the best Hayabusa rashguard, the best headgears, or any other gear like the best boxing mouthpiece that you need to wear for safety and protection. Be careful with your choices, so you don't end up frustrated.  

That’s pretty much there’s to it.

Before we wrap things up, here is a helpful YouTube video about avoiding athlete's foot, which is very prevalent among people who wear shoes for prolonged periods:


Bottom Line

A pair of decent martial arts shoes will go a long way in giving you a competitive edge in your martial arts training sessions and even in the actual sport. There is no arguing that you will most certainly benefit from a pair that suits your particular needs the best.

All the products mentioned so far are worthy of your admiration, but I’ve cast my vote in favor of  Adidas Adi-Kick 2 for the best martial arts shoes because of their performance excellence. However, if you’re running on a tight budget, then the T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Shoes are also a fine choice.

That’s all from my side. Let’s hear from you in the comments section below!

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