The 10 Best Boxing Shoes For Training

If you’re serious about boxing then you’ll need to wear proper boxing shoes whilst training. The reason why boxers wear specific shoes is down to the sturdy foundation that they can offer whilst sparring. It’s important to protect your ankles whilst moving and maintain a steady base on the ring floor by wearing shoes with a strong grip. In short, you’re also less likely to slip or fall in a fragile way if hit.

Remember, boxers can suffer plenty of knockdowns during their careers, so it’s important to have strong shoes to support your ankles when falling – as well as shoes offering stability when throwing punches. For others, you also may want to own a pair of shoes that look the part. Thankfully, these days not all boxing shoes look like they’re from the 1930s.

Because of this, you’ll want to invest in a good pair of quality boxing shoes. This means looking at something that you can wear for a while without them falling apart, whilst also being able to financially afford the shoes. Here, we have collected the 10 best boxing shoes that fit the bill.

What to look for when buying boxing shoes

Cost

The main decision for most people when buying boxing shoes is based on cost. On the higher end of the scale, this can mean spending hundreds of dollars on boxing shoes and getting the absolute best that money can buy. This is something that professionals and people without a budget may want to consider if they take boxing seriously.

Of course, money doesn’t always guarantee quality either. For some, you may be after budget boxing shoes instead which are based on affordability rather than quality. Thankfully, there are also low-budget options as well that are worth consideration. Ultimately, everyone their own preference when thinking about a budget.

Style and look

Back in the day, boxing shoes looked pretty scruffy. It’s fair to say that they’ve advanced a lot since then and some now look very stylish and slick. Whilst some boxers may be perfectly happy with plain black shoes, others may prefer something a bit more flamboyant. In some cases, you can now buy boxing shoes that have lots of loud colors and look genuinely appealing.

Comfort

Aside from cost, perhaps the biggest factor when buying boxing shoes is based on comfort. There’s no point buying an expensive pair of good looking shoes, only for them to feel too tight or loose. These days, a lot of modern boxing shoes come fitted with ankle support which is pretty important if you plan on training regularly. Remember, sometimes shoes can take a week or so to bed in though – so even if they feel uncomfortable to begin with then there’s still room for potential growth.

Some boxing shoes also come with a combination of laces and velcro which makes them super secure and comfortable. This may also be another consideration when it comes to purchasing a pair of boxing shoes. If they’re not comfortable then you may end up returning them.

Durability

Another important factor to note is how durable the boxing shoes are. For example, there’s no point buying a pair of shoes that look brilliant and are cheap, only for them to fall apart after a couple of training sessions. Sadly, there are some shoe manufacturers out there who produce shoddy shoes – only to try and pass them off as affordable.

Generally, it’s a good idea to check the materials before buying to see how good the quality is. Often, good shoes will combine mesh for breathing and leather for durability. Another tip is to quickly inspect the shoe after arrival. Here, you can see things such as stitching and the sole work after a brief glance. The last thing you want is for a shoe to break after a short period of time.

Weight

Ideally, you want boxing shoes that are as light as possible. The point of this is that it feels like you’re not wearing anything at all. This is important whilst sparring as it can give you a competitive edge. Basically, it’s better to float around the ring as opposed to move around in a clunky fashion. In brief, the quicker the better. As they say ‘float like a butterfly’.

This isn’t just a catchy saying either. However, there is often a trade-off between weight and durability. You don’t want to buy something that is incredibly lightweight for it to fall apart due to lacking any real foundation or quality.

Grip

Lastly, the grip of the sole is also an important part of any boxing shoe. As mentioned earlier, this allows you to stick to the ring and can make it harder for you to slip on the canvas. Sometimes, you will see boxers winning a fight, only to slip down and lose momentum. Similarly, you could fall after a soft punch which is unfortunate but may score against you with the judges.

In short, any good boxing shoe will have a good grip built into them. This often means that the sole is made out of rubber and it protects you from falling or losing balance. Obviously, when throwing punches this can be crucial and may even be the difference between winning and losing.

Everlast New Elite Hi-Top

The brand Everlast is synonymous with boxing. With this in mind, you know these boxing shoes will deliver in terms of quality. These shoes are lightweight and made with breathable material above the toes. Obviously, this is handy for long, sweaty sparring sessions.

They also come with a velcro strap on the top which is useful for tightening the shoe. This is particularly handy if your laces come undone which can be difficult to tie back up when wearing gloves. Complete with a solid grip on the base, the New Elite Hi-Tops tick all of the boxes where boxing shoes are concerned.

Hayabusa Pro Boxing Shoe

Fitted with a rubber sole, the Hayabusa Pro boxing shoes will make sure you’re not sliding across the boxing ring. What’s also nice is how nice they look. Historically, boxing shoes can look a bit ugly and bulky, but these are definitely some of the more stylish shoes on the market. Although Hayabusa may not have the same name as Everlast does in the boxing world, they’re actually a very reputable martial arts brand that mostly deals in grappling products.

For those wondering, these are mid-top shoes that may be suitable for those looking for something in the middle. Another nice touch is the added toe creases which make it easier to turn whilst moving in the ring.

Adidas Box Hog 3

Weighing in at just 304 grams, these boxing shoes are some of the lightest on the market which is great if you’re already light on your feet. Wearing these feels like you’re wearing nothing which is a nice feeling – especially when compared to some of the bulkier, older boxing shoes available on the market.

At the same time, the quality is decent with the expected rubber soles which provide a nice grip. What’s also decent about the Box Hog 3’s is the material which is mostly made from breathable fabric. This is another bonus if your feet happen to sweat a lot. Lastly, they’re available in lots of different colors and styles which is a positive if you’re into good looking footwear.

Amoda Breathable shoes

Unlike the aforementioned, the chances are that you haven’t heard much about the brand Amoda. Fear not, their boxing shoes are up there with the best where quality is concerned. These are made with a combination of leather and mesh which combines stability with breathing space for your feet.

As well, they come with a shock absorbent sole which is especially helpful if you’re training with damaged feet or broken toes. In terms of protection, these shoes are up there with the best. Style-wise, the Amoda boxing shoes definitely look the part meaning they offer both style and substance. Combined with a bargain price, these are something any level boxer should consider.

Everlast PIVT Low-Top

Returning to Everlast, the PIVT boxing shoes offer something for those who prefer training with low-tops. These days, it seems that low-tops are fairly unfashionable when it comes to training. Whilst this may be the case, some people also prefer low-tops, which is where the PIVT trainers come in.

These are made from leather and come with built-in heel support which is good for those that train with heel issues. As a result, these are probably some of the best boxing shoes around if you’re suffering from foot pain. Although these are some of the comfiest boxing shoes going, just keep in mind that it may take you a few sessions to bed them in probably and for them to mold around your feet.

Venum Elite

If money isn’t an option then the Venum Elite boxing shoes are worthy of consideration. With this said, these are on the higher end of most people’s budgets. Still, if you’re a serious boxer then why not? Venum have sponsored the UFC for years and come with a stellar reputation.

Built with a rubber sole, they also come with a bonded insole which means you’re even less likely to slip. A nice touch with these is that the material also goes down to the sole which means they’re very comfy and easy for your feet to move about with. As you can see, they also offer good ankle support which is yet another positive. One thing worth noting with these is also the look. Visually, these are probably the most stylish boxing shoes on the market.

Fistrage (budget option)

Technically, these shoes are for kickboxers – but they can obviously also be used for conventional boxing too. As you may have figured, the best feature of these is the price. Around $50, these are half the cost of most boxing shoes which says it all.

Don’t let the name put you off either, these aren’t some cheap knucklehead brand. The quality is decent and although they do feature leather, for the most part, they’re made from breathable mesh. These come with a reinforced heel and gum rubber on the sole, meaning you won’t trip any time soon. Honestly, these are probably the best boxing shoes going for newcomers who are looking for their first boxing shoe.

Title Speed Flex Encore Mid

Another cheaper pair of boxing shoes are on offer by Title Speed. Once again, you may not have heard of this brand but you shouldn’t despair. Made from nylon and leather, these are both comfortable and durable whilst also standing at around 6” tall which is ideal for mid-top boxing shoes.

If you want something that looks a bit subtle and old school, these may appeal to you. Combined with the price and durability, there’s no reason not to consider the Title Speed Flex Encore boxing shoes.

Adidas Speedex

Another Adidas boxing shoe to consider is the Speedex which are similar to the Hog 3 in terms of practicality. They offer many of the same features but are priced a bit lower which is good if you’re on a budget. You can tell there’s been a deal of effort gone into the design on these as well, with mesh on the right parts of the boot and hardened material on the toes and heel for added protection.

One thing worth noting with these is that they’re naturally quite narrow compared to others. As a result, you may have to wear them for a little before they fit with the desired comfort.

Lonsdale Contender boots

It wouldn’t be boxing without mentioning Lonsdale. Although less fashionable than they once were, Lonsdale are still producing quality boxing shoes and have been around for years. The main benefit of these shoes is that they’re very durable and comfortable. In fact, if you train with them then you’ll forget that you’re wearing shoes due to their light nature.

What’s more, they’re also built to last which is another positive. These are mid-tops and come with a EVA midsole and extended sole which covers the back of the ankle. Overall, these are pretty sturdy and are possibly underlooked when it comes to quality boxing shoes.