Basketball and boxing shoes look almost the same, right? So maybe you can use them when you train for boxing? That was a question I was wondering when I first started boxing. And now, after I tried all types of different shoes, here’s what I found out:
Can you use basketball shoes for boxing? It is not advised to wear basketball shoes for boxing as they will negatively impact on your boxing technique by deterring smooth & easy movements. Basketball shoes are designed to have more grip than boxing shoes and will, therefore, prevent easy foot rotation & pivoting.
Boxing is largely based on strategic and flowing footwork, it stands to reason that you need a shoe to ensure you are moving as fluidly as possible. In fact, if you are a beginner and you can’t or don’t want to invest in a pair of boxing shoes yet, I would recommend using your running shoes or sneakers for boxing but not basketball shoes.
Boxing shoes aren’t really that expensive. After you finish reading this article, check out the Top 10 Best Boxing Shoes Under $100 (opens in a new tab)
To learn more about the benefits of using proper boxing shoes and why basketball shoes aren’t a good choice, read on.
Benefits of wearing Boxing shoes
Boxing shoes are designed to provide boxers with the opportunity to move efficiently in postures that are specific to boxing. These shoes, unlike any other type of sporting shoe, are designed to provide freedom of movement, foot support and also permit speedy footwork. Below are a few reasons why you need a pair of actual boxing shoes:
- Best foot grip – Boxing shoes are designed to enhance natural foot grip. The material used is specifically designed to provide just the right amount of grip on the matt or in the ring.
- Less sweat – Boxing shoes are designed to allow for the quick evaporation of sweat inside the shoe due to material breathability.
- Light weight – Boxing shoes are light weight and therefore allow for quick and agile movements.
- Ankle support – Boxing shoes extend higher on the foot and cover part of the ankle, which provides added ankle support.
If you are ready to improve your boxing skills, I highly recommend checking out this: Boxing Workout routine – free pdf file! It’s a downloadable file with more than 50 drills!
Why Basketball Shoes aren’t the Best Choice for Boxing Training
- Thicker sole and heavier weight – Basketball shoes tend to have a thicker sole and are therefore heavier and bulkier. A boxer needs to be light on his/her feet, so a heavy shoe is not an ideal choice.
- Too much grip – Basketball shoes are designed to provide extra grip on the court. This feature can deter a boxer from moving quickly and smoothly on the spur of the moment. A boxer needs to move and turn at angles without too much warning and basketball shoes can make this difficult.
- Insufficient support – Basketball shoes are not designed for the same side to side movement that boxing shoes are. The support of a basketball shoe is not the same as a boxing shoe, although they do provide some support. They are not designed to support the ankle and the foot in boxing-type movements.
How to spot Good Boxing Shoes
Boxing is all about good footwork and because of that; your boxing shoes should feel as if they are part of you. It goes without saying that your boxing skills will improve by learning the correct techniques and using the best kit.
For the best workouts and effective, enjoyable training sessions, a good pair of boxing shoes is required. A good pair of boxing shoes will allow a boxer to move around with effortless freedom in the ring. They will also provide exceptional ankle support. These are two things that a pair of basketball shoes cannot provide a boxer with.
The following features will help you to choose the right pair of boxing shoes:
- The sizing of boxing shoes.
Some basketball shoes are only available in full sizes which can create a problem in the ring (if you use basketball shoes instead of boxing shoes). Most boxing shoes offer interim sizes too, as a snug fit is essential for a boxing shoe. Generally speaking, boxing shoes are fairly narrow. It is always recommended that you read the full-size chart details if you are ordering shoes online. Alternatively, try the shoe on and test it out if you are buying from a physical store.
- Low top & high top boxing shoes.
Low top boxing shoes are quite a popular choice, although high tops are the standard choice for most boxers. High top boxing shoes are particularly useful to boxers who plan to compete and want extra ankle support. High top boxing shoes typically provide ankle support with laces that run the length of the shoe.
Added support is provided by uppers that are designed to wrap around the foot, just above the ankle. If you do not want to splash out too much because you do not plan to compete regularly and want to spend your time sparring or enjoying heavy bag workouts, then you will enjoy a good low top boxing shoe.
- Weight of the shoe.
The weight of a boxing shoe is typically dependent on the thickness of the sole, thickness of the uppers, materials used, and how much mobility the shoe allows. A shoe which restricts ankle movement and has a heavy sole with a lot of uppers material will feel a lot thicker and heavier than you want a boxing shoe to feel. The lighter the shoe, the quicker a boxer can be on his/her feet.
- Types of soles.
It is a good idea to pay attention to the soles on the shoes that you are comparing, as wrestling shoes are very often sold as “boxing shoes”. Keep in mind that a wrestler has completely different grip and tread requirements to a boxer. Boxing shoes have stiff soles and minimal tread.
This is what makes it possible for a boxer to move easily in the ring. Wrestling shoes sold as boxing shoes usually have rubber soles and extra grip. Avoid these. The best boxing shoes have leather sole material that allows for easier footwork in the ring. These do not provide much in terms of traction.
- The shape of the shoe front.
One of the biggest reasons why basketball shoes are not great for boxing is the shape of their front. The front shape of a boxing shoe is what makes it possible to grip and pivot with power and stability. The front of the shoe should not be too pointy and should provide balance.
Choose the right Boxing Shoes for your level
While there is no official classification, it must be noted that there seems to be 3 main types or categories of boxing shoes. These include:
- Boxing shoes for beginners and intermediate boxers. In this category, you can expect to spend anything between $ 30 and $ 60. These shoes are typically for beginners and while they provide support, they aren’t as supportive as professional boxing shoes. They are perfect for beginners or those who wish to box casually. You can find decent brands that last, but no entry-level boxing shoe will be highly durable.
- Boxing shoes for pros and competitive boxers. In this category, you can expect to pay anything between $ 100 and $ 200. In this range, the shoes are usually high top or mid top boots. You will find the biggest varieties sold on the internet. These are a great choice for boxers who do a bit of hard sparring on a regular basis or fight competitively regularly. These are durable boxing shoes that are ideal for an advanced or intermediate boxer.
- Boxing shoes for career and specialist boxers. The price of these shoes really depends on the special features required and of course, the materials and weight of the shoes. The lighter the shoe, the more expensive they tend to be. These shoes can be anything up to $ 150. These shoes are typically bought by boxers who cannot seem to find a comfortable boxing shoe, or if they are professional fighters who are looking for a shoe that specifically caters to their unique technique. For instance, specialist boxing shoes could be extra-light, low cut, extra wide, and so on.
Popular Boxing Shoe Brands
There is no denying it, your boxing gloves and boxing shoes are the most important pieces of equipment you will ever get when you start boxing training. What brands are the best? While some people like to toy with other shoe types for their boxing training, boxing pros know that a good boxing shoe that is actually designed for boxing is the best possible choice.
Some of the most popular boxing shoes come from leading brands such as:
- Nike
- Rival
- Reebok
- Adidas
Some great options, according to research done via expert boxing websites are:
- Cleto Reyes High Tops
- Reebok Boxing Boots
- Adidas Speedex
- Rival Querrero Low Tops
