For those just getting started with boxing (or perhaps those of you shopping for a boxing enthusiast), you probably have already started researching or shopping for gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards. While this makes perfect sense, there is a piece of equipment that is often overlooked: Shoes!
Yes, boxing shoes are pivotal pieces of equipment if you’re hoping to consistently float like a butterfly, but not all shoes are created equally. I’ve compiled my top three choices of the best boxing shoes (and several alternatives) to help you find the perfect boxing shoe for you!
If you haven’t started shopping (or you have and feel overwhelmed by your options), these are products that I swear by. Take a look…
- Title Boxing Total Balance Boxing Shoe
- Ringside Diablo Boxing Shoes
- Everlast New Elite High Top Boxing Shoes
- Everlast PIVT Low Top Boxing Shoes
- adidas Hog 3 Boxing Shoe
- adidas Unisex-Adult Speedex 18 Boxing Shoe
- Stallion New York All Pro Boxing Mid-Top Shoes
- Stallion New York Pro Boxing Low-Top Shoes
- Otomix Men’s Warrior Bodybuilding Boxing Weightlifting MMA Shoes
- Venum Elite Boxing Shoes
Title Boxing Total Balance Boxing Shoe
Guru’s Choice: Best Boxing Shoes
Title Boxing’s Total Balance Shoe hits the perfect range of budget-friendly but high-quality. These shoes are comfortable, durable, and provide ample grip for movement around the boxing ring. The Total Balance Shoes are my Guru’s Choice because they are very comfortable, durable, and really don’t have any drawbacks.
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What I Love
- High-quality, durable design
- Durable mesh that won’t rip and will keep your feet dry and cool
- Waved rubber soles for optimal grip
- Ample ankle support
- Available in a wide variety of colors and designs
Title Boxing is one of the leading, most respected brands in boxing equipment. Established in 1998, Title Boxing has consistently provided high-quality, dependable products across a broad spectrum of boxing and MMA needs, not just limited to boxing shoes.
Having said that, their reputation can clearly be seen in the Total Balance Boxing Shoe. The mesh is extremely tear-resistant, the high ankle support is comfortable, and the light-weight rubber materials hardly feels like there’s a shoe on your foot at all. These shoes are simply fantastic shoes that are perfect for beginners and experienced boxers alike.
See them in action here:
Ringside Diablo Boxing Shoes
Budget Choice
The number one factor that you may consider is the price of the product. If you want a product with a bottom-barrel price but with a top-quality feel, these Ringside Diablo Boxing Shoes are a fantastic choice. You won’t find a shoe that provides the level of comfort, grip, or support that these shoes do within their price range, making them my Budget Choice.
What I Love
- Nylon mesh that keeps feet cool and dry
- Vinyl leather for a durable build and sleek design
- Ankle support that protects without restricting movement
- Availability of several sizes and designs
- Slip-proof rubber sole
Ringside is a well-established brand that regularly competes with brand giants like Title and Rival. They specialize in boxing equipment and gear and have been producing top-quality products for the past 30 years.
A brand like Ringside stakes its reputation on its quality, regardless of the product’s price point. You can trust that even those these boxing shoes have a very affordable price, you can still expect the industry-leading comfort, quality, and durability that Ringside has built their brand around.
Check PriceEverlast New Elite High Top Boxing Shoes
Best Style
I find so often that brands seem to either focus on a quality build or a stylish design, and it is challenging to find a product that marries the two. Without sacrificing performance or comfort, Everlast has made a fantastic pair of stylish shoes. For a great combo of quality and looks, these shoes are my choice for Best Style.
What I Love
- A sole that is flexible, supportive, and provides great grip
- The style and design makes it look like a high-end sneaker
- High-top design and ankle strap provides top-quality support
- Mesh design allows for easy movement and comfortable airflow
Everlast is THE brand when it comes to boxing gear. They’ve been around for more than 100 years, producing gloves, shoes, and wraps for the most high-profile boxers of the 20th century. These New Elite High Top Shoes are worthy to carry the brand name, especially with the high-end style they cater to.
Remember, while these shoes have a great style, they’re more than just looks. They offer great ankle support, are comfortable without being too cushiony, and have excellent gripped soles. If you want style and high-performance, I can’t recommend these shoes enough.
Check PriceHow to Choose the Best Boxing Shoe
Even though I love these top three choices for boxing shoes, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to fit your exact needs. While my top list is a great place to start, you still need to take time to consider what exactly you need out of a boxing shoe.
If you’re still a little unclear about what makes a boxing shoe good (or what makes a boxing shoe different from other athletic footwear), this is an easy to understand video that goes through some explanations.
I’ve also listed some of the most important factors below, too!
Sole Type
The type of sole a boxing shoe has will make a big difference in whether it works for you. In high-quality products, you should be looking for rubber soles that have plenty of grip. Some soles will have a textured bottom to give maximum grip, but it really comes down to how much mobility you need in the ring.
If you are researching other boxing shoes and a common complaint is that they’re slippery, that’s a red flag warning. You should consider other shoes that offer a more consistent non-slip grip.
Weight and Material
Both the fabric and sole are important considerations in a boxing shoe. Synthetic fibers are more lightweight and durable but also tend to drive the price up. Rubber soles are my preference since they absorb shock very well, but they are heavy. Polyurethane soles are light-weight alternatives, but you’ll fatigue more quickly if using a lot of footwork.
Support and Fit
Proper support and fit are more important factors to consider. You don’t want a shoe that is uncomfortably tight, but you need to make sure that the shoe doesn’t slip around your foot. Likewise, proper ankle and joint support are important, but too much can limit your mobility and general movement.
Other Boxing Shoes to Consider
As I alluded to earlier, your Cinderella boxing shoe may not necessarily be one of my top picks (though I strongly recommend starting there). Here are some other high-quality options that are worth considering if my top choices don’t quite fit your needs.
Everlast PIVT Low Top Boxing Shoes
These are another great choice from Everlast if you don’t like or don’t need extra ankle support. They are comfortable, stylish, and allow for an excellent range of motion. They also double as a general exercise shoe for gym use too.
What I Love
- Low-top design is a nice option for extra mobility
- General use design makes them ideal choices for beginners in the ring or gym
- Designed with a lightweight, mesh design
What’s Meh
- The lack of support can be trouble for beginners who need it and don’t realize it
- A good generalist shoe, but there are better choices if you want to buy a dedicated boxing shoe
We’ve already talked about the Everlast brand, and you can expect the same high level of quality from these shoes, too. I like these shoes because they provide a comfortable entry point for beginners who may need a dedicated exercise shoe but don’t want to invest in several pairs of shoes for each individual routine.
You can see them in the ring here:
If this sounds like you, then these Everlast shoes are a great beginner’s choice!
Check Priceadidas Hog 3 Boxing Shoe
The Hog 3 is a stylish, comfortable choice for a wide range of boxers. The lace-up design follows the entire length of the high-ankle support, making it easy to get a perfect fit. This is a decent alternative to my Guru’s Choice if you’re looking for a shoe with brighter colors without sacrificing too much quality.
What I Love
- Great support and a great fit
- Available in two bright, good-looking colors
- Available in a wide variety of sizes
What’s Meh
- The sole is a synthetic rubber, which I don’t love
- Not a great choice if you have wide feet
Adidas is more widely known for its connection with mainline American sports, especially basketball. However, the brand has dipped into a wide variety of sports, including boxing. For more expensive products, like these shoes, you can expect a high-quality, durable design, though they have a reputation for cutting corners in their budget options.
If you want a high performing shoe that has a style that “pops” a bit more, then these are an excellent choice.
Check Priceadidas Unisex-Adult Speedex 18 Boxing Shoe
Another option from adidas, this boxing shoe resolves some of the material complaints I had about the Hog 3. The sole is rubber (not synthetic), and the mid-top support is a great compromise between allowing movement and still preventing injury.
What I Love
- High-quality, light-weight materials
- Very comfortable without being restricting
- Available in a variety of styles and unisex designs
What’s Meh
- They are very expensive
There’s not much criticism I have to offer regarding these boxing shoes in terms of quality of build or materials. The major factor that prevented them from being on my “best of” list was that they are significantly more expensive than nearly any other shoe here. I believe that you can get very similar quality at a much lower price from other brands.
However, if money is no object, I can assure you that you will be very pleased with the Speedex Boxing Shoe.
Check PriceStallion New York All Pro Boxing Mid-Top Shoes
The Crusader Series boxing shoe is one of the most stylish choices you’ll find. One of the few choices featuring gold as an option, it combines nylon and genuine leather for a sleek, durable design.
What I Love
- Super light-weight design
- Flashy style (if you want it)
- A lot of padding for comfort and support
What’s Meh
- Polyurethane sole instead of rubber
- Extra padding may be uncomfortable for wider feet
Stallion-New York has only been on the scene for two years, but they already have made a splash in the boxing market. The focus on high-quality manufacturing and flashier styles and have maintained a reputation for quality.
Another good choice for a marriage of performance and a more unique style
Check PriceStallion New York Pro Boxing Low-Top Shoes
Another solid option from Stallion, except this time it’s low-top shoes. Expect the same benefits as the mid-tops, including lots of padding and a comfortable fit. If you need more mobility than the Stallion Mid-Tops offer, then consider these low-tops.
What I Love
- Very comfortable
- Decent support for a low-top shoe
- Extremely lightweight
What’s Meh
- Polyurethane sole
- Lack of ankle support not ideal for beginners
If you were intrigued by the Stallion Mid-Tops but want something that feels less restrictive (especially with the extra padding they offer), then you should strongly consider these low-top options.
Check PriceOtomix Men’s Warrior Bodybuilding Boxing Weightlifting MMA Shoes
If ankle support is your number one factor, you’ll have a hard time finding a more support boxing shoe than what Otomix offers. A high-top design, extra ankle support, and an extra-wide design for big feet make these shoes a supportive, comfortable choice.
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What I Love
- Tons of support for your ankles
- A big, comfortable shoe for those with wide feet
- A durable, long-lasting design
What’s Meh
- Very restrictive on mobility
- If you don’t have wide feet, may feel too spacious
Ottomix was founded in 1988 and has been manufacturing sports attire since then. While they’re a lesser-known brand, I’ve found that their quality is consistent. In terms of design, they cater to bulkier shoes for those with big feet, which is great news for many that struggle with typical slim, tight boxing shoe design.
Venum Elite Boxing Shoes
Venum offers a premium product choice for those that don’t mind making a significant investment in boxing shoes. The materials are all-synthetic, making for a light-weight feel, but the soles are rubber, providing superior shock absorption and grip.
What I Love
- Premium material build
- Very comfortable
- Glossy, stylish look
What’s Meh
- The most expensive shoe on this list
Venum has been around for 20 years and has embedded itself in the boxing and MMA world. They replaced Reebok as an official partner with the UFC, which is reflective of their consistently high-quality design.
These shoes are fantastic if they’re in your price range.
Check PriceClosing Thoughts
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for the best boxing shoes, and I’ll be the first to say that this guide is not the end-all-be-all of boxing shoe shopping. However, as long as you take the time to think about what you need out of a boxing shoe and use this guide as a starting point and reference, I’m certain you’ll end up with a shoe you love!