Anyone who's into boxing knows that next to gloves, footwear is the second most vital gear. Whether you're a pro or an amateur, what you put on your feet matters.
Bad shoes can undermine your performance. A bad pair could hurt you in training and it could hinder peak performance in an actual fight. So, why risk wearing the wrong ones?
Just last month, we watched Terence Crawford viciously dismantle Jeff Horn via TKO and went home with the welterweight strap.
Horn's trainer, Glenn Rushton, blamed the loss to... guess what?
That's right, bad shoes.
In an RSN radio interview, Rushton adamantly stated that “it sounds like excuses, but unfortunately he got really bad blisters....”
Well, I know that boxing had its share of bizarre excuses from fighters who just lost a fight, Horn's, we'll never know for sure and I don't judge anyone who gets in that ring. All I know is that Crawford's performance was masterful and was going to be regardless.
But that' not the point, the point is:
Boxing shoes are important.
So let's review the Asics boxing shoes and decide if its any good.
In summary, here is what you will learn from this post:
The Asics boxing shoes are one of the most comfortable and durable boxing shoes that I have personally ever used. It offers good support and comes at a great price. If you're looking for a good, solid, not flashy pair of shoes that can be used for both boxing and wrestling, then get the Asics shoe. You can buy a pair here:
However, to learn more, let's dive into detail.
Asics Boxing Shoes are Good Quality, Good Price
Asics has built quite a solid reputation in terms of producing quality wrestling shoes. While it wasn't able to penetrate the boxing market as successfully as the other popular brands, what many don't realize is that Asics shoes are actually great options for boxers.
To help you get the idea why Asics shoes are worth considering, I've broken down the different features and aspects that make this a good choice, and I've actually worn these for years, so you can take my word for it.
Sole Construction and Grip
Asics shoes have excellent soles that are omni-directional and have firm grip. These features give a fighter more stability in their movement regardless of the direction where they move.
In her review of several boxing shoes, Shoe Finale author and publisher Joanne Richardson specifically singled out the Asic Aggressor 2, describing it as "one of the best boxing shoes with the best outsole grips."
Combat sports blog MMA Revolution shares the same opinion, saying that "the rubber sole curve up the outer sole for extra grip."
But it's not just the Aggressor 2. The Asics JB Elite is another example. This Asics series has great split-sole design that can help for a better pivot.
Remember that in combat sports, freedom of movement and balance can make all the difference between losing and winning. In boxing, many fighters typically move forward to attack and move backward to avoid punches. This is the reason why most traditional boxing shoes have treat patterns in the soles that only allow firmer grip when the movement is forward or backward. The side sections have lesser traction and resistance.
But boxing is not always about vertical movement.
In the ring, the boxers don't just follow a straight path. Their motions include lateral movements which are mixed with upward and downward motions, either to defend or to set up their offensive punches.
While a least amount of resistance helps when you move for an attack, you may need enough grip to balance and keep your body stable when you shift back to a more stable boxing stance.
The truth is, grip on the shoes is a matter of preference, because fighters have different styles. Some like better grip when they pivot while others don't.
The reasons Asics have such good grip they are mostly designed for wrestling where grip and traction are highly emphasized, the soles of Asics boxing shoes are usually in a star pattern, which means it provides more traction in all direction.
The Asics Matflex 5 provides a great example. Warrior Punch, an informative website on practical boxing touted it for its "full-length rubber sole that provides incredible traction."
So, if you prefer stability and better balance because you move a lot in the ring, Asics shoes can give you that exact advantage.
Comfort and Protection
Asics shoes are lightweight with great sole thickness that's very ideal in a boxing canvass. It's very soft on your feet, but provides stability.
Comfort and protection are specifically marketed in Asics' lines of combat footwear, and ankle support is a big part of the security offered to its users.
Talking about the Aggressor 2 Asics shoes, Nicer Shoes website affirms this position. In its review, it states that:
"The ankles are the very base of every motion in boxing. Asics knows that, and thus, they equipped this build with an ankle strap closure for extra support and a secure fit."
The JB Elite model, the same review explains that the the "upper mesh builds comfort with both breathability and mobility" which it says makes it "ideal for an optimal performance and fit."
You have to know that the tongues of Asics shoes are usually padded around the collar and have an adjustable Velcro strap that can support your ankle. With Asics' JB Elite V2.0, it integrates the lace garage technology. Nicer Shoes believes that this "meets competition standards."
Material and Durability
Most of the Asics shoes are made of suede and mesh material. They are engineered using the quality synthetic component called Ecsaine. This makes the shoes very soft, adjust its form on your feet, flexible, and they last longer than many other footwear that are made of leather and woven fabrics.
Asics shoes have suede texture and created by combining the strong qualities of non-woven ultra-microfiber and advanced elastic polymer. These materials are usually used for industrial applications, so that tells you how durable Asics shoes can be.
In terms of durability, I can personally vouch for the Asics shoes. I've been using a pair for years and it took 4 years before the bottom part of the pivot toe started wearing down and I had to replace it. This was for the Matflex shoes.
Aesthetics
Asics boxing shoes have simple design, but it doesn't mean they're not cool looking. Their almost spartan look make them ideal for the warrior's feet.
The colorways usually include white, black, graphite, fire red, sunflower, and green gecko. My personal favorites the black matflex, I'm a smiple man.
Price
All of the Asics boxing shoes, regardless of the model, are budget-friendly options for boxers. In comparison with the other brands, Asics provides quality shoes that you can always afford.
Per Nicer Shoes review: "Asics delivers quality boxing shoes at an affordable price. It has great cost in relation to the quality."
In its review of Asics Matflex 5, weetsciencegear.com states that "you're looking at 65 to 75 dollars," which it found "about half the price of a pair of Nike HyperKO."
So, if you're just starting out in boxing, the Asics brand can definitely give you the best bang for your buck.
What Good Boxing Shoes Should Be
In boxing, footwork is essential not only to move but to outmaneuver an opponent. You can't do that properly if you're not wearing the right shoes, or at the very least, one that's comfortable.
The best boxing shoes are those pairs that are not only light and good on your feet, but those that allow you better control of your footwork. These are the shoes with better grip and allow you to easily move and pivot.
I've seen people, especially those who just started boxing as a hobby, who like to wear lightweight sneakers. Nothing wrong with it actually, but if you're really serious about taking care of your health while getting your feet wet in the sport, you will need to invest on a good pair of real boxing shoes.
Choosing the right boxing footwear should not be difficult, but you will find it hard when you don't know what to look for. So, let me give you a few tips.
Always look for quality and comfort. Find a lightweight pair with a good grip and has good soles. Make sure that you pick one with a comfortable yet durable. It also must have better ankle support and made of quality material.
Remember that when you begin to look for high-performance boxing shoes, you'll find many options from different brands like Nike, Rebook, Adidas, and Cleto Reyes are some of the most popular, but if you'll ask me, I would say go for the Asics.
Grab Yourself Some Asics
At the risk of sounding like an infomerical, go get the Asics. I've worn them for years and have had the most success with them and it still blows my mind how affordable they are.
The importance of boxing shoes is often overlooked, mostly by the newbies in the sport. But with the high cost of the top brands, I can't really blame anyone. Many would rather use some other athletic shoes, especially during workouts and training than invest in a quality boxing footwear.
But here's the thing. You don't to have to risk yourself into a possible injury by wearing non-boxing shoes. And you don't have to go for the expensive ones either. There are many affordable boxing shoes, and I highly recommended any of the models from Asics. They are not only at par with the popular brands in terms of quality, comfort, and support features, but they are very affordable as well.
If you enjoy boxing and and if you seriously want to be be a real fighter, don't deny yourself the right gear. Get a pair of real boxing shoes. Wear Asics for a start.
Now get to work!
Here are some options below:
