Martial ArtsWorkouts & Exercises

Best Low Top Boxing Shoes

Did you know that in an exercise such as boxing, the shoes you wear can have an impact on your performance?

Some people might even go as far as claiming that they are the most crucial piece in your training gear, and for that, you’ll need to be wearing the right pair for the job.

There is no denying that with the huge number of products on the market right now, you might easily get confused when trying to pick the right boxing shoes for you or your kid. And it's not just boxing shoes, I recently compared two punching bags; the Wavemaster XXL to the 2XL pro, and between these two the choice was difficult, so having a plethora of choices would be harder.

I have personally hours upon hours of research into the topic to find the pair that best suits my needs.

I have compiled all my findings and my own personal experience in this article to hopefully help you understand the importance of having a good pair of boxing shoes and which one to get.


Low Top Vs. High Top

The first thing to consider when shopping for boxing shoes is their type, more specifically, whether they’re low tops or high tops. There are more differences between the two than what meets the eye.

Low-Top Shoes

Comparing Low-Top boxing Shoes to High Top boxing shoes

For one, most low top shoes are usually made from leather and have suede tops that are at ankle level. They look very similar to regular shoes, and the only technical difference is the fact that they have straps that support your foot’s lateral arches for maximum safety.

These shoes also come with either rubber soles or a slip-free pattern for the sole purpose of giving you powerful footholds as well as enabling you to make sharp cuts whenever needed.


High-Top Shoes

Comparing High Top boxing Shoes to low top boxing shoes

High-top shoes, on the other hand, as the name already suggests, are supposed to lace up the shins. More often than not, these shoes are fully made of leather, and as a result, they offer the best comfort and ventilation.

Moreover, high top shoes’ brilliant lateral support translates in them fully assisting you, as a boxer, to execute front to back and side to side movement.

They also come with non-slip rubber soles for the best traction possible and to help compensate for the missing tread.

High tops come with laces, but some models also rock Velcro straps at the level of the ankles for maximum security. 


Best Low Top Boxing Shoes

Here are the best low top boxing shoes you can find on the market.

#1 - Asics Men’s Aggressor 2 – Our Choice

The Asics Men’s Aggressor 2 is Our Choice for the best low top boxing shoe

Asics Men’s Aggressor 2 Review

The Asics Aggressor 2 is one of the more popular boxing shoes for men out there, for a number of different reasons. Although these shoes are mainly designed for professional fighters, they still are a great choice for casual ones too. They offer maximum comfort, flexibility, and grip.

Super Comfortable

Additionally, you’ll hear numerous people call the Aggressor 2 the most comfortable pair of boxing shoes on the market. This is thanks to its rubber outsole, a unique lacing design, and suede upper construction.

When it comes to boxing footwear, comfort is key since you don’t want to end up with blisters on your feet at the end of your boxing matches.

The thoughtfully designed midsole provides your feet with excellent comfort and responsiveness. Its buoyant materials construction helps supply your feet with the needed propulsion and momentum for your boxing exercises.

Excellent Support

Moreover, the Aggressor 2’s shaft is 3.5 inches from the arch in order to supply your ankles with enough ample support and flexibility. The shoe’s upperparts are designed from materials that are quite lightweight and offer great ventilation. There is also a somewhat unique lacing system that is put in place to ensure that your feet are always secured.

Last but not least, the shoe’s outsole comes in the form of a Duosole compound that delivers amazingly consistent traction regardless of the intensity of your boxing exercises. All in all, the Asics Aggressor 2 is an all-around great pair of boxing shoes hence why it made it to the number one spot on my list for the best low top boxing shoes.


#2 – Title Predator II Boxing Shoes – Best Overall

The Title Predator II Boxing Shoes Is the Best overall low top boxing shoe you can get

Title Predator II Boxing Shoes Review

Title Predator II is a lightweight pair of boxing shoes, designed with nimbleness and speed in mind.

Support and Flexibility

These mid-length shoes come with a three dimensional upper, designed to fit the shape and form of your feet. The mid-cut collar means excellent ankle support but with more flexibility and comfort when on the move.

These boxing shoes are made with a unique material that is highly flexible, allowing you to move around freely without any issues. Regardless of what kind of boxing exercise you’re doing, these shoes will provide you with maximum agility and speed.

Additionally, Title Predator II’s outsole is made out of a gum rubber material that is highly flexible, made for a balanced experience.

Authentic Feel

Further, the sole’s design is pretty thin, something that a lot of people might appreciate since it offers a more “authentic” feeling when you’re in the ring. The sole is also flat, which translates to more balance and traction.

Regardless of whether you’re a professional or an amateur fighter, these shoes are simply great. They’re pretty lightweight, comfortable, and offer great support.


#3 – Asics Unisex Snapdown 2 – Best Bang for Your Buck

The Asics Unisex Snapdown 2 is the best bang for buck choice on the market when it comes to low top boxing shoes

Asics Unisex Snapdown 2 Review

The Asics Snapdown 2 is a well-made pair of boxing shoes designed to meet the needs of male and female fighters alike. It’s the better successor to the much-appraised Asics Snapdown in almost every way.

For one, it keeps synthetic leather and the grippy outsole as well as the mesh upper. What sets it apart from the first model, however, is the design of the upper’s synthetic overlays.

Great Protection

The shoes also come equipped with a full-length gum rubber outsole, which, in addition to protecting the upper parts of the shoe, helps provide your feet with every bit of traction they need in order to make sure that you’re balanced and secure.

Additionally, the shoes’ upper is designed in a way as to prevent accidental shoe removal when you’re in the middle of a training session or, even worse, a fight. It also comes with an integrated lace garage that allows you to tuck the laces away to eliminate any tripping hazard during your training sessions or matches.

The absence of a designated midsole unit is compensated by the inclusion of an excellently padded foam footbed, which provides your feet with excellent cushioning.

Breathable

The Snapdown 2 also offers great ventilation and breathability, all thanks to the mesh upper and internal mesh lining. This helps to minimize any kind of moisture and sweat during high-intensity exercises. Their lightweight design also means that you can wear them as your casual shoes outside of the ring.

All in all, the Asics Snapdown 2 is a perfect successor to its popular Snapdown, and like its older brother, it gets everything right, for a fair price. And that isiswhat made it my choice for the best bang for your buck boxing shoes.


#4 – Adidas Men’s Adizero XIV – Best Looking

The Adidas Men’s Adizero XIV Is the Best Looking low top shoe on the market

Adidas Men’s Adizero XIV Review

If what you’re seeking is a fashionable, good-looking pair of boxing shoes, then the Adidas Adizero XIV is for you.

These shoes are designed to ensure propulsion, momentum, control, as well as balance. They’re also a pretty versatile pair of shoes. In other words, you can use them for various other sports besides boxing.

Comfort and Stability

The Adizero XIVs come with a rubber midsole which provides state of the art comfort and stability, making it super smooth for you to move around.

Another great thing about this pair of shoes is its rubber outsole, which boasts V-shaped patterns that result in incredible traction, allowing you to correctly position your body in the midst of a fight without an issue.

Further, just like their closest look-alike - Jake Varner Adizero, the shoes’ upper is made of mesh that is both smooth and breathable. It also offers a very flexible experience to allow you to dodge or throw all the shots that you’d need in the ring.

Last but not least, the Adizeros’ materials are very quick to dry if getting them wet will ever be a concern of yours.

So, all in all, the Adidas Adizero XIVs are a great pair of shoes that’ll help you deliver everything you’ve got without an issue. They’re durable, well-balanced, fashionable, everything you’d ask for in a pair of boxing shoes and more.


#5 – ASICS Men’s JB Elite V2.0 – Most Flexible

The ASICS Men’s JB Elite V2.0 is the most flexible low top shoe you can get

ASICS Men’s JB Elite V2.0 Review

The Asics JB Elite 2.0 is a pair of well-designed, high-performance shoes that’ll take your boxing experience up a notch. They’re capable of providing excellent responsiveness, resistance, and flexibility.

For starters, they feature a rubber compound split sole, assisted by boxing traction pods to provide secure and reliable traction as well as the necessary flexibility and nimbleness.

Further, the shoes’ uppers are made of just a single layer of mesh, delivering a comfortable and well-ventilated wearing experience, free of sweat and moisture.

Flexible

There is also the much-welcomed inclusion of an integrated lace garage that was exclusively designed with boxing in mind.

So, the overall experience of landing your shots and dodging everything thrown at you will never be this good without such a pair.

Still, the way the whole shoe is designed makes it versatile enough to be used in other sports and physical activities, such as weightlifting.


The Adidas HVC Wrestling Shoes are great as low top boxing shoes not just for wrestling

Adidas HVC Wrestling Shoes Review

One of the things that the design team over at Adidas chose to focus on when making this shoe was mobility. This can be seen in the way the low-top ankle support works homogenously well with the synthetic suede leather overlays. They’re also very lightweight without hindering durability.

Additionally, the Adidas HVCs come with a full-length outsole that provides excellent contact with the floor and a good grip. The outsole is only on the underside in order to not affect mobility, which is like I’ve said before, the whole gist of these shoes.

As for looks, well, the Adidas HVCs have the “basic Adidas look” to them, which is never a bad thing. The iconic three stripes can come in numerous colors such as grey, blue, red, and orange.


Everlast PIVT Low Top Boxing Shoes are a great pick when it comes to low top boxing shoes

Everlast PIVT Low Top Boxing Shoes Review

This pair of shoes is very special once because it’s the result of a joint effort between Everlast and Michelin, two well-renowned companies. It’s a fashionable, durable, well-designed pair of shoes that offers excellent comfort as well as great flexibility.

The rubber sole, designed by the people over at Michelin, offers quality traction and support for every move you make inside the ring. The way the sole is designed will help enhance any sharp side to side movements and reduce the risk of slip.

Last but not least, the Everlast PIVTs come with an open weave mesh design that’ll keep your shoes lightweight and your feet comfortable.


A great pick for low top boxing shoes is the Adidas Men’s Combat Speed.5

Adidas Men’s Combat Speed.5 Review

Yet another great pair of shoes from Adidas, the Combat Speed.5 is the go-tochoice for many athletes out there for a number of reasons. For one, it comes in a lightweight, close-fitting design that’ll deliver an experience that can be compared to that of wearing thick socks but with incredible stability.

You also get lace-up closures, which come together for a secure fit. Further, the one-layered mesh upper is a great feature that’ll provide your feet with all the airflow and breathability that they’ll need during your exercises.

There is also the die-cut EVA midsole, coupled with a leather split outsole, which provides an excellent grip to avoid any potential slipping.

Last but not least, you get a well-designed side pan and some highly flexible TPU 3-stripes, which come together to further enhance the great experience of wearing this pair.


The Adidas Speedex 18 Boxing Shoes are great choice when picking low top boxing shoes

Adidas Speedex 18 Boxing Shoes Review

If you’re the kind of person who prefers ultralight shoes over anything else, then you should probably consider grabbing a pair of these for a number of reasons.

Firstly, they come with an Adiwear rubber outsole that’ll provide a grippy and secure experience. You also get ankle supports that will tie your heel and ankle together for additional support. These supports allow you to tightly integrate the laces with them for extra security.

The shoe itself is constructed from a single layer mesh, which gives your feet room to breathe and stay cool at all times, regardless of the intensity of your exercise.

Another thing that I personally love about these shoes is their minimalist look, which at first glance, screams the words “fast” and “performing.”


Rival Boxing Boots-Low Tops with MESH are great low top boxing shoes

Rival Boxing Boots-Low Tops with MESH Review

Rival is a well-renowned company in the market for premium boxing equipment. Their most popular products include high-quality gloves and numerous boxing shoes.

The RSX-Guerreros display the company’s excellence and quality in the way they perform.

For one, they’re constructed with patented leather and microfiber mesh, a combination that is both durable and breathable.

They also come with a rubber outsole that proves a superb grip with grade-A traction. The insole, on the other hand, is padded to provide your feet with extra comfort and support.

Last but not least, if you happen to be a person who has flatter feet or you feel like you need a heightened arch, the way these boxing shoes are designed will fix that problem for you without the need for any additional inserts.


Benefits of Having Boxing Shoes

The benefits of putting on some boxing shoes are numerous. Here are the main ones:

Easy Pivoting

Easy Pivoting Is One of The Benefits of Having Boxing Shoes

Anyone who’s invested in boxing as a sport knows the importance of pivoting. Boxing shoes are made in a way as to assure you the ability to do just that. You get exceptionally more mobility than with a regular shoe on.


Better Ankle Support

Getting Better Ankle Support Is One of The Benefits of Having Boxing Shoes

Most people think that boxing injuries are exclusive to the face and the upper part of your body, this is partially true, especially your hands when hitting your opponent or a punching bag without gloves. However, your lower body parts such as your ankles can also fall victim to injury. This is due to your quick movements around the ring when trying to land your punches or evade ones coming at you.

A good pair of boxing shoes will support your ankles at all times. However, you have to keep in mind that even the best low-top boxing shoes out there won’t give you as much ankle security as high-top boxing ones.


Better Movement

A Great Benefit of Having Boxing Shoes Is it gives Better Movement

In addition to ankle support and a good grip, a good pair of shoes needs to be lightweight. This is because you want to be as agile as possible inside the ring. or even outside if you have a punching bag in your apartment or home, wearing boxing shoes will help you.

Most good boxing shoes are usually made to be pretty lightweight to grant you such properties, unlike regular sports shoes. Which makes them great for boxing but also for exercises, whether you want to do the one punch man workout, or do 100 jumping jacks a day; these shoes will do the job.


Comfort and Breathability

A Great Benefit of Having Boxing Shoes Is Comfort and Breathability

As I have mentioned above, a good pair of shoes will perfectly fit your feet to the point where it feels like you’re wearing a slipper in the ring. I do understand that no two feet are similar and so do shoe manufacturers, and for that, you’ll find pairs for flat feet, narrow feet, wide feet, etc.

Boxing shoes also tend to have the right kind of meshing and contain many air holes to allow for good breathability in order to prevent sweat build-up, which in itself might lead to numerous other problems.

This is great if you want to do exercise challenges like doing 100 pushups 100 sit-ups 100 squats for 30 days straight, or doing squats daily for 3 months. I did these two challenges recently I really needed shoes that were comfortable and had good breathability.


Ample Sweat Protection

Ample Sweat Protection Is One of The Benefits of Having Boxing Shoes

One of the key things that make boxing shoes superior when compared to regular shoes is the inclusion of sweat protection. And while I understand that this isn’t up there on the list of important things in a shoe for most people, it still is something that anyone will appreciate.

There is no denying that you’re going to get sweaty, regardless of the intensity or complexity of the exercise you’re performing, and we all know how annoying wet socks and shoes are.


Great for Sparring

A Great Benefit of Having Boxing Shoes is They are Great for Sparring

Try wearing a regular pair of shoes and go sparring with someone on your level who’s wearing a pair of boxing shoes, and you will see how much of a struggle it is. Not only will they be able to move quicker, but they’ll also be able to increase and decrease the distance between them and you, rather quickly.


Top Boxing Brands

Below we listed the top boxing brands that make great boxing shoes.

Asics

Asics is a great brand that makes great boxing gear

Asics is known for making some of the most cost-conscious sports shoes. Their boxing shoes are designed for either wrestling or boxing, or both, and they’re super good.


Title Boxing

Title Boxing is a well-known brand that makes great boxing gear

Title boxing is one of the best manufacturers of boxing gear out there. The boxing shoes they offer range from cheap to mid-priced and come in different qualities.


Adidas

Adidas Boxing is a well-known brand that makes great boxing gearxing is a famous brand that makes great gear for boxing and martial arts

Perhaps one of the most iconic shoe brands in the world, Adidas offers a wide range of quality boxing shoes with different price levels. They also offer some of the best boxing gloves (including both professional and amateur boxing gloves) and pads.


Everlast

Everlast is a well-known brand that makes great boxing gear

Everlast is yet another iconic name when it comes to boxing gear, whether it's boxing shoes, punching bags. and even punching bag stands among a plethora of other fitness gear However, they have been having some issues keeping up with the competition in the boxing shoe department.


Reebok

Reebok is a great brand that makes great boxing gear

Reebok is widely recognized for its shoe collection. While their venture into the boxing shoe market is quite recent, they managed to quickly gain attraction amongst professionals and amateurs alike for their quality boxing shoes.


Ringside

Ringside is a famous brand that makes great gear for boxing and martial arts

Ringside is the go-to brand if you’re on a very tight budget since that’s kind of their thing. But don't mistake their gear for cheap knockoffs, this brand rolls out some pretty cool products including punching bags with several cool portable ones for on the go use.


FAQ

Now we discuss the most frequently asked questions when it comes to boxing shoes.

Do I Even Need Boxing Shoes?

The short answer is yes. Even if you’re new to boxing, having a good pair of shoes will greatly help you since they’re designed to allow you to move more freely inside the ring or during training. If you are not an amateur, however, then I doubt that you don’t already have a pair or two.


How Long Do Boxing Shoes Last?

The most important factor in determining this is obviously the quality of the shoes.

However, there is this rule that says that you should replace your boxing shoes every six months or so, depending on how frequently you wear them. Such a duration is based on the record of a person who spares six times per week, about 140 rounds per 6 months or so.

In other words, you can easily determine when you should change your shoes by calculating the total of rounds you’re doing and making sure it doesn’t pass the 140 rounds threshold.

Still, numerous external factors might come into play and deteriorate your shoe quicker than usual. This can be seen in the soles breaking down, for example.


How Can I Extend the Longevity of My Boxing Shoes?

The most forward way of keeping your shoes intact, one that seems to slip people’s minds, is to keep the boxing shoes exclusive to, well, boxing. Avoid using your boxing shoes for running, for example. Better yet, try as much as you can to not use them outside the ring or on surfaces that aren’t padded.


Which Do Professional Boxers Prefer, High Tops or Low Tops?

The answer to this question depends on the boxer themselves and their play style. However, there is no denying that most pros, including Floyd Mayweather and Connor McGregor, use high tops.

The question that might pop into your brain now is why?

Well, it’s simple, really, stability. Professional boxers understand the importance of constantly moving around in the midst of a fight, and for that, they want the best stability and ankle security that they can get, and that’s where high tops come into play.


Can I Use Wrestling Shoes for Boxing?

If you’ve searched for boxing shoes in the past, then you’ve probably noticed that there are many wrestling shoes that are also marketed towards boxers. A few of them even made it to my top 10 list above.

Their popularity in the boxing scene is mainly due to their lightweight design and excellent ankle support. The only property of wrestling shoes that might cause you problems is that they have plenty of grip. Although the grip is appreciated in boxing, too much of it can prove problematic as it can hurt your ability to pivot.

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