Martial Art ShoesIn my opinion, martial art shoes are great. They protect your feet from mat or carpet burns and give you greater grip of the floor when you train. I know that many traditional styles do not allow you to wear footwear when you train. I think that this is a mistake. Why not use it if it can improve your training and is readily available? By wearing shoes when you train you are better prepared for real life encounter. Remember, the closer your training resembles a real life situation, the better prepared you will be. Think about it, how many times will you be in bare feet when you are in the street? Grappling Grapplers will know that grappling shoes enhance gripping of the mat and can offer some advantages in mobility while on the ground. In saying that, grappling shoes can also get in the way and predispose you to ankle locks that would otherwise be easier to escape if you are in bare feet. Weak feet If you spend the majority of your time wearing shoes, chances are that you have developed weak muscles in your feet. Yes, there are muscles in your feet. They are called the ‘intrinsic muscles’ of the foot and they help hold up your foot arches as well playing other roles in foot functioning. A combination of weak intrinsic foot muscles and prolonged impact on hard training surfaces can lead to pain and injury to the feet, ankles and knees. If you are suffering from pain in any of these structures after your martial arts training, it is probably a good idea to invest in a good pair of martial art shoes. Different types of martial art shoes There are many types of martial art shoes that are available. It is important to choose a type that is suited to your style of martial arts training. If your style involves a lot of kicking then it is a good idea to wear a style of shoe like a Tae Kwon Do shoe. These shoes are very light, provide good grip and do not extend up past the ankle. Being low cut they allow you to expose the top of your foot when you kick.
I suggest you wear the grappling shoes with a fairly tight fit as this tends to enhance the sensitivity of your feet with the floor and your opponent. Also, look for a shoe that flexes easily in the sole to match the way your foot naturally flexes. Training in normal shoes It is a good idea to occasionally wear everyday shoes when you train. You will be surprised how awkward it feels to do martial art techniques in a dress shoe. You can also learn how to use the hard parts of a shoe, such as a steel cap or heel, to your advantage in real life encounter.
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