Having the right gear is essential. We have decided to require wrestling shoes for our participating athletes simply due to the fact that most kids are miserable in the practice room if they do not have shoes. Why? When kids line up and compete against other wrestlers who have shoes, the rubber bottoms of the wrestling shoe is very rough on the tops of the feet and lower leg of the wrestler without shoes. The skin can, at very least, get burned or, at worst, can tear and bleed. Socks have been an option in the past, but socks just don’t stay on well enough and, in addition, they don’t provide the mat grip the wrestler needs to compete.

We hope you understand that, while there is some additional expense, it is in your wrestler’s best interest to have wrestling shoes if he is going to participate in the club.

What Kind of Shoes do I Need?

Wrestling shoes, like most other shoes, can get ridiculously expensive. You can go as fancy or as simple as you like…for the most part. I find that, for the younger wrestler who has yet to master the skill of tying his shoes, it is best to go with a simple Velcro based shoe. I’ve provided a couple of links to recommended options below through our partner, Takedown Sportswear. There are some shoes that are as cheap as $30 but have limited sizes available.

Youth Wrestling Shoe Options

Velcro

Asics – Matflex 4 Youth Black/Onyx

Adidas – HVC Youth Laceless Black/White/Gum

Laced

Adidas – HVC Youth Laced Black/White/Gum

Adidas – HVC Black/White/Pride Blue (best deal – limited sizes available)

Adidas – HVC Black/White/Hi Res Red (best deal – limited sizes available)

Asics – Matflex 4 Black/Onyx

 

There are other options to choose from – these are just a few of the simple shoes that I would recommend. Feel free to look around at other options – Takedown Sportswear.