martial arts shoes

[Excoastie]

Does anyone have any experience with martial arts shoes?

I've been considering trying a pair, and my master instructor has given his go ahead to use them during class, provided I'm not sparring or kicking the wave masters and such.

I've been having a recurring issues with my left ankle/ heel that I believe is a result of an impact injury from running barefoot. I've been to several doctors, including an orthopedic specialist who basically tell me if it hurts, then don't do it. The short answer is that my "injury" is an inflammation of the soft tissue in my ankle joint.

I've found that if I run with a shoes on, then the pain isn't there, even when I run the the 2 miles twice a month with my school, or even what ever running I do on my own. It's only when I run barefoot that I begin to have issues. When running in class (barefoot) after a short distance (2 or 3 laps around the school... 24 laps = 1 mile) the ankle begins to ache and hurt.

Would a pair of martial arts shoes be worth the investment? Or is this just something that I've got to deal with, and accept the fact that I will not be able to run during class, etc

Exco

[FangPwnsAll7]

I'm sorry to hear that. I would get the shoes. It can help you run better. If it makes the pain not be there anymore, then they can be really useful. You have the money, so why not?

[nikbrown]

My last Dojo had very short comercial carpet over concreet with no pad, so shoes were handy sometimes.

I tried a number of different types of shoes and found some I hated and some I liked. I tried standard martial arts shoes (similar to these http://www.blackbeltshop.com/white_martial_arts_shoes_by_tigerclaw.htm) and found them not durable enough for training. They fell apart very fast

http://www.blackbeltshop.com/seoimages/203x203-white-martial-arts-shoes-by-tigerclaw.gif

A number of us switched to otomix Wrestling Shoes and were very pleased with them. http://otomix.stores.yahoo.net/otomixfootwear.html

I liked the stingray because they were very light weight and great to train in. But they have minimal heal padding.

http://otomix.stores.yahoo.net/stingrayboot.html

http://www.blackbeltshop.com/seoimages%5C288x288-otomix-stingray-boot-black-red.jpg

One of the older sensi had some heal problems and he used the Extreme Trainer Pro Shoe http://otomix.stores.yahoo.net/comforchris.html

http://www.kochmartialarts.net/catalog/Otomix%C2%AE%20Extreme%20Trainer%20Pro%20shoes%20white.jpg

I've also heard good things about Feiyue shoes but have never tried a pair.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Feiyue-High-Top-Shoes/dp/B001TXDIK6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343222500&sr=8-4&keywords=Feiyue&tag=digitawoodwo-20

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516CBALeCNL._SY395_.jpg

[Excoastie]

thanks for the replies.

I'm looking to use them mainly while running laps and such during class. I don't foresee a need to wear them while training. We have a well padded mat system in the dojang, so that is not an issue.

I've been looking around online this morning, and I've come up with several different possibilities.

At this point I'm looking at the Adidas martial arts shoe SM II, the Adidas adi storm shoe, or even the Discipline martial arts shoe, they've all got good reviews.

I was just hoping someone had some personal experience with them. I will continue my research.

Exco

[pittbullJudoka]

Have you considered trying a muy thai style ankle supoort? You can pick a pair up any where from about $10 and up. I have problems with one of my ankles on occassion and this is the type I use. I makes a diffrence.

http://www.combatsports.com/csi/protection/ankle-knee-elbow/combat-sports-ankle-supports-2.html

[darksoul]

http://www.villariproshop.com/apparel/shaolin-brand-martial-arts-shoes.html <-- these are nice. Used to have a pair, now I just use cheap, lightweight sneakers. The lighter the better!