Martial arts shoes

[waya]

I know that shoes are worn alot in TKD, I wear them myself. I have tried several different brands but I LOVE the new Discipline shoes. It's like wearing a Cadillac on my feet LOL.

[Chazz]

I dont know about TKD shoes. When we enter our dojon we take our shoes off.

-Chazz

[waya]

I got mine initially for demos. They are only worn during a demo or training, never anywhere else like on the street. The place we train at now has a hard tile floor (talk about hard on feet lol) so we wear them all the time. I had never really paid them any attention until I got involved in TKD and half the school had them lol.

[Chazz]

I love working out on hard floor. Good conditioning for the feet. All the tournaments that we go to are on them.

-Chazz

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Doing a demo on tarmac with bare feet in heavy rain is fun. Painful though.

[Chazz]

That is true. Ive done that many times

[Freeform]

Your both nuts then!

I've woren mat shoes for 11years, but it was only 4years ago when I started karate that I appretiated the conditioning your feet get stamping them on a wooden floor for 3hrs at a time.

Anybody got any shoe preferances, cause I've only ever worn the Blitz and Macho black student shoes?

Thanx

[waya]

Discipline shoes are NICE. I got a pair of the low tops and have twice the support I had in anything else, and they are alot more comfortable.

Rob

[SaiMaster]

Thanks for the input about shoes. I wear mine during class due to a heel spur. I have been thinking about the new discipline shoes for a while. Having before only worn pine tree shoes or regular cross trainers.

I mean it's not like in a difficult situation we are going to stop and take our shoes off before we defend outselves.

[Andy Murray]

Hi guys,

What are Discipline shoes?

( Sounds a little kinky to me! )

Speaking of Martial Arts Shoes. Does anyone know if you can get those Cowboy Boots like the guy wore in 'Road House', the film with Patrick Swayzee?

;)

[LilBunnyRabbit]

The ones with the knife? I think you have to make them.

[waya]

Andy,
Here is the link to the company site

http://www.disciplinefootwear.com/

[Kosokun]

Guys,
Does your feet slide about in your shoe, when you train? Especially, when darting laterally?

Rob

[waya]

Mine doesn't slide at all, and the shoes don't slip on the floor when I am on tile or something like that.

Rob

[Freeform]

Only if you don't have the right fit.

[mattsylvester]

in find that they not only stink really badly but on a polished wooden floor they slip far more than bare feet.

In my classes I'll be teaching padwork and technique barefoot so that I can ensure people are performing the kicks correctly and will then ask them to stick their trainers on (sometimes normal shoes) for the actual self-defence side of things. No point not training in shoes as they affect the dynamics of your kicks (e.g. making it harder to curl your toes back for a front kick etc).

I'll be posting lesson plans on my site (http://www.practical-martial-arts.co.uk) sometime so keep popping along to have a look!

Cheers

[Darzeka]

I was just gonna ask if any other martial arts wore shoes in training. We wear mid calf length tabi boots (black, ninja, frogboots). These have the big toe separated from the rest of the toes and nicely ridged soles for grip and ripping along peoples' calfs/shins/faces :)

They are made of a thick cloth for the boot and rubber for the sole, are extremely lightweight and flexible.

Had a look at those discipline shoes. Are all your shoes like that or are there different types (like those Kung Fu slippers)? They look cool but kinda restricting, do they allow for full ankle rotation and flexing toes and other such movements?

[waya]

You must have looked at the High Tops, mine come nowhere near the ankle lol. They allow total movement of foot and ankle, and actually grip well

[Chazz]

I have never thought about using them in my classes cause i was always made to take them off when i was there. Im am not starting to get some and was wondering if there was one brand better than the other. Any help?

[waya]

Chazz,
I prefer the Discipline shoes because of the foot support and heel in them. I've tried several brands but my foot kept slipping in the shoe, I haven't had that happen yet with the Discipline low tops. Other than those I have heard the Otomix Slider is a good shoe.

Rob

[Chazz]

I'll have to check them out. I'll see if my dealer has them

[darlph]

I got the Addidas shoes. I can't wear them on the floor to work out in because we have carpeting and I have a bad knee. They drag when I pivot. I bought them initilly for support, but alas, living here in Florida and when not at my real job, I'm barefore anyways. So now when I have a test to sit through, I wear them for warmth. A/C. $$$$ wasted.
For those who think I'm spoiled, At home I'm on the patio in the sun working out. Grass is good too. I have dark tan on my shoulders and shorts tan on my legs.
I'm checking out the Discipline shoes also. Thanks for the info, guys.
By the way, sometimes if you turn your toes in on slippery floors it may help keep your feet from slipping. Thay's what I do on the cement patio.

[Freeform]

Darlph, much envy going on here, being Scottish I get very excited if I even get a little bit of colour to my skin ;)

I've seen the new Biltz range of shoe, there made of a kind of felty material which is very tough with a rubber sole. The shoe comes up to just below the ankle, its supposed to give a bit more support. Don't know if they'll help with sidekicks though.

Thanx

[darlph]

YOu know what is really niceif you wear shoes? You actually cankick someone and they get hurt:) The only real problem I've found so far, is that some of the shoes restrict movement so you have to practice and break them in.

[HKD]

i have some sliders by otomix, they don't slide :O) there very good and don't cost to much $30 i think. i like them alot. i had some pine trees they suck it's like working out on ice. i was busting my butt all over the place, ask waya

HKD

[waya]

haha, yeah, you were slipping alot on the wood floor lol. I am happy with the Discipline shoe though, at least I have some support for my foot that the Adidas didn't have. Those Otomix are sharp looking shoes though. I am trying to decide between a white pair of those or another pair of Discipline to go with White uniforms.

Rob

[Pyry_Uotila]

yeah, i've heard of them.

one of my friend has a pair, i must say they're pretty cool. The thing is, that they don't make these in finland, so i have to order ones if i need to....

i myself like training with bare feet, because it hardens the feet.

[flyingblackbelt]

personally i like training barefoot, i mean my feet are so tough now that i dont even wear shoes period unless i have to. Its a more natural feel for me. evey once and a while ill practice at home with actual sneakers on though, just so that should i need to defend myself ill be more familiar with the situation.

[Chazz]

Ide much rather be without shoes. The only time i have them on is when i go out somewhere. The only down part to hardly ever have shoes on is that your feat and toes can get all beat up. But oh well. I dont like feat anyways *LOL*

[Pacificshore]

A little insight to the Discipline Hi-top shoe. I've had mine for at least a good 3yrs. The cool thing about their Hi-top design is the little cut out in the back for the achilles area. This allows the foot to have a fuller range of motion when throwing roundkicks as you strike with the top of the foot.

I've worn the Otomix Sting Ray, and did not care for it too much. I found it more restricting for a Hi-top MA shoe. Just my 2cents!

[waya]

How is the high top as a street shoe? I am debating between that and another pair of Asics

[Pacificshore]

I only wear it for training and haven't ventured out on the street with them, but in my opinion, I think that it provides good ankle support without being too restrictive.

You know how they run a size smaller than your normal size, so you'd normally buy a size up. If I were to get another pair, I'd probably just go up a half size for a more athletic fit.

[waya]

I'm just wondering about durability. My lowtops are pretty soft

[Pacificshore]

The Hi-tops is constructed with a combination of leather on the sides, toe and heel areas. The rest of the shoe is a nylon/cordura type body. I've have wear & tear on mine from training, and it's still in good condition, so it may hold up well for street use. Depends on how hard you are on shoes too I guess.

[Holgate]

unfortutanly having bad circulation in my feet and lower back problems I have to wear shoes at all times for training, the only time they are ever taken off is for gradings, even then the floor has to be swept because any cuts to my feet take along time to heal fully.

being a member of the TAGB the association do their own shoes (at 30 quid cheaper than the adidas ones!) and I have to say they are the most comfortable shoes I own...to the point where I have one pair to train in and one pair for more every day use!

[TKDad]

Yup, they are VERY nice. They're even better since there is a guy on eBay selling them for $33 + $7 shipping as of 10/1/03. (You'll have to search the "completed auctions" since I just bought the pair now up on auction. He has other sizes.) That is about half of the best net price.

[yeesack]

i think we can all benefit greatly from training with shoes appropriately.

i consider sprinting and running as a big part of my endurance training. and as well as skipping and various plyometric training. i agree that the surface medium in which we train in is crucial for condition but it doesn't mean that every moment of your training should include condition of your feet especially if it hinders the theme or essence of that particular workout.

for example, if you do skip-rope training, i bet you know just how much longer you can go for with a good pair of shoes on. this is important as it is an endurance exercise, and not so much a foot conditioning exercise. this means you can really go until the point of exhaustion which is the essence of endurance and stamina training.

plyometrics is also another example, especially with jump training. because if you land that many times and as high as you could possibly jump, i bet you will feel your feet begin to scream or ever bruise.

i also know that flat-footedness is usually caused when you walk barefoot on hard flat surfaces. "flat" is not natural, it is man-made. know this and you will understand why flat-footedness will cause a rolling of your feet (walk like a duck) which will cause knee and hip alignment problems, and eventually cause nervous disruptions which in the world of martial arts, means, energy flow disruptions. your stretch will improve if you fix this, your foot coordination as well as your speed and power will also improve.

recommended footwear: a good running shoe, good martial arts shoe, good feet and a good brain to be self-aware without too much fear. so read those books my kungfu buddies!

[neryo_tkd]

i prefer training bare foot. it's a completely different feeling than having the shoes on. when i started training, there wasn't a tatami in the dojo, but still i didn't use any shoes. a while later, the new dojo was finished, it has tatami, and is fully equipped.
the dojo at which i teach now does not have a tatami, but a wooden tile floor. sometimes i train with my shoes on, when i've got a bit of a cold or similar.
some people mentioned that they did or didn't wear the shoes on the street. i am a bit in the dark here. the shoes i have are tkd shoes. they are meant only for training in the dojo, and not for wearing them on the street or every day outside. some mentioned that their shoes were slippery or uncomfortable. can't say that about mine.
Chazz, you said that when u go to tournaments, u fight on hard floor. is it always like that?

[ammai]

Unfortunately I have to wear my shoes since I have a deflated heel cushion on my left foot from teaching on hard surfaces for many years now. It comes with the territory I guess?

[TKDad]

The seller that goes by the name "chajonshim" has 3 pairs on ebay (6/17/04) in 6, 6.5, and 8.5 for less than $35.

[Kwondo]

I have a pair that I just cant part with cause I love them so much and they're so comfortable too. And they're too old to see the logo :S

But I dont wear them because I slip on the floor for starters, and I hate it when you take them off and do a class and you feel like your naked without them. So I really only wear them to tournaments (not competing of course) or when I'm testing (grading others that is)

[Griffen]

Shoes are important i know, but there are sides to every story.

While some schools train barefoot, you have to remember eventually most attacks do not come in the shower or by the pool.

Reg' shoes or cross trainers are good for people that are also involved in other sports besides M.A. They also make you comfortable during an attack, as these will be what you normally wear to the mall, or at a party.

M.Arts shoes: a little pricey, and not for the amatuer, but worth it for those that take M.A for the long haul. They are a lot lighter and make training a lot easier, but don't have very good heel support. I recommend a split sole shoe, high top, especially if you have had an injury or bad feet.

Result: You can't really take a time out and fight barefoot or say hang on while you lace up your new super support, high kicking, advanced spin kick training shoes, so go with what feel comfortable.
Part of the journey of arts is survival.

[kareem]

well i train barefoot as well but i have been known to go through many tkd shoes. i guess it all depends and how much they are used. i know for a fact it is significantly harder to strecth in shoes than your barefeet. but once u get the hang of it theres no problem. when i go back and forth from barefeet to shoes i tend to trip alot. maybe im just a clutz. personally i like adiddas but ive had just about every brand name. the best is walking on the rubber mats with new shoes and shocking all the students by accident( wink wink)