Kickboxing is a versatile and fast-paced sport and workout routine used by many in their training routines or even as an individual sport today.
The best kickboxing shoes must provide the right traction and lightweight support to keep you moving without weighing you down.
What Shoes to Look For in Kickboxing
When it comes to Kickboxing, a specific show category does not apply.
Walking and running shoes provide excellent support and stability for motion, while tennis shoes offer better lateral movement support and flexibility on the ball of the foot.
Basketball shoes have thick, rigid soles, while golf, track, and soccer shoes have specially designed soles.
Yet, to date, there has to be a specific design for kickboxing shoes; thus, our best narrowed-down options are to look at shoes designed for cross-training with particular features and shoes intended for martial arts and Taekwondo.
So What are these Requirements in a Kick Boxing Shoe?;
- Cushioning – You need some but not much cushioning. Because Kickboxing is done indoors and there are no outdoor risks, you need only some cushioning for the jumps, particularly under the ball of the foot.
- Flexibility and Fit – I have placed these two features together because you want your kickboxing shoe to feel like an extension of your foot, not a separate shoe. These shoes should bend and flex easily and offer a very lightweight, very snug, and glove-like fit.
- Weight – A flexible shoe is naturally lightweight, and a heavy shoe will weigh you down, so look for the most minimalistic option.
You will notice that the shoe types that mostly fit these criteria are cross-training shoes with a minimalist design and flexible soles.
Choosing the Best Fit
Unfortunately, no one size fits all when choosing shoes, as everyone’s feet are unique.
Therefore, the fit should be perfect for your foot shape, size, and width because you need a snug and lightweight fit. Before choosing a size, please know your arch type, whether flat, high, or neutral, and whether your foot is wide or narrow.
Please make sure to fit your shoes and that there is always enough toe room; you also don’t want a very loose fit so that you can opt for something adjustable.
Features of a Good Kickboxing Shoe
- Fit – Offer a snug yet comfortable fit.
- Uppers – Lightweight leather or mesh uppers that are durable, flexible, and breathable.
- Sole – A flexible sole and design overall. Durable rubber outsole with or without pivot points that offer excellent traction. Oustole should be bon-marking on indoor floors.
- Cushioning – Slight underfoot cushioning.Minimalist design.
- Closure – Adjustable closure types are more ideal.
Key Specs
| No. | Shoe | Type | Closure | Width options | Drop / Cushion | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 | Shoe | Lace-up | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | – | 10.2 oz |
| 2 | New Balance 608 V5 | Casual sneaker | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | ABZORB | – |
| 3 | Under Armour Charged Assert 10 | Shoe | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | 10 mm drop / Charged Cushioning | 9.5 oz |
| 4 | adidas X_PLR Path | Running | Lace-up | Medium | Cloudfoam | – |
| 5 | Asics Gel Excite 11 | Running | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | PureGEL | – |
| 6 | PUMA Voltaic Evo | Training | – | Medium | – | – |
| 7 | Ringside diablo / Diablo (women's) | Shoe | – | Medium | – | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Reviews: The Best Kickboxing Shoes
Here is the top selection of Kickboxing Shoes.
We hope you love the shoes we recommend!
As you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
1
Kickboxing Shoe
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 - Men
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 - Women
- Athletic mesh upper with durable leather overlays for added dimension & midfoot support.
- Charged+ midsole cushioning provides unmatched softness & all-day comfort.
- Durable rubber outsole provides traction & durability with strategically-placed flex grooves for proper toe-off.
- Upper contains at least 30% recycled content.
2
Lightweight Kickboxing Shoe
New Balance 608 V5 - Men
New Balance 608 V5 - Women
- ABZORB heel crash pad absorbs impact on every step, paired with a molded PU insert for underfoot comfort that lasts from morning to night.
- Sturdy suede upper provides supportive structure and a classic look that breaks in nicely over time for a personalized fit.
- Dual density collar foam supports the ankle and helps maintain stability during workouts, walks, and all-day wear.
- Phantom Liner construction features minimal interior seaming to reduce irritation and create a smooth, comfortable fit against the foot.
3
Martial Arts and Kickboxing Shoe
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Men
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Women
- Lightweight, breathable mesh upper with synthetic overlays for added durability & support.
- EVA sockliner provides soft, step-in comfort.
- Solid rubber outsole covers high impact zones for greater durability with less weight.
4
Kickboxing Shoe
adidas X_PLR Path - Men
adidas X_PLR Path - Women
- Men’s lightweight running-inspired sneakers for everyday wear.
- Mesh upper for breathability and light weight.
- Textile lining provides a soft, comfortable feel.
- Cloudfoam midsole for step-in comfort and superior cushioning.
5
Kickboxing Cushioned Shoe
Asics Gel Excite 11 - Men
Asics Gel Excite 11 - Women
- PureGEL technology: Softer, updated version of our GEL technology.
- Engineered mesh upper: A lightweight, breathable meshmaterial helps reduce the need for additionaloverlays.
- AMPLIFOAM PLUS cushioning: Midsole cushioning that provides a more soft and comfortable ride than standard AMPLIFOAM cushioning.
- Reflective details: Designed to help improve visibility.
6
Kickboxing Cross Trainer Shoe
PUMA Voltaic Evo - Men
PUMA Voltaic Evo - Women
- These men’s athletic sneakers feature a bold upper with a supportive cage overlay and TPU toe cap.
- SOFTFOAM+ CUSHIONED COMFORT: Step into plush support with the SoftFoam+ insole—designed with an extra-thick heel for superior cushioning.
- Experience solid support with every step.
- The full-length rubber outsole delivers reliable traction across varied surfaces.
7
Shoe for Kickboxing
Ringside diablo - Men
Ringside Diablo - Women
- A contemporary styled kickboxing shoe with men’s and women’s color options available from which you can select.
- Ther are mesh uppers with a high-top design for breathability and ankle protection.
- The rubber sole is both durable and flexible.
- The insole is lightly padded for comfort.
Index Table: Top Rated Kickboxing Shoes
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Under Armour® - Kickboxing Shoe |  |  | Under Armour | |
| 2 | New Balance® - Lightweight Kickboxing Shoe |  |  | New Balance | |
| 3 | Under Armour® - Martial Arts and Kickboxing Shoe |  |  | Under Armour | |
| 4 | adidas® - Kickboxing Shoe |  |  | adidas | |
| 5 | Asics® - Kickboxing Cushioned Shoe |  |  |
| Asics |
| 6 | PUMA® - Kickboxing Cross Trainer Shoe |  |  | PUMA | |
| 7 | Ringside® - Shoe for Kickboxing |  |  |
| Ringside |
Sources
- NHS: Walking for health
Update History
- Oct 2026: Replaced Nike Metcon 5 with Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11; replaced Brooks Pure Flow 7 with New Balance 608 V5; replaced Century Lightfoot with Under Armour Charged Assert 10; replaced Adidas Adi-Kick 2 with adidas X_PLR Path; updated Asics Gel Excite 8 to Gel Excite 11; replaced Puma Tazon 7 with PUMA Voltaic Evo
- Oct 2026: Removed Nike Flex 10, Asics Matflex and Adidas Mat Wizard Hype (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs table and a Sources section; checked availability of every product
- Jan 2020: Published
