Parts of a Wrestling Shoe
- Cut length – Wrestling shoes come in either mid-cut or high-tops for additional ankle support. Mid-cuts allow for a little more freedom of movement with less ankle support and vice versa
- Eyelets – Small holes in the eyestay helps to guide the shoelaces in place
- Eyestays – Strips of material on either side of the top of the upper houses the eyelets and laces
- Lacing – Traditional laces allow the most adjustment in fit in different zones of the shoe
- Toe cap – A reinforced toe cap improves durability
- Toe box – A fairly flexible toe box allows for dynamic movements and positions
- Upper – Often made of a combination of materials, including leather, synthetics, and mesh
- Ventilation holes – Keeps the shoe breathable while eliminating excess moisture
- Heel stabilizer – Keeps the heel from moving around too much
- Tongue – A thinly padded tongue allows for more movement
- Insole – The footbed of the shoe that improves comfort and support. Some can be removed for you to add your own
- Arch support – Some wrestling shoes can have arch support for more comfort
- Heel counter – A firm plastic insert in the back of the shoe that provides structural integrity for the heel
- Collar – A thinly padded collar helps to increase freedom of movement
- Split sole – Wrestling shoes either have a split sole or a unisole, each with its own pros and cons. Split soles allow more flexibility while unisoles provide more stability and durability
- Tread – Helps to provide traction on the wrestling mat
- Arch – The middle area of the shoe. Will be bare on split sole shoes
Learn how to choose wrestling shoes here