Wrestling Shoes

Wrestling shoes are made for the mat, with flexible soles for grip and footwork. The models here differ mainly in how the sole is built, how the laces are kept covered, and what the upper is made of. The sole is either split (made in separate heel and forefoot pieces) or full-length. The upper is mesh, synthetic leather or a mix of the two.

United World Wrestling (UWW) sets rules on shoe construction in its Uniform Regulations (January 2026 version). The rules allow no rough seams or hard eyelets. Laces must be covered by adhesive tape and/or elastic fabric so they cannot come undone. Soles must be flexible, with no roughness and an absence of metal.

Some shoes here have a built-in strap or lace garage (a place to tuck the tied laces away). We record what each maker states, and never say whether a shoe complies. Officials check kit at weigh-in, so check your event's rules.

Makers rarely state whether a sole is split or full-length, or the cut height, so those details often show as Not confirmed. If you are coming from boxing, don't swap in boxing boots. Some boxing boots have metal in the midsole, and UWW requires wrestling shoe soles without metal.