What shoes should I wear for Parkour?

[Nou]

What about the thinner shoes, like Puma stuff? I'm thinking of picking up a pair of Nike Air Rifts. I like the separate toe style.

i was actually JUST about to mention the nike air rifts.i have two pairs,and they are by far the most comfortable shoe ive run in to date.i started PK seriously about a month ago,and i use mine all the time.but from a neutral standpoint,i must say that it might depend on the person with those.some people feel with a shoe sticking between their toes,but its actually helping the dexterity of my feet when it comes to climb ups and (attempting) wall runs.the ONLY successful tic-tac ive done was with these shoes.its comparable to wearing mittens and wearing fingered gloves.just seems like you get more articulation.BUT.good luck finding these things.and if youre lucky enough to find them new,chances are you WONT be lucky enough to find them new AND affordable,since its a discontinued shoe.shock absorption is also a slight problem,since they were made for running (sprinters) and not jumping from things,depending on your personal freerunning habits,they might not be worth it.its not COMPLETELY horrible,but i can just tell after a couple months of wear,there will be no cushion at all as far as shock absorption is concerned.neutrally,i give em a 7 outta 8.plus those things are HARD to find,especially if you want a new pair.AND you gotta wear special socks. :(might be too much hassle...i know sometimes I dont feel like doin all that just to practice some stuff.and thats where my all around favorite comes in.

PUMA DISK BLAZE.
amazing shoe.VERY comfortable and form fitting.they are usually rather affordable (i paid 65$ for a limited edition pair),theyre pretty easy to find,(i usually go to ebay or puma retailers),they have durable soles,AND the shock absorption is first rate,due to an air cushion that travels the whole length of the shoe,as opposed to some shoes that only have air cushions under the heel section.(im talking to YOU,NIKE, ).they are hella lightweight,without sacrificing too much overall durability.they come in some AMAZING colorschemes,as well as some very clean solids and two tones.they also utilize an AWESOME "drawstring" tightening system.thats where the "DISK" in disk blaze comes from.you turn the dial and it draws up on the wires,thus tightening the shoe,and eliminating the need for shoelaces that come untied and could possibly pose a hazard to the unwary traceur.so basically,fashionability,functionality,durability,and comfort. i give them a 10/10

hope this helps anyone,i know im no expert at parkour/free running yet,but ive been into shoes for a VERY long time now.

[Mathew C]

OMGizzle guys
How have none of you mentioned FEIYUESSSSSSSSSSSSS!?

Grip - 8/10 it's good for the first month or so, and after that you can replace them as soon as they get too smooth for your liking. After all, they're only $20.

Support - 20/10 because they force your feet to learn how to support themselves

Cushioning - 20/10 because they force your body to learn how to cushion itself

Durability - doesn't matter because they cost $20!!!

Appearance - 7/10 not flashy, but still pretty darn cool-looking (the black ones, imho), you'll rarely see another person wearing a pair

[Nou]

OMGizzle guys
How have none of you mentioned FEIYUESSSSSSSSSSSSS!?

Grip - 8/10 it's good for the first month or so, and after that you can replace them as soon as they get too smooth for your liking. After all, they're only $20.

Support - 20/10 because they force your feet to learn how to support themselves

Cushioning - 20/10 because they force your body to learn how to cushion itself

Durability - doesn't matter because they cost $20!!!

Appearance - 7/10 not flashy, but still pretty darn cool-looking (the black ones, imho), you'll rarely see another person wearing a pair

HAHAA! i thought i was the only one who wore those! i have a pair in black and red.they were specifically made for outdoor martial arts training,but it IS an awesome shoe,i have to agree.they dont last TERRIBLY long,but like you said,for 10-20$,i cant complain.nice choice,i would reccomend these as well. 7/10

[Mathew C]

plus, they work with most foot types. Just add insoles if necessary. For disproportionate feet, they stretch (the material itself, not the laces)

[parkour7132]

So I heard about the K-Swiss and FiveTen shoes specifically made for Parkour, but what about Adidas? Do they have a Parkour shoe out, or are making one that will be out soon? If not, which Adidas shoe have you found to be the best for Parkour/Free Running?

[Ryu_free]

convers are not a good idea , rigth?.........cus I wear them to free run but maybe ther not good for that

[Travis Tetting]

http://www.footlocker.com/catalog/advancedSearch.cfm?search=k&keyword=ultra+natural+run

So far, over the past two years of training, through asics, new balance, ariakes, and brooks, these are by far the best shoes I have ever trained in.  Extremely durable, very lightweight, breathe nicely, and they are so cheap now.  Use this code for another 20 % off: URLFL9F2

I do realize this looks like an ad, but I can't rave enough about these shoes.  They have a wide midsole and no plastic on the bottom.  If there is anyone who is looking for PK shoes, I think $30 for an amazing pair is a fine deal.

Email me if you have specific questions about them. 

[Robbert]

I take running shoes because they are good for youre knees! Just ask in shops, when you have weak knees like me you do better take good shoes!

[Dan Frank]

I take running shoes because they are good for youre knees! Just ask in shops, when you have weak knees like me you do better take good shoes!

I don't have any studies to cite, but I actually believe that could be the farthest thing from the truth. People have stood behind their claims that running with shoes that have very little cushioning, even running barefoot, is better for your knees, ankles, and feet than running with shoes. Now, I'm not saying that you should go out and start running/training barefoot for miles and miles, but hey, that's what I've been hearing constantly.

The more important thing is that a) you run with proper form, and b) you do exercises to strengthen your legs. There's a tutorial here for the running: http://www.americanparkour.com/smf/index.php?topic=8965.0
For the exercises, squats or weighted squats will suffice. Make sure to do them with good form, and I mean MAKE SURE TO DO THEM WITH GOOD FORM.

That should get you on the right track for your knees, much better than a pair of expensive mattress-cushioned shoes will.

[Nou]

its simple. vibram fivefingers. theyre THE most amazing shoes ive seen.PERIOD.

get either the "KSO", or the "Sprint"...shock absorption isnt what these are made for at all,but still.

check out www.vibramfivefingers.com

ive already bought two pairs.

[shawn7656]

well, ill tell you what NOT to do. dont get the pair of shoes youre mom will say "but the price is so good!!" on. get the shoes that have good reviews by a lot of people.

i just got into parkour and i started out wearing some DCs. they fail on shock absorption.

im now wearing an old pair of "dr scholls" or whatever theyre called that my mom got for the good price at wal-mart a year ago

after using them THREE times in practice (about an hour each time) the insoles they came with are ripped to hell, and the back part on the achilles tendon ripped to hell, and that random rubber strip near the toes that all running shoes have is peeling off, not to mention theyre heavy, and are really ugly.

can you tell im not happy with these shoes? i tried digging up my old vans (i loved those shoes) but i only found one. my dad agreed to buy me some new shoes in a week or two, and im probably gonna get some Nike Dart VIs. theyre amazing, and have great reviews, and if i remember correctly, this site reviewed the dart IIIs and gave em an excellent score. so i think if theyve improved three times since then and are still getting sold they have to be amazing


50 bucks is what ive seen em for on the internet

hurray for parents!!! lol

[Evan "Blanc" S.]

Can anyone tell me about the K*Swiss Ghent shoes? The grip? How long they last?

Otherwise, I have these Nikes called Nike Trail "Stoneshield." AMAZING grip. A bit over regular running shoe weight though.

[Human_Spider]

I went through all 12 pages of this thread, and are torn between the k-swiss airake and the 5.10 free runner shoes. I have read a good handful of posts saying that they go to shit within a couple months and If I am spending that much on shoes, I need them to last. I am only a couple months in practise wise (still have a ton to learn) but I am pretty active. K swiss airake VS. 5.10 free runners, how are they function and quality wise? How do they compare durability wise?

[Mike Patella]

I went through all 12 pages of this thread, and are torn between the k-swiss airake and the 5.10 free runner shoes. I have read a good handful of posts saying that they go to shit within a couple months and If I am spending that much on shoes, I need them to last. I am only a couple months in practise wise (still have a ton to learn) but I am pretty active. K swiss airake VS. 5.10 free runners, how are they function and quality wise? How do they compare durability wise?

http://www.americanparkour.com/smf/index.php?topic=17869.0

I chose to buy a pair of vibram fivefingers over ariakes recently, so there's no comparison available from me.  Hopefully that will help you understand more about at least of the shoes though.

[David Johnson]

Get some feiyues! $15 at most online stores, and they are the best shoes I have ever worn. Comfy too, grip is great.
No shock absorption at all - but you shouldn't be relying on your shoes for that anyway.

[Human_Spider]

Get some feiyues! $15 at most online stores, and they are the best shoes I have ever worn. Comfy too, grip is great.
No shock absorption at all - but you shouldn't be relying on your shoes for that anyway.

I ordered some a while back. I am a size 12, and the site said that a 46 is a size 12. They were way to big. Luckily i have a friend with some pretty big feet, despite being a little dude (i am guessing he's a hobbit). I just got my size 45 in through the mail. They fit good length wise, but my foot doesn't fill it out as well as it could though (still fits pretty good all around though). I am going to put insoles in it, for a little more protection, and help my foot fill it out better. I will post more later. Right now i need to go test them out

[Trevor McDowell]

I am trying to get some Jiyo parkour shoes for my birthday. $95 over the internet. I have read reviews on other sites and I was taken in...

[4kark]

I just use whatever is on my feet at the time- even if they are old tennis shoes or new ones

I was wondering if I should invest in some ariakes or vibram fivefingers to help with my training

[shawn7656]

I just use whatever is on my feet at the time- even if they are old tennis shoes or new ones

I was wondering if I should invest in some ariakes or vibram fivefingers to help with my training

its like $90 off

http://www.amazon.com/Wushu-Shoes-Feiyue-Brand-BlackFeiyue/dp/B0002TW818/ref=pd_sim_sg_1/176-0326004-7405856

[zayn]

damn. i need knew shoes. but if urs dont have holes in 'em get out there and start runn.lol
no if u think u need them go for it