The Best Wrestling Shoes
A question I commonly answer on social media and through my website is "What are the best wrestling shoes?”
This question comes sometimes from those new to the sport and sometimes it comes from high-level wrestlers looking for the rarest pair of shoes out there.
For this reason, I divided this post into 2 sections. You can jump to them by clicking the links below.
Prefer video? See the top 5 wrestling shoes ever made by watching the video below!
If you're new to wrestling shoes, you can also reference my wrestling shoe buying guide to help with your research!
When it comes to the question "what are the best shoes", quite frankly, I never had an answer. I have my favorite wrestling shoes, but does that deem them the best? Not necessarily. So I went to Google. And what I found were horrible recommendations from Amazon Affiliates trying to make a quick buck on referring products without reason. They do this by making a commission from the sales generated from their posts. After many attempts at finding a good answer for this question, I turned to those I know in the wrestling community.
I reached out to several lifetime wrestlers to get their thoughts on the best wrestling shoes on the market and the best wrestling shoes ever made. Even as a collector for over 10 years, the results were surprising.
To compile the two lists found in this blog, I got responses from:
- 9 NCAA Coaches
- 2 NCAA Champs
- 10 NCAA All-Americans
- 15 NCAA Qualifiers
- 25 state medalists, 9 of which were state champs in their home state
- Countless district champs, regional champs, and state qualifiers
The lists below are compiled solely on the data from my responses. Unlike other lists you will find online, I am not an affiliate or partner with any of the brands mentioned below. All of the responses are subjective to the respondent.
Below are two different lists answering the question regarding the best wrestling shoes in different ways. The first list is simply the top responses I received. The second is the top responses I got for shoes you can still buy retail. The shoes in the first list are likely going to cost you a few hundred dollars or more since they aren't still made. The shoes in the second list are going to be your best bet if you're looking to spend under $200 on your wrestling shoes.
Best Wrestling Shoes Ever Made - A Top 10 List
Now for the answers you’ve been waiting for. This list highlights the top 10 wrestling shoes ever made based on the responses I received.
1. Asics Rulon Gardners
Overview:
These shoes came in 4 colorways and were released after Rulon Gardner won an olympic gold medal. The colorways were red/black, gold/black, blue/black/silver, and orange/grey/black.
29 of my respondents had Rulons atop their list of the best shoes they ever owned. This really wasn’t surprising. These are also at the top of my personal list of favorites. Rulons are known for being some of the most durable shoes ever made. They’re comfortable, cool, and last through years of wear and tear. There are many reasons why Rulons landed at the top of this list, with more than a dozen more responses than any other shoe. Interested in learning more about Rulon wrestling shoes? Click to view the guide.
Estimated price: To buy in new or like new condition you'll be looking at $400-1000 (Varies on size, condition, and colorway, but I've seen new with box Gold and Red Rulons go for over $1000)
2. Nike Kolats
Pictured above are 3 of the 4 models of kolats. From left to right are kolat 2000s, kolat speeds, and the blue version of the kolat 2000s.
Overview:
Kolats are one of the most on-demand shoes out there. They were the signature shoes for wrestling legend Cary Kolat. There were numerous models, including many made for colleges. These models include Kolat Speeds, Kolat Internationals, Kolat 2000s, and Kolat 2K4s.
I grouped Kolats together (despite there being multiple makes and models) into one shoe line because quite frankly, Kolat Speeds and Original Kolats are so close in design that it is hard to differentiate them for the sake of this post. 17 respondents had Kolats at the top of their list. 11 of the 17 picked Kolat Speeds. 4 had OG Kolats. The other 2 votes were split between Kolat Internationals and Kolat 2k4s. Interested in learning more about Kolat wreslting shoes? Click to view the guide.
It was no surprise to see Kolats this high on the list as they're one of the coolest shoe lines ever released, plus, they're the signature shoe line for a wrestling legend.
Estimated price: To buy in new or like new condition (varies on model): $400-1200. Most models in great shape would be $400-$750.
3. Asics Aggressors
Pictured above is a pair of red, white and blue original aggressors, or aggressor 1s.
Overview: These shoes were the successors to Rulons and offer a very similar design. They are now on the Aggressor 5s after over a decade of this shoe line being on the market. Across all models of Aggressors, there are over 30 colorways and designs.
Aggressors feature a sole that is known to last for years. Of the shoe models still made today, Asics Aggressors has 16 votes from those I talked with. I’ll speak from first-hand experience when I say these shoes are loved for their comfort, durability, and performance. It's no surprise these shoes took the #3 spot on the list of best wrestling shoes of all time.
Estimated price: To buy in new or like new condition (varies on model): $100-350
4. Nike Inflicts
Pictured above is a pair of reissue original inflicts in the black and gold colorway. These shoes in great shape typically sell for $400+.
Overview: Inflicts have been on the market for over 2 decades, proving to be a shoe design that can stand the test of time. Original inflicts, and original inflict reissues are worth the most, with inflict 2s and 3s being worth significantly less. The originals and original reissues came in 3 colors including black/gold, red/black, and blue/black and the newer models have over 15 colorways.
They came in at #4, which like other shoes on this list, was not overly surprising. Nike Inflicts have been around since the 90s for a reason. There are still versions of inflicts being released today. They’re now on the Inflict 3, which is arguably the most popular shoe among athletes competing in the 2020 era. I had 13 respondents who had Nike Inflicts on their list of the best wrestling shoes ever. 9 of the 13 noted the originals as their favorite, but if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, the Inflict 3s are not much different than the originals. Interested in learning more about Nike Inflict Wrestling Shoes? Click to view the guide.
Also worth noting, there were shoes known as Inflict SEs that were for the Tokyo Olympics that are super popular!
Estimated price: To buy in new or like new condition (varies on model): $400-800 for originals or original reissues. $150-350 for discontinued colorways of inflicts made after 2008.
5. Adidas Combat Speeds
Pictured above is a pair of combats from the early 90s. The red and black combats were an original colorway and the colorway is still used today.
Overview: This shoe line started in West Germany in 1988 and they're still being manufactured today. They are now onto the Combat Speed 5 model, and there are more than a dozen colorways/model combos for this shoe.
The 1988 model, originals (or OGs), and the Combat 2s are a holy grail for Adidas wrestling shoe collectors. Adidas Combat Speeds are still on the market today for a reason. Much like the Nike Inflicts at #4, they’ve changed slightly in design, but are still very much the same in look and feel as they were decades ago when they were first released. I was surprised these weren't higher on the list if anything, as they have a massive following for ex-wrestlers and collectors alike. They compiled 12 votes from my responders.
Estimated price: To buy in new or like new condition (varies on model), the newer versions are typically under $100. Older models vary from $300 and up. Some models from the late 80s/early 90s will be $1000+ in new condition.
6. Blue and Black Adidas Adistars
Note: The adistars pictured above had the lace cover removed.
Overview: This is by far the most surprising result for me. Adistars were shoes that hit the market in 2005. They were and still are popular, but I never thought they’d crack the top 5 of this list, or even top 10 for that matter. If we count the tie, they came in at 5th for the best wrestling shoes of all time. Pretty impressive for a shoe that only came in one colorway and that was only released one time – unlike every other shoe on this list. 7 of the 150+ responses voted for the blue and black Adistars for their pick. The most insane thing about this shoe making the list is that they only came in one colorway, which was blue and black.
Estimated price: To buy in new or like new condition: $300-450
7. Adidas Sydney 2000s
Pictured above is the black and yellow colorway of the Sydney 2000s wrestling shoes.
Overview: Commonly noted as the most comfortable shoe ever made by wrestling shoe collectors. Made in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics, these shoes were made in 3 colorways.
The colorways offered were black/yellow/white, blue/white/yellow, and grey/blue/black.
6 responders had these shoes at the top of their list for the best wrestling shoes ever made.
Estimated Price: To buy in new or like new condition $300-$500
8. Asics Pursuit 1 and 2s
Pictured above is a camo/black colorway of the Asics Pursuit 1s, known as Camo P1s.
Overview: There were two models of Pursuits, commonly referred to as p1s and p2s. You can learn about pursuit 2s here and pursuit 1s here!
P1s came in 4 colorways, including camouflage/black, black/yellow, blue/silver, and grey/white.
P2s came in 4 colorways as well, including grey/white/black, red/white/black, blue/white/black, and marigold/white/black.
6 respondents had Asics Pursuits (Not to be confused with the newer omniflex pursuits) at the top of their list. 4 of these were bigger fans of the Pursuit 2s, while 2 of the 6 liked the Pursuit 1s. Known as p1s or p2s, these shoes were found on feet all over the country in the early 2000s. Since there are two models of this shoe and only 1 of the Adidas Sydneys, I dropped them below the Sydney's in the rankings since the votes were split across two styles.
Estimated Price: To buy in new or like new condition (varies on colorway): $125-350 for pursuit 1s, $250-450 for pursuit 2s.
9. Nike Freeks
Pictured above are 3 colorways of Nike Freeks. These colorways were offered on the Freeks second run at production after they brought back on the market after being discontinued for almost 10 years. They have since been discontinued again.
Overview: This shoe can stand on its own with the fact that it was listed 5 times by my respondents, and it’s the newest shoe with no history on the list. Aggressors, Combat Speeds, and Inflicts all have predecessors. Nike Freeks are a great wrestling shoe. I wore these in college and high school for matches, so despite not voting for them, I can see why numerous people did. These shoes are known for a long lifespan and years of wear. They’re also extremely comfortable, which is why you’ll see many athletes wearing them at the NCAA tournament in March! You can learn more about Nike Freeks here.
Estimated Price: To buy in new or like new condition (varies on colorway): $250-400
10. Asics Gable Ultraflex
Pictured above are the black, white and gray colorway of the Gable Ultraflexes. These are less popular on the collectors market than the red, white and blue colorway.
Overview: Gable Ultraflexes made the list at #10 with 4 votes. These shoes are a collector's classic. They share the exact split sole of the Asics Pursuit 1 and 2s referenced earlier on this list. The odd part about these shoes being tied to wrestling legend Dan Gable, is that his signature is nowhere on the shoes unlike most signature shoes out there. They came in a plain colorway of gray, black and white as well as a red, white and blue colorway. The red white and blue colorway is best known for being worn by Jordan Burroughs as he won the 2012 Olympic Games while wearing them.
Estimated Price: To buy in new or like new condition $250-600, varying based on size and colorway.
Hear From Other Shoe Experts on the Best Shoes of All Time!
Though the list above is based solely on the data I collected for this survey, I also wanted to add in a few fun watches for those looking to learn more about the best wrestling shoes ever made. Below are youtube videos from two lifelong wrestlers giving their thoughts on this topic.
Drew Phipps
Below is Drew Phipps' youtube video on this topic. Drew was a D1 NCAA Qualifier when his senior season was cancelled due to COVID. He has a constantly rotating collection of wrestling shoes - he's probably owned over 2000 pairs. He wrote a book about collectible wrestling shoes, which can be purchased on Amazon here. His Instagram was deleted with one of the largest followings of any shoe page out there (20k+ followers), so if you're interested in cool wrestling shoes, give him a follow at https://www.instagram.com/drewrestler_shoes2/
Cayden Henschel
The biggest YouTuber in the wrestling community, Cayden Henschel breaks down his thoughts on the rarest shoes of all time. Cayden is a d2 NCAA qualifier and has over 150K subscribers to his YouTube channel. If you're interested in wrestling videos, give his channel a subscription at https://www.youtube.com/@CaydenHenschel
Best Wrestling Shoes You Can Buy in 2024
Below are the 4 shoes that respondents in my survey voted as the best wrestling shoes you can still buy in 2023! I apologize in advance for not having any images of the aggressor 4s, or up to date images of the Nike Freek colorways still offered. Most of what I own are discontinued shoes, so I don't currently have any images to use for them.
1. Asics Aggressors 4s and 5s
Approximate retail price for Aggressor 4s and 5: $110-$140
Now on the “Aggressor 5”, Asics is coming in at the top of this list and at #3 of our all-time favorites with 16 votes. The results from this survey should speak for themselves. If you’re looking for a pair of great shoes, the Aggressors are a favorite across the board. They currently are on the Aggressor 5, but in certain sizes and colorways, the 4s are still available from many suppliers.
2. Nike Inflict 3s
Pictured above you'll see two of the inflict 3 colorways. These 2 are extremely popular.
Approximate retail price for Nike Inflict 3s: $105
Nike Inflict 3s are again a remake of one of the shoes mentioned above. With 13 votes, it’s hard to deny the popularity of these shoes. Nike inflicts are a favorite of collectors and newbies alike, which is why Nike chooses to keep these shoes on the market today. The Inflict 3 has been on the market for over a decade, and they continue to release new colorways as wrestling seasons come and go.
3. Adidas Combat Speed 5s
Pictured above you'll see the classic teal, yellow, and pink colorway of the combat speed 5.
Approximate retail price for Adidas Combat Speed 5s: $85
Note: some colorways that are either discontinued or out of stock can go for 2-3x that estimate if they aren't bought retail. The teals for example were out of stock the last I checked on all known websites.
There is a reason why Adidas is on the 5th version of the Combat Speed with their release of the Combat Speed 5s. These shoes have been around since the late 1980s. Yes, that long, which is one of many reasons they have 12 votes. Except for the Combat 3s (for a few reasons), Combat Speed's design and overall looks have withstood the test of time. The design used in 2024 for these shoes is very close to that used back in the late 80s and early 90s. Commenters noted that these shoes “feel like socks” and “fit like a glove” which is one of many reasons they landed themselves on both of these lists. They are also affordable, with retail prices of less than $100. They’re the lowest-priced shoes you’ll find with ratings this high. As someone who has worn these shoes for years, I can attest to their durability and comfort. I wear these shoes as a go-to while I coach high school practices.
Questions About The Best Wrestling Shoes Ever Made?
If you have any questions regarding the lists of the best wrestling shoes ever made, or the list of the best shoes to buy in 2024, please reach out! I can be contacted by filling out the comment form below.
Last Updated on 1/05/2024.
Meet The Author
Nolan Barger
A wrestling shoe expert with over 10 years of shoe collecting under his belt, Nolan is the owner of Rare Wrestling Shoes Co. He's owned over 1000 pair of wrestling shoes. Day to day, Nolan works for a Digital Marketing Agency. In his wrestling career, he was a PA state medalist and a 3x D3 NCAA All-American.
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About Rare Wrestling Shoes Co:
As a wrestling shoe collector for over 10 years, I'm constantly trying to buy new shoes and learn the history behind them. If you have questions about old-school wrestling shoes, shoot me a message.
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My son wants a pair of Rudis shoes as he just blew his old pair out. The pair he wants are expensive as they are the Kyle Snyder version. Are they any good? I didn’t see any reference of Rudis shoes on your list.
Hey Greg!
Yes Rudis makes good wrestling shoes. They’re probably the fastest growing wrestling shoe and gear brand on the planet right now. I haven’t personally owned many Rudis shoes as I mainly collect old school shoes and they’re a newer brand. That said, in the recent years I’ve coached probably 1 in every 3 kids on the team have worn Rudis shoes. I haven’t seen any issues with them from a durability perspective and they come out with a lot of unique designs and colorways.
Good luck to your son this season!
Best,
Nolan
What is the best wrestling shoe for bad arches?
Hey John,
I can’t say I have any recommendations here as that’s a bit out of my wheelhouse. I don’t know of any wrestling shoes ever produced that are specifically designed for bad arches, so your best bet may be insoles for that.
Not looking for something old school, just for a good, durable pair of shoes for this upcoming season. Where is the best place to buy new wrestling shoes?
I’m not sure if you’re loyal to a specific brand, but out right now I’d personally go with Adidas Combat Speeds, Nike Inflicts, or Asics Aggressors! All are durable and budget friendly compared to old school shoes.
As far as finding the best deal on them, that typically varies by the brand, size, and a number of other factors. I like to keep my eye on eBay as often good deals pop up there. Sites like eastbay, athleteps (for nike), suplay, wrestlingmart, Dick’s and Amazon all are also good places to shop!
Do you know where I can find a pair of the blue rulon wrestling shoes? I had a pair in high school, hands down the best shoe I ever had. I wish I didn’t get rid of them.
I’d keep your eye on ebay, facebook marketplace, and my Asics collection! If budget isn’t an issue, I do see them show up monthly on both Facebook and eBay, though they do tend to sell for a lot!