Parkour or freerunning shoes that are good for most terrains are hard to come by. The shoes need to be both flexible and durable. It also needs to provide the right amount of support to relieve the stress parkour can put on your feet. A good parkour shoe would ideally be able to provide all of these features.
The Onitsuka Tiger Unisex Ultimate Shoes does a good job of combining these needed features in a shoe that is still stylish. It offers a moisture-wicking fabric that is even good for people who wish to wear the shoe barefoot. Depending on the area, it might be better to wear a shoe without socks to get the max flexibility.
Finding the best shoes for parkour can be difficult. There are many features that need to be present to get the most out of your parkour experience. If you make the wrong purchase, it could affect your performance later. It is important to make an informed decision.
Best Parkour Shoes
1. Onitsuka Tiger Unisex Ultimate Shoes
The Onitsuka Tiger Unisex Ulitmate 81 Shoe came in seventeen different color options and made out of a combination of leather and fabric for extra comfort.
It has a rubber sole that is both padded and flexible. This makes it nice for climbing while providing extra support.
There is no pull tab, but it has a textured bottom for extra traction. The materials are also easy to keep clean with the proper maintenance.
With all the good, there is also some bad. The materials don’t seem to hold well over time, and they run a little on a larger scale. Some have even reported it fitting as if it were two sizes too big when they buy their normal size.
Pros
- It has a textured bottom for extra traction.
- It has a padded sole for extra comfort.
- The sole is flexible to make climbing easy.
- It comes in seventeen different colors.
- The materials are easy to keep clean.
Cons
- The shoe is not very durable.
- The sizing runs bigger than normal.
The Onitsuka Tiger Unisex Ultimate 81 Shoes can be a great shoe if you get it in the right size and don’t do heavy parkour activities. It is made to be comfortable and provides extra protection from the elements.
It is important to know what you will be doing in this shoe before buying it.
2. Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 3 Trail Runner
The Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 3 Trail Runner is made about a mesh material that makes it breathable and comfortable to wear on hot days.
It has a padded rubber sole for extra comfort as well. There is a trail project pad for under the foot as well to protect for hard terrains.
It comes in a large variety of different color combinations and provides extra traction to make climbing easier. The was made with free runners and parkour in mind so that they could get the most out of their experience.
There are a few drawbacks to the shoe. The shoe isn’t very durable and won’t hold up well over time. It also runs on the smaller size, so it is important to size up. If you don’t size up, it won’t be as comfortable.
Pros
- It is made out of mesh material that makes it breathable.
- It comes in a large variety of color options.
- It has extra protection built in to keep your safe on rough terrains.
- It has a flexible sole to make climbing easy.
Cons
- It runs small.
- The materials are known to break down quickly.
Even though this might appear to be a nice shoe, the fact that it breaks down easily might make you want to buy a different shoe instead. If you are looking for a shoe that will last, you might want to consider the Take Flight Parkour Athletic Training Shoe 1.0 instead.
3. T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Martial Arts Parkour Shoes
The T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Martial Arts Parkour Shoes, Rubber Sole Sneakers, is made out of lightweight canvas materials. The canvas is easy to keep clean and resistant to most stains.
The rubber sole is also flexible, making climbing easy to do. The shoe claims to be breathable and wear-resistant.
The shoe only comes in two colors, black and white. They also don’t feature a pull tab or any extra traction. There is no extra padding on the sole either for extra support. This makes it a great shoe as long as the buyer isn’t someone who needs extra support for the ball or heel of their feet.
Related: You may like more discussion about martial arts shoe review, which gives maximum heel and arch support.
Pros
- It has made out of lightweight materials.
- The canvas outer is easy to keep clean.
- The sole is flexible, making it great for climbing.
- The materials are breathable.
- It is wear resistant.
Cons
- There is no pull tab.
- There is no extra padding for extra support.
The T.O.P ONE Kung Fu Martial Arts Parkour Shoes, Rubber Sole Sneakers, might appear to be more of a Kung Fu shoe than a parkour shoe, but it does both. It might not be ideal for heavy activities, but it will perform well with any light parkour.
4. Take Flight Parkour Athletic Training Shoe
The Take Flight Parkour Athletic Training Shoe 1.0 is made out of mesh materials that make it breathable and cool on even the hottest days. It features a grip design sole that provides the max amount of traction as well.
It has a dual sock liner and extra cushion on the inside to make it comfortable to wear without socks and provide support on heavy terrains.
The rubber sole is flexible and makes it easy for climbers to get the most out of their experience. The bottom of the shoe also comes up over the toe area just a little to protect it from harsh terrain when climbing.
The only downside reported is that they run on the smaller side. It is important to buy the right size shoe in order to be the most comfortable when doing your parkour activities. A shoe that is too small will cause blisters and take away from experience.
Pros
- It is made out of a lightweight, breathable mesh material.
- It has a grip design for extra traction.
- The grip design comes up over the top to protect it when climbing.
- It has a flexible sole.
- It has extra padding in the inside for extra comfort and support.
Cons
- It runs on the smaller side.
The Take Flight Parkour Athletic Training Shoe 1.0 is perfect for most parkour activities. The materials not only provide comfort, but they are made to last. This shoe won’t tear down on heavy terrains.
5. DOUBLESTAR MR Rubber Sole Light Parkour Shoes
The DOUBLESTAR MR Rubber Sole Light Parkour Stylish Shoe features a rubber sole that is meant to prevent skidding or slipping. It also fits true to size. It comes in both black and blue design and features a quote from a popular kung fu movie.
The flexible sole makes it good for light parkour activities, but that is it. It is more of a shoe that can be used to kung fu practice and less for climbing and running. The materials aren’t breathable and are not lightweight. There is also no pull tab.
The shoe is more stylish than functional when it comes to parkour. If you don’t plan on doing any serious activities, it might get you through, but it is not a shoe meant to hold up to serious climbing or long-running. The materials have a cheap feel and will wear down when exposed to heavy terrain too often.
Pros
- It features a stylish design.
- It comes in two different colors.
- It has a wavy bottom for extra traction.
- The sole is thick and provides extra padding.
- The materials are soft and comfortable.
Cons
- It is not a lightweight shoe.
- The materials that it is made out of are not breathable.
- There is no pull tab.
- The materials feel cheap and break down easily when worn on heavy terrain too often.
The DOUBLESTAR MR Rubber Sole Light Parkour Stylish Shoes are a nice stylish shoe, but it is not made for any serious parkour activities. If you are someone who is looking to experience more out of their parkour shoes, the Vibra Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe and elliptical training shoes might be better for you.
6. Vibram Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe
The Vibram Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe is designed with a polyester fabric that is machine washable and lightweight. The rubber sole is on the thinner side, which makes it flexible for a great climbing experience.
It has features a separated toe design that gives the owner the make amount of flexibility and grip for their parkour activities.
It also features a speed lace design for convenience. The materials are also breathable. These shoes are designed to be worn without socks and feature a fast-drying moisture-wicking material on the inside to help keep the feet cool.
The only real issue with this shoe is that it tends to run smaller. It is meant to fit like a second skin, so it is important to go up a size.
It also isn’t very thick, so it doesn’t provide much protection from terrain that might feature some sharp terrain. It is important to know where you want to wear these shoes before purchasing them.
Pros
- It features a separate toe design, making it easy for the owner to grip and climb any surface.
- The fabric is machine washable.
- The fabric is breathable and provides a moisture-wicking inside so that the wearer can wear it without socks.
- It features a speed lace design.
- It features fast drying materials on the inside.
- The bottom has a special design to help with traction.
Cons
- The sizing runs smaller.
- The sole isn’t thick and doesn’t provide protection against sharp terrains.
The Vibram Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe is a great option for someone who does a lot of climbing in their parkour routine. The separate toe design makes it feel like you aren’t even wearing a shoe. This means you have the max flexibility and grip you can get.
7. Evolv Men’s Cruzer
The Evolv Men’s Cruzer is made out of 100 percent canvas and has a flexible rubber sole that is perfect for most terrain. The rubber sole also provides traction for surfaces that might be slightly slippery or damp. The inside has memory foam as well for extra comfort on long days of heavy parkour. It comes in five different colors.
A moisture-wicking microfiber makes this shoe barefoot-friendly for those who want to experience more difficult terrain. There is also a heel pull tab that not only makes it easy to put on and off, but it also makes it possible for the shoe to be clipped to a harness or backpack when not in use.
This shoe is not without issue, however. The materials tend to be on the cheaper side, which means it breaks down easily. The rubber on the bottom can start to peel back, and the pull tabs will snap off after some heavy use.
The sizing also tends to run a little on the smaller side, meaning that the buyer needs to size up for a comfortable fit.
Pros
- It comes in five different colors.
- It features memory foam for extra padding on the foot.
- The sole is flexible, making it more compatible with heavy terrain.
- It has a moisture wicking inside for people who want to wear the shoe without socks.
- There are pull tabs to hook the shoes onto a backpack when not in use.
Cons
- The sizing runs small.
- The materials are cheap and will break down quickly.
The Evolv Men’s Cruzer states that it is designed for heavy parkour, but the materials argue otherwise. This shoe appears to be ideal for light parkour activity and nothing that is going to strain the materials. This might be a good beginner shoe for you if you are just starting your parkour or freerunning experience.
8. Ollo Sapien S – Force Royal
The OLLO SAPIEN S shoe is lightweight and designed with a flexible rubber sole to provide the best experience for parkour. A flexible sole makes climbing easier and more comfortable on foot.
The lightweight design takes the stress off of the foot when worn for a long period of time. It also has a sole specially designed with grip material to prevent any slipping.
It comes in a few different colors and claims to be a number 1 athletic shoe among athletes. It has a pull tab for easy on and off and a texted bottom that comes over the front of the shoe enough to protect it from any heavy climbs.
There are a few flaws with the shoe, however. The rubber part on the front of the shoe that is meant for protection can start to peel back after several uses. The pull tabs are also narrow, which means they can’t be used to clip the shoe onto a backpack when not in use if the clip is on the larger side.
Pros
- It features a lightweight design.
- The sole is flexible, making it good for climbing.
- It has a gripped design bottom for extra traction.
- It has different color options.
- It has a textured tip to the toe, protecting it from harsh terrain when climbing.
Cons
- The pull tabs are narrow.
- The textured tip on the toe can start to peel back after some wear.
The OLLO SAPIEN S is the ideal shoe for any person who partakes in hardcore parkour. It has features that will provide the most support and traction so that there isn’t a place the free runner can’t go or activity they can’t do.
What to Know Before Making a Purchase
Fit
It is important to know how the shoe is going to fit before buying. Some shoes fit smaller than true size. Some fit larger.
If you get a shoe that is too small, it can cause rubbing and blisters. If you get a shoe that is too big, it can make doing any parkour uncomfortable difficult.
Always check reviews and size charts to make sure you are buying the right fit.
Sole
Is the sole padded? Does it have traction? Will it protect me from the terrain? These are important things to know before buying a shoe that you plan to do heavy activities in.
Know where you are going to be wearing the shoe and what you plan on doing. This will make sure you buy the shoe with the right type of sole for you.
Shock absorption
If you are doing heavy parkour activities, shock absorption is a must. It is important to buy a shoe with enough padding to make such there is no stress added to the feet, and that shock absorption will take place. This will take the stress off our ankles and avoid injury as well.
Arch support
Some people need more arch support than others. Make sure you know our needs and buy accordingly. If you need extra arch support and buy a shoe that doesn’t have it, your parkour activities will take their toll on your feet. It is essential to pay close attention to this detail and read reviews. Arch support is an important detail.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a must if any long term running or climbing is going to take place. You want a flexible sole as it makes gripping when climbing easier. If you buy a shoe with a stiff sole, it might be too hard to get a good foothold and do what you intended. A stiff sole also makes running for a long time uncomfortable.
Durability
Not all shoes are made of the same materials, so not all shoes hold the same. It is important to know what kind of wear and tear you plan on putting on your shoes and how well the materials are going to hold up.
If you are doing light freerunning or parkour, you might be able to get away with a shoe that isn’t as durable, but if you plan on doing a lot of climbing, you might need something else.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How flexible is the Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 3 Trail Runner?
A. The Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 3 Trail Runner is very flexible. It is great for climbing or anyone who needs a little more grip. It is important to have a flexible shoe when running or climbing to make gripping easy and convenient.
Concerned about finding the right Merrell shoes for hiking? This article can help you to make the right decision.
Q. Is the T.O.P. O.N.E. Kung Fu Martial Arts Parkour Shoes, Rubber Sole Sneakers true to size?
A. The T.O.P. O.N.E. Kung Fu Martial Arts Parkour Shoes, Rubber Sole Sneakers, can fit a small, depending on the person. Some people report having to go up a half size to get the most comfortable fit.
Q. Do the Take Flight Parkour Athletic Training Shoe 1.0 grip well on wood and brick?
A. Yes, the Take Flight Parkour Athletic Training Shoe 1.0 has a good grip on both brick and wood surfaces. They are also very flexible, which makes gripping easier as well.
Q. How do the DOUBLESTAR MR Rubber Sole Light Parkour Stylish Shoes perform with climbing?
A. The DOUBLESTAR, MR Rubber Sole Light Parkour Stylish Shoes, does okay with climbing, but the materials won’t hold up for long. The materials are cheaply made, and the bottom doesn’t create the best grip for all surfaces.
Q. Is the Vibram Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe comfortable?
A. This really depends on the person. Not everyone likes having something between their toes. If this isn’t a problem for you, then they should feel comfortable. They provide a lot of flexibility and durability over time.
Q. How padded it the sole of the Evolv Men’s Cruzer?
A. The Evolv Men’s Cruzer provides light padding for support. If you are someone who needs more support or does a lot of heavy activities, you might want a more padded shoe.
Conclusion
Getting the best parkour shoes is very important for the max amount of comfortable throughout the day. It is also essential to know your parkour needs. If you are doing light activity, you won’t need as much padding or support as someone who is doing heavy activities.
It is important to know if you are doing a lot of climbing as well. Some shoes are made better for climbing than others. Some are made better for running. If you need a shoe that is good for running, you might choose to pad over flexibility when it comes to the sole, but if you are climbing a lot, a flexible sole might be more important.
You also want to know your traction and protection needs. The only way to make an informed decision is to read reviews and check the product specs. Ensure your shoe is the right fit, provide the right amount of comfort, and last the first time you make your purchase.
Related Reviews:
- Which Shoes Are Best for Walking on Treadmill in 2022?
- Best Cross Training Shoes For Flat Feet 2022
- A Closer Look at the 7 Best Shoes for Jumping Rope
- Top 12 CrossFit Shoes For Women of 2022
Additional Resources:
- Parkour, by wikipedia