Shoes
One great thing about parkour is you do not really need anything to train. But sometimes you want to maximize your comfort while training and we often get asked for recommendations.
Shopping using these links below helps support us through referrals.
Shoe Guide
We are often asked “what’s the best shoes for parkour?” The answer is, “it depends.” Most street running shoes will work well enough. Avoid trail running shoes! Here’s some things to look for when it comes to parkour shoes.
Grip/Tread:
Find shoes with a lot of surface area that comes in contact with the ground. Stick with rubber and avoid foam bottoms!
Flexibility/Minimalist:
Try and find shoes that allow the shoe to be flexible and allow you to 'feel’ the ground. Avoid shoes that are too stiff (unless they can be worn in).
Cushion:
Too much cushion can hinder learning proper form and create bad habits and also not allow you to “feel’ the ground as we mentioned before.
Comfort:
Find a shoe that’s comfortable for you! You don’t want to constantly think about how uncomfortable your feet are while you train.
Note: Most shoes have a wear in period (1-2 weeks) for grip and shoe flexibility to really shine.
Staff Recommended Shoes
Here’s a list of shoes that have been recommended by practitioners in the local and global parkour community.
WHITIN Barefoot Shoes
Recommended by Coach Jevin. A minimalist shoe with a WIDE toebox. No toe squishing for you! Needs a break-in period for grip but will promote healthy foot use. Not very padded to help build foot strength.
Under Armour Charged Assert 8
A former coach favorite. Many coaches and students have worn this one. Good durability and grip. Great for those with flat and/or wide feet. A solid shoe for the price. Note: the “Assert 8” has been replaced by the “Assert 10” and we haven’t had experience with those yet.
OSdream Canvas Kung Fu
Coach Alex’s go-to. This martial arts style shoe has found its way into the parkour community. Many practitioners enjoy this minimalist, inexpensive shoe.
Ollo PK Shoes
Coach Josh’s current shoe. Ollo is a Parkour focused shoe brand trying to bring their best to a parkour shoe - lightweight, flexible, and durable. Just a bit more on the expensive side.