Things to Consider When Buying Wrestling Shoes
Consideration 1: Do you wrestle?
Sure, there's no legal restriction on buying wrestling shoes. You can't walk into a pharmacy and grab a handful of Sudafed without undergoing a proctological exam, but the government has yet to involve itself in the purchase of athletic footwear. As of this writing, exchanging money for wrestling shoes is not regulated.
However, if you're not currently a wrestler or planning to join a team in the near future, spending time and money on the footwear may be not exactly genius. Think twice before you head off to Dick's Sporting Goods or Dan Gable's World of Wrestling with fistfuls of hard-earned cash.
Consideration 2: Do you have ankles?
A wrestling shoe is a 'high-top'. Unlike Crocs or ballet slippers, they reach up into the nether regions of the ankle connected to the foot upon which they are slid. If you don't have any ankles, you may be hard-pressed to achieve an effective fit.
We strongly recommend taking a good long look at the area between your foot and your calf to ensure the presence of a useful section of ankle. If your muscular calf blends straight into your foot, walk away from the wrestling shoe store and buy a fishing pole.
Consideration #3: Can you tie shoe laces?
It's not well known outside the wrestling community that many aspiring grapplers (another word for wrestlers) lost out on otherwise aspiring careers in the sport. An innate inability to lace up and securely tie up their shoelaces held them back.
Left with wildly flopping laces and shoes about to fly free onto the wrestling mat, these unfortunate athletes were left with no alternative other than to take up synchronized diving or some other sport that lets you go barefoot. No self-respecting referee permits untied laces or velcro closures during a championship wrestling match.
Consideration 4: Can you handle the fame?
Wrestling shoes go hand-in-hand with throngs of adoring groupies and hangers-on. Any dream of incognito trips to the mall for frozen yogurt should be put out of your mind completely. if you think your feet look cool in Crocs, get ready for an entirely new experience. Strap on those shoes for a wild ride into the upper stratosphere of celebrity.
The right pair of wrestling shoes will get you into the most exclusive clubs. Waiters will hold the best tables at the hippest restaurants. No one will be able to resist your cachet and savoir-faire.
Consideration 5: Can you afford them?
They cost less than a cheap pair of Tom's, but they still aren't cheap. Utility achieved from a quality pair of wrestling shoes rivals any other type of athletic footwear, but don't max out your credit card just so you look cool walking into the 7-11.
If you don't plan to wrestle competitively, stick with the Tom's and the Crocs and the Converse.