Multi-purpose indoor training shoes?

[Flying Crane]

I’m looking to get one proper shoe pair, that I can use for the gym, the dojo, and dancing classes.

I think this is an unrealistic expectation. In addition, the members here are unlikely to give you good suggestions without knowing the specifics of how you train in the gym, the dojo, and the type of dance that you do, in addition to any specific foot and ankle issues you may have. That is knowledge that the members here do not have.

Find appropriate footwear for each activity. Get guidance from your instructors, for each activity. Even at the extra cost, if your training is better and you avoid injury, that is money well spent.

 

[Gyakuto]

Thought about that—but I train aggressively, and I need footwear that can handle the strain.

The Vibram are really tough; I think mine are cross country types, V-Trek

They’re very good but probably out of your preferred price range.

 

[ap Oweyn]

The Vibram are really tough; I think mine are cross country types, V-Trek
View attachment 32546
They’re very good but probably out of your preferred price range.

I've had two pair of these myself. I still have one. (I donated the other pair. They held up just fine.) But nowadays, I prefer the traditional toe. Merrell does minimalist shoes that are essentially these but traditional toe. That's my suggestion.

 

[mograph]

Non-marking squash shoes might fit the bill.

Best shoes for squash in Canada and US

Of Courts is a racket store with a huge legacy in London, Ontario, that now also your new favorite racket online store, selling to Canada, USA, South America a

www.ofcourts.com

... or driving shoes:

Men’s Motorsport & Driving Shoes | PUMA

ca.puma.com

 

[Haruhiko]

I’m looking to get one proper shoe pair, that I can use for the gym, the dojo, and dancing classes.

I’ve generally used ASICS running shoes for anything athletic, but I feel like this provides too much padding, little tactile feedback, and not enough ankle support.

Any suggestions on brands/models? Hopefully ASICS, because I know those fit me?

Something flat soled. A lot of lifters use casual Converse.

Dojo? Never heard of a dojo allowing any type of footwear other than tabi or TKD style fighting shoes, but if it's a real dojo, probably just tabi depending on the art.

Dancing? Depends on style! Oxford laced shoes for ballroom, ballet for ballet...

Not sure whether there's a shoe that fits all three though.

 

[Haruhiko]

The Vibram are really tough; I think mine are cross country types, V-Trek
View attachment 32546
They’re very good but probably out of your preferred price range.

I have a pair of these! Back when they were called the "five fingers". They're awesome. They're also waterproof so you can go fishing off rock pools. I was told they complement the body's natural biomechanics. Either way - it definitely toughens the soles!

 

[Gyakuto]

If you wear socks (which I recommend) you’ll need five-toed socks too! Like Apple products, once you buy one, you have to buy their others while they listen into your conversations and sell those data to the highest bidder

 

[GreenieMeanie]

I slipped my 3/4 orthotic insoles into them initially. But after wearing these and performing regular intrinsic foot muscle exercises, I no longer have weak arche

Non-marking squash shoes might fit the bill.

Best shoes for squash in Canada and US

Of Courts is a racket store with a huge legacy in London, Ontario, that now also your new favorite racket online store, selling to Canada, USA, South America a

www.ofcourts.com

... or driving shoes:

Men’s Motorsport & Driving Shoes | PUMA

ca.puma.com

Squash is too expensive

 

[GreenieMeanie]

Something flat soled. A lot of lifters use casual Converse.

Dojo? Never heard of a dojo allowing any type of footwear other than tabi or TKD style fighting shoes, but if it's a real dojo, probably just tabi depending on the art.

Dancing? Depends on style! Oxford laced shoes for ballroom, ballet for ballet...

Not sure whether there's a shoe that fits all three though.

Most people wear a variant of sneaker for dance classes.

I’ve been to dojos requiring barefoot and dojos only caring that the shoes are clean.

 

[Gyakuto]

Most people wear a variant of sneaker for dance classes.

I just looked up the word ‘sneaker’; seems to be anything with a rubber sole.

I’ve been to dojos requiring barefoot and dojos only caring that the shoes are clean.

Clean brown brogues? Oxfords? Suitable for Bartitsu, I suppose

Interestingly, in Japan bare feet are considered a bit grubby on tatami flooring, for example. The term ‘hadashi’ (barefoot) would probably imply the wearing of tabi.

I always wear suede-soled ‘Budo tabi’ in European dojo because you don’t know what has been trapsed over the surface by others with a less hygienic sentiment.

Are you any closer to making a decision @GreenMeanie?

 

[GreenieMeanie]

I just looked up the word ‘sneaker’; seems to be anything with a rubber sole.

Clean brown brogues? Oxfords? Suitable for Bartitsu, I suppose

Interestingly, in Japan bare feet are considered a bit grubby on tatami flooring, for example. The term ‘hadashi’ (barefoot) would probably imply the wearing of tabi.

I always wear suede-soled ‘Budo tabi’ in European dojo because you don’t know what has been trapsed over the surface by others with a less hygienic sentiment.

Are you any closer to making a decision @GreenMeanie?

Honestly, no. But Five-fingers might be the way to go, because it will force me to train precisely with my feet, and avoid sloppy stomping that wears my joints.

That or ASICS wrestling shoes.

 

[GreenieMeanie]

As it turns out, nobody recommends using MA shoes for dancing—too grippy. So I need two separate pairs…

 

[Gyakuto]

As it turns out, nobody recommends using MA shoes for dancing—too grippy. So I need two separate pairs…

WD40 sprayed on the soles decreases the coefficient of friction noticeably (this is a joke)

 

[ap Oweyn]

In my arnis schools, we mostly wore Asics wrestling shoes. Loved them. This is what I favour now.

 

[GreenieMeanie]

In my arnis schools, we mostly wore Asics wrestling shoes. Loved them. This is what I favour now.

Why? Do they fit differently?

 

[ap Oweyn]

Why? Do they fit differently?

I suppose a little. These are low-top, where wrestling shoes are high top. But mostly it was just a question of exposure. I go to the local Merrell outlet, just browsing (because my feet are generally too big to find much off the shelf). And there they were. And I liked them, so...

The wrestling shoes, back in the early 90s when I first started training in arnis, were recommended by my teachers. So I went out specifically to purchase wrestling shoes. I just don't see them much these days, as I'm not particularly sporty and don't spend much time in the places that sell them.

Nothing more than that. They'll both give a pretty similar experience on your feet in a martial arts class.