Shoes

[lotusleaf]

What kind of shoes are good for overall MA wear? As well as sparring and forms. So nothing bulky and we work on a hardwood floor.

[sanchezero]

They cool.

[Mutant]

Last year I bought a pair of workout shoes called 'Discipline' from a company in Mass called Discipline Footwear. Theyre actually really good quality workout shoes and have held up pretty well. I bought a pair of their black low-tops online. Here's a link to their site: http://www.disciplinefootwear.com/
Not to be a salesman, I don't personally know anyone who works there or anything like that, but they make a good product.

But really, you don't need to spend much money to get a decent pair of shoes to work out in. I treated myself to the Discipline shoes cause i hadnt bought real MA shoes in years and would just go to like a walmart or kmart el-cheapo type store and buy a ****y pair of Keds type canvas/rubber shoes for like five bucks and then absolutely destroy them training. After a week or so their so dirty and worn that they don;t really look so funny and if anyone makes fun of them thats a great excuse to spar them. Buy them that cheap and you just chuck them every few months when theyre toast and buy a new pair.

The black chinese slipper shoes are only good for chi gung, tai chi forms, chi sao or bumming around the apartment, for which theyre perfect. But they s#ck for any hardcore training, I'm always amazed when people in my wing chun class or at tournaments insist on wearing them, and then they slip and slide or the shoes go flying off when they kick.

But really, its good to train in all kinds of shoes, whatever you happen to be wearing cause thats what it will be like on the street.

[respectred]

hi there

i wear those thin white wushu shoes, that like a lot of people wear. i think they're awesome, but i think i got em too big. i've had them for like 2 or 3 months now and they've stretched out a bit, and they're pretty loose on me now, i can fit a couple fingers in the back when i put them on. do any of you think i should buy them a size smaller? are tighter shoes better for martial arts do you think? i'm writing this now b/c i just like sprained my ankle from coming down from a kick bad, and i think it's b/c my feet are slipping around in my shoes, or maybe it's b/c i suck, i dunno, either one, but any advice would be helpful :)
thanks in advance!

-matt

[shaolinboxer]

Gotta have tight shoes, especially for landing spinning and jumping kicks.

I have gotten so used to tight shoes, I buy my sneakers a half size too small. Makes me feel like I have more control over my movements.

So yeah, tighter shoes = less injury.

[Starchaser107]

ok , so i noticed that taekwondo ppl wear shoes Sometimes and othertimes barefoot. can anyone explain when and why? Also i notice in cma schools ppl tend to wear flexible shoes as opposed to bulky more often than not. do you think that it should be a point to train in flexible apparatus , not just shoes but clothing in general, Or should martial arts training be more consistent with our everyday attire as in jeans sneakers and such other pedestrian attire?
just for practicality sake. coz i know that some ppl out there who train still dont get the idea of buying street clothes that wont restrict/impede thier movement.
what say you all?

[Laughing Cow]

I think you should have experienced doing your MA in a variety of clothes, foot-wear and environments.

Often footwear is also personal.

In my studies I trained, barefoot on Tatami flooring and certain wooden floors where shoes were forbidden.
As well as wearing street shoes in the park and my KF-Shoes in the Dojo(Gym hall).

It becomes easy to start to rely on certain surroundings and clothing like Keiko-gi/Do-gi, floor mats, certain shoes and so on.

Once you start to rely on certain things or take them for granted you have already given yourself a dis-advantage that might cost you dearly.

For example:
I don't like shoes that give me ankle support during training as I feel your ankles should be tough/healthy enough on their own.

As for what footwear to choose, the one that prevents your feet from slipping or sticking too much to the training surface.

Just my 0.2 cents worth.

[JusticeZero]

I train on concrete, in white street clothes. Some people train barefoot so they can get a better sense of the floor. Others wear shoes to preserve the soles of their feet, or because they don't want to get used to having to be barefoot. I wear shoes in hopes of postponing the day when I have to have shoes hand-made for me. They're basic New Balance cross-trainers; there's no real choice involved there, I just wear what's available. (Is it the right size? OK, i'll take it.)

[apoweyn]

i'm inclined to think that if the difference between success and failure is the type of shoes you're wearing, that's a big problem. i see some sense in training in jeans and sneakers occassionally. but how far does that logic go? should we train in business suits and dress shoes as well? they feel totally different to sneakers, the soles are different (making hip rotation and footwork different). what about sandals? they don't really feel or move like sneakers, or dress shoes, or kung fu shoes.

so how far does that rationale go? (not trying to be argumentative. i've been wondering for a while now.)


stuart b.

[GeneChing]

Traditionally (if I can use that woerd here since MA shoes are a rather new invention) MA shoes are pretty light. If you look at kungfu shoes (http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/45-3238.html) they are little more than slippers. Modern MA shoes (http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/martial-arts-shoes.html) (mostly designed for TKD & Karate) are also rather light. Lately, many shoemakers have been moving towards more tricked out shoes - you know us Americans - we love our sports shoes, the more expensive and flashier, the better. So we are seeing a lot of innovation in MA shoe products, even from the big companies like Adidas. Shoes are an industry to themselves, ask Dr. Scholls. But when you cut back to the essence of what you should wear on your feet when you train, traditionally speaking - martially speaking, shoes should be minimal. After all, a warrior can't be to attached to his gear. It's not about the gear.

[[Censored]]

The type of shoes you wear can affect your stance development, positively or negatively. I personally spend about 30% of my practice time in business attire, for various reasons.

[Mr Punch]

How many of you guys wear shoes? They seem to be more popular these days.

[shaolin kungfu]

I choose not to wear shoes. Nothing against them, they're just not for me.

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

i sometimes ejaculate in other people's shoes. sometimes my own.

[Sho]

Shoes are good. They keep you clear from nasty skin infections.

[David]

Shoes!? Bah! I wouldn't have them in the house!

[chen zhen]

how can you keep your stances rooted, then? It must be pretty slippery ;)

[dezhen2001]

dont like wearing shoes... after years of my mum making me wear shoes "to kepp your feet warm in winter", when actually smart looking trainers were much better - i just hate them :D

im assuming you didnt mean for training?

dawood

[Former castleva]

They seem to be quite popular these days indeed.
Voted for 4.
Good to have to step on bees,nasty insects,broken glass and small stones with confidence.

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

"how can you keep your stances rooted, then? It must be pretty slippery "

not when it dries ... then its like glue.

[chen zhen]

But then you can't move properly. And how will you get your shoes off? :p
this is getting too weird...:eek:

[quiet man]

Mat, your post is pure shoeism.
Or maybe reverse shoeism...

Just remember: all shoes are created equal, be it loafer or sandals or oxfords, so love your fellow shoe.
When they die, the shoes go to heaven because they have soles.


Originally posted by David
Shoes!? Bah! I wouldn't have them in the house!

Always a pleasure to meet another Python fan :) ...

[Sho]

I thought you meant shoes for training. :D

To be honest, I would never wear shoes inside the house - without a reasonable cause.

[Judge Pen]

Do most people here train in shoes? If so, what kind? Any preferences?

[MasterKiller]

Feiyues, baby (http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/45353l.html)

[norther practitioner]

Feiyues here too, sometimes just some crosstrainers or something..... I don't like training in no shoes....:D

[Judge Pen]

Man, its odd to see those monks wearing shoes with a brand prominately displayed on them!

I hurt my foot last year and I have to wear shoes to thow any kicks with my right leg. I actually wear high-top wrestling shoes, and they seem to work fine for me.

[apoweyn]

Typically, no shoes. But when I do (did) train in shoes, I wear wrestling shoes. Asics Tigers, if memory serves.

[Golden Arms]

I alternate between the old school southern kung fu boots, which are a nice neutral shoe, and whatever shoes I wear day to day, since that realistically is going to be what I am wearing if I ever have to get down and dirty.

[Shaolin-Do]

Bout to buy some wrestling shoes tomorrow.
:)
Dunno what brand, Ill post it when I get em.

[Judge Pen]

Originally posted by Golden Arms
I alternate between the old school southern kung fu boots, which are a nice neutral shoe, and whatever shoes I wear day to day, since that realistically is going to be what I am wearing if I ever have to get down and dirty.

Yeah, I try to pick running shoes that feel snug and light enough to beable to throw a kick without messing my balance up.

[Marky]

Usually nothing, occasionally Otomix (sliders).

[MasterKiller]

Wrestling shoes aren't very good for northern styles because there is no cushioning on the bottom. When you are jumping around all day long, you need some shock-absorbers. ;)

[Starchaser107]

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-bin/rrs/rrs/rrBrandShopSearch.jsp?catOID=-112314&dept=Wrestling&brand=ASICS&sc=CHM-03074&prfc=6

asics wrestling shoes i started with,

then tried out the feiyues type of shoe

I fight in these http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/feetspargear.html

and train barefooted at home...

I also train in sneakers and boots just to have an idea what it feels like

[Judge Pen]

So you prefer the feiyeus to wrestling shoes? How come?

[Starchaser107]

cause theyre cheaper...
joke

I actually think the wrestling shoes are pretty comfortable, i'm flat footed go figure. also the asics are more durable

but thats not to knock the feiyues i like how they feel as well, feels very light. but not as much support as a hightop would offer me though.

hmnn. tough one

[norther practitioner]

I don't like the hightops... makes it harder to point the toe, etc...
I like the feiyues.. they are a bit convexed, makes you blance top notch.:D

[Shaolin-Do]

I always thought High tops look funny, so I dont ever wear them.. when I do they feel funny. I like low tops :)
Still, gotta stick with the adidas samba's for good ol every day @ss kickin wear.

[MasterKiller]

My Adidas
walk through concert doors
and roam all over coliseum floors
I stepped on stage, at Live Aid
All the people gave an applause that paid
And out of speakers I did speak
I wore my sneakers but I'm not a sneak
My Adidas cuts the sand of a foreign land
with mic in hand I cold took command
my Adidas and me both askin P
we make a good team my Adidas and me
we get around together, rhyme forever
and we won't be mad when worn in bad weather
My Adidas..
My Adidas..
My Adidas

standin on 2 Fifth St.
funky fresh and yes cold on my feet
with no shoe string in em, I did not win em
I bought em off the Ave with the tags still in em
I like to sport em that's why I bought em
a sucker tried to steal em so I caught em and I thwart em
and I walk down the street and I bop to the beat
with Lee on my legs and adidas on my feet
and now I just standin here shooting the gif
me and D and my Adidas standing on 2 Fifth
My Adidas..
My Adidas..

Now
me and my Adidas do the illest things
we like to stomp out pimps with diamond rings
we slay all suckers who perpetrate
and lay down law from state to state
we travel on gravel, drit road or street
I wear my Adidas when I rock the beat
on stage front page every show I go
it's Adidas on my feet high top or low
My Adidas..
My Adidas..

Now the Adidas I possess for one man is rare
myself homeboy got 50 pair
got blue and black cause I like to chill
and yellow and green when it's time to get ill
got a pair that I wear when I'm playin ball
with the heal inside make me 10 feet tall
my Adidas only bring good news
and they are not used as selling shoes
they're black and white, white with black stripe
the ones I like to wear when I rock the mic
on the strength of our famous university
we took the beat from the street and put it on TV
my Adidas are seen on the movie screen
Hoyywood knows we're good if you know what I mean
we started in the alley, now we chill in Cali
and I won't trade my Adidas for a ??
My Adidas..

[Oso]

you can trim down a Doc Scholl's type of insert to fit in a wrestling shoe and it helps a lot w/ the arch support.

you don't have to tie the wrestling shoe all the way up.

been using wrestling shoes off & on since 81.

almost exclusively the last 2 years because of where I've been training but will switch back to skate shoes when I move my school to a space that has composite tile on concrete.

have trained in Hi Tech Magnums for outside work.

:confused: haven't we had this conversation before:confused:

[apoweyn]

Eh. High-top wrestling shoes don't really do much to restrict movement in the ankle. I could still do round kicks and other "point the toe" maneuvers just fine.

But it's true that they aren't much for shock absorption.


Stuart B.

[MasterKiller]

haven't we had this conversation before For, the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard--James Baldwin from Sonny's Blues

[Oso]

For, the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard--James Baldwin from Sonny's Blues

now you're just being silly :p

[Judge Pen]

Originally posted by Oso


:confused: haven't we had this conversation before:confused:

I think we were talking about barefoot practice and whether that was indicative of a CMA or a JMA. The discussion then turned into whether shoes restrict pointing the toes so yes, we had this discussion before.

My thread wanted to know what type of shoes people trained in because I have to wear them now. I have been wearing wrestling shoes and my only complaint is the arch support felt a little off. I'd never heard of the feiyuen shoe before. I may try them out.

[Starchaser107]

in my experience the asics hightop wrestling shoes never hampered my ankle rotation, i can perform the same rotations with the fy's but i sometimes worry that i might kick those off.
i must admit the fy's are good for jumping though. all of this should really depend on where you train though...

concrete,
wood,
mats,
carpet,
grass...

[norther practitioner]

I'd never heard of the feiyuen shoe before.
And you guys call yourselfs shaolin :rolleyes: sheesh j/k:)
We train on carpet... and I'm gellin' like a fellin' in those feiyues too.:D

[Shaolin-Do]

The Gel is awesome for walking, feels awesome if you put em in the fridge for a bit as well... :)

Would be worried about high impact gellin however, as it may explode the blue goodness into your shoes...
:eek:

[CaptinPickAxe]

your so not gellin'...

[Shaolin-Do]

Nah, I had a pair... dunno what happened to em tho. Will buy some more soon, they work great.

[CaptinPickAxe]

They have a whole store here in Denver dedicated to In-soles. I think its a little much, considering their most expensive in-sole runs $150. a little steep.

[Shaolin-Do]

like a f*ckin cloud, man.

[Brad]

I like the Feivues myself. There's also this really awesome shoe that I got in China... they were called new McMasters and I bought them from some old guy in an alley... he had one pair left that was exactly my size. Best martial arts shoe I ever had :D

[MasterKiller]

How many times do we have to hear bullshlt stories about someone getting great shoes from a little old Chinese guy in an alley? Really, all you are doing is dragging down the art of shoe shopping. Join the 21st century and shop like you train.

















:D

[Brad]

LOL!!! :D

[norther practitioner]

$150, thats not too bad... You should see the process for my old ski racing boots... insoles and full custom foam memory for the bladder.... that was awsome.:D

[CaptinPickAxe]

ski boots are a pretty penny by themselves. I'd think that anything having to do with ski boots are expensive as hell.

[norther practitioner]

All together my last gs setup cost ~$2500 (boots, bindings, skis, gs suit, etc..) good thing I've had family in the industry for 35 years. Kung fu, as expensive as it can get is actually one of my cheaper endevours into sport/fitness/etc.:D

[CaptinPickAxe]

Kung Fu can be cheap for those who like to cut corners, but it always ends up catching up to you in the end when you buy cheap equipment. But thats true with anything....

[CrippledAvenger]

...people shell out money for "martial arts" shoes? What advantages do they have over cheap sneakers or crosstrainers?

Am I missing out on something?:confused:

[GLW]

Running shoes - a REALLY BAD idea. Running shoes are made for forward and backward stress (mainly forward). they also have a triangular sole with higher heel than toe. This shifts your weight forward and tends to place you up on an unstable pedestal.

Martial Arts requires all around balance, stability, and the ability to do movement in all directions.

So, the running shoe works against you in the stability and balance area but REALLY fails in the movement area. In fact, I have had students who came in with VERY expensive New Balance running shoes...and after less than 6 months, the seams were popping out from the lateral movement.

Running shoes simply are NOT made for that type of stress.

Basketball shoes...aimed at support and jumping...but not flexible enough.

Racquetball, Badminton, and volleyball shoes (typically only available in Asia) are great.

The Feiyues and other shoes made for martial arts (Discipline are nice but pricey) Otomix (but only one tie for the top) are great. They may need more innersoles, tend to run wide, and may not be available in larger sizes. You also may need to know your international size and not use the US size.

Wrestling shoes...basically good but not for outdoor practice..the soles wear out too fast. They have limited support, no innersole, and often a split sole. That takes a bit of getting used to. The high tops ARE hot...and hard to cover up for a demo uniform like silks.

However, if you pick a good shoe that is made for lateral movement...and then spend extra for Sorbothane innersoles ($20 or so US) with arch support, you get everything you need.

I actually spend more on my innersoles than I do on my shoes.

Size 12-13 runs as a 46-47 or 48 in international sizes. They are one for one down...so you do the math to figure your size.

[Fu-Pau]

Originally posted by CrippledAvenger
...people shell out money for "martial arts" shoes? What advantages do they have over cheap sneakers or crosstrainers?

Am I missing out on something?:confused:

well… your standard kung fu slippers are even cheaper than cheap sneakers or crosstrainers…

[Laughing Cow]

Originally posted by CrippledAvenger
...people shell out money for "martial arts" shoes? What advantages do they have over cheap sneakers or crosstrainers?

Am I missing out on something?:confused:

From personal experience, the shoes last about the same if I buy expensive or not.

I think the choice of shoes also depends on what type of footwork you practice.

For my style I found certain shoes more of a handicap than others. ;)

Said that my Sifu has no recommendations for shoes and everybody uses what they are comfortable with. From cheap canvas shoes to expensive shoes, most(if not all) are low-cut below the ankle.

[neit]

i wear converse tennis shoes. they are light-weight canvas and very breathable.

[BentMonk]

Asics Wrestling shoes. I like 'em for the ankle support. They're also light & comfy. Not to mention they match my non-traditional, patch riddled, embroidered, tied closed with a belt, gi very well. Black goes w/everything don't ya know. lol :D

[scotty1]

I just wear my adidas shell toes. nice and flat.

[Goldenmane]

Dunlop KT-26.

Lasted 2 years of training a minimum of an hour a day, average of about 3 hours. Kicking heavy bags, stepping, formwork, application, less sparring than I would have liked.

I don't know if they're available outside Aus though. Still have my last pair, which have lasted well but without as heinous a training regime.

[Black Jack]

Wrestling shoes. Nike. I hate training barefoot in a group class.

[Shaolin-Do]

Cross trainers also tend to have a little too much grip and can stick to the mat, torque your knee.
Wresting shoes have pivot points, made for movement ON MATS, but that does leave the outdoor training issue... Which I just wear my cross trainers for :) (Plan on buying some samba's or roma's as well...)

[SaMantis]

For class, it's the standard kung fu shoe, low-cut, lace-up (cheap tennies really) with thin flat sole. Some folks are buying Kwons (www.kwon.com (http://www.kwon.com) ) because feiyues aren't allowed in class (no white shoes).

At home I practice in a $5 pair of tennies I picked up at the discount store, they're plastic & leather and I don't mind getting them muddy (been kind of rainy this year).

I used to practice on my lunch break in $75 running shoes and yes, GLW, the seams exploded. :D

[CaptinPickAxe]

I wear Adidas Sambas, I think they are supreme @ss-kicking shoes for real life situations. Like a glove for your feet, but with a rubber sole. I don't even tie them and when I do kicks they never fly off.

[norther practitioner]

patch riddled, embroidered

way to have a sense of humour...:D
As far as the asics go, I never wear hightops, so I just never saw the use in training in them.

[CoconutRobot]

I was given a pair of Adidas Sambas last Christmas and I have to say they have held up very well and have a good balance.

Before I wore these I wore classic Vans. The sambas seem a bit more padded. One of my si-hings swore by a pair of black Vans Graphs and they looked pretty comfy and seemed to hold held up pretty well. Of course we are both ex-skaters so we both have a "soft spot" for Vans. When these Samba's wear out I might consider going back to Vans, I've worn them for over twenty years I can't immagine life without them :)

I got a pair of Feiyues after a mishap with a couple of beers and they are comfy, a bit wide for my narrow foot though. I wear more or less them as slippers inside now.

[GeneChing]

Buy your shoes here! (http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/martial-arts-shoes.html) What can I say? Just this... (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=387)

[Jhapa]

http://store1.yimg.com/I/martialartsmart_1831_7060637

has anybody used these shoes

[MasterKiller]

Originally posted by Jhapa
http://store1.yimg.com/I/martialartsmart_1831_7060637

has anybody used these shoes I wear them for pracitice. IMO, they're the best practice shoes you can get.

[Starchaser107]

They're quite good. I currently have two white pairs and a black pair for training. They're quite comfortable and I recommend them.

[Shaolinlueb]

these are good (http://www.martialartsmart.net/45353l.html) and these are good too (http://www.martialartsmart.net/4535k.html). i still wear my black ones for training now and then, but i prefer white. beware of the knock offs though that look like the originals. they suck in comparison. i still have my first pair of fieyues, 4 years old. :D i wear them around town in the summer time.

[Jhapa]

that's good to hear, just ordered the white one, once i try it out, and if i like it, i'll probably end up buying the black one.

[Starchaser107]

make sure you ordered the correct shoe size, i think normally its a size down from what you usually wear.

[norther practitioner]

depends, I'm about right on with my size and feiyues...

You'll find a lot of peeps rockin' feiyues.

[GeneChing]

What a perfect set up for this... (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=527)

[PangQuan]

yes, same as Kwon

[Jhapa]

i thought shipping was kinda expensive, $6's for shipping one pair of shoes. still can't beat the price.

[sean_stonehart]

Originally posted by PangQuan
yes, same as Kwon

That's what I wear. They're made in the same factory... plus I had my black ones back in March... :eek:

[Meat Shake]

Originally posted by Starchaser107
They're quite good. I currently have two white pairs and a black pair for training. They're quite comfortable and I recommend them.

One time I smudged his white pair and he stabbed me in the kidney.
...
True story.

[GeneChing]

...sorry, I lifted that line from herbox. He even has an Elvis impersonation to go along with it.

[Jhapa]

it's on its way, yahoo.

[Starchaser107]

Don't listen to anything meat shake says. I would never intentionally stab a man in his kidney ...just ignore that post and get on with your regular lives.

[Jhapa]

the shoes came. i ordered the white ones but i got the black ones. i guess i got a deal since black ones are $2's more. i'll try these out tomorrow.

[themeecer]

I love these shoes .. I recommend them to all my students. I prefer them over my $60 discipline shoes. Granted mine don't last 4 years like the above poster said .. I get several months out of them if I am careful. (Also I go back and forth between wearing these or going barefooted ... depending on what surface I am on. These things grip carpet too well... or at least the kind we have.)

[Vajramusti]

Gene-(or anyone who knows those shoes) what width do those shoes come in?
If I am 8 1/2 EEE- what should I get?
Equivalent to
8H or 9?
joy

[GeneChing]

...too bad I have no idea how to answer it. I'd need some sort of shoe gauge to figure out what EEE means exactly and fit it to those shoes. That's a lot of effort to close a $14.25 item (http://www.martialartsmart.net/45353l.html). ;) OK, seriously now, if I knew I'd tell ya. For me, and I have a wide foot generally, I find Feiyues stretch a lot (and they're lace ups) so when it comes to sizing, I generally go for a tigher shoe, knowing that they will loosen over time. In fact, once I wore a pair that was a size beneath me because some one sold me the wrong size and it was too much of a hassle to go all the way back to China to exchange it (this was before anyone was importing them). I suppose it really comes down to how finicky you are about shoe size. I know a lot of people with delicate feet and have some very specific demands. I think my feet are pretty delicate, but I can only think of one time when I couldn't get my foot to mold a shoe to do my bidding. I know that doesn't really answer your question, but it's the best I can do without putting a shoe on your foot.

[Jhapa]

how is training shoes supposed to fit. is your toe touch the front of the shoe. mine has small gap but the heels are too big. i am sliding around and feel unsafe in them. i had to change to samba in the middle of training. may be i'll try half size smaller or try heel support or something.

[PangQuan]

4 Years?!?! man i blow a pair of feiyues/kwons out in a few months. They dont last a really long time, but for the time that they do last, I would rather wear them over any other brand. Of course the style i practice has a lot of sliding moves etc. They definately have my vote.:D

[Vajramusti]

Thanks Gene- Ordered a pair -to get started.

Joy

[GeneChing]

Thanks for your order!

[GeneChing]

There's a vid version of this if you follow the link. There are pix too and I'm too lazy to dig out the code right now to embed them here.


How Kobe Bryant, Kung Fu helped Serena design her Wimbledon shoe (http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/06/24/serena-williams-wimbledon-2015-shoes-nike-tennis)

BY TIM NEWCOMB
Twitter
Posted: Fri Jun. 26, 2015
You can credit Kobe Bryant and the Kung Fu philosophy for the design of Serena Williams' completely new on-court footwear for Wimbledon 2015.

As Nike designer Aaron Cooper worked with Serena, creating the first on-court shoe engineered specifically for the dominating American, it was a small strain of Serena worry that helped shape the new NikeCourt Flare.

“At the time, I was having issues rolling my ankle,” the 20-time Grand Slam singles champion says. “So I wanted to create a shoe that would give me a lot of stability and make me a better player.”

But that stability wasn’t going to come in the form of an onslaught of hefty materials. Cooper and his team went a different direction, one that focused on a lightweight product. “At first, she was looking to achieve this stability through a bigger and more built-up shoe," he says. "But what she actually needed was the opposite. Stability can be achieved through a more minimal, low-profile shoe without sacrificing the protection you still need.”
That’s where Kobe’s signature basketball line makes an impact on the Serena-focused NikeCourt Flare. Cooper says convincing Williams that she should switch her thinking from bulk to streamline started with showing her the evolution of Kobe’s line and how his designs have turned more flexible and with a lower profile.

“Serena is friends with Kobe and she obviously respects his capabilities on the court,” Cooper says. “So she really responded to his story and was able to envision that translating to her performance. She embraced the idea and trusted the process.”
But Cooper wasn’t going to copy the Kobe basketball shoe for the tennis court. He needed a different source on which to base his design. And he chose Kung Fu.

“An insight we gained (from working with a Kung Fu master) was this idea of unencumbered flexibility,” Cooper says. “The thought is that a product should be an extension of your body.”

While not new at Nike, as the Kung Fu-inspired prototype resting inside the Oregon company’s design center has already spawned sneakers for training and basketball, Cooper grabbed hold of the concept of creating an ankle cuff. Using neoprene, Cooper built a sleeve for Williams’ ankle—giving her the feeling of stability to increase her confidence of movement—while keeping the rest of the shoe a flexible low profile.
“Mentally, when you have something around your ankle, you don’t think about it turning as much,” Williams says. “It feels like you have more balance.”

The cuff connects to an internal bootie and a midsole that doesn’t bond to the shoe, upping the cushioning quotient. With the material hugging the foot and ankle created, the NikeCourt Flare design went minimal on the shoe’s upper portion with composite materials designed for breathability and durability.

And instead of giving Williams a plank of rubber for the outsole, Cooper used pressure-mapping data to determine where exactly the shoe needed the most material for durability, allowing him to cut away material in other locations for a lighter, more flexible sole.
The NikeCourt Flare was designed with Kobe and Kung Fu in mind. Now it’s up to Serena Williams to channel all the inspiration into tennis.

Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and gear for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.

[GeneChing]

Sorta random really. Once a Shaolin shoe salesman (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=527), always a Shaolin shoe salesman (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=546).


https://insideretail.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Shoes.jpg

Chinese shoes dominate US market (https://insideretail.asia/2016/09/27/chinese-shoes-dominate-us-market/)
September 27, 2016 Inside Retail Asia

Chinese shoes are stepping up their market share in the US, expecting to account for 71 per cent of US footwear imports by 2018.

Footwear is also imported from Indonesia and Vietnam, but only in small numbers.

Latest official figures show that China dominated US footwear imports with a 68.6 percentage share in 2013, according to the latest publication from Ken Research of India, Clothing & Footwear Retailing in China – Market Summary & Forecasts, which offers analysis of clothing and footwear retailing including leading players, distribution channels, trends, challenges and opportunities.

China’s economy is in transition phase from being driven by manufacturing to being driven by consumption, especially in footwear sector, says the report.

China shoes US import report

https://insideretail.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/China-shoes-US-import-report.png

It also says China’s clothing market has a bright future with per capita consumption projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2 per cent over the next five years.

However, the report lists challenges as the high cost of imported raw material plus the government’s environmental concerns.

[GeneChing]

sometimes web articles are un-grokable. :confused:


Kathryn Wilson - from kung fu shoes to the international runway (https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/95552182/kathryn-wilson--from-kung-fu-shoes-to-the-international-runway)
DEBBIE JAMIESON
Last updated 10:42, August 8 2017

https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/k/v/b/7/s/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1kw0ja.png/1502145781089.jpg
Shoe designer Kathryn Wilson with celebrity guest Samantha Hayes and models at the launch of the Spring/Summer 17 collection as part of the Clicquot in the Snow event in Queenstown.

A passion for Kung Fu shoes in Papakura in the 1980s has led fashion shoe-designer Kathryn Wilson to international success and a regular spot in Queenstown's fashion scene.

For the sixth year Walker released her new spring/summer collection as part of the Clicquot in the Snow event in the resort.

This year's event was the largest yet with over 200 attendees, mainly women, at the Milford Sound Flights hangar for the glamorous 1960's PanAm Airways inspired catwalk and champagne.

The setting was colder than many of the punters expected but the shades of pastel pink and lilac leather, complimented with touches of Clicquot yellow and floral embroidery detailing were well received.

Speaking before the event Wilson said she grew up with two older sisters and a Mum who was a "true optimist".

Her mother would buy her daughters Kung Fu shoes and Commando Ms from Para Rubber and they would use Fluffit​ pens, Puff Paint and glitter pens to decorate them.

"I would take it a step further and cut the sides out and cut the toes out," said Wilson. "I would be stoked and think no one has a pair like mine."

Shoes became a logical career path as she worked in shoe stores after school, studied a Bachelor of Design and won a scholarship to study shoes in England.

"I was good at art and maths and not much else and encouraged to pursue something I liked."

She has gone on to become New Zealand's leading shoe designer, even having her shoes bought by Beyonce.

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She describes her shoes as practical but fashionable.

"I guess they have a purpose but at the end of the day fashion foot wear is a want not a need."

The full Clicquot in the Snow programme included the highest croquet in the Southern Hemisphere with Clicquot Croquet, a four-course degustation lunch designed by Josh Emett at Rata, daily après-ski at the Snow Bar on Coronet Peak and a lavish Clicquot Rosé inspired closing party featuring Boh Runga and Jason Kerrison to conclude the festivities.

- Stuff

[GeneChing]

Please please please tell me KUNG FU SHOES (http://www.martialartsmart.com/shoes.html) are trending now.


Where to find Chinese ‘kung fu’ shoes in Hong Kong (http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/fashion/article/2104956/where-find-chinese-kung-fu-shoes-hong-kong)
Plus sailor pants with buttons - why they’re not for everyone

BY THE DICTATOR
4 AUG 2017

http://cdn3.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/landscape/public/images/methode/2017/08/02/de4edd58-736d-11e7-9a9a-a7d2083b6658_1280x720_142438.jpg?itok=DJVEyjXz
Slip-on leather shoes by COS.

Wide-leg cropped trousers have been cropping up everywhere. All you need to know is where to look. For nude shoes, look no further than Kahmune
Where to find trendy cropped trousers
Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok is your starting point for a sneaker hunt. Picture: SCMP
Where the cool kids buy their sneakers in Hong Kong
A screen grab from YouTube shows Kyoto Ohata’s and her “pigeon shoes”. Picture: courtesy of Kyoto Ohata
Pigeon shoes? Where to find fancy bird shoes
The crochet number worn by the model created ripples in Cannes recently; the trousers can be traced to Bali-based designer Andi Bagus
Where to find Bella Hadid’s ‘naked pants’
Wide-leg cropped trousers have been cropping up everywhere. All you need to know is where to look. For nude shoes, look no further than Kahmune

https://cdn1.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/images/methode/2017/08/02/dc34e126-774a-11e7-84d9-df29f06febc3_600x_142438.jpg
Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok is your starting point for a sneaker hunt. Picture: SCMP

Ballerinas have always been a bit too sweet for me – ask anyone who knows me! I thought it would be nice to go to that stall off Hollywood Road and try some of those old-fashioned, Chinese leather kung fu shoes that curve up at the toes (not the ones with elastic at the sides or the mary janes). They’ve disappeared and I’m leaving in a few days!
Stalled and Shoeless, Po Hing Fong

The Dictator rules: Anyone who knows you is probably rolling their eyes right now.

Leather? The kung fu shoes you speak of are more commonly sold in black fabric with white cloth soles. Actually, the martial arts slipper is also marketed for tai chi.

The old bespoke cobbler Tam Kwok-kwong has always been elusive, and you don’t have time for custom orders now anyway. Instead, pop around the corner for a classic cloth pair at Hip Wo Housewares (HK$85; 180A Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan). You can find them at old-school Chinese products stores, too, including Yue Hwa (301 Nathan Road, Jordan) and Chinese Goods Centre (395 King’s Road, North Point).

Local slipper maker Sindart does gorgeous ones in Chinese brocade (about HK$300; 1/F, Bowring Centre, 150 Woosung Street, Jordan). Find them in leather via websites such as Chinese Clothing Online(HK$720) and Tai Chi Suits By Cathy. Or, if you can navigate Taobao.com, go there. Fashion labels taking inspiration from the timeless design this season include COS, which has been doing its lamb’s leather slip-ons (HK$790) for several seasons now. Finally, we would be remiss if we left out Gucci’s convertible platform pumps consisting of golden flats with 3.5-inch removable leather platforms (HK$9,600; Net-a-Porter).

I’ve always wanted a pair of those sailor trousers with the buttons but, of course, now that I’m looking for them I can’t find them anywhere. Could you be my fashion compass (har har) and also tell me what body type they’re meant for?
Setting Sail, Pok Fu Lam

The Crosby cropped sailor pants with buttons by Derek Lam.
The Crosby cropped sailor pants with buttons by Derek Lam.
The Dictator: Let’s be honest. I don’t know you. I don’t parti*cularly want to know you. I have no idea what you look like. And I am regularly con*founded by the generic advice put out there. Some recom*mend a higher rise pant such as this to make big thighs look leaner; others claim they are ideal for boyish frames, creating the illusion of a waist. Suffice it to say, sailor trousers will accentuate the waist and elongate the legs somewhat. You really won’t know what that means for you until you put them on.

Derek Lam does this style particularly well, including a pair in black with white stitch details (HK$6,900; Harvey Nichols). Repetto, the French brand you probably know only as a ballet-shoe maker, has a lovely black pique cotton pair you might like (originally HK$3,300, now 40 per cent off at HK$1,980; IFC Mall, Central).

Since the summer sales are on, you’ll also find Balmain’s white denim moto jeans with a gold-buttoned front panel reduced from HK$10,270 (Joyce, Pacific Place, Admiralty). J Brand’s Zion mid-rise cropped skinny jeans in light blue wash denim does the look subtly, with buttons all the way out on the hips (HK$1,900; Lane Crawford, IFC Mall). Alexander McQueen puts a naval twist on pleated black-wool-silk-blend culottes (HK$9,700; Lane Crawford).

For more, see Alexander Wang, Tahari, Banana Republic, Polo Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and ModCloth.com.

Got a question for the Dictator? Email her with your name, or alias, and address at: dictator@scmp.com

[Jimbo]

Those look like old lady shoes.

[GeneChing]

SNEAKERS
From the ground up

https://static.highsnobiety.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/19091839/kendrick-lamar-nike-cortez-first-look-01.jpg

Here’s Your First Look at Kendrick Lamar’s “Kung-Fu Kenny” Nike Cortez (https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kendrick-lamar-nike-cortez-first-look/)
By Graeme Campbell in Sneakers7 hours ago3864 Shares1 Comment

Having left Reebok for Nike back in August, we can now peep a first look at Kendrick Lamar’s latest signature Cortez.

The sneaker pays tribute to Kendrick’s Kung-Fu Kenny alter ego, sporting red medial and lateral panels and a white throat and toe box. The classic Cortez Swoosh is also incorporated in white, while black laces, Chinese text embroidery – directly translating to English as “Supposed to Die,” but has a double entendre that means “****” — and a “DON’T TRIP” lace holder complete the eye-catching look.


View image on Twitter (https://twitter.com/kendricklamar/status/942956531657588737/photo/1)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DRYN0MHVoAAgihh.jpg

Kendrick Lamar
✔
@kendricklamar
DON'T TRIP. CORTEZ KENNY

7:15 PM - Dec 18, 2017
838 838 Replies 31,291 31,291 Retweets 116,105 116,105 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy

Kendrick first announced the new partnership with a Twitter post bearing the caption, “Cortez. Since day one. #teamnike #TDE.” Despite being tied to Reebok, the rapper has never hidden affections for Bill Bowerman’s first commercial shoe, famously co-signing “White T’s and Nike Cortez” on 2013’s “Control” track with Big Sean. Recently, K-Dot wore the shoe throughout the ****. tour, and back in October, an all red version surfaced complete with the “TDE” acronym (Top Dawg Entertainment — the label he’s signed to).


View image on Twitter (https://twitter.com/kendricklamar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.highsnobiety.com%2Fp%2Fk endrick-lamar-nike-cortez-first-look%2F)

Kendrick Lamar
✔
@kendricklamar
Cortez. Since day one. #teamnike #TDE @nike @nikelosangeles

12:02 PM - Aug 26, 2017
452 452 Replies 5,943 5,943 Retweets 21,284 21,284 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
It remains to be seen whether the kick will see a public rollout, but having remixed various classic models during his time at Reebok — namely the Ventilator, Classic Leather and Club C — we expect Kendrick will be busy with the Beaverton design team throughout 2017.

Stay posted for further information.

Kendrick Lamar’s hometown, Compton, is inextricably tied to the Cortez. Here’s what real ‘heads from there think about it.


Kung Fu Kenny (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70234-The-****-Legend-of-Kung-Fu-Kenny-by-Kendrick-Lamar) meets shoes (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?18427-Shoes).

[GeneChing]

There are more pix from different angles if you follow the link.

Reebok Releasing Special Kung Fu Panda Collection (https://sneakerbardetroit.com/kung-fu-panda-reebok-release-date/)

by Mario Briguglio
Dec 28, 2020
Kung Fu Panda Reebok Collection
https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kung-Fu-Panda-Reebok-Collection.jpg
To celebrate the fourth installment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise releasing in 2021, Reebok will be offering a special collection similar to what they did with the Minions back in October 2020.

The collection includes the Reebok Instapump Fury and two Reebok Club C color options. The Instapump Fury sports a Panda-like Black and White upper paired with Tan overlays, dual pull tabs, Gum rubber soles completed with Kung Fu Panda graphics on the Pump and insoles.

Both Club Cs are completed different from each other, with one featuring a Sail upper with special details, graphic lining and insoles atop a Gum sole, while the other is constructed in a mix of materials. Those include suede, canvas, corduroy, and burlap, completed with co-branded tongues and graphic insoles.

Kung Fu Panda Reebok Release Date
Look for the Kung Fu Panda x Reebok Collection to release on January 15th at select retailers and Reebok.com.

Kung Fu Panda x Reebok Instapump Fury
Style Code: GZ8632
Release Date: January 15, 2021
https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kung-Fu-Panda-Reebok-Instapump-Fury-GZ8632-Release-Date-1.jpg

Kung Fu Panda x Reebok Club C 85
Style Code: GZ8633
Release Date: January 15, 2021
https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kung-Fu-Panda-Reebok-Club-C-85-GZ8633-Release-Date-1.jpg

Kung Fu Panda x Reebok Club C 85
Style Code: GZ8634
Release Date: January 15, 2021
https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kung-Fu-Panda-Reebok-Club-C-85-GZ8634-Release-Date-1.jpg


threads
Shoes (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?18427-Shoes)
Kung-Fu-Panda (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?39752-Kung-Fu-Panda)