Shoes or Bare Foot?

[WingChun E-Dub]

Just wondering how the majority does and the reasons behind it. I train with regular cross training sneakers because it is what I normally wear out on the street. I like to think that I'm training my balance and footwork in a way that I would actually use it.

For those who don't, what are the benefits to not wearing shoes?

[doubleouch]

When grappling I will place my smelly feet very close to my opponents nose. It works very well! No really, in some cases working barefoot has helped me if I am working on something specific like rooting or balance etc. Barefoot I am better able to tell the weight distribution etc. on my feet. In the long run I don't think it really matters much.

[J.K.]

in my optinion i feel its good to train with and without shoes. I do a lot of grappling and stand up barefooted. When barefoot, I learn how to root myself to preserve my balance. In grappling I really have I root myself using my feet to maintain position. When I use shoes I feel even stronger. So, I think by training bare foot you will truely develop balance and ability to stay rooted. When you put the shoes on you should feel stronger and therefor maintain balance and position better,

[Dr Jack]

I guess it seems more appropriate for me to train with my shoes on as that is how I will probably be wearing shoes if I am in a combat situation. I spent 10 years in a Japanese style barefooted and it really is different with shoes on. As usual the truth is usually somewhere in the midddle9 ie both ways).

Jack

[mighty marr0w]

i prefer wearing wooden clogs, SIKE, definately footwear., for me most of the time, except for sport jiujits.

[PentjackSilat]

to shoe, or not to shoe

Personally, I train with shoes in Jun Fan and Savate, and no shoes in Thai. The reason is that if I am wearing shoes in a fight I will kick with my instep and toes. If I am not wearing shoes, I will kick with my shin. If you have ever gotten an elbow to your instep while kicking someone in training(or a knee, or any onther part of the body that is hard)....that is why I do this. An elbow to the shin hurts only a little, and doesn't incapacitate me. An elbow to my instep once cripppled me for 3 weeks.

[J.K.]

It seems to make sense to train with shoes because chances are if you are in a fight - you will be wearing them. However, I found that training with shoes on a matt can lead to a lot of strain on the knee and could lead to more serious problems, especially if doing a lot of kicking. I find that when Im barefooted I can pivot bettter on the matt when kicking. Also, my feet don't stick to the matt as much which can help avoid serious injuries. I think if you trained barefoot all the time you would have no problem translating your techniques with shoes on - if anything you would probably feel strong...just my opinion.

[Halloween Jack]

Our studio trains with bare feet; I figure if I can kick with bare feet, then I can kick with shoes on no prob. When I'm hitting the heavy bag at home, I often wear cross-trainers.