There's an expert on everything here. So lets test the forums knowledge base.

I did Aikido for 15 years and since have shifted my focus to BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) the last almost 6 years. I train probably 7-8 hours a week on the mats. I've always been prone to tendonitis in one shape or form my whole life.

I've got a bit of turf toe flare up. It's almost done but I want some shoes I can grapple in to let it totally heal while still able to train. I ordered a pair of Asics Wrestling shoes in 10.5. I typically wear a 10.5 in most shoes. The toe box on these was so freaking narrow I couldn't comfortably get them on and keep them on with my toe kinda on the mend still. Pressure on the toe was awful.

So after reading some I see most recommend sizing up in wrestling shoes.

So Question: Is there a manufacturer that makes some with a slightly wider toe box? Is there an alternative that would be grappling friendly? I roll a lot of no gi and don't want my shoes beating up peoples bodies with an aggressive grip of a normal sneaker? Thoughts?

If you're doing something where you need to exert very high levels of force through your toes, then you should wear shoes that are snug-to-tight in the toe box. Rock climbing shoes, ballet slippers, track & field sprinter spikes are some good examples of athletic shoes meant to be worn tight.

When athletes are tested on their vertical jumps at football & basketball combines & pro days, many of them will size down on their shoes for that test.

Some wrestlers like a little room in their toe box to flair their toes, but I think most wrestlers like their shoes snug, which is why most come sized that way. They are meant to be broken-in and shape to your feet. In any case, when you're pushing hard through your feet & toes, any feeling of your feet slipping within your shoes is undesirable, which is why wrestling shoes come snug.

There's less emphasis to get &/or remain on one's feet in BJJ, so shoe snugness is probably less important. As for which brand(s) of wrestling shoes run wider toe boxes, I can't say. Only way to find out is by trying them on. I would guess that the lower, entry-level model shoes are more likely to have bigger toe boxes than the high models.

Have you considered something like Vibram FiveFingers? Would that perhaps protect your toe w/o cramping them?

Rudis is generally a very well respected and offers a wider toe box.

These are what I used to coach

https://www.rudis.com/products...-shoes-alliseeisgold

I always liked Asics for MA, perhaps they were just a good fit for my feet.

I’ll add: The less expensive Asics shoes are better than the top-of-the-line Dan Gable Asics, which I find a bit stiff.

quote:

Originally posted by frankinaug:
Rudis is generally a very well respected and offers a wider toe box.

These are what I used to coach

https://www.rudis.com/products...-shoes-alliseeisgold

Confirms what I have read. Just ordered a pair and sized up to a size 11 just to make sure.


Thanks SigForum!!

It's good that you found what you are looking for.

FWIW, I had Otomix for a while and had no issues with their wider width.

Glad you found some shoes you like.

I always wore Asics. I went with the standard shoe, not top of the line. I wear a 10 in most tennis shoes. Asics I wear a 10.5 and the toes are still pretty tight. I still wear the old Asics when I do deadlifts and squats.