Ringstar SuperMaxx All-Purpose Sparring Shoes

I recently had the opportunity to try out an intriguing new piece of sparring technology, the Ringstar SuperMaxx All-Purpose Sparring Shoe s. One quick glance and you’ll notice that these shoes are taking kicking in a whole different direction.

I think we are all pretty accustomed to the standard fair for footgear. The dipped foam with a strip of plastic or two on the bottom and a long elastic strap to keep things together. I don’t have any particular problem with that style – it’s safe, affordable, and easy to replace. The Ringstar shoes made me reconsider the status quo, though.

The first thing that struck me about the SuperMaxx is how similar they are to real shoes. All the normal design characteristics of a shoe (tongue, sole, laces, etc.) are present. The only thing that really stood out design-wise was the insulated lip covering the laces (presumably to stop your sparring partner from getting whipped in the face by them).

After first impressions were over, I started to inspect them a little deeper. I was very impressed by the overall quality. It doesn’t seem as if any corners were cut here. The sole is well crafted and the seams look well stitched. I really liked the thick padding I encountered when I squeezed the tongue and started probing around a little on the inside. I was looking forward to trying these suckers on (and I really hoped they fit right).

I normally wear a size 11 in adidas, so I figured what the heck – might as well go with 11. I was pleasantly surprised when they fit pretty much perfectly. Shoe sizes can be an unpredictable beast, especially with brands you are unfamiliar with. Luckily, all went well here. The padding on the inside was a funny sensation at first because it seems like you are putting on a normal pair of shoes, but you are greeted by billowy foam. Quite comfortable actually. If it weren’t for the big lace strap, I think you could probably get away with wearing these in public, and doing so in comfort and style.

Speaking of style, I was also pleased with the overall appearance. Pretty sleak design. I went with a black shoe + white lettering, but there are other varieties you can check out here.

I did have one serious concern before going into actual sparring with these on – they seemed very firm and unforgiving. The padding on the inside was nice, but the outside seemed quite stiff. Furthermore, the sole seemed similar to a normal shoe. I was worried that hitting with the instep, ball, and heel of the foot would all result in partner-abuse.

When it came time to do a little sparring, I was excited to get rolling. It was a different feel being on the dojo floor with any kind of "shoe" on. One benefit I noticed right away was that this felt a lot like being "on the street." When we spar normally we don’t have any shoes on, but it’s actually rare for people (men especially) to be without sneaker-style shoes. In the constant pursuit of realistic training, these fit the bill. I was also pleased with the rotation I was able to get on my pivot foot. The sole allowed for easy spinning and sliding and was not overly grippy.

Unfortunately, some of my concerns about contact were validated. When I struck my partners in the padding they noticed a significant difference between the SuperMaxx shoes and regular shoes, the impact being harsher with the SuperMaxx. Also, when I came into contact with their skin, it was indeed abrasive and a bit unpleasant. Since the goal of sparring gear is to allow solid shots without injury, the firm, shoe-like qualities of the SuperMaxx were a bit of a hindrance.

That being said, the SuperMaxx are approved by a wide variety of tournament circuits, and I can definitely see the benefit of wearing them to one of those events. Have you ever walked around on a gym floor all day in your bare feet? It gets rough and stiffens up the body. If I attend more tournaments in the future, I will take the SuperMaxx with me without question.

Overall, I think the Ringstar SuperMaxx All-Purpose Sparring Shoes are great in a lot of situations, but not all. Therefore, Ikigai108 gives them…