What’s your street shoe of choice for Wing Chun training?
I’m looking for some good flat soled shoes that don’t have too much grip (don’t want to stress the knees when turning).
Right now my favorites are the Adida Sambas. Any other contenders out there?
my fav shoes for kung fu are something called simples… they were like 30$, had barely any sole, flat bottom; they kicked ass 
none of that fancy junk that most shoes have
theyre falling apart… now i needa get a new pair of shoes 
I don’t train in street shoes. I wear wrestling boots or go barefoot.
I’m looking for some good flat soled shoes that don’t have too much grip (don’t want to stress the knees when turning).
If your knees are getting stressed, look to your footwork rather than footwear. This stuff has to work whatever shoes you have on.
Any sports shoe without padded soles should do it.
i wear addias shoes. The are flat on the bottom and the sole is thin enough to where it doesn’t interfere with my connection to the ground. you want something that doesn’t give you a lot of friction
For wing chun practice, I like Puma because it is flat, simple, and it is stylish. However, I sometimes train in Nike (Running shoes), Vans, and New Balance (Running shoes).
Originally posted by Mr. Bao
For wing chun practice, I like Puma because it is flat, simple, and it is stylish. However, I sometimes train in Nike (Running shoes), Vans, and New Balance (Running shoes).
Are those the old retro Pumas? I’ve heard good things about Van’s as well. I’ll have to check them out.
I wear vans, flat, thin soles work well for me. I have used my running shoes but because running shoes tend to be thicker in the heels it sometimes makes me feel like I am leaning forward a bit.
a good question…
i found that some good shoes to train in are table tennis shoes… They seem to be pretty stong, good grip and flat soles. I have found them to be pretty good anyway
david
G:
Yes, it is retro Pumas. Your “adias samba” is an ugly pair of black sneaker with rubber colored, but I can see why it works. Vans are good too. Why can’t we have functional wing chun shoes that looks cool as well? Good Luck.
Bao
Originally posted by Mr. Bao
[B]G:
Yes, it is retro Pumas. Your “adias samba” is an ugly pair of black sneaker with rubber colored, but I can see why it works. Vans are good too. Why can’t we have functional wing chun shoes that looks cool as well? Good Luck.
Bao [/B]
UGLY!! I love those shoes LOL!
About the Vans … don’t they stick to the ground because of their use with skateboards. I just assume that they would grip a lot.
Well, I find the vans stick to pefectly flat surfaces, on stickier then normal surfaces. They dont work well on carpet, thick carpet anyway. They work fine in my driveway, in my garage, on the linoleum and at my school, on the groud around the bus stops I find they work pretty good as well.
And they look great!
Originally posted by red5angel
[B]Well, I find the vans stick to pefectly flat surfaces, on stickier then normal surfaces. They dont work well on carpet, thick carpet anyway. They work fine in my driveway, in my garage, on the linoleum and at my school, on the groud around the bus stops I find they work pretty good as well.
And they look great! [/B]
Hi Jason,
FWIW, Ken Chung trains in and recommends kung fu slippers for training. Because they slide easily, they help to train the horse, both in stepping and in standing.
Regards,
FWIW, Ken Chung trains in and recommends kung fu slippers for training. Because they slide easily, they help to train the horse, both in stepping and in standing.
Regards, [/B]
We use those in class as well. I like the cotton soled version better than the plastic. They’re great for turning.
I have found that training with the shoes I wear on a day to day basis makes me more comfortable about wearing them on the street in an emergency. I have several types of shoes, boots, work shoes, running shoes, etc… and find that the dynamics change subtly at times depending on what shoe and surface. Everyonce in a while I switch it up so I dont get too comfortable.
My post will basically be the same as some others. But it train in kung fu slippers becasue they are really slipery on the pollished wooden floor. Which gives you an indication if have a conenction to the groud. And when using normal street shoes the extra grip on them somewhat adds to your stance, in comparision to slipery shoes.
Originally posted by red5angel
I have found that training with the shoes I wear on a day to day basis makes me more comfortable about wearing them on the street in an emergency. I have several types of shoes, boots, work shoes, running shoes, etc… and find that the dynamics change subtly at times depending on what shoe and surface. Everyonce in a while I switch it up so I dont get too comfortable.
We did a little sparring in a park last week and that’s what made me think of the shoes. My feet felt much different on an uneven surface. I also had a tougher time shifting.
I might start going half and half, just to get used to being in regular shoes.
Kung Fu Slippers
Originally posted by gnugear
[B]
We use those in class as well. I like the cotton soled version better than the plastic. They’re great for turning. [/B]
Yes, and both the plastic soled and cotton soled kung fu shoes require a better connectedness of your structure than shoes with lifted heels and inner support. Ken wears his out just forward of the heel and replaces them about every three months. Can’t wear the cotton soles on asphalt or concrete as present in San Jose. They’re great for smooth hard wood surfaces though.
Regards,
slippers
While I respect Ken’s (and John’s) opinions, I personally detest “Kung fu” slippers. So many times they’ve left my foot during a kick, or I’ve stepped out of them when stepping. If I want real “connectedness”, I’ll go barefoot. If I want to test my balance, I’ll try socks on a slippery floor. Or at an ice rink, why do things halfway?
Sometimes I’ve suspected slippers as a Chinese in-joke, of which gwailo KF students are the butt. And they look really stupid as streetwear on non-Asians IMO. Like white guys wearing FUBU.
Not a good argument I know, but William Cheung blamed them for his (literal) downfall in Cologne.
To each his/her own, but the only way anyone will get me into another pair of those suckers is at gunpoint.
Unusually, red5angel makes a good point. It is a bad idea to become too comfortable with (or reliant on) a particular type of footwear. The occasional training session in street clothes outside the kwoon on different terrain is all to the good.
Wear what you feel comfortable wearing while maintaining style that you like.
If you like a sport shoe, think of sports that demand a lot of a shoe yet allow maximum mobility and ground control. Like tennis shoes. Close to the feeling of a martial art shoe. Dress shoes like hush puppies are ok too.
peace
If they fly off your foot when kicking, perhaps you’re using too much power.
It sounds like you lift your heel when you step. keep your foot flat and you shouldn’t have that problem… or perhaps they were just too big.