Boxing Shoe Guides

Boxing shoes take a lot of punishment — sweat, canvas friction and constant pivoting. A few simple habits will keep them looking good and performing well for far longer.

1. Only wear them in the gym

This is the most important rule. Boxing shoes have thin soles designed for canvas, not pavement. Walking to training in them wears the outsole down faster than anything you do in the ring, and it's the most common reason a pair wears out early. Change into them at the gym.

2. Wipe them down after every session

Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to remove sweat and canvas dust from the upper after each session. It takes a minute and stops dirt from setting in.

3. Dry them properly

Take them out of your bag as soon as you get home. Loosen the laces, open the collar and let them air dry at room temperature.

Never dry them on a radiator, heater or in direct sunlight. Heat stiffens the sole and can crack the upper at the flex points.

4. Care depends on the material

• White uppers: wipe after every session. White left dirty for a few weeks greys in a way that's hard to reverse.
• Metallic trim (gold, silver): use a dry cloth only. Water and abrasive cleaning dull metallic finishes permanently.
• Enamel or patent panels: wipe with a soft dry or barely damp cloth, avoid solvents, and keep away from heat, which makes patent crack.
• Knit and mesh uppers: brush off dust, then spot-clean with a damp cloth. Don't soak them.

5. Protect bright colours from sunlight

Red, yellow and other bright dyes fade under UV. Store your shoes in a bag or cupboard rather than leaving them by a window.

6. Deal with odour

Air them out after every use and never leave them sealed in a gym bag. Removable insoles can be taken out to dry separately — but some shoes, such as the Mizuno Finisher LOW, have stick-on insoles that shouldn't be pulled out.

7. Replace the laces

White laces are usually the first thing to look worn. New laces are cheap and instantly make an older pair look fresh.

When to replace your boxing shoes

Look for a sole worn smooth at the ball of the foot, a loss of grip when you pivot, or an upper that no longer holds your foot firmly. Any of these means it's time for a new pair — browse our Nike, Mizuno and Winning collections.