Best Shoes for Jumping Rope Revealed
We’ve Found The Best Shoes for Jumping Rope For You!
Jumping rope is a great way to get some exercise in and it can be a fun activity for you and your partner, kids, or fitness group. You can jump rope at home, the gym, the park, or in your hotel room while you’re traveling. All you need is a good skipping rope and a hardy pair of shoes for jumping rope.
Yes, you need solid shoes because skipping places tremendous pressure on your lower body and on your feet. The best shoes for jumping rope have plenty of padding and a strong grip to keep you comfortable and help prevent injury. To that end, we’ve listed some of the best footwear for jumping rope below
Health Benefits of Jumping Rope
Jumping rope may help you extra pounds and tone your body. It helps strengthen your upper and lower body and burns many calories in the process, which is good for your heart. Here are some other benefits of skipping:
1. Improves Pulmonary Function
Researchers have discovered that adding dance music to your skipping exercise helps strengthen respiratory muscles which improve oxygen circulation and consumption in your body. The exercise enhances pulmonary functions by strengthening your internal organs which helps activate their functions.
2. Improves Bone Density
Limited physical activity increases the risk of low bone density which may eventually lead to osteoporosis. Jumping rope is a safe and effective way to help increase bone mineral density (BMD) in people with low bone mass.
3. Can Help Boost Mental Health
Jumping rope for around 15 to 30 minutes at least three times every week may positive effects on depression, anxiety, and your overall mood. Since exercise increases body temperature and blood circulation in your brain, it may minimize stress and even improve cognitive dissonance.
Best Surfaces to Jump Rope On
Even when you’re wearing the best shoes for skipping, doing so on an uneven or wrong surface can lead to all kinds of injuries like shin splints, etc. Some great places to jump rope on include:
- On a jump rope mat which includes any high impact mat that you may have
- On a wooden floor, or a piece of plywood
- At the gym as most have spaces for jumping rope in
Avoid skipping on concrete and asphalt surfaces, pavements, tarred roads, and grass. It may be tempting to jump on your carpet, but please steer clear of it, there’s a likelihood of the carpet grabbing your shoes and twisting your ankle or knee.
Besides, depending on the kind of rope you’re using, concrete surfaces can wear through it pretty quickly, meaning you’ll be in the store looking for a new pair every so often.
How to Choose the Best Shoes for Jumping Rope
Sneakers, rubber shoes, running shoes, CrossFit trainers, and all kinds of casual shoes are on the market. Choosing the best shoes for jump rope becomes a somewhat confusing affair. Here are some things to look for.
The Material of the Shoe
Most shoe companies combine different materials for the various elements of the shoe to provide the necessary support, breathability, protection, and comfort. Many jumping shoes use mesh or knitted materials in some areas or at the top of the shoe to allow airflow through your feet.
While these materials aren’t that durable, it’s important to remember that our feet tend to get very sweaty and breathability may help prevent irritation and stinking feet and shoes.
Other shoes are made of rubber, leather, and other synthetic materials. They are strong, durable, and protect your feet from water and bad weather. However, if they don’t have some form of ventilation (like holes), the shoes may make it hard for your feet to get rid of sweat and water vapor.
The sole of the shoes sees the most action when you’re jumping. Look for shoes with a rugged and thick sole for longevity and protection of your feet against impact of the repeated jumping. Rubber soles are common as they provide better traction and don’t deform easily, but they are also varied.
You may find Gum Rubber soles slightly soft and bouncy while Crepe Rubber soles are perfect for abrasion. The EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) sole is soft, light, and flexible and may absorb shock better than rubber but it’s no match for uneven ground. Stone, debris, and litter may wear out this sole faster than a rubber one
Padding
Many casual shoes lack the proper padding needed to cushion your feet from impact. In other words, all the force will be transferred directly into your feet as you skip. A situation that can be quite painful and even cause injury
Different shoes have different padding depending on athletic preferences. Many have a solid insole and plenty of padding on the sides and top for comfort and some degree of support.
Others are padded in specific smaller areas rather than being spread out across the entire length of the foot. Even others use internal pads. Generally, the more padding the shoe has, the more comfort and protection it offers.
Weight
Some people love heavy shoes and they may be useful in building leg strength. But if you’re a beginner or are feeling tired, every ounce that you put into the exercise counts and a heavy shoe won’t be helpful, will it? To stay light as you jump and prevent foot fatigue, look for lightweight shoes.
Support
Support helps keep feet safe from the harsh impact that results from repeated movement. It comes in the form of the materials used to build the shoes, lace placement plus how the shoes are tied so that your feet stay firmly locked into the shoes.
A supportive shoe can go a long way in helping you maintain your balance and prevent you from standing in a way that a shoe is not meant to allow. It may help speed up recovery time and you’ll experience less pain as you walk around after the workout.
Support also affects how long the shoes will last before they wear out. Good support keeps the shoe from tearing or splitting it hits a force from an angle it’s not designed to handle.
Other considerations including price, brand, and the design of the shoes. These are important, but not nearly important as protecting your legs and feet from injury. As you may have noticed, most of the considerations we have focused on revolve around protecting your legs and feet, and we recommend making foot safety a priority.
Can You Skip Barefoot?
Yes, you can skip barefoot, but we don’t recommend it for two reasons. First, you risk whipping your toes as you skip which can be really painful. Secondly, shoes protect your feet and toes from injury, and they absorb shock whenever your feet strike the ground, increasing your comfort levels.
There’s a third reason too, most jumping shoes are very stylish, so guess who’ll be looking chic as they exercise? While we’re on the subject, avoid fancy footwear, sandals, or high-heals. I know some celebrities make it look really cool training in heels, but in the real sense, you’ll only be setting yourself up for strains and other injuries.
Review of the Best Shoes for Jumping Rope
With everything we’ve learned so far, it’s time to look at some of the best shoes for jump rope exercises.
1. New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Cross Trainer
Superior Cushioning
New Balance has been in the shoemaking business for years, designing good quality trainers for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. This particular pair of shoes offers superior traction, comfort, and support for jump rope dudes will simply love.
It has cushioning on all angles for comfort and the manufacturer employs ABZORB technology to deliver a heel crash pad that also provides more cushioning and shock absorption every time your feet hit the ground. For this reason, these trainers are ideal for skipping, walking, running, and working out at the gym.
Further, the dual-density collar foam offers extra support for your ankles and keeps the skin around from irritation. The leather and mesh upper provide breathability and snug fit and secure foothold while the lace-up closure allows you to adjust the tightness to your liking
The deep flex grooves on the rubber sole enhance flexibility and make for better traction allowing you to move easily on various surfaces. Thanks to its non-marking technology, the shoe won’t leave undesirable marks on your floors.
The 608 V5 cross trainer is available in various sizes and offers an array of colors to choose from, which allows you to select a color that matches your sportswear or a statement piece. You can use the shoes exclusively for jumping rope, exercising, or for your everyday use.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Superb cushioning
- Slip-resistant
- Versatile design
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Narrow fit
2. New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneakers
Chic and Functional
This shoe combines functionality and style to ensure you look good as you work on your fitness goals. I love that it’s lightweight, effortlessly stylish and you know it’s a woman’s shoe because of all the color variations, ha.
These shoes resemble the usual lace-up shoes, but they are actually slip-on sneakers allowing you to slip in and out of them easily. The laces are there for adjusting the tightness of the upper to give you extra support and comfort.
The shoes are well cushioned to minimize the weight of the shoe help keep you light on your feet as you jump rope. The padding prevents fatigue or injury resulting from the shock of footfalls. Better yet, the plush inserts provide extra comfort and foot support.
Speaking of support, the trainers have an elastic V-dip collar design that enhances the structural integrity of the shoes and helps keep your feet firmly in place. The striking feature in this shoe is the REVlite cushioned midsole that is sandwiched between the insole and outsole. It absorbs shock., adds bounce back energy to your routine, and helps you with land gracefully.
The upper is made using breathable fabric along with synthetic materials for added comfort. It an ideal training shoe for women of any age. You can engage in jumping rope and other fitness exercises at the gym or use for casual wear.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Great padding to absorb shock as you jump
- Easy slip-on design
- Roomy
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Finding the right fit may be challenging
3. NOBULL Men’s Training Shoes and Styles
For the Ardent Rope Jumper
The first thing you’ll notice is the simple design of these shoes. They may be lacking in looks, but they are tough and stand up to hard training sessions. If you’re in the market for robust shoes for jumping rope, here’s a pair worth checking out.
The manufacturer complements the simple design by offering the shoes in multiple colors to meet various tastes and styles. The shoes have enough cushioning to keep you comfortable as you jump rope, do squats, and other gym activities.
The heel-to-toe drop is minimal, which tells you that there’s no ankle support. But it also means that there’s hardly any heel on these trainers, and you’ll get more versatility in your workouts.
The rubber outsole slightly comes up the sides of the shoe to shield the softer foam on the midsole from wear and tear. The soles feel springy with a great rebound, so you’ll use minimal effort to get your feet off the ground.
We love that the shoes are incredibly stable. The sole is thick enough to protect your feet as you jump and doesn’t compress as you work out. Unlike other shoes that are made using mesh or leather, these shoes feature a seamless one-piece fabric material known as SuperFabric.
This unique material is highly breathable, flexible, durable, and abrasion-resistant. All these qualities make the shoes comfortable to use, even for intense workouts. And since the shoes don’t have seams, the chances of upper developing holes or ripping lessens.
Pros
- You can wear them for hours
- Durable upper
- Rigid sole
- High-quality construction
Cons
- Initial wear feels stiff
- Premium pricing
4. Reebok Women’s Nano 9
Best for Women with Large Feet
Getting a shoe that fits is trouble enough without adding the pain of looking for a pair that can comfortably accommodate large feet. We understand all too well that sinking feeling when you realize that the trainers you’ve fallen in love with are far too narrow to fit.
Thanks to Nano 9 from Reebok, you can now have classy shoes for jumping rope that fit large feet and without losing shape. And provide some room left for when your feet expand as you exercise.
The trainers feature a cushioned forefoot to keep you comfortable as you skip, sprint, or engage in other gym exercises. They also have rubber medium-soft midsole designed to aptly absorb and protect your fit from impact as you jump.
The decoupled rubber outsole is thick and abrasion-resistant which makes the trainers good for use on different surfaces. Similarly, the flex grooves enhance flexibility so that launching from the ground feels good and you receive reasonable support during push-offs.
These are some of the best shoes for jumping rope offering a firm forefoot and flat outsole that create a solid non-distracting base for jumping rope. They have a low-cut design to allow the ankles to move comfortably in all directions while the laces can be adjusted for better support.
The upper is made using Flexweave, Reebok’s patented woven textile material that is breathable and resilient enough to withstand various workouts. The trainers come in 11 different colors with some sporting beautiful colorways that will match your sportswear or double as casual wear.
Pros
- Roomy trainers
- Can be used for all kinds of training exercises
- Wide toe box
- Well-constructed
Cons
- Average support
- Feel a little heavy
5. Inov-8 Men’s F-Lite 260 Knit (M) Cross Trainer
A Power Shoe
This pair of trainer feels like a combination of a walking shoe, a soccer boot, and a trainer. They have some serious technology going on which makes them highly functional and lightweight and arguably some of the best shoes for skipping.
The Inov-8 F-Lite 260 trainers are built using multiple materials. The upper has breathable knitted fabric that is highly adaptable to your foot’s motions. It uses 360-degree ROPE-TEC system for better traction and abrasion resistance. The midfoot section is reinforced with synthetic strips to help lock in your feet and you can tighten the laces for extra support and stability.
But it’s the soles where the action is.
The midsole features Inov-8’s POWERFLOW midsole that provides stability around your heel and provides good shock absorption and cushioning. It doesn’t compress under pressure as you jump and to some extent promote the transfer of energy in the forefoot.
The rubber gum outsole is flexible and uses stick grip rubber to ensure there is a solid underfoot grip as you engage in your jumping routine among other exercises. If you love minimalistic training shoes, these trainers mimic that close-to-the-ground feel. Overall, these trainers are comfortable and provide sufficient cushioning for everyday use.
Pros
- Multi-directional flexibility
- Perfect for a variety of training exercises
- Wide toe bed
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Some users find the high heel-to-toe drop problematic
Conclusion
Skipping is a fun way to get into shape and finding the best shoes for jumping rope may help you do just that without injuring yourself. All the shoes on our list are solid options, and we trust that you’ve found a pair that checks your needs and style.
In our opinion, the New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Cross Trainers take the lead. They offer supreme cushioning and shock absorbing abilities that keep you comfortable as you exercise. The flexible slip-resistant rubber soles offer more traction and easy movement on various terrains and lastly, they come in a range of colors and sport a versatile design for everyday use.
What’s your favorite pair of jumping shoes? Let us know in the comments.
