User talk:Kicksfans
Shoes Grip
The grip of your shoes is important. the type of grip is especially important too. Horizontal lines are the best, as they will help catch on things, and will cause more friction, thus, you achieve better grip. Having good grip is not essential for Parkour, but will help you with technique, especially for armjumps/saut de bras and wall-run. The image shown is an example of the type of grip to watch out for, but do not strictly follow this example.
Padding/Support
Your legs will be taking shock during Parkour, so good coushioning is benificial. You will suffer less, especially in your first 6 months of parkour, while your body is still becoming used to training. Even if you have superb coushioning, i am not advising you go take big drops, they are never a good idea, even for a more experienced traceur. Most shoes with good padding will make you generally springier, mostly in the first month of wearing them, as the padding is still new. Once again, this is an example.
Materials
The materials your shoes are made of arent too much of a problem. Anything will suffice, as long as it is comfortable. Mesh shoes will let your feet breathe more, but will not take rain so well (which is ok because few traceurs train in the rain).
Extra
When you are first training in new shoes, remember that the grip may be different, and on things such as balencing, you will need time to adust to the new shoe. Some shoes will also need wearing in, as they may slip a little straight out of the box.
(Shoe Shown is a Nike Dart III, (Which i am biased, but i recommend, as it is a good shoe)
