At some point during your slacklining journey, you may need to get a pair of slackline shoes. The shoes are good for protecting your feet whenever you fall to the ground as they provide ankle support. When slacklining, I normally go barefoot but some conditions of the ground may require you to have a pair of slacklining shoes for safety.
The best shoes for slacklining should be comfortable, lightweight, and have a good grip on the line. The sole of the shoe should be flat to offer better posture and balance when walking on the slackline. The barefoot feeling of the shoe is what you want to have in the shoe so that you can feel the twists and tilts on the slackline as you walk along.
Experienced slackliners know the value of the barefoot feeling when it comes to slacklining. That is the reason slackline shoes are made to offer that feeling. I would still go barefoot when everything is well but when the situation demands, I have my set of shoes to walk on.
It is not easy to choose the best slackline shoes especially if you are a beginner. You may think every other rubber sole shoe is good but from my experience, that is not the case. Slackline shoes are designed differently.
What to Look for in Slacklining Shoes
Since I started my slackline journey, I have kept changing shoes from one to the other. It’s because you may feel your shoes are comfortable but you don’t get the balance and barefoot feeling that you want. That is the reason I normally do a thorough check on all the features of the shoe before buying. These features that you should check are:
Safety
If you fall to the ground, slackline shoes should not harm your ankles but rather protect your feet. In any sporting activity, safety is always a priority consideration. Therefore, you should always consider safety when shopping for your slackline shoes.
Weight of the shoes
Sometimes, you will want to forget that you are wearing shoes while on the slackline. Lightweight shoes are good since you don’t feel the weight to carry along. That will make you only concentrate on the game and not on the logistics of lifting your heavy foot.
Comfortability
By wearing the shoes, you should feel the comfort that you want. It should not be too pressing on the toes and the sole should be flat. Some come with an insole that you can remove when you want a barefoot feeling and that is something else to consider.
Slackline Shoes or Barefoot
I have come across beginners who ask, “is it better to slackline with shoes or barefoot?” In my case, I can do either barefoot or with shoes. It all depends on what you prefer. However, sometimes you would prefer barefoot to have the complete feeling of the slackline tilts, especially when you are still learning.
Best Shoes for Slacklining for Men and Women
After researching and testing different slacklining shoes, I can recommend the following. They have all the qualities of slackline shoes that you need for balance, safety, and comfort.
Best for Men
Merrel Men’s Vapor Shoes
These shoes are thoughtfully designed to offer the comfort, safety, and balance that you need. I have used them before, not just for slacklining but also hiking, and, surprisingly, you don’t even feel their weight. The sole is flat and flexible, and the design makes it easy to feel the slackline rope movements.
Xero Men’s Prio Shoes
It’s the most renowned shoe brand for slackliners. It is suitable for both advanced and beginners. One amazing thing about Xero Men’s Prio Shoes is the overall design. From the ultra-thin barefoot design to the zero-drop sole, you will surely feel the perfect balance while on the slackline.
WHITIN Men’s Barefoot Shoes
With this shoe, you can walk naturally without the stress on your toes. For slacklining, you can remove the insole to enjoy the barefoot feeling and better balance. The sole is not elevated for balance and posture and is a good versatile shoe you can have. The sole is also flat and the overall shoe weight is manageable.
For Women
WHITIN Women’s Barefoot Shoes
This is the women’s version of the WHITIN Men’s type. The shoes have all the features that a slackliner needs. From the lightweight design, flat sole with removable insole, built-in arch support, and slip-resistant outsole, you will definitely find them comfortable.
Xero Women’s Prio Shoes
Xero Women’s Prio Shoes has no much difference from the men’s type. From the zero-drop sole, the ultra-thin barefoot design, and non-elevated heel, this shoe is just a perfect fit for any woman slackliner. When walking with these shoes on the slackline, you will feel the bending of the slackline rope just as if you would while barefoot.
Xero Phoenix Women’s Shoes
These shoes look absolutely gorgeous for women. Apart from being used for slacklining, you can adapt it to any sporting activity or workout. They come with a lightweight design and an optional light insole that you can remove when you want to slackline. The rubber sole also offers a good grip on the rope and you would not slide off easily as you try to balance.
Final thoughts
Hopefully these comments help you find the best shoe for your next slacklining experience. You don’t just have to settle for any shoe with a rubber sole since slacklining is a different activity from say running.
Always ensure that you have a shoe with all the features that I have mentioned – safety, comfort, barefoot feeling, a flat sole, weight, and one that offers better grip while on the slackline. Always take these into consideration before purchasing.
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