Parkour Shoe Guide: Best Footwear for Grip, Durability, and Comfort

Parkour Student Training At Somatic Movement Gym

When it comes to parkour, your shoes are more than just gear — they’re your foundation. Whether you're precision landing on a rail, scaling a wall, or vaulting through urban terrain, the right shoes can be the difference between a smooth run and a painful slip. In this guide, we'll break down what makes a great parkour shoe and share some of the top picks for grip, durability, and all-day comfort.

At the gym, I've seen countless shoes worn. Many times they fall short in certain areas making it uncomfortable to train in. Our aim is to give you the key elements to look for when you are out shopping for your next pair of trainers. At the end I'll give you a list of the best shoes for training amongst the parkour community.

What to Look for in Parkour Shoes

Before we get into specific shoes, it’s important to understand what makes parkour footwear different from your average athletic sneaker.

1. Grip

Traction is everything. You need a sole that can stick to a variety of surfaces — concrete, metal, wood, or brick. Look for flat, rubber soles with a good grip pattern and no air pockets (which reduce surface contact). Please beware: AVOID FOAM SOLE SHOES! Many of these shoes are marketed for athletics via how light the sole makes the shoe. Though weight is important, grip reigns supreme.

What You want:

The image above shows the ideal type of sole to look for. While it's hard to find shoes with minimal tread these days, a slight tread on the bottom can actually be beneficial. Also, take note that the entire sole is made of rubber — there's no awkward mix of rubber and foam, which is an important detail to watch out for.

What to avoid:

As you can see, this sole is very close to ideal. However, notice how bulky the tread is. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but on certain surfaces, it may affect traction. That said, once the grip wears down and becomes nearly flat, I’m confident these will perform much better.

2. Durability

Parkour is tough on gear. Shoes get dragged across abrasive surfaces, scuffed during landings, and worn down from repeated impact. That’s why you need footwear that can withstand serious abuse without falling apart after just a few sessions. Unfortunately, durability is often hard to judge without testing the shoe over several months — which can be frustrating when you’ve already invested money only for them to fall apart within weeks. To help you avoid that hassle, refer to the bottom of this article. The shoes listed below have been tried, tested, and approved by experienced parkour athletes.

3. Flexibility & Sensitivity

You need to feel your landings. Shoes that are too stiff or thick can dull your sensitivity and throw off your balance. Flexible soles, on the other hand, allow for natural movement and better control during technical maneuvers. Materials like leather or dense cloth tend to be the stiffest — and they often lack proper ventilation, which can lead to sweaty, smelly feet after a session.

4. Comfort & Fit

Comfort isn’t just about padding — it’s about how the shoe molds to your foot, handles impact, and breathes during intense sessions. A snug but not tight fit is ideal.

Parkour Athlete-Approved: The Best Shoes for Training and Performance

First, I want to highlight shoes made specifically by parkour-focused companies. These brands often come with a slightly higher price tag since they aren’t backed by large corporations like Nike or Adidas. As parkour athletes, it’s important to support and keep money flowing within our community and sport. With that in mind, I’d like to recommend these shoes first.

Storror Tech Tens

As you can see, the rubber sole looks phenomenal! One thing to note is that the sole wraps up along the sides of the shoe — a great feature for added grip and durability, though it may add a bit of extra weight to your feet. Here's a link to view more: Storror Tech Tens

OLLO

Ollo has been around for a while now, and they've developed what many consider to be one of the best parkour shoes on the market. They’ve even partnered with Michelin to create a custom rubber compound that performs exceptionally well on nearly any surface you’ll encounter while training. Bonus: they also come in kid sizes! Here's the link to view more: OLLOPK

Take Flight Stealth Ultras

Take Flight is one of the original parkour clothing brands and has played a major role in supporting the community. They've sponsored numerous athletes, helping them pursue their goals within the sport. Their shoe has been tested over the years and consistently proven to be a reliable, high-performance option for training. Here's the link to view: Take Flight Ultras

Other Brands: Honorable mentions

While the shoes above are standout picks, there are a few other brands worth mentioning. These options may not have been designed specifically for parkour, but they’ve earned respect in the community for their performance, comfort, and durability. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly backup or a versatile everyday trainer, these honorable mentions are worth checking out.

Strike Movement

While STR/KE MVMNT isn’t primarily a parkour company, it’s highly regarded within the community. They sponsor a top-level parkour athlete and actively support the sport through involvement in various competitions and events. Their shoes have gained a solid reputation for performance, making them a trusted choice among many practitioners. Bonus: they have a TON of colors and styles! Here's the link: Strike Movement Haze Trainer

Reebok Nylon Classics

Arguably the most durable shoe in the parkour scene, this pair can easily last you six months to a year — no problem. If you’re someone who doesn’t take well to big drops, you’ll appreciate the extra padding, which provides excellent impact protection. While the added cushioning does make them heavier than your typical parkour shoe, it’s a worthwhile trade-off for the comfort and durability they offer. Bonus: usually run pretty cheap, easily assessable, and they offer a variety of sizes and colors.

Vans Ultra Ranges

Another great sneaker that many parkour athletes enjoy. While the grip isn’t ideal — the tread isn’t solid rubber — the shoe makes up for it in other impressive ways. It’s incredibly lightweight, fits snugly to the foot, and comes in a wide variety of colors to match your style.

Choosing the right parkour shoe can elevate your training, protect your body, and help you move with greater confidence and precision. Whether you’re supporting parkour-specific brands, trying out athlete-approved favorites, or exploring versatile alternatives, the key is finding what works best for your movement style and environment. We hope this guide gives you a solid starting point. Stay safe, train smart, and keep pushing your limits — one step at a time.