Parkour is the latest trend which is all about movement and creativity. In order to achieve this you’ll have to use your body’s strength to negotiate a path around, over and sometimes through obstacles using your mind to craft the route. Parkour really is all about your capability and as you learn more you’ll see how you grow as a person and a traceur.

While parkour is all about your body and your journey, there is some gear that can give you a headstart on your way. Specialist products ranging from gloves to shoes have been developed by companies in order to give you that boost and take you to the next level. There’s now a diverse range of products out there helping you get the most from your training.

What You Need in Parkour Shoes

The most important piece of gear you’ll need for parkour is a solid pair of shoes. While parkour uses your whole body you’ll find that your feet are keeping you moving and at the same time absorbing a lot of the impact to your body.

Parkour shoes are different from regular trainers in a few ways. They offer increased protection and support, they give greater grip and they allow you a greater range of movement.

There are a lot of parkour specific companies out there but that doesn’t mean they always have the best products. The biggest brands in the world are now making shoes which are multi purpose, with several ranges that are suitable for freerunning and parkour.

Picking the Best Asics Parkour Shoes

Asics are well known for their range of running shoes and activewear. They’ve been around for a long time, since 1949 to be exact, and in that time they’ve steadily increased their product range. Now they create shoes and clothing for a range of different sports and activities.

Asics believe in helping individuals create a quality lifestyle by providing intelligent sport technology. This means moving away from the generic and creating individual and unique products which are specifically created to fit the needs of the customer.

Asics have survived several economic downturns by staying true to their mission. They’ve established themselves as a competitively priced brand that offers quality and innovation in their products and it’s no real surprise that they have a range of shoes suited for parkour.

We’ve explored their product ranges and found the top 3 Asics parkour shoes which are perfectly suited to meet your needs.

Asics Gel Venture 6

The Asics Gel Venture 6 has built upon the previous models of the same name by adding in some new features. These upgrades have made this the perfect parkour shoe and surprisingly haven’t had a huge impact on the price of the shoe, making it great value.

We already know that Asics know how to make useful and practical shoes but it’s showcased in the Asics Gel Venture 6. It features a striking design which works well alongside existing parkour products allowing you to combine both performance and aesthetics.

Materials:

The Asics Gel Venture 6 is made with breathable mesh on the outer layers. The tiny perforations in the fabrics allow for airflow keeping you cool and removing sweat from your feet as you train. Abrasion-resistant layers have been used on different areas of the shoe helping protect your feet from whatever environment you’re in.

The signature piece for the Asics Gel Venture 6 is the gel cushioning used in the interior of the shoe. This unique gel is incorporated to provide cushioning that not only protects your feet but supports them as you move.

Best Features:

The Asics Gel Venture 6 has a number of key characteristics that make it well suited for the unique sport of parkour. It’s these features that have stood out for us and put it on the top of our list

• Extreme Durability

The Asics Gel Venture 6 has been built for trail running so you know it’s durable. It features a rugged outer sole which will stand up to hard wear and tear. The abrasion resistant overlays will limit the damage that any impact or other terrain can have on the shoe. A stitched down toe bumper also provides extra protection. This shoe is built to last and will not have an issues with wear and tear. 

• Long Lasting Comfort

The Asics Gel Venture 6 has a removable EVA sockliner which will mold to the shape of your foot. This provides support, while the Asics gel provides cushioning for the soles of your feet. As we said this shoe is built for trail walking and you won’t feel any discomfort even if you’re wearing them for long periods of time.

• Affordable

With all the features built into this shoe you might think you would break the bank, but actually this is one of the lowest cost parkour shoes around. Available from just $30 you can instantly see the value with this shoe.

All of these qualities make the Asics Gel Venture 6 perfect for hardcore parkour training in an urban setting. The reviews are overwhelming positive with an average 5/5 stars for this shoe. Competitively priced and extremely durable, this shoe will provide you with great value for years.

Asics Gt-1000 Running Shoes 

Built for running rather than trail running, the Asics GT-1000 running shoes are made to be light, weighing only 599 grams. Parkour requires flexibility and speed, which the Asics GT-1000 helps provide with a gum rubber sole that encourages fast movement. Breathable outer layers and innovative internal technology will keep you dry in any environment while the 9 different colours will allow you the freedom to choose your style.

Materials:

Asics have designed a modern running shoe which is entirely seamless. This means it’s much less likely to tear or break even under strain and adds to the durability of the shoe. A super-seva midsole has been built into the shoe and they’ve added their unique gel cushioning to help absorb the impacts from physical activity.

The outsole gives optimal levels of grip and has been tested on various surfaces to make sure it performs. On the inside a removable sock liner also helps you get as comfortable as possible. This shoe has been built from the ground up for mid to long distance running, but the features incorporated make it a great choice for parkour.

Best Features:

The Asics GT-1000 running shoe is built to the high standard that we would expect from Asics shoes. While it’s clearly great for running it’s the following features that have made us sit up and take note that this shoe may be perfect for parkour.

• Unique Support System

The Asics GT-1000 features a Dynamic DuoMax Support System to give greater support and stability while you train. This system involves incorporating a dual-density midsole that absorbs impacts from movement associated with running. Alongside this a SpEVA midsole has been included which gives greater bounce to the shoe and even helps prolong the lifespan of the trainer.

• Dry Technology

The Asics GT-1000 features a ComforDry Sockliner which has been specially designed to keep you dry and comfortable when pushing yourself. This removable inner lining sock features cool wicking and keeps you comfortable and hygienic while you train.

• Lightweight and Breathable

This modern running shoe is extremely light and you’ll barely feel it on. It also means you’ll have increased flexibility without the rigid structure of traditional trainers. The breathable mesh will let you stay cool even during intense workouts.

Asics have shown again that they really know how to make a sports shoe. This runner uses the latest technology both on the inside and outside to give protection that aids performance, making this an ideal candidate for a parkour shoe. Customer reviews give this a perfect score of 5/5 stars and it’s easy to see why. Light, fast and dynamic, the Asics GT-1000 running shoe is a very versatile parkour shoe.

Asics Gel-Kayano 25 Running Shoes

Part of Asics more modestly priced selection of running shoes, the Gel-Kayanos offer the next level of durability to boost performance. These shoes have some of the same features as the others on our list, gel cushioning, but has a little more attention to detail. A handmade interior gives a quality comfort and the interior dry technology is next level. An additional toe-box space has been created to allow you greater push off, effectively giving you more control and power while performing.

Materials:

The Asics shoe is made with synthetics on the outside which are durable, but on the inside handmade materials are used to give more protection to your feet. A rubber sole allows you to bounce back and the whole shoe has been kept lightweight for maximum movement.

A flytefoam cushioning midsole has been included to give another layer on protection. This unique foam not only protects your feet but also protects the shoe by ensuring it keeps its shape. Asics have also introduced their new jacquard mesh which is breathable but gives a might tighter fit.

All in all Asics have thrown everything they’ve got into this shoe. There’s comfort and protective technology incorporated to pretty much every element which shows just how innovative trainers have become.

Best Features:

Asics have combined a lot of different elements in this shoe to make it versatile. Here are the features which stand out for us:

• Expertly Engineered

The Asics Gel-Kayano 25 running shoes are designed differently to give you more. An extra toe box has been added to allow you to use your full foot for more speed and power, a MetaClutch external heel has been added which secures the shoe to the rear of your foot, preventing any slipping or sliding and discrete eyelets have been added to disperse the tension to give even greater comfort. All of this engineering has led to a shoe that really does stand out compared to the competition.

• Sweat Resistant Technology

The Asics Gel-Kayano 25 features a removable ortholite X-40 sockliner. This keeps your feet secure and dry during workouts while still allowing your skin to breathe. A dual layer of mesh is on the upper layer on the shoe so there is maximum airflow, this helps keep you irritation free.

• Hard-wearing

A common theme for the Asics shoes but this one is particularly hard-wearing. A tough outer layer and rubber sole mean the shoe won’t suffer from repeating impact and a flytefoam cushion helps the shoe to retain its original shape. All of this means an expert and hard working shoe that lasts.

The Asics Gel-Kayano 25 offers a great deal more for traceurs than even the parkour brands. Asics have put their latest technology into this shoe with the ortholite sockliner and two layer mesh combination. This makes this one advanced trainer that blows a lot of the competition out of the water.

Priced at around $100 this certainly isn’t the cheapest parkour shoe out there, but when you look at exactly what you’re getting it’s actually great value. Customer reviews are giving this a perfect 5/5 and for a parkour practitioner it’s a valuable asset.

Choosing Asics Parkour Shoes

Asics really know their craft and thanks to their long history, internal innovation departments and established supply chain they are able to keep their costs low. This makes them accessible for all budgets and provides a much cheaper alternative to the specialist parkour brands.

All three of these products have a range of benefits that are well suited for all outdoor activity but it’s the durability that is most impressive. These shoes are built to stand the test of time and can handle even a tough parkour workout. If you’re looking to upgrade your parkour shoes then all of these offer great value and are definitely worth considering.