ASICS Men's Matflex 5 Wrestling Shoes

SIZING SUMMARY:These shoes run a half size smaller than other Asics wrestling shoes (I compared their measurements to the Asics Matflex 6).Size up a half size if you have narrow, flat feet. If you have average or slightly wide and/or slightly high arches, size up a full size (2 half sizes). If you have very wide feet, size up 1.5 size or more. Because of the narrow shoe design it is unlightly your foot will slide down into the extra length from sizing up to accommodate foot width. The correct size will feel SLIGHTLY tight in the toe-box. A size too large will fit like a street shoe in the toe-box.IN DEPTH SIZING EXPLANATION BELOW:For context I'm a 5ft3in tall adult woman. I wear a women's 8.5 and a men's 7 in most shoe brands and found the SIZE 8 (men's) in these shoes to be most comfortable. I purchased these shoes in a 7.5, 8, and 8.5 to test which size I would like best as I was unsure based on previous reviews. I have an average to wide toe box (9.5in width while standing at widest point) and an average to high arch.Based on length, these shoes (Matflex 5) run a half size smaller than other Asics wrestling shoes (I compared them to the Asics Matflex 6, in which I wear a men's 7.5). In terms of length, toe-box width, and arch height, the Matflex 5 SIZE 8 is equal to that of the Matflex 6 SIZE 7.5.This should mean that my true size is a size 7.5; however, this shoe was too small. The toe-box of the size 7.5 was more narrow than my foot while standing barefoot and there was hardly enough room for my arch (you could see my sock if the tongue was pushed to the side even slightly.I sized up to the size 8, but found it was still tight around my toe-box, so I tried the size 8.5. Unfortunately, in the 8.5 the extra room in the toe-box and arch area allowed my feet to slide around slightly while trying them on. This is how I prefer my street shoes to fit, but I purchased these shoes for tricking and freerunning, so I didn't want my feet to slide at all (an issue I have with Feiyue). I added my usual arch support inserts and this eliminated the sliding issue, but the arch supports prevented me from using my full range of pointing motion in these shoes. The loose sole that lets you fully point and push through your toes is a huge benefit of this style of shoe, so I chose to size back down and keep the size 8 shoes.REAL WORLD TEST:I wore the size 8s to work (I work in athletics) and for some tricking. My feet didn't slide around at all and I was never in danger of rolling my ankles because the shoes don't have a lip to their soles. The lack of true arch support and tight toe box will take some getting used to, but I've heard wrestling shoes can stretch out, so I'm going to wait for that to happen. The shoes aren't something I'd recommend wearing for longer than your wrestling competition/workout because the tight fit isn't the most comfortable, but they definitely get the job down while you're wearing them.The back of my right ankle had a lot of chaffing during my wear despite me wearing thick, crew socks, so be ready to experience some chaffing while you're breaking the shoes in.

I've been lifting (squat,dead, press) for about 4 years in Adidas powerlift, which I've liked just fine. If you are going to have only one shoe for all lifts, that's probably the best bet (.6" heel enough for squats, but not as tall as most others so better for deads).I really wanted to try some no-heel shoes for deadlifting since that tends to be recommended a lot (not as a "must" but most people seem to prefer it). Converse Chuck Taylors are the typical cheap suggestion... but seeing that these were same price, and worn by several serious deadlifters, figured I had nothing to lose.A) I do like the no-heel, flat shoe for deadlifting. It's a pretty small difference obviously, and might be 99.8% mental, but I feel a little more directly connected to the floor. And driving the heels is a pretty useful cue for me.B) Love the grip of these soles.C) Yes, they absolutely do run small. Maybe not quite as much as some say. I'd definitely go up a 1/2 size (or if you are typically between sizes, just use the higher one you buy). I think perhaps more significant is how narrow the shoe fits. I have fairly narrow feet, and these were very snug around my mid-foot, even after loosening the laces around that area.

As you can see from every review for these shoes, the sizing is just flat wrong. They don't "run small." Shoe sizes are based on fixed lengths. If you produce a shoe that is systematically different in its claimed size from the length established for that size, then your sizing is WRONG, and you have a fundamental manufacturing defect that has to be addressed. I wear a size 9.5 or 10 shoe. I ordered up to 10.5 based on reviews here, and my toe was smashed up against the end of the shoe. I exchanged it for an 11, and those fit okay. The size 11 Asics are simply NOT a size 11 shoe. I compared them against every other pair of shoes I own in 9.5 or 10, and these supposed 11's were the same length or shorter than all of them. It's just ridiculous.All that said and marking down my score for this manufacturing and advertising defect, once I got a wrongly sized pair that fit me, these are good shoes. I bought them to replace a worn out pair of Chucks for deadlifting and bench press, and they feel like an upgrade. They're very flat on the soles, more so than Chucks, which have a slight padding you don't want for deadlifting. They have good grip on the bottom, which makes me feel like I can stay tighter through my bench press leg drive. They're also a lot more comfortable than Chucks through the padded body of the shoe.

I used a pair of split second IV's back in the day when I used to wrestle and I loved those shoes to death. I bought an expensive pair of adidas wrestling shoes and they started falling apart pretty quickly. Since then I've sworn by Asics shoes (both running and wrestling). I use these shoes now for boxing. The fit is as expected. I typically wear a size 7 shoe but ordered up to a size 8 so my toes were flush. These shoes do expand after you get them so it's possible a 7.5 would have been fine for me. Anyways, the sole has no support its pretty flat, very flexible, and so far has been durable. The shoe also breathes extremely well. I was surprised since my Split second IVs always smelled awful. That is not the case with these. I've found the grip is pretty good on dry surfaces, if something is wet though you are out of luck. I go these so I could have a better feel of the ball of my toes. These would work well for lifting shoes as well I bet.I didn't have any problems with defects but I'm sure there is bound to be some out there.

I'm givino this a 5 so far, but I have only had it for 2 weeks.**I bought this 1 size up because everyone said it was small. I'm glad I did because getting it one size up, it fits perfectly. My natural size would have been excruciatingly small**They may feel a little snug the first day still, but they shape to your foot quickly.The shoes are extremely comfortable. I don't wrestle anymore but I wear them for work and I really like them. They give me lots of grip, some support, but maximum comfort.

Before purchasing these wrestling shoes, I read the reviews that said they fit a bit small so I made sure to order them half a size up. I'm glad I did because they are snug! It was good advice! Otherwise a speedy delivery and my daughter loves them!! Thank you !

It is a really great pair of shoes for lifting at the gym. I think it is worth every penny I paid for it. Make sure you do buy half size bigger then your shoe size because they are a bit tight, but I guess that is how they are suppose to be. I am usually size 11 and I bought 11.5. I have been using these shoes for about 3 weeks now and they still are in great condition.

My instructor advised that I get a size up from 9s to 10s. I couldn't get these in the UK as they were only showing 8s and 11s. Arrived in good condition and they are comfortable. My instructor commented they were a little on the expensive side.

These would have been perfect if they only had my size. I am regularly sized 7 so I ordered a size 7.5. They hugged my feet nicely all around, but were just too tight. I ordered a size 8, but the seller didn't have anymore of that size so I had to settle for a size 8 of the Matflex 4 which isn't as nice as the Matflex 5's.