By the looks of the current sporty state of footwear, it’s most certain that boxing shoes have swung into the ring of style.
It's no secret fashion loves sports, or at least the idea of them. Athletes and aesthetes have donned everything from love-it-or-hate-it athleisure to designer tennis rackets and vegetal weights. Just take a glance at this fall’s spring-summer 2025 collections, from the streetwise trainers of Miu Miu and Stella McCartney, to the worn-and-well-loved shoes of Ann Demeulmeester. Compounded by the still-steady popularity of Adidas Gazelles and Sambas; Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s; and recent Puma Speedcat collabs with Fenty and Grand Prix, ultra flat, retro-style sneakers have become steady champs in the realm of footwear and are now receiving a punchy update. Consider them aestheticized athletics.
Shoes are becoming more imaginative, soles are getting lower to the ground, and whether presented as a pair of agile hi-tops or gothic office-ready flats, the boxing silhouette is here to stay. It’s a sporty alternative to a boot, with the possibilities for reimagination near infinite — and well-suited for the approaching cool weather. Below, explore my favorite fight-forward shoes and how I’m styling them, throughout this season and the next. I slid on my boxing gloves, put up my dukes, and jumped to the ring.
Adidas, Japan VH Shoes
Your dad’s gym class sneakers just got upgraded. Harking back to Adidas’s statement Knockout boxing boot of the ‘80s, this updated hi-top features a leather upper with suede and nylon details, all wrapped into a fit that’s surprisingly lightweight as it is flexible. I opted for the core black/cloud and white/cream white colorway, though there’s also the matte silver/solar and orange/grey two tone for the metallic-inclined.
One thing I love more than a statement shoe is a statement shoe designed for total comfort, which this silhouette indeed offers. I chose to dress the shoes with an asymmetrical bubble dress — I figured the blue tartan pattern would complement the eponymous 3-Stripes — and added a stack of my favorite cuff bracelets and bangles for a Disney-does-punk sort of look. With shoes as bold as these, equally playful accessories are a must.
Free People, Ballerina Boxing Boot
Think of this ankle-length boot as an elevated boxing shoe. It’s quietly-designed with a sharp silhouette, perfect for the office-commuter by day and goth athlete (gothlete?) by dusk. As its name suggests, this pair blends grit and girlishness, with added personality through its panel detailing and ribbon shoelaces. Although the fit itself is not all too flexible, it’s a wildly versatile shoe that you can, in fact, run in and dress up or down.
I went for a workwear-ready ensemble with my lace-trim button up; its whimsical leg-of-mutton sleeves mirror the shoes’ exaggerated pointed toes. To bring a bit of casualness into the look, I put on my go-to flare jeans that are just the right length to allow the leather boots to peek through. I’m ready for my coffee run. And my boxing match too.
Jaded London, Brooke Boxing Boot
I cannot imagine boxing in two-inch kitten heels, but put me in any other situation and these would gladly be my boots of choice. Perhaps the most creative pair of the three I tried, these knee highs feature antiqued metal hardware, yellow contrast stitching, and zigzag trim. Though they also come in a dusted black colorway, I went with burgundy for a pop of color, because the last two pairs of boxing shoes are very telling of how vibrant my existing wardrobe is.
The boots come with two sets of laces: yellow and plain black, and, in staying true to my color scheme of choice, I went with the latter. I styled them with a double-breasted military jacket I encountered at a stoop sale and an asymmetrical pleated skirt, courtesy of my sister’s closet, as clothing swaps are among the most thrilling ways to score new pieces. Ultimately, these Jaded London boxing boots offer a truly polished pugilist out there.
