8 Best Parkour Shoes (Review) In 2022

Saucony is well known for making athletic shoes, so it’s no surprise that the Saucony Originals Men’s Bullet Sneaker is our top contender. These super slim shoes fit like a glove and thanks to its rubber outsoles, you can land softly while doing parkour or any other outdoor activity. The company redesigned the 1985 original Saucony Bullet, removing the spikes and other designs of the authentic track shoes to make it street worthy. The bullet now has a super low profile, and it’s made with nylon and suede for a more casual look, and rubber outsoles.

The Bullet is highly functional and durable, and it also has rubber soles and a removable insole. The sleek silhouette is in honor of the original 1985 bullets. However, the retro look is laced with soft fabric lining with more cushioning at the tongue and collar for more comfort and support. If you’re still not sold on these shoes, then maybe the EVA midsoles that can absorb shock, cushion your feet and give your excellent support will do the trick.

If you’ve never bought a pair of laceless sneakers, then give it a try with the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Slip-On Classic Running Sneaker. But why is it laceless? Because it’s a slip-on, much like a pair of vans, you won’t have to worry about laces coming undone. Slip-ons are typically convenient and comfortable; the Mexico 66 is made from top quality material and soft cushioning on the footbed for more extended periods of activity.

The overall aesthetic of the 66 is low-top retro, made from premium white leather and stitched the classic red and blue ASICS stripe. The 66 features heel-cross reinforcement for top-notch stability. Although you can lace these shoes up, they are still a great fit without laces because the tongue is stitched to the inside panels of the upper. Apart from perfect snugness, the 66 features a heel flap that supports you as you put them on. For more amazing shoes check out our guide to the best high tops.

Picture a pair of gloves, now picture them as a pair of shoes, that’s precisely what the Vibram Men’s V Trail Runner looks like but with laces. Like most minimalist shoes, the Vibram is exceptionally lightweight but gives your feet excellent protection from uneven ground. The 3D Cocoon embedded in the outsoles makes the pump thin. It is made from flexible mesh which is dispersed around your feet as you go about your activities.

The Vibram gives you extra grip on wet and dry surfaces with its mega grip soles that provide superior grip and rubbed longevity.  The V- Trail has an impressive Vibram 3D Cocoon technology molded into the sole which gives you extreme protection from rocks and is extended into the ball area. The designed is a multi-directional lug for overall grip for steep terrain.

Lovers of barefoot running shoes will enjoy the Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 3 Trail Runner. This shoe is the perfect balance between minimalist and comfort. Unlike most minimalist shoes, the sole of the Vapor Glove is thick enough to give you a right level of protection under your foot. You might not want to take these out on rocky areas, but they perform excellently on gravel and the road. The Vapor Glove 3 features a Vibram-brand rubber outsole made from a new and improved compound called the TC5+rubber, so you know you’re getting value for your money and feet.

This outsole is lighter than previous Vapor Glove models, and it features 2mm lugs for extra grip on any surface. The soft outsole is high on wet and slippery rocks, but don’t expect a minimalist shoe to give you top-notch underfoot protection. The midsole of the Vapor Glove 3 uses compression-molded ethylene-vinyl acetate (CMEVA) that provides comfort and flexibility for your feet while running.

Going on a hike? Pick the Evolv Men’s Cruzer and reach the top. At first sight, these shoes do not have the “I’m for hiking” appeal, it looks more like a cross between a bowling shoe and a pair of vans. But, they offer much more, including excellent traction and stability.

The Cruzer is a lightweight canvas lace-up slip-on walking shoe. It has a thin upper material and a tight fit to keep your foot in place as you climb steep rocks. This is also a barefoot shoe for people that prefer a slight feel of the ground while walking or hiking. The front of the Cruzer features a smooth edging pad, which is perfect for gripping between rocks as you climb and incredible for edges.

We all know Puma, so there’s absolutely no reason to go into detail about their resume when it comes to sports shoes. So, we have the Ignite; one of the most versatile and high-energy running shoes. The build of the shoes doesn’t particularly scream “freerunning shoes,” but they hold up pretty well when it comes to parkour activities.

They come with Puma’s IGNITE Foam midsole, which provides you with optimal cushioning and that extra power you need to propel you forward as you move your feet. In addition to that, there’s a dual mesh upper and dual midsole design that gives you adequate feet support and flexibility. As you can probably guess, the shoes themselves are already lightweight. Perfect for jumps and flicks, won’t you say? Love running? Check out our review of the best zero drop running shoes for our top picks. 

Take Flight is one of the lesser known brands to feature on our list, and they make an entry with this bulky, dominantly-built footwear. At first glance, it’s pretty obvious that these shoes look a bit much. However, do they have the features to match that look and provide the right kind of support for parkour? Well, they pretty much can.

The Take Flight shoes designed with a special type of rubber compound, which helps their soles improve their grip on the ground. This, in addition to an outsole pattern, makes the shoes by far the “best grip” options on the list Moving on, we have a dual sock liner design, as well as the manufacturer’s unique “Compression Landing System” that ensures a proper fit (regardless of your leg’s width) and the right amount of protection as you move. The shoes also have excellent cushioning, effective transitioning, and enough traction to keep you moving for hours on end. If you love training, make sure you also check our guide to the best cross training shoes.

We know what you’re thinking; the shoes don’t look like they’re much. With Nike Men’s Flex Experience Rn 6 Running Shoe, there is absolutely nothing special. The mesh material makes them breathable (and by extension your feet feel airy and dry), and there’s a synthetic rubber sole that can last quite long.

However, beyond that, there really isn’t anything more. To top it all off, the shoes don’t look visually appealing, so you can’t purchase them as a fashion statement as well. In general, you really won’t be missing much if you choose to skip this option. However, its affordability earns it a place on our list nonetheless. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best trail running shoes for women.