Reader Question: Quest to Buy Women’s Karate Shoes

Hi - I am a 43 year old female who has been studying Karate for about two years. I love it! I am on a quest to find women's karate shoes (mostly for kata and practicing). Do you know of anyplace to purchase them? Thanks!

My only experience with martial arts shoes are the Ringstar sparring shoes and I’m not a huge fan. They look and feel like something Run D.M.C. would have worn (like from "Tougher than Leather" era or earlier). And, they make your feet really sweaty. However, if you have a broken toe (or just think that maybe you might have broken your toe), they are much more tolerable. In fact, with an injured toe, they are AWESOME.

I also keep some lyrical dance slippers in my karate bag. They’re nice when you have a ripped callous.

I don't know of a karate shoe specifically for women. But, if someone does make women’s shoes, they’ll cost twice as much as the guy’s shoes.

At my dojo, the Adidas SM II is popular.  My understanding is they are in men's sizes. So, in the US, that means you just subtract 2 from your normal size and you have your size in men's shoes. For example, I typically wear a 9, so I would order a 7.

What do you think? Do you use karate shoes? And, if so, what ones would you recommend?

Fit Karate-ka Class Update and Map

The Fit Karate-ka classes start tomorrow. And the two bridges that are closest to Annie's Om Towne Fitness (which is, technically, located on an island) will be closed, starting today. (I'm known for my awesome timing.) The bridges on Benton will be open and the street will be turned into a two-way street during the renovation (which shouldn't be confusing at all).

The Downer bridges are "historic" (which is political speak for "old as hell") so I'm totally in favor of the closure. However, I wish it could start in the summer or just about any time after the class starts.

The good news is that there is free parking in the parking garage at Downer and Stolp. If you're patronizing a business on Downer (that would include us over at Annie's Om Towne Fitness), you can park for free on the parking deck as long as you're there for less than an hour. (And my class is 45 minutes and less than a block away, how convenient is that?!)

As an added bonus, if you sign up for the entire six-week session, you will be guaranteed to see me, at some point, crawling on my belly to get to the building. The only thing scarier than a historic bridge is HALF a historic bridge.

If you want information on the bridge renovation, you can read the official propaganda on the City's Web site.


Feb. 8 update: Remember: Fit Karate-Ka Classes meet 7:15 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 7 through March 13, at Annie's Om Towne Fitness, 18 W. Downer Place in Aurora. (Don't let the missing bridges scare you off. ) Canceled. We'll try again in a month or two.

2012 Silver Sun Showdown Open Martial Arts Tournament, St. Louis, MO

BFF Teri, the kids (minus one who's taking the picture) and I, hanging out outside of Pappy's in St. Louis after the Silver Sun Showdown in 2010. A great tournament followed by some great barbecue.

The Silver Sun Showdown will be held Saturday, May 19, at Hazelwood West High School, 1 Wildcat Lane, St. Louis, MO. Please note, that this is a new location. Previously the tournament was held at East High.

Check out their Web site for full details. There are various competitor fees depending on the competitor’s division and UKA affiliation. I also noticed there is a family discount for when 3 or more people from the same family participate in the tournament. (Thank you, Sensei Creamer!)

For more information, call 636-279-3730 or email or email, allstarkarate@charter.net.

Academy of Martial Arts Circuit Tournament, Aurora, IL

Academy of Martial Arts Circuit Tournament will be held Feb. 26 at the Aurora Turners Club Sports Facility 1335 Mitchell Rd., Aurora, IL. Registration is from noon to 12:30 p.m. Tournament starts at 12:30 p.m.

Fee for competitors is $35 for all divisions. Adult spectators pay $5; kids under 12 pay $3 to watch.

USSSA Sanctioned Event and the first tournament of the USSSA point circuit year. For information, call Shihan Mark Nixon, 815-919-7540, or Shihan Mike Peura, 630-553-8378.