Best Competition Cheer Shoes
If you are looking for professional competition cheer shoes in 2021, then you are in the right place. Let’s dive in!
What are cheer shoes?
Cheerleading shoes are designed specifically to enhance a cheerleader’s performance in both the way they look and feel on the mat or sidelines. They differ from a regular sneaker/tennis shoe because they are typically more lightweight, thin and breathable with certain specifications for bases, flyers and tumblers. It is important to do your research and invest in the right cheer shoe for your foot.
There are many cheerleading shoes on the market with variations in the way they look and feel. Some shoes are more durable and others have a slim, sock-like feel. Trying different shoes may be necessary to find the one you feel the most comfortable and confident in. Cheerleading shoes should last at least a full season, so choosing one that will hold up through both practices and competitions is a must.
Cheer shoes are very personal to the athlete because they are worn day in and day out. Cheerleaders are generally specific about a type of shoe they like that works for them for different reasons, including the way they look and feel. Some athletes are even superstitious about wearing the same pair of shoes to every competition and rely heavily on their shoes for an outstanding performance.
Competition cheer shoes
Competition cheerleading shoes are performance shoes that are appropriate to take the stage in. They are black or white, often specified by the coach and their preference for the entire team. The best competition cheer shoes feature elements for support, shock cushioning, and long-lasting comfort.
“Competition cheer shoes are often constructed to hold up indoors or outdoors.”
Cheer competitions happen usually indoors, but cheerleaders can wear the same shoes to warm-up outdoors or for school/sideline cheer as well. Some athletes choose to wear a different shoe for school cheer and all-star cheer, but other’s wear the same shoe for everything.
Competition Shoes vs Cheer Practice Shoes
Professional competition cheer shoes are often the same as the one’s practiced in. It is unusual for a cheerleader to practice in a different shoe they perform in, unless they switch into a new/cleaner pair of the same type of shoe on competition days that doesn’t have as much wear and tear.
Flyers usually stick to the same pair of shoes all season because their bases adapt their grips to a certain type.
Tumblers and bases often wear the same shoes year-round as well to avoid having to break in a new pair of shoes or get used to the way a different style of shoe feels while stunting/tumbling.
How to choose the best competition cheer shoes?
This article is intended to guide you in choosing the best competition cheerleading shoe for you. Every aspect of the shoe should be well thought-out, including the way their sole feels on the foot, if the shoe has specific details to support the heel and ankle, as well as a classic design.
Best cheer shoes for competition - key features
The best flyer cheer shoes feature finger grooves for bases to properly grip their flyer’s foot and a slim design that fits close to the foot. They should have a feather-light feel for the flyer’s comfort, as well as their bases. The best cheer shoes for bases and tumbler cheerleading shoes will have some of the same features. However, they will also have emphasis on shock absorption, ventilation and stability.
Sideline cheerleading shoes are primarily more durable with a thicker sole and more cushioning for the extra support necessary to perform on the sidelines and field, which have much less absorption and spring than a cheer mat. They often have the most simple, clean look out of all the cheerleading shoes to go with the more traditional style of uniforms and practice wear worn for schools.
Watch cheerleading champion Angel Rice explaining what key feature of the cheer shoes helped her win Daytona
If you choose the right pair, you only need one pair of cheerleading shoes for everything, competition, practice, events, etc. At most, you would need two pairs of shoes if you do both sideline and competition cheer.
#1 Best Competition Cheer Shoes: Rebel Revolution
The Rebel Revolution is an incredibly versatile competition cheerleading shoe. It is a top-of-the-line, reliable option for any position in cheer. It is made with a mid-rise style that provides additional ankle support for the athlete. Combined with it’s shock-absorption and stabilizing exo-skeleton, you really can’t go wrong with this shoe.
In addition, the heel cushions of these professional competition cheer shoes provide comfort without having to purchase additional inserts. This shoe is designed to last, while also looking and feeling outstanding on the foot.
#2 Best Competition Cheer Shoes: Rebel Ruthless
Another A+ cheer competition shoe is the Rebel Ruthless. Unlike the knit Revolution, this shoe is made with a multi-layer mesh material that is extremely breathable. This shoe has unique features that will appeal to flyers, bases and tumblers. It is a shoe designed for all cheerleaders and is even a solid choice for school cheer as well.
The Rebel Ruthless features a unique weight-distribution technology that is necessary for all positions. It’s the little things that set this shoe apart from competitors: the spin pad, patented finger grooves and more.
#3 Best Competition Cheer Shoes: Rebel Revolt
The Rebel Revolt is designed with a similar construction to the Rebel Revolution, but is not a mid-rise shoe. This is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t prefer a shoe that covers the ankle.
This knit material shoe conforms to the foot to create a secure feeling while performing. This is one of the best cheer shoes competition that has a stylized design and that looks amazing on and off the mat.
The Rebel Revolt is a very functional lightest cheer competition shoe that can also be worn day-to-day for working out or on-the-go, which is a major bonus for a cheer shoe.
What are the best competition cheer shoes worn by cheerleading champions?
Wondering what shoes cheer champions are wearing for their competitions? Take a look below for 3 testimonials of professional cheerleaders from Indiana Ultimate Insanity, Steele Athletics and Southwestern Christian Cheer.
Angel Rice 3 times cheerleading champion explains why Rebel Athletic cheer shoes are her favorite
“I wear Rebel Ruthless. I chose this style because it seemed the most practical with matching my uniform and for flying purposes. My favorite part is how lightweight they are! They have the perfect amount of support. I am a flyer and especially love how they fit in my hands when flying and my bases also love them because they’re not too bulky or too thin. I always wear them whether at practice, onstage or on the turf. They’re so versatile you don’t have to keep switching shoes for different jobs.” - Emily Molitor, Indiana Ultimate Insanity
“I always perform in my Rebel Revolt shoes. I love how light weight, comfortable, and stretchy they are. They are perfect for tumbling because of how snug and supportive they are, and how they just conform to your foot. They are also perfect for basing because of the good grip on the bottom and the cushion on the inside! These are definitely one of my all time favorite cheer shoes because they not only are super supportive and comfortable but are also so cute!”
- Samantha Goure, Steele Athletics
“I wear the Rebel Revolt cheer shoe because I like the style. Most cheer shoes all look sort of the same, but this cheer shoe didn't and it also looked very lightweight. The lightweight sole that they come with helps me with all the tumbling that I have to do through my routine. Especially being a collegiate cheerleader tumbling the hard mat, it helps a lot with the shoe being so light. I wear the same shoe for practice and for competitions... It’s one of my ritual’s.” -Kobe Williams, Southwestern Christian Cheer