Yoga shoes are a new and upcoming fad. Yoga is traditionally done in bare feet, but recently more and more people have begun wearing yoga shoes to help protect their feet on the hard studio floors. Yoga shoes are typically made in three-parts, and provide support, traction, protection, while still maintaining a barefoot feel.
Why They Help Performance
Yoga shoes are becoming more and more popular, particularly among people who are practicing Bikram yoga. Bikram yoga, also called hot yoga, is done in extreme heat. Thus, you are likely to sweat a significant amount. While you typically have a yoga mat, your sweat can cause both the mat and the studio floor to feel slippery. This can be dangerous when you are trying to complete highly difficult poses. Yoga shoes give you extra traction on the floor and the mat. Yoga shoes also give your feet extra support, which may be helpful in certain poses as well.
What are They Made of?
A yoga shoe is made up of three different parts: a flat, a ribbon, and a wrap. The flat is the sole of the shoe, while the wrap goes around the foot and the ribbon ties it all together. The wrap is traditionally made of a breathable mesh, which helps provide a barefoot feel, while the flat is made of durable neoprene with a silicone traction pattern. The flat helps you turn and stretch with ease.
Washing and Care Instructions
Almost all yoga shoes come with washing instructions to help keep them in great shape. While your yoga shoes won’t get too dirty if you only practice yoga indoors, you will sweat into them, particularly if you are practicing Bikram yoga. Before you do anything, wipe down your shoes with a wet washcloth. If you do have some dirt, you can use a toothbrush to help remove it. If your shoes do have an odor, you can use vinegar to clean them. Make a vinegar spray with one part white distilled vinegar and one part water. This mixture will kill 99% of bacteria on your shoes. Use the spray on your shoes and wipe down after. If there is still an odor, you can sprinkle baking soda in the shoe and let it sit overnight. This should help remove any lingering odor and keep your shoes smelling great.
Who Makes Them?
Yoga shoes are a relatively new product, and thus there are only a few companies that manufacture them. While many companies manufacture shoes designed to be worn in a studio, they don’t have shoes specific for yoga. Nike is one of the most popular brands of studio shoes, and they have recently been making shoes designed for the purpose of yoga. There are many different styles to choose from, including three-wrap and two-wrap styles.
Price Range
Yoga shoes range in price. The Nike Studio Wrap Three shoe, for example, costs only $55, while the Nike Studio Wrap Pack Three costs $120. In general, you can expect to
