How to Choose Wrestling Shoes and Sambo Shoes
Sambo jacket, sambo shoes, wrestling shoes, boxing boots: what is what, how sambo shoes differ under FIAS and UWW rules, how to choose shoe size and how a jacket should fit.
·6 min read
In Russian gyms, the slang word “sambovka” means a sambo jacket, and in the plural “sambovki” often refers to footwear as well. Neither word appears in the federation rules, which say “sambo jacket” and “sambo boots.” Below we cover how to choose footwear and how to choose a jacket separately, and how sambo boots differ from wrestling shoes for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling and from boxing boots.
Sambo boots vs. wrestling shoes: what’s the difference
On the outside they look like similar footwear: soft upper, thin sole, high lacing. The difference lies in federation requirements. For sambo they are set by the FIAS rules, the FIAS technical passport for uniform manufacturing, and the rules of the sport “sambo” of the Russian Ministry of Sport. For freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, the UWW rules apply.
| Sambo boots (FIAS, Ministry of Sport) | Wrestling shoes for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling (UWW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | red, blue or red-and-blue | — |
| Material and sole | soft leather or synthetic fabric, soft sole with no protruding hard parts, seams turned inward | upper made of fabric or leather without rough seams, flexible sole with no metal parts |
| Protection | felt pads on the ankle and over the big toe joint | the rules do not require separate protection |
| Shaft height | 5–10 cm from the bottom of the outer ankle bone, fits snugly around the ankle once laced | — |
| Laces | the referee checks that the lacing is tight | laces must be covered with tape or elastic fabric |
The main practical difference is eligibility. At official FIAS competitions, athletes compete only in uniforms bearing the FIAS conformity mark, and boots are part of the uniform. At official events of the All-Russian Sambo Federation, the jacket, shorts and boots must come from a manufacturer certified by the All-Russian Sambo Federation. So unlicensed wrestling shoes are fine for training, but for a tournament you need boots with a license of the required level.
Wrestling shoes and boxing boots
Boxing boots are made for work on your feet in the ring: the sole is usually stiffer and sometimes has a small heel. On a mat, such a sole grips the surface less well during turns and in ground work, and the UWW rules require a flexible sole. For wrestling and sambo, choose wrestling shoes or sambo boots, and leave boxing boots for boxing.
How to choose wrestling shoe size
The federations have no official sizing norms, so go by the fit that the FIAS technical passport requires: the boot is light and soft, the shaft fits snugly around the ankle once laced, and the foot does not slide around.
- Try shoes on with the socks you train in, and at the end of the day, when your foot is slightly larger.
- Loose shoes bunch up and cause chafing; tight ones take away the feeling of support. If you are between sizes, choose the one in which your foot does not slip after lacing.
- Lasts differ between brands: a size that fit with one manufacturer may fit differently with another.
RSM wrestling shoes with an All-Russian Sambo Federation or FIAS license are available in sizes 28–47. Not sure about your size? Send us your foot length, and a manager will advise you. For a club, we will prepare a size breakdown for the whole group.
How to choose a sambovka (sambo jacket)
The FIAS technical passport sets clear criteria for a competition jacket:
- Fabric: at least 80% cotton, density from 500 to 700 g/m². Dense fabric holds a grip and does not tear at the lapels or along the stitching.
- Shrinkage: less than 4% after washing.
- Color: red or blue. At competitions an athlete is assigned one of them, so for tournaments you need a set in both colors.
- License: FIAS for international events; for all-Russian events, a jacket with an All-Russian Sambo Federation license is suitable. A license is not required for training.
RSM competition jackets are made of 100% cotton with a density of 580 g/m² and shrinkage below 4%, in red and blue, with an All-Russian Sambo Federation or FIAS license. A lighter jacket is available for children’s training.
How a sambo jacket should fit
The FIAS rules and the rules of the sport “sambo” describe the fit explicitly:
- The sleeve reaches the wrist, and along its entire length at least 10 cm of space remains between the arm and the fabric. The referee checks this with a special tool: the athlete spreads straight arms out to the sides and then brings them forward.
- The jacket skirts extend 25–30 cm below the belt line.
- The belt is passed through the slits, wraps snugly around the body twice and is tied in a knot at the front. The ends of the tied belt are no longer than the jacket skirt.
Sambovka size
RSM sambo jackets are available in sizes 30–58, even numbers only. Size is chosen by height and chest girth. Size ranges for all gear are collected in the size chart. If you are unsure, send your height, weight and chest girth: a manager will select the size, and for a team will work out a breakdown for the whole roster.
What else is included in the kit for sport and combat sambo is covered in the article “What gear you need for sambo”.
Outfitting a club or a national team? Send us the group roster and sizes: we will select jackets and wrestling shoes in both colors and quote a price based on volume. In-house production, RSM brand.
In brief: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between wrestling shoes and sambo shoes?+
In gyms, the word "sambovka" is used for both the sambo jacket and sambo shoes. Under FIAS rules, sambo shoes are red, blue or red-and-blue, with a soft sole without rigid parts and felt protection for the ankle and big toe. Under UWW rules, shoes for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling must have a flexible sole without metal and covered laces. Official sambo competitions require shoes licensed by FIAS or made by a manufacturer certified by the All-Russian Sambo Federation (VFS).
What is the difference between boxing boots and wrestling shoes?+
Boxing boots usually have a firmer sole, sometimes with a small heel, since they are designed for work on your feet in the ring. A mat requires a thin, flexible sole, so for wrestling and sambo choose wrestling shoes or sambo shoes.
How do I choose the size of wrestling shoes?+
There are no official standards. Try them on in training socks: once laced, the upper should fit snugly around the ankle and the foot should not slip. RSM wrestling shoes come in sizes 28–47; a manager will help you pick the size based on foot length.
How should a sambo jacket fit?+
Under FIAS rules, the sleeve reaches the wrist, with at least 10 cm of space between the arm and the fabric along its entire length. The jacket skirts hang 25–30 cm below the belt line, the belt wraps around the body twice, and the ends of the tied belt are no longer than the skirts.
