Seen at the Firearm Blog, apparently DoubleAlpha is marketing an outdoors shoe as the perfect shoe for IPSC. IPSC and USPSA do require a good shoe selection – often you’re shooting on sand, grass, mud, wooden planks as the ad for the shoe describes. Many shooters wear cleats or other high traction shoes; the IPSC Shoe takes it one step (ha!) further and gives you the benefit of a metal cleat for soggy boards without sacrificing traction on other surfaces. That being said, I don’t know if the performance edge is worth the $170 USD price tag. I tend to take a more moderate approach to shoes – a good off-road trail running shoe will provide the traction you need for most surfaces (with the possible exception of wet gravel) and also not break the bank. Plus, I use my USPSA shoes for IDPA, and actually for trail running. My favorite shoe is the Adidas Kanadia TR 2 
which I hope they never discontinue. As you can see it has a very aggressive tread pattern on the bottom of the shoe, without having the extremely high ankle that you see on the “IPSC Shoe” (which is something I don’t enjoy). I’m actually thinking about trying the Vibrams trail running “shoes” for USPSA and IDPA, as a lot of people I know outside the shooting world swear by them for running.
The thing about USPSA and IDPA is that it is as physical as you want to make it. If sprinting from shooting box to shooting box is what you’d like to do, then you’ll need good shoes. If you’d rather move slower, that’s awesome too – the nice thing about these games is that it is entirely up to the shooter to determine the pace that they shoot a particular stage. Oh, and by way of disclaimer – I have received precisely diddly-squat from Adidas. Somehow I don’t think they’d be too keen on an action pistol sponsorship…
$170 for shoes?
They better win the match for you at that price.
That’s..ammo money. :O
Yeah, kind of what I was thinking.
I allowed the webpage in noscript and wow..those look more like…toned-down ski boots.
I’m normally a “function over form” kinda guy…but….
https://www.doublealpha.biz/images/zEli_Jalas_web.jpg
I couldn’t do that.
Caleb:
I’m a big fan of the Vibram Five Fingers as well. Sometimes I have to take a moment to stop and remember that the modern athletic shoe is a creature of my lifetime. There IS an adjustment period to wearing Vibrams, from getting comfortable with the separated toes, to getting comfortable putting your toes into the toe “pockets” to getting used to the lack of support. When people ask what I use for arch support, I respond, “My arches.” I’d say they’re worth a try.
Those of us with bad ankles from years of doing stupid things (me) appreciate the high tops!
I personally wear at least a 6 inch boot at all times. 8 inch preferred, for ankle support.
My problems started in HS wrestling, went down WRONG big time, my right foot was turned almost straight backwards, crackled and crunched going and coming back. Could barely walk for about 3 months.
I’ve torn ligaments in both knees, left ankle isn’t as bad as the right but it’s been sprained several times as well.
Sneakers are not an option here at any price or level of quality.
BTW, i wear 11 1/2 EEEE, boots, in my size they are $100 and up anyways.
Or you could just by a pair of trail running shoes for about 1/2 the money. They have a more rigid toe box, breath well, and plenty of traction on the bottom.