Footwear for Tai Chi

What footwear should you wear in a tai chi class?

Most tai chi classes start indoors, usually on a wooden floor like a dance studio. The right footwear helps you stay balanced and move smoothly. Shoes with too much grip make turning harder and can strain your knees.

1. Cotton Sole Slippers

The classic tai chi shoes. Soft, flat, and light. Perfect for turning and twisting. They make you feel connected to the floor. Minimal grip helps you build real rooting. Use them outdoors once and they'll be torn to shreds.

2. Rubber Sole Slippers

Same look as the cotton ones but tougher. Made for concrete and rough ground. Often called kung fu shoes. You still feel the floor, but the grip keeps you from sliding into the splits.

3. Feiyues

Every Chinese practitioner’s favourite. They used to be cheap, not so much anymore. Good looking in a nostalgic way. You’ll get approving nods if someone recognises them. The toebox is narrow though. Wide feet will suffer.

4. Trainers

Fine when you start. Everyone’s worn them at some point but they push you forward and lift your heels, which messes with your rooting. If you’re wearing trainers for more than a few classes, try something flatter or do it in socks.

5. Socks

Honestly not bad. Good for feeling the floor. Bad if the floors are polished. Even less grip than cotton soles, so if you can stay rooted in socks, you’re golden. Bring an extra pair in case they get dirty.

6. Barefoot Shoes

Wide toebox, thin sole. Lets you feel the ground and move naturally. Some pairs really do feel like being barefoot, which is both a pro and a con. If you’re not used to them and step on a rock, you’ll feel every bit of it.

7. Barefoot

Your feet have natural grip. It feels nice outdoors on grass. Not the worst option. Some teachers encourage it to strengthen your feet. Others discourage it for hygiene and safety reasons.

8. Heels

The worst option. I’ve seen it done before. It’s possible and very impressive, but I do NOT recommend it. My heart can’t handle watching a beginner fall like that. A disaster waiting to happen.

In Short

What footwear should you wear in a tai chi class?

Flat, comfortable, not too grippy. Let your feet do the work!

Written 13th October 2025