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What Makes a Great Wrestling Shoe?
A great wrestling shoe can change everything. Confidence on your feet. Speed in your attacks. Comfort through hard practices. Stability during scrambles. Durability when the season gets long. At CH Gear, we believe wrestling shoes should do more than just “look good.” They should solve real problems for real wrestlers. That mindset is exactly why CH Gear reintroduced zipper wrestling shoes back into the wrestling market in 2024 with our very first release. They sold out in minutes. At that moment, we knew we had something special. But we also knew we were only getting started. Over the last two years, we’ve continued refining and perfecting the CH Gear XXVI wrestling shoe — combining modern wrestling shoe technology with practical features wrestlers actually need. Because the truth is:The best wrestling shoes are built for performance, comfort, accessibility, durability, and affordability. And that’s exactly what the XXVI was designed to deliver. Easy On. Easy Off. Built for Everyone. One of the most overlooked features in wrestling footwear is how easy the shoe is to actually put on. Traditional wrestling shoes can be frustrating: Tight toe boxes creating pain through the tournament day Difficult lacing systems Time-consuming adjustments Constant relacing during practice or tournaments The CH Gear XXVI zipper wrestling shoe changes that completely. The reinforced zipper system allows wrestlers to quickly slide into the shoe while still maintaining a locked-in competition feel. Whether you prefer to wrestle with laces or without them, the XXVI gives athletes the ability to customize the fit to their comfort level. The shoe also features a reinforced dri-fit support strap that helps secure the ankle and midfoot while maintaining flexibility and mobility. And importantly — the zipper system was engineered to support both narrow and wide feet comfortably. That means better fit.Better feel.Less frustration. From world-level athletes to youth wrestlers just learning the sport, accessibility matters. Athletes like Wyatt Hendrickson and Parker Keckeisen trust the XXVI at the highest levels of wrestling competition. But just as importantly, so do: Young wrestlers Parents helping kids gear up Athletes with disabilities Individuals who struggle tying traditional wrestling shoes The zipper wrestling shoe supports everyone — no matter their level, age, or stage in the sport. That’s what wrestling should be about. Grip and Explosion Matter A wrestling shoe is only as good as the traction underneath it. The CH Gear XXVI outsole was specifically designed to maximize grip and traction from every angle — helping wrestlers explode through shots, create pressure in scrambles, and maintain control during hard exchanges. The traction pattern was strategically engineered to create: Strong forward drive, Lateral grip, Explosive push-off angles, Reliable mat feel When you attack, your feet matter first. Your shoes should work with you — not against you. Durability Wins Seasons Every wrestler knows the pain of mid-season sole separation. One bad blowout can ruin a tournament, derail practice time, or leave athletes scrambling for replacement shoes during the toughest stretch of the year. That’s why the XXVI features reinforced stitching throughout critical stress areas to help prevent sole separation and improve long-term durability. Because wrestling seasons are hard enough already. Your gear should hold up with you. Breathability and Comfort Are Non-Negotiable Long practices create heat.Hard drilling creates sweat.Poor ventilation creates discomfort. The XXVI addresses this directly with breathable mesh paneling throughout the mid-section of the shoe to improve airflow during practices and competition. The heel area also includes enhanced padding for comfort and support around the ankle and heel. The result: Better comfort during long sessions, Reduced irritation, Improved breathability, More secure heel lockdown The goal is simple:Keep wrestlers comfortable so they can focus on competing. Great Wrestling Gear Should Still Be Affordable Another thing that makes a wrestling brand great? Cost effectiveness. At CH Gear, we work relentlessly behind the scenes to provide elite-level wrestling shoes and wrestling apparel at pricing that families and athletes can realistically afford. The wrestling community already sacrifices enough:Travel costs.Tournament fees.Training expenses.Club dues. We believe wrestlers deserve premium wrestling products without outrageous pricing attached to them. Our employees work extremely hard every day to keep the wheels turning while continuing to innovate and improve the products we put on the mat. Built for Wrestlers. Built for the Future. The sport of wrestling continues to evolve. Wrestling shoes should evolve too. The CH Gear XXVI was built to combine: Modern wrestling shoe innovation Elite-level traction Durability Comfort Accessibility Breathability Affordability All while bringing zipper wrestling shoes back into the spotlight for a new generation of wrestlers. This isn’t just about footwear. It’s about creating wrestling gear that helps every athlete feel confident when they step onto the mat. Whether you’re competing for a world title or walking into your first youth practice — you deserve gear that’s built for you. We are CH Gear.Made for the Chosen.Built for the Climb.
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Chosen Higher Athletes Set to Compete at World Team Trials in Kentucky
The road to the world stage runs through Kentucky this weekend. From Thursday through Sunday, some of the nation’s top freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers will battle for a spot on Team USA at the World Team Trials, and CH Gear is proud to have two elite athletes representing the brand on one of wrestling’s biggest stages. Aaron Seidel, Nathan Tomasello, and Claire DiCugno will both be competing this weekend while wearing CH Gear performance products, including the brand’s innovative zipper wrestling shoes built for elite-level support, lockdown feel, lightweight movement, and explosive performance. For CH Gear, this weekend represents far more than competition. It represents the continued growth of wrestling, the evolution of athlete-driven brands, and the culture that fuels everything we do. Aaron Seidel enters the weekend as one of the most exciting young names in wrestling. A true freshman NCAA All-American, Seidel has quickly become known for his pace, pressure, and fearless style on the mat. His rise through collegiate wrestling has made him one of the premier young athletes in the country and a perfect representation of the next generation of CH Gear competitors. Claire DiCugno continues to establish herself as one of the top women’s wrestlers in the nation, bringing toughness, consistency, and high-level experience into every competition. As women’s wrestling continues its rapid growth across the United States, athletes like DiCugno are helping push the sport into a new era while inspiring the next wave of competitors. Both athletes embody what CH Gear stands for:Relentless work ethic. Competitive fire. Faith. Discipline. And the willingness to climb when nobody is watching. This weekend will also be a major moment for the CHWC — Chosen Higher Wrestling Club. CH Gear CEO Brock Bergelin will be in attendance throughout the event supporting CHWC athletes while also coaching competitors from Michigan Premier Wrestling Club. In total, 55 athletes connected to the club will be competing across: Men’s Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Women’s Freestyle, Women’s Greco-Roman The scale of participation reflects something deeper than a single tournament. The commitment to the growth of wrestling is inherent in our veins — in who we are as people and who we are as a company. From grassroots youth wrestling to the world-level stage, CH Gear remains committed to building products, communities, and opportunities that elevate the sport forward. This weekend, expect to see CH Gear represented across the mats in elite wrestling shoes, performance apparel, warmups, and training gear designed specifically for wrestlers who demand lightweight movement, explosive traction, durability, and modern innovation. The future of wrestling is being built right now. And we are proud to stand alongside the athletes helping lead it. To everyone competing this weekend at World Team Trials — good luck. Compete freely, wrestle hard, and embrace the moment. And for those finishing up classes and closing out the school year — finish strong. Your season is coming too. We are CH Gear.We are CHWC.We are Chosen Higher.
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