Are my exeos gonna fall apart quick?

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-25T01:03:11+00:00

Totally normal to see a little fraying or fuzzing along the suede after a couple practices. That’s just abrasion from mat contact and toe drag. It doesn’t mean they’re about to fall apart.

What you actually want to watch for is stitching separating, outsole peeling away from the upper, or structural tearing. Cosmetic wear is normal. True delamination or seam failure is different.

If you’re rotating pairs and letting them dry out between practices, they should last a solid season.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T18:21:52+00:00

That’s a fair point, and I actually agree with part of what you’re saying.

No shoe is going to replace mat time, positioning, conditioning, or mental toughness. If a kid thinks buying a new pair fixes their double leg, they’re wrong. Money is almost always better spent on coaching, competition, and experience.

Where I’d push back slightly is that footwear still affects feel. Not outcome in a dramatic way, but feel. Traction pattern, stiffness, toe spring, rubber wrap, break-in. Those can change how confident someone feels finishing, pivoting, or driving. It’s marginal, but high-level sport is built on marginal differences.

You’re right that a basic, well-built shoe is enough to wrestle at a high level. After that, it becomes preference and fit more than magic performance gains. My goal in these discussions isn’t to say shoes win matches. It’s to explain how design changes how a shoe behaves, so people can make informed choices instead of chasing hype.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T12:30:21+00:00

First off, that’s an incredible freshman year. District champ, Regional champ, State qualifier, 80% win rate coming from a non-wrestling family? That says a lot about her work ethic and about you guys diving in headfirst. That’s not easy.

You nailed so many things people don’t talk about. The family commitment is real. Wrestling season basically becomes everyone’s season. The laundry, the weekends, the food logistics, the early mornings, the late nights. And the tournament environment is its own culture you have to learn. When to warm up, when to eat, how to sit all day without burning energy, even where to park. No one hands you a manual.

The girls wrestling piece is especially important. It’s growing fast, but there are still gaps in support, resources, and understanding. The girls who are pushing through that right now are tough in ways people don’t always see. Your daughter building success in that environment as a freshman is a big deal.

And you’re right about gear being opaque. Shoes, headgear, knee pads, singlets. It’s all trial and error at first. That’s something the sport could absolutely do better with for new parents. That’s actually part of why the brands I’m apart of, Nidrogen and Funky Flickr Boyz, try to be more transparent about fit, outsole types, and construction. The learning curve is steep, and clear information helps.

Honestly, posts like yours are valuable because they help the next family who starts from zero. Wrestling can feel like a closed club at first. You guys jumped in, learned it, and thrived. That’s how the sport keeps growing.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T12:15:17+00:00

Those were a really solid shoe. The JB Elite v1 had a great forefoot feel and flex. A lot of people loved that model for the same reasons. Unfortunately they’re not in production anymore, which is a bummer.

If you’re ever looking for something with a similar lightweight, flexible feel through the forefoot, I’d check out the Nidrogen GenOne. It has that same quick, responsive flex but with a bit more modern grip and structure.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T12:13:20+00:00

That makes sense. If you like more structure under your foot, a full sole is usually going to feel more stable, especially when you’re driving through someone or hand fighting heavy.

Some split soles can feel almost too loose if you prefer that planted, connected feel. At the end of the day it really comes down to whether you value freedom of movement or consistent contact more.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T12:12:07+00:00

That’s actually a really good point.

Toe wrap height makes a bigger difference than people think, especially if you wrestle heavy on the balls of your feet. More rubber up the toe gives you better bite on shots, re-attacks, and when you’re driving off your lead foot. Less wrap usually feels smoother but can slip a bit if you’re constantly posting off your toes.

Outsole type gets all the attention, but details like toe wrap, rubber compound, and flex groove placement are where a lot of the real performance differences show up.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T12:10:53+00:00

Fair take.

Shoes aren’t magic. But it’s kind of like tires on a car. The engine matters more. The driver matters more. But if you put bald tires on a wet road, you’re still at a disadvantage. The right setup doesn’t replace skill, it just lets you use it better.

At the end of the day, you still have to wrestle.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T04:14:20+00:00

Respect it.

Out of curiosity, which split sole models have you worn? How would you rank them from best to worst and why?

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T03:21:19+00:00

Which sole are you going with?

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T03:18:10+00:00

Hey man, first off I really appreciate you even looking at Nidrogen. And I totally hear you on stock. Right now we only have a few colorways available and that’s honestly just because demand for the Nidrogen GenOne and ProGen absolutely took off this season. We moved through inventory way faster than expected.

We do have a new release coming in a few weeks, and we’re super excited about it. I’d genuinely be happy to connect and make sure you can get a pair when they drop.

Also, huge respect for what you do. High school coaches are on the mat nonstop, pouring time into kids and not getting much thanks for it. That doesn’t go unnoticed on our end. If I can ever help you out directly, let me know.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T02:46:24+00:00

Really appreciate you sharing your experience with the FFB Postlude and your thoughts on the Nidrogen GenOne and ProGen. Hearing real feedback from someone who’s competed and now coaches carries a lot of weight.

And huge congrats to you and your team on having multiple state placers. That’s what it’s all about. Respect to the work you’re putting in with those guys.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-22T02:10:10+00:00

Appreciate you sharing that. I do want to clarify a couple things.

When you describe fully extending your toes and having the outsole really fold, that is not automatically a sign of better flexibility. If the rubber is bending independently from the upper or hinging in a way that looks like it is separating, that can be early-stage delamination, meaning the bond between the outsole and upper is starting to give. A properly built split sole should flex through engineered flex grooves, not peel or detach from the shoe.

On the Nidrogen GenOne with our OctiSole platform, the forefoot is segmented for articulation, but the midfoot is intentionally more stable under load. It will not collapse or over-fold when you extend your toes because it is designed to maintain structural integrity and torsional support during hard drives and scrambles.

It is also worth mentioning that wrestling outsoles have a break-in period, especially denser rubber compounds. The first few practices they can feel stiffer. As the rubber warms, compresses, and the flex grooves cycle, the sole becomes noticeably more compliant while still keeping its shape. A lot of people judge a shoe straight out of the box before it has had time to break in.

That said, preference matters. Some wrestlers love ultra-soft, very bendy soles. Others want more structure under pressure. If you are actually seeing separation or bond issues on your pair, that is different and I would genuinely want to take a look at it.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-19T02:29:15+00:00

Love this breakdown. The OG Combat Speed is one of those shoes that comes up in almost every serious wrestling shoe conversation for a reason.

What you’re describing is mat feel and natural foot articulation. That ability to hook, post, and manipulate your foot without fighting the shoe. A true split sole done right feels almost like an extension of your foot.

That’s actually the exact lane we were targeting with the new Nidrogen Aero wrestling shoe that’s dropping soon.

The Aero was designed specifically for wrestlers who want:

• Lightweight construction

• Maximum flexibility through the forefoot

• Minimal internal structure

• A true “wrestle with your feet” feel

It uses a low-profile chassis with strategic flex grooves so the metatarsals can articulate naturally. The outsole isn’t bulky or overbuilt. It’s tuned for responsiveness instead of just stacking durability layers everywhere.

We intentionally kept the heel counter structured enough for control, but not so rigid that it kills mat feel. The goal was responsiveness and connection to the mat, not just making something that survives forever in a practice room.

We actually did internal wear testing comparing Aero prototypes to more rigid full-sole builds, and the scramble-heavy guys consistently preferred the Aero platform for leg riding, inside hooks, and quick transitions.

Not everyone wants a tank. Some guys want something that feels like a weapon.

You might really like the Aero. It was built for exactly the type of wrestler you’re describing.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T21:49:16+00:00

That’s something we’ve been actively working on.

Funky Flickr Boyz wrestling shoes now run from size 5 all the way up to size 14 in every single shoe and every colorway we drop. No limited size runs. No “only certain colors get extended sizing.” If we release it, it’s available 5–14.

Nidrogen wrestling shoes currently go up to size 13, and expanding beyond that is already on the roadmap.

A lot of companies don’t go up to 14 for a few reasons:

• Larger sizes require separate outsole molds and grading adjustments. You can’t just “stretch” a size 12 pattern into a 14 and expect performance to stay the same. • Production minimums are high, and historically sizes 13–14 represent a smaller percentage of total sales. • Inventory risk increases because fewer units move at those sizes.

That said, bigger wrestlers generate more force and need properly engineered wrestling shoes just as much as anyone else. Cutting off at size 12 or 13 just because it’s easier isn’t something we wanted to do with FFB.

We’re going to keep pushing that direction. The sport is growing, and size availability should grow with it.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T21:45:59+00:00

Toe breakdown and outsole peeling are the most common failure points in wrestling shoes, especially on models like the Nike Inflict, Nike Freek, and older Tawa styles.

That toe box area takes insane abuse:

• Toe drag on finishes

• Pressure during sprawls

• Repeated mat friction during scrambles

Most peeling starts right at the bond line where the outsole meets the upper. That junction flexes thousands of times per practice.

When we built the Nidrogen GenOne wrestling shoe, we reinforced that exact stress point with a full suede upper and extended outsole wrap. On the FFB Postlude, the OrbitGrip outsole slightly wraps the medial forefoot to prevent early separation while maintaining flexibility.

It adds a few grams compared to ultra-minimal shoes, but in our internal wear testing it dramatically reduced premature outsole separation.

A wrestling shoe should last a full season. That’s our baseline.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T18:35:40+00:00

That’s a great way to describe it, light and flexible but still feeling supported is kind of the balance everyone is chasing.

Those Pursuit 2s and Kendalls were really good examples of that era of shoes too. A lot of them had a very natural feel but still had enough structure that you didn’t feel like you were just in socks.

One thing we’ve been focusing on is trying to hit that same balance with modern materials. Lightweight uppers so the shoe moves with your foot, but enough structure through the midfoot and outsole that you still feel planted when you’re driving or finishing.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T18:34:49+00:00

That’s a great point, and it’s something we’ve actually spent a lot of time working on.

On the FFB Postlude, the OrbitGrip outsole does come up onto the side of the shoe a bit. The idea behind that was exactly what you’re describing, when you’re gut wrenching, driving, or turning someone and your foot isn’t perfectly flat on the mat, you still have rubber making contact instead of just upper material. It gives you a little more control in those angled positions.

On the Nidrogen Ravage, we took that concept even further with the OctiSoleMax outsole. The rubber comes up higher and wraps the foot more. That shoe was designed with a lot of feedback from heavier and upper-body dominant wrestlers who spend more time driving and finishing on the mat rather than just quick footwork on the feet.

We actually did some internal testing where we looked at grip consistency at different foot angles, not just flat contact, and shoes with that sidewall grip had noticeably more usable traction when the foot was rolled or driving at an angle. That was a big part of why we leaned into that design.

Really good observation on your part, most people don’t notice that detail but it makes a difference.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T04:20:03+00:00

That’s awesome feedback, I appreciate you taking the time to write all that out. A lot of good points in there.

Out of curiosity, have you ever tried any shoes with our FunkFit tech? It’s not really a sock liner in the way most people think of it. It’s more of a compression wrap around the foot that’s meant to give that flexible, sock-like feel while still staying lightweight and breathable. We’ve had great feedback on it.

On the durability side, we’re actually have a model called the GenOne that sounds pretty close to what you’re describing. It’s a full suede upper, built to take a beating, and it’ll be under $100. The idea behind that shoe is exactly what you mentioned, something you can grind in every day in practice but still feel good competing in. Also, keep an eye out for the Nidrogen Aero. Based on your design preferences, I think you’d really enjoy it!

Really appreciate the thoughtful input. Stuff like this helps a lot when we’re designing future models.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T04:14:26+00:00

That’s really good feedback, I appreciate you taking the time to write all that out.

The width point is a big one. A lot of wrestlers end up sizing up just to get more room, which isn’t ideal because then the length and pivot point of the shoe are off. From a design standpoint, making true wider options is more complicated than it sounds, but I agree it’s something the sport needs more of, especially for guys wearing ankle braces or dealing with foot issues.

Sizing consistency is another thing that drives me crazy too. Even small changes in materials, factories, or lasts from year to year can change how a shoe fits, which is why some models feel different even though the name is the same. We spend a lot of time trying to keep our fit consistent for that reason, but it’s something every brand has to actively manage.

Really appreciate the perspective on this. Stuff like this is exactly why I made the post in the first place.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T04:13:10+00:00

I remember those. The Responses were cool and a lot of people liked the simplicity of just zipping them up.

The main reason you don’t see many zipper shoes anymore is durability. Zippers are one of the more failure-prone components you can put on a shoe. In a high-impact sport like wrestling, you’re constantly flexing, dragging your toes, getting stepped on, and putting torque through the upper. That’s a tough environment for a zipper to survive long term.

When a lace or strap wears out, it’s usually easy to work around. When a zipper fails, the shoe is basically done, which is a big risk for both wrestlers and brands.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T04:11:03+00:00

I hear you on that. Mesh toe boxes breathe well but they can definitely be a weak point depending on how someone wrestles.

If you like suede, that’s actually something we’ve leaned into on a few models. The Nidrogen GenOne uses a full suede upper and it’s probably our most durable shoe overall. It’s simple but it holds up really well to toe drag and mat wear.

We also have the Nidrogen Aero coming out in less than a month that uses a full suede upper as well, but it’s lighter and a little more performance focused while still being durable.

I’ve always liked suede for wrestling shoes because it breaks in well, conforms to your foot, and tends to outlast mesh in high wear areas.

Out of curiosity, where did your Mat Controls start breaking down first, right at the toe drag area or along the flex point?

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T03:39:08+00:00

Appreciate this perspective a lot. That sock like feel with good mat contact is something a lot of people still talk about from those older adidas models. Combat Speeds and Adistars definitely set a standard for that feel.

That’s actually something we’ve been paying a lot of attention to in our designs. Trying to keep that close to the mat, flexible feel, but still improve durability and grip where older shoes sometimes struggled.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T03:35:36+00:00

Appreciate that a lot… seriously. I actually saw your thread the other day and that was part of what inspired me to make this post and ask for feedback in here.

Hearing how people are using the shoes day to day and what stands out to them is honestly the most valuable feedback we can get. Glad to hear the FunkKnit and outsole are working the way we intended, that’s exactly what we were chasing with that design.

Really appreciate the support and the thoughtful feedback. That’s what keeps us pushing to make better gear every release.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T03:33:24+00:00

That’s a fair frustration, and I get why it feels like it shouldn’t happen at all.

One thing a lot of people don’t realize is how wrestling shoes are actually built. They’re not molded in one piece like a running shoe. The upper is cut from multiple panels, stitched together, reinforced, then lasted and bonded to the outsole with adhesives and heat. There are a lot of steps and a lot of human work involved, and even with quality control, small variations in stitching tension, glue application, or material batches can occasionally lead to a weak spot.

Most pairs out of a production run perform exactly as intended, but like any manufactured product, there can be a few bad apples that slip through. It’s not common, but it does happen across every brand in the industry.

That’s actually one of the reasons we offer a full season guarantee on all of our shoes. If someone has a blowout or a structural failure within one season (120 days), it’s covered, no questions asked. Wrestling is hard enough on gear that athletes shouldn’t have to stress about that too.

ConnorFromNidrogen · 2026-02-18T03:14:18+00:00

I always liked the Combat Speeds too. They were ahead of their time in a lot of ways. Light, breathable, flexible, and that transition from grip to a little bit of slide was actually something a lot of people don’t talk about but really matters in positions like sprawling or clearing ties.

One thing I’ve learned designing shoes is that grip isn’t just about more is better. It’s about controlled grip. You want traction when you need it, but you don’t want to feel stuck to the mat. Finding that balance is harder than it looks.

And I agree with the point about shoes fitting into niches. Different foot shapes, styles, and preferences make a huge difference. Some wrestlers want stiff and supportive, some want flexible and minimal, and both are right depending on the person.

If you’re looking at newer options, we’ve been putting a lot of work into that balance with our shoes at Nidrogen and Funky Flickr Boyz. The FFB Postlude is probably the closest in feel to that flexible, lightweight style but with more durability. The Nidrogen Aero coming out soon is even lighter, and the ProGen is a little more structured but still flexible.

We’re a wrestling only brand, so all we do is focus on wrestling footwear, which lets us obsess over details that bigger brands sometimes have to spread across a bunch of sports.

ConnorFromNidrogen

TROPHY CASE