Tabi or Not Tabi
That is the question

"Split toed tabi and my mask won't tear - you want to play a game, it's truth or dare - yo step on back or i'll attack, in black, while you're eating a Big Mac, then disappear like a needle in a haystack..."

The above taken from a Ninja Rap song has it meaning within the ninja community.  A ninja just isn't a ninja without Tabi boots. Although martial art shoes have yet to become an official part of any uniform, the Tabi are very much a part of the Ninja outfit. This may or may not have to do with the fact that ninjitsu practitioners are training outside more often than not - while most martial arts don't require the use of footwear indoors. Even we at Tew Ryu keep the tabi off when we enter the training hall. Heck, I train barefoot with most of my classes outdoors too. 

So what's the point? I guess it has to do with why you should or shouldn't wear tabi. 

Why you shouldn't wear tabi:

They look silly
Think about it. Tabi look like the kind of shoe you might find on an alien. They are very odd looking and even feel a bit awkward when you first try them on. I remember a time when I took a group of students to Mexico. We decided to take a break from training and wander through town - in our tabi. Everywhere we went they called us "Chicken Feet." I still laugh at the curiosity they must have had. What would you think if you never saw them before? These people didn't know these shoes were part of a martial arts uniform. So if you don't want to look like a chicken, then you might want to try on a more acceptable pair of training shoes. I've yet to design Ninja Air Nike.

Very light
Tabi aren't known for their high quality design. There is no support or cushion for the foot. They are not designed for long hikes or running long distances. Tabi are made after nothing other than socks. Yes, I said socks. That is where the split toe comes in. Think back to ancient Japan wear they wore socks on sandals. Well how did they keep these things on their feet? They had something running through the toe and around the ankle. Hence the split toe design. Just like thongs and clogs. The reason a sock is applicable, is because it makes it easier to stealth (unless you step on something sharp). So the tabi of today are simply really thick socks. They don't offer much protection. Another dilemma in the tabi industry is that the actual soles are becoming cheaper and cheaper - for the manufacturers that is. They are using very poor quality soles, and it is hard to find a good layer of rubber - now, most of them are almost plastic.

A pain in the butt to put on
Before there was velcro, all tabi were made with tab fasteners that ran along the ankle and calf. You had to insert one tab after another to get the tabi to stay on.  This was a real art and a real pain in the patience of any practitioner who has been through this. It wasn't very practical if you happened to be out stealthing around.  Tabs popping out etc. Not to mention during training, where you had to stop and fix your boots. Next, you have velcro, although much easier to put on, they make a heck of a lot of noise when you take them off. Now this shouldn't be much of a problem, considering most practitioners will not be sneaking around at night taking off their shoes - but the thought is still there. No practitioner of the silent way likes anything on their person to be noisy. Why doesn't someone make tabi with regular laces or some other workable system? Unless Nike decides to jump in on the fading Ninja market - it just isn't going to happen any time soon. But when it does - www.martialartsupply.com will sell them.

Why you should wear tabi:

They have a split toe
I wear tabi and it's not because they look funny or that they are associated with ninjitsu. I wear tabi because at certain times they are very practical to me. First is the split toe design. Although very goofy looking it is very handy when climbing a rope. With tabi, you can practically walk up any rope with knots. Simply slide the rope between the toes and step on the knot. Outside of being painfully barefoot, there is no other way to do this. There are many rope climbing techniques, but nothing is easier than just stepping your way up. You can also pick things up with your toes or even hold stuff between them - but I don't see much of a worth talking about reason for doing so. The next benefit with the split toe has to do with balance. You get a little more front balance without having to wear a huge boot. Although the differences are probably minor, it helps you feel more acrobatic when you are basically wearing a super thick sock.

They are light
When practicing stealth, you want a shoe that is very light and quite. The closer you can get to being barefoot the better. Since many people don't like to sneak around without any shoes, the tabi offer a practical alternative. Also, when training they are very practical for their light weight and ability to blend in with the rest of the uniform. They fit well and work in unison with your pants - tuck them in or wrap them around on the outside. Since tabi are light, it makes kicking a breeze. There are other shoes that are also great for training - such as those made by Adidas or Otomix. They just are not as easily camouflaged. I like Adidas MA shoe on the left for street training and tabi for the outdoors. If I conduct long hikes and survival camps - the tabi are replaced with a good pair of Nike.

A new style
You can now buy tabi from martialartsupply.com that have a suede sole. These tabi are great for training indoors. They work well outside too, but won't last very long because of the suede bottom. They are great for stealthing. These tabi also are all black and mold well to the foot, which helps with kicking and body shifting skills.

So what's the verdict, do you wear tabi or don't you? Here is the checklist:

If you are training self-defense or climbing - yes
If you are hiking, running or waiting for the choo-choo train - no
If you wear them only because you think you should - no
If you want something practical although goofy looking - yes
If you have on a white uniform - no (definitely not)

Basically you need to weigh the options and compare the products, then make a decision based on your own needs. Don't wear tabi because you saw a movie with the same shoe - wear them because they offer a practical, realistic benefit to your training. If something else works better - then wear it. Don't be a goofy costume warrior - just be real.

Sensei Tew
 
RTMS Head Instructor