Ah, the unisole or split sole debate! While wrestlers love to argue the pros and cons of sole construction, the basic answer to this question is: it depends on your child's needs and preferences. To clarify, a unisole is a one-piece sole that goes from heel to toe, while a split sole is made of two distinct pieces. The unisole’s primary purpose is grip, which can be helpful for beginning wrestlers who are still working on strength and stance.
The superior grip is especially important for pushing off the mat since even the strongest wrestler can slip and fall without sufficient traction. The split sole, however, may give a greater range of movement due to the increased flexibility. In addition, the split sole design can accommodate integrated features such as an EVA midsole, as you see in the Adidas Mat Wizard 3. These kinds of features can help alleviate pressure on certain areas of the feet. So it’s really a matter of what your teen needs from a wrestling shoe, and how they feel on his or her feet during practice.