Best Shoes For Steel Playing

Evan McGill · Post by **Evan McGill** » 5 Jun 2012 7:01 pm

Kind of a weird question and if this has been discussed before, please let me know, but have any of you found a certain brand of shoes to be great for steel playing and still allow you to easily move between pedals? Thanks!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 5 Jun 2012 7:16 pm

I used to prefer cowboy boots (not too pointy), but now I can play in whatever I'm wearing, except sandals.
For some, the elevated heel of boots is a help, for some, it's a hindrance.
My guitar player used to dare me to wear ones like these, but I couldn't find them in 9 1/2 EEEE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHyf5uMlP1s

EDIT: Basically, if your shoe distracts you, change it. Hank Ruf plays in stocking feet, I need a sole under me

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 5 Jun 2012 7:55 pm

I played jobs in cowboy boots and anything else any other time. BUT, as I started getting older i needed something, usually shoes, where I could flex the ankle better for better pedal usage. My feet shoes tend to be a little wider though not as wide as Lanes

, so that works into the equation too. My best advise is not to get old or keep the ankles lubed up good

.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 5 Jun 2012 10:39 pm

Here's my opinion: the better the guitar fits you, the less important the type of shoe becomes.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Jun 2012 12:17 am

What Lane and Tom said.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Jun 2012 2:04 am

This has been rehashed several times over the years on the forum.

I can play in anything, except flip flops. Years ago I had to have Hush Puppy shoes but as I progressed what kind of shoes didn't matter.

Another of the "play the guitar, don't let the guitar play you".

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 6 Jun 2012 2:18 am

I use soft soled, single soled, moccasins.
Unfortunately these are no longer being manufactured, but you can get them custom made for about $100 bucks a pair.

They were a lot cheaper when you could buy them in a store or from a catalog.

William Lake · Post by **William Lake** » 6 Jun 2012 2:27 am

I don't play with pedals anymore, but when I did, I was with Mike. Plain unsoled moccasins. You can feel the pedal under your feet but there is enough padding that it doesn't cut in.
I got them from the reservation. $30

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 6 Jun 2012 2:33 am

Wow. Minnetonka quit making the Model 60? Dang.

Howard Steinberg · Post by **Howard Steinberg** » 6 Jun 2012 2:58 am

For a lot of years I've either played in my stocking feet or Cloth Chinese shoes. These are the shoes that are typically black with thin red soles. I recently acquired a guitar which is an inch higher than standard and can now use other shoes if I want to. I've tried sneakers and tassel loafers which result in occasional grabbing of an extra pedal. Will stick with the Chinese shoes or perhaps some type of martial arts shoe.

Les Hardin · Post by **Les Hardin** » 6 Jun 2012 3:55 am

Yep, indoor/outdoor slippers or moccasins with flexible, soft soles.

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 6 Jun 2012 4:34 am

If you play, (or intend to play), in a "come as you are" band, then the type of footwear that you would normally wear on a day to day basis and feel most comfortable in should suffice. However,if working with a Country group that tends to dress appropriately for jobs, being accustomed to playing in boots may be more advisable. (Recently completed a 15 week run of the 'Always Patsy Cline' show and black Western boots were a REQUIRED part of the stage costume).

Les Hardin · Post by **Les Hardin** » 6 Jun 2012 5:37 am

Did I say moccassins? I meant 'whatever they are paying you to wear!'

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Jun 2012 6:44 am

If you can play in "what they are paying you to wear" you can play in anything.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 6 Jun 2012 6:55 am

I was mistaken about single soled mocs no longer being made. There is an outfit called moccasin sales.com that sells them. They can be reached at 1-800-969-6690

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jun 2012 7:19 am

Mike,
I just bought these Minnetonka moccasins to use when playing. They're moose hide.

Kirk Eipper · Post by **Kirk Eipper** » 6 Jun 2012 8:06 am

I would really like a moc but with just a little heel. Anybody got a suggestion?

Les Hardin · Post by **Les Hardin** » 6 Jun 2012 8:18 am

Kirk,

I could make a suggestion, but now we're getting into women's wear!

Les

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jun 2012 8:25 am

Kirk,
How about something like this?

Chas. J. Wagner · Post by **Chas. J. Wagner** » 6 Jun 2012 8:49 am

Kirk...
You may want to consider a driving moc...
Minnetonka Driving Mocs
The rubber luggs provide a slight heal. The rest of the sole has some flexibility and traction.

Norbert Dengler · Post by **Norbert Dengler** » 6 Jun 2012 8:55 am

i use cowboy boots on stage for the looks, altough chucks seem better for me to play

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jun 2012 9:02 am

When you are working pedals, you need all the ankle flexibility you can get.
Not possible with boots.

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 6 Jun 2012 9:02 am

I can play in nice fitting cowboy boots, but I prefer a soft flexible sole as with Chuck Taylor sneakers or the moccasin slippers. The playing environment dictates the shoe style.

Kevin Milner · Post by **Kevin Milner** » 6 Jun 2012 9:13 am

I always play barefoot, or in socks if needed. I know it's kindof unorthodox, but I learned that way and don't like a foreign object between my feet and the pedals. I have also tried playing in soft shoes and can hack it if needed.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 6 Jun 2012 9:33 am

boots with a heel. i've never had ankle flex problems.
anything else makes you look like a dork like paul and buddy!