Best Shoes For Steel Playing

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 6 Jun 2012 9:34 am

Ricky Davis plays in his stocking feet. Of course, he plays a Sho~Bud with pretty easy action.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Jun 2012 10:26 am

I have to have shoes. I have neuropathy in my feet, caused by chemo. Sometimes I can't really feel the pedals and just going on instinct.

But, as I previously mentioned I can play in about any type of shoe, including my Nike's, but on jobs I will wear the short zipper on the side boots. The others in our band also wear zipper on the side boots or full uppers boots.

I used to wear boots most of the time, including with suits when I was working. I had custom made Olathe Boot Company boots (located in Olathe Kansas but it moved to Texas and became Larry Mahan Boots).

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 6 Jun 2012 12:28 pm

Bob Misiurewicz · Post by **Bob Misiurewicz** » 6 Jun 2012 12:36 pm

I saw a guy play in stocking feet last week. It was very cool. He took off his guitar, set it on the stand, sat down on his steel seat and took off his cowboy boots. He parked them next to his steel, perfectly aligned and on display. One of his socks had a hole in the toe. When he was done he slipped the CBB's back on and back to the 6 string he went. BtW, he played some of the sweetest steel I have heard live in a long time.

Clinton Damron · Post by **Clinton Damron** » 6 Jun 2012 1:48 pm

Whatever I'm wearing at the time. Usually its my steel toed boots.

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 6 Jun 2012 3:32 pm

I never realized how many of you guys are so particular about footwear when playing ...I have ALWAYS had to wear thin soled shoes due to my height. (6'8"+) Recently a machinist friend made me 30" ss rods and I've raised my 2 steels up to a new height that makes footwear less of an issue than since I started on steel in 1976... What a relief!! Topsider boat shoes used to be my go to for steel,and now sneakers are fine... whatever works is the way to go.....

Steve Mueller · Post by **Steve Mueller** » 8 Jun 2012 1:32 pm

I just bought a pair of Puma leather track style shoes online. They're very low profile, the soles don't extend beyond the sides of your feet - especially important if you play C6 and are dancing around abit. Also the low profile helps if you mix it up and occasionally use both feet on the pedals. The soles are firm but flexible. It's made a big difference for me, cuts way down on pedal errors.

Jim Mathis · Post by **Jim Mathis** » 8 Jun 2012 1:55 pm

I always play in my bright red Keds.

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 8 Jun 2012 10:30 pm

Tried to do the cowboy boots thing early on, but that really didn't work well for me ... when I started using shoes like those in the photo above, I found them to be ideal for me as long as the shoe fits tight enough that my pedal foot doesn't twist inside them when I'm rocking on and off the pedals.

And practicing barefoot at home? After an accident occurred that severely affected my left leg and ankles, my half pedal technique started to really suffer and get sloppy. Another steel player with a similar injury mentioned to me that he played barefoot at home to help his half pedal technique and suggested I give it a try, so I did ... and it really does seem to help me keep my "muscle memory" for half pedal technique sharp and accurate.

Colin Mclean · Post by **Colin Mclean** » 9 Jun 2012 9:41 pm

Slip-on Vans, or the classic lace-ups. Tried really hard to do cowboy boots but couldnt' make it happen.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 10 Jun 2012 12:34 am

Just don't wear Bruno Magli's.

Craig Schwartz · Post by **Craig Schwartz** » 10 Jun 2012 4:02 am

square toed biker boots with round buckles (black)
they make you look tougher when you make mistakes

I got asked to play at a nudist camp with the house country band the other day and I dont play in bare feet, I guess I`d have to wear the biker boots again

Oh hell It Aint ever gonna happen

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 13 Jun 2012 6:27 am

Just go to Ebay, Moccasins and most times you can buy it now new no box soft sole moccasins for around $23 including shipping. I just won a pair for $10.50. I've purchased these before and have had no problems.
I play a lot and that pedal foot moccasin will start looking more than a little frail around the toes after about from 3 to 6mos no matter how much I'd pay for them.
I'm trying to find a manufacturer who will sell me just a left moccasin.
I'm sure there are a lot more PSG players than me who need moccasins for a person with two left feet.

Jason Rumley · Post by **Jason Rumley** » 13 Jun 2012 7:36 am

I find that as long as I'm comfortable it doesn't really matter. Last week I played in boots with a pointed toe and the toe didn't cause an issue. I've played in sandals without much problem as long as the sandals were tight enough on my foot. Regularly though the best thing is tennis shoes/sneakers.

Thomas Heath · Post by **Thomas Heath** » 14 Jun 2012 4:58 pm

Ive been playing steel for about 3 months, obviously at home (no shoes). When I try to play with shoes on now (especially boots) I have no feel whatsoever and struggle with 2 pedal pull-offs ect. I would like to be able to play in my boots someday but I just dont see it happening. Ive played out a couple times and just take both boots off.

Although,

I thought I was never going to be able to get used to using fingerpicks either, but I quickly realized whats up.....

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 14 Jun 2012 5:55 pm

Thomas Heath wrote:Ive been playing steel for about 3 months, obviously at home (no shoes). When I try to play with shoes on now (especially boots) I have no feel whatsoever and struggle with 2 pedal pull-offs ect. I would like to be able to play in my boots someday but I just dont see it happening. Ive played out a couple times and just take both boots off.

Although,

I thought I was never going to be able to get used to using fingerpicks either, but I quickly realized whats up.....

If you want to play in boots, PRACTICE in boots. It matters to a n00b, but it won't matter later.
Right now, the change would distract you and steepen the learning curve.

You'll notice in this thread that, in general, the longer folks have played, the less it matters.

As you're learning this contraption, the fewer things you have to think about, the better.

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 15 Jun 2012 9:01 am

Erv Niehaus wrote:Kirk,
How about something like this?

Sperry Topsiders. That's what I use, except when the gig reauires boots. For Hawaiian gigs, with no pedals, "rubbah slippahs". - Jack

Jeff Pickle · Post by **Jeff Pickle** » 15 Jun 2012 4:16 pm

I have never played a gig without boots. But I have found that a roper with a rubber sole works best for me. Softer uppers that a riding boot to allow better ankle movement. And I always had a problem with the riding heal. I never could avoid raising the steel with my knee on full volume even with a low profile Vol pedal and rod extensions! - Jeff

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Best Shoes For Steel Playing

I saw a guy play in stocking feet........

Best Shoes For Steel Playing