The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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).

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.

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

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.....

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.

I always play in my bright red Keds.

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.

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

Just don't wear Bruno Magli's.

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

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.

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.

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.....

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.

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

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