The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey Johnie,,,,love those "Arkansas Sandals",,,LOL

Sonny Jenkins wrote:socks,,,,with a rubber sole,,,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFS9WLL/re ... 65ee31ead5

Thanks for that tip, Sonny. I ordered a set and got them today--they're just what I needed. I have pretty bad neuropathy in my feet, and can't play barefoot or in socks any more. These things seem to be a perfect compromise.

Dave

I've been playing bare foot for so many years I can't even remember when I started.
We never use shoes in the house here or in the US.
When I do go out to play I have New Balance running shoes with bottoms soft enough to bend easy. Have some Nike also but they are way too stiff soled for me to play.
Still prefer to play bare footed. Sometimes take my shoes off at gigs.
I can feel the pedals better that way.

Can't even imagine how guys play in boots??? Looks awkward and painful.
Maybe the moccasins would be a good way to play out at gigs if the soles are soft?

Erv Niehaus wrote:You can't beat genuine Woose moccasins!

Those look real comfortable Erv but I couldn't find any in a size 15 narrow!

I really like my Xero brand shoes. I have 2 pairs of their "Hana" shoes that have very thin soles and let me really feel where the pedal is. I didn't originally buy them for pedal steel playing (they're my everyday casual shoe), but I have ended up using them exclusively when I play.

https://xeroshoes.com/shop/product-category/shoes/

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Andy DePaule wrote:I've been playing bare foot for so many years I can't even remember when I started.

Can't even imagine how guys play in boots??? Looks awkward and painful.

I have a pair of Justin boots that have a soft leather shaft and a short riding heel. They are very comfortable, are plenty flexible for rocking, and the heels get my feet in a position that makes it easy to work pedals. They look cool with boot cut jeans too...
I have tried just socks - that is painful and awkward for me. Walking shoes with those upturned toes are out too.

I have a pair of Sketchers that are like a super soft leather version of Converse "Chucks." Love them. Very flexible soles - more flexible than Converse. I tend to practice in whatever I'm wearing at the moment (but never barefoot, rarely just socks), but for gigs I always wear those Sketchers.

I have some really cool boots I'd love to wear during gigs, but if I can't feel the pedals well I often end up inadvertently depressing pedals I don't intend to.

Driving shoes work well for me

Bob Sykes wrote:Driving shoes work well for me

I hope you are on high ground or driving towards it today, Bob. Be safe.

Thanks Fred. I am in the middle of the state on relatively high ground, but certainly not immune from what's coming. I am praying for those closer to the coast. I should add that the driving shoes would be good for evacuation traffic jams, as well as PSG but are lousy footwear for rain.

Still experimenting but, cowboy boots are winning out for me. I too, am diabetic and have not much feeling, which makes soft shoes very hard for me to get to work on the pedals. My Hilton volume pedal? Forget anything but cowboy boots - I can't even bring it all the way to off with my loafers. It seems almost as if it was made for boots w/an under-slung heel.

When I first started playing I had to have my "playing" boots ....but after 40 something years I find that I can play in just about anything without noticing a difference - except bare feet ! I have never been able to play in bare feet ....

I'm with Bobby - cowboy boots!

For me it's about the heel. I need my ankle raised a bit to play comfortably just due to body geometry. If I found a nice regular shoe with a raised heel I might run that. However, the boots always work out as stylish footwear at my country gigs, so...

Jerry,
Have you looked under "snow shoes"?

Anything Nike!

Are they good for kneeling?

I kind of like playing with just socks on, but after a short while, the wide textured pedals and stiff action on my Pro-I hurt my feet. Here’s a whacky but effective thing to try.

Take a washcloth (preferably not your wife's favorite), fold it in thirds, then drape it over the pedals. For purposes of this discussion, I’m talking A,B, and C on an E9 neck. Leave a little bit of a “droop” in the washcloth between pedals so when you push a pedal, it doesn’t tug on any other pedals.

This lash-up will not stay in place forever, but you can get a feel for whether or not playing in stocking feet is viable. Works for me. My next step is to enlist my wife to sew me up a set of custom “booties” I can slip over each pedal. Interestingly, the soft interface between foot and pedal doesn’t really seem to impead the tactile feedback. It’s gotta be better than a pair of Tony Lama ostrich boots with riding heels! Give it a try.

Mark

I use deck shoes as they are firm on the soul and quite flexible and therefore very comfortable. I was once told whatever one feels is comfortable to use on the pedals and so I found the deck shoes fitted that very well. JAMES TAYLOR

I use deck shoes as they are firm on the soul and quite flexible and therefore very comfortable. I was once told whatever one feels is comfortable to use on the pedals and so I found the deck shoes fitted that very well. JAMES TAYLOR

Junior Knight wrote:I just went to New Balance shoes. After wearing boots all
my life my neuropathy in my feet are making me change!

Same here Junior.
My neuropathy is my worst enemy right now.

Chris Schlotzhauer wrote:

Junior Knight wrote:I just went to New Balance shoes. After wearing boots all
my life my neuropathy in my feet are making me change!

Same here Junior.
My neuropathy is my worst enemy right now.

New Balance for me, too. I would love to play in boots, but my toes get stuck in the pedal rods.

Well, once again, I messed up the quote part. It's the first sentence - the next sentence is my reply. I don't know why I find this so diffucult haha!

Great thread. C6 pedal work is the weak leak in my playing currently, and I never practice with my cowboy boots on. It shows. I am therefore heartened to read of the popularity of moccasins and bare feet playing. It’s about feel. Thanks for the posts.

Great thread. C6 pedal work is the weak leak in my playing currently, and I never practice with my cowboy boots on. It shows. I am therefore heartened to read of the popularity of moccasins and bare feet playing. It’s about feel. Thanks for the posts.