The Steel Guitar Forum

Eugene! You better not wear those green things, when you look for a car to buy! Imagine what would happen if you were to kick the tires

I didn't figure I'd be alone on this. I can't play with shoes on. During the summer, I play barefoot, and I wear socks during the winter. Now I feel ashamed.

I learned to play on a guitar that was too low, thus learned to play without shoes. That is still my prefered method of playing at home. On gigs, I had used cloth martial arts shoes, for years. The downside of these is that the soles are thin and flat, pretty much necessitating that they are worn only for playing and not moving equipment. Recently I decided to look for something that I could wear when I move stuff and when I play. I found these at the Burlington Coat Factory.

They are, in my view fabulously ugly. They have a narrow sole that doesnt have a tendency to grab an extra pedal. Lateral pivoting is very easy. The sides are soft and allow for easy side to side ankle rotation. I used them on gigs, this weekend, and they are keepers, just butt ugly.

Sometimes I wear boots, sometimes dress shoes or tennis shoes. I'm comfortable with either one. I guess the right shoe is whatever works best for you.

+2 for Justin ropers.

Steve Lipsey wrote:+1 for Justin ropers....look like cowboy boots, but not as pointy (doesn't hang up in pedal rods) and low heels (fit under the steel)

Im 6'4" and your second comment is exactly why love them.

As to your first comment (and more comic relief), these are all the rage south of the border now:

Ariel Lobos wrote:I Remember when Doug Jearnigan gave me a lesson , and Paul Franklin seminar last year in Dallas , it seems they no choose any special shoes ....what you think ? i remember that i thought, those guys can play with any kind of shoe

Bingo. Once you stop worrying about things other than playing, everything gets easier.

Once you learn to write, whether it's a skinny pencil or a fat pencil, you can still write.