The Steel Guitar Forum

I used to play in Cowboy Boots (I have a Day setup), but now, as an old man, I wear Skechers Loafers(53793) & they work great.

I've been really thinking about footwear a lot lately, so I thought Id resurrect this thread, and talk about the fashion implications of shoe choices.

I usually practice at home in slippers, but I seem to do OK in sneakers as well.

But, as unimportant and superficial as it is, that presents some problems: I play in a country band. I like to wear a cowboy hat at some gigs. I try to respect the fashion tradition that a cowboy hat shouldn't be worn with sneakers. In fact, many would argue that you should only wear a cowboy hat with cowboy boots.

I'm not really a cowboy boots kind of guy, though, so I bought some "chelsea boots" hoping that they would look close enough. But, as others have said here, the boots limit ankle flexibility for me, and more critically, they have a somewhat pointy toe, which either gets tangled in the pedal rods, or require me to keep my foot slid way back on the pedals to where they aren't under my foot itself, just the pointy boot toe is on the pedals (and maybe a bit of my toes), so I lose control and feel.

I'm not quite ready to give up on the cowboy hat yet, so I am now trying to find a shoe that, when mostly covered up by my pant cuffs, looks sort of like a boot, ideally black leather. And it needs to have a square or round toe, so I can get my actual foot back over the pedals. And I think I need to go with a low top for max ankle flexibility. And a thin, but stiff(ish) sole, with a raised heal.

Anybody have any suggestions?

I know, in the grand scheme of things, how we look is very unimportant, but the "visual" is also part of a live music experience. If I have to go with sneakers and ditch the cowboy hat, I will, but if I can find some shoe that checks all the boxes above, I'd give it a shot.

Yeah, getting all cowboy’d up and then finishing off with slippers or tennis shoes does not work. If you’re gonna do it, you gotta learn to play in boots. I practice in mine.

Don’t get a square toe. They are even clunkier than pointed. You can get a squared-off toe that isn’t as fully flattened out which will work okay on pedals.

There are different types of round toe. Some are fully rounded like work boots and aren't much better for pedals than square. Others are between full round and pointed - get those.

Also, a soft leather shaft makes ankle movement almost as easy as wearing shoes. Some boots are made for real working cowboys and are very thick and stiff in the sole and tough in the shaft and have a very low heel that looks dorky on stage.

I have a worn out pair of Justin dress boots with a pointed toe that I love, but just weren’t working for pedal steel. I bought a pair of Tecova’s that have the half-round toes, a softish calf leather shaft, and a 1.5” heel that works out well for getting my foot angled to the pedals.

If you shop online, many of the boot makers show an areal profile of their boots so you can compare the shapes of the toes.

By the way, I looked high and low for a cowboy boot alternative that would look decent with my boot cut jeans and be functional for steel. The Chelsea style Beatle-boot thing was as close as I got, same as you. And it wasn’t working for looks or function.

That’s it from Fred’s Fashion Fascista Corner today.

I talked with a Lady at Tecovas & we talked about making some SHOE BOOTS, I've added a picture of a chopped (removed the shaft & hopefully the zipper too) up DEAN Model, that they make.

See if you'd like to have a Pair of these...

Charley Bond wrote:I talked with a Lady at Tecovas & we talked about making some SHE BOOTS, I've added a picture of a chopped (removed the shaft & hopefully the zipper too) up DEAN Model, that they make.

See if you'd like to have a Pair of these...

Same problem as with loafers. They catch the hem of the leg and bunch up, and they don’t cover your socks when you sit. If you’re okay with that look, then it’s not a bad idea.

I didn't have a problem with wearing boots, but my Pedal Steel was setup with the Day Style, for proper ergonomics for supination of the ankle

I previously indicated that I play in New Balance shoes (like Junior Knight). But I also often have to get "cowboy'd up" On my first gig with a certain band about 10 years ago, the singer yelled at me because I was wearing white gym shoes. I immediately bought a pair of BLACK New Balance (the only pair I own) which I use to this day exclusively for gigging. I think that if your shoes are black, you're in a dimly lit room, and you're sitting down (or walking across an elevated stage), nobody can tell what you're wearing, anyway.

I wore boots all my life, and played with them on. 2 years ago I had to start wearing diabetic shoes. It took some getting used to, but now I'm fine with them. I think that whatever you're most comfortable with is what you should use.

Learned in Converse and it's about all I'll play/practice in. Had one gig that required us all to wear cowboy boots a few years ago. Man! That was tough. I don't know how you guys do it.

Jack Hargraves wrote:I wore boots all my life, and played with them on. 2 years ago I had to start wearing diabetic shoes. It took some getting used to, but now I'm fine with them. I think that whatever you're most comfortable with is what you should use.

I think a medical condition is a good reason to choose comfort over all else. But...

At a county fair I was playing in Bakersfield, The Coasters were on the main stage one night. It musta been 95 degrees. You think those guys came out in shorts and tee shirts, like some of the other big name rock and country acts did? No way! They were dressed to the nines and put on a great show, singing and dancing their asses off, big smiling all the while. And they were probably in their mid to late 50’s at the time. You think they were comfortable? I doubt it. But they were pros, their look was part of their act, and they gave their audience the whole deal. They earned my respect that night and really drove home the understanding for me that the stage is a place to try to always look the best you can.

My foot will not “supinate” 60° unless it was breaking off, no matter what footwear was on it. I choose boots for the look, I admit. But I try to find the most comfortable and sensibly priced pair for my purpose.

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

Where can one buy these? Do you have a link to the company?

You should be able to adjust to whatever footwear you have at the time. I've played with everything from bare feet to brand new cowboy boots and just worked with whatever I had on. It takes some adjustment, but adjustment is good.

Slippers, Moccasins or real soft tennis shoes; Dont know how anybody can play these things with boots, especially newer players.

Richard Alderson wrote:Slippers, Moccasins or real soft tennis shoes; Dont know how anybody can play these things with boots, especially newer players.

It works the other way too. Slippers and tennis shoes just feel weird to me. I’ve only been playing about 3 years, but I started with boots and that’s what I’m sticking with.

Beads and Roman sandals won't be found....

Mike,
They are made by Minnetonka moccasins.
www.minnetonkamoccasin.com
Erv

Thanks Erv.

I have a pair of hand made mocs, custom made for me, that I only wear when I play. I keep them in mu pac-a-seat.

40 years ago, Kinney Shoes offered their own sheepskin lined soft soled mocs, I bought 2 pairs. They were perfect (for me at least) bur eventually they wore out.

I wish I had bought more if them at the time.

Mike,
I think you'd like the ones by Minnetonka.
Erv

Erv, I have a pair. I like them for wearing around the house, but not for playing my steel.The custom made ones I keep in my pac-a-seat are much better.

I just had a thought for those that don’t like cowboy boots but don’t want it catching on the cuffs of your pants. I’m a chef professionally and we all wear leather clogs with lifted heels. I haven’t tried playing the steel with them on, but black ones with dark socks will absolutely look like boots on a stage and they roll left to right pretty well.

I like these for playing steel also:

NB works for me for the past 25 years.mighr try round toe cowboy boots this Year. Can't do the bare feet thing😫

John McClung, those water shoes might not work as well as other footwear because of the ribbed and ridged underside of the shoe. Plus, they are EXTREMELY UGLY. You must have zero fashion sense

On the advice of SGF members, I also use soft-soled moccasins to play. they offer the best feel for "squeezing" the pedals more slowly. Boots are the best for stomping fast stuff, but you can stomp with the moccasins pretty good too. They fold up to fit easily in your Pac-a-seat, as well. Also, they look kind of low key and will blend in with other clothing you wear, including the western look.

If you go to SoftMoc.com they have lots of moccasins there. I use the "Men's 3107 double sole unlined moose moccasins". good quality and reasonable price (around $100). https://www.softmoc.com/ca/i/softmoc-mn ... sin/3107-m
If someone is planning on trying the moccasins, Make sure you get the moccasins 1 size SMALLER The moccasins are a soft leather and will stretch, and also, they feel better when they are tight fitting, for better pedal feel/control.

Erv, Where can I find a pair of shoes like that?

Butch,
This is where I get mine:
www.bamason.com