The Steel Guitar Forum

There is most likely a topic on this already but what type of shoes/boots does everyone wear? Any one else tried those silly looking crocs? I'll admit it I have a pair of them But they are very comfy and are great for playing steel in! They're a little wide but very flexible.Not sure they'd look right playing out side of the house however!

Moccasins, Top Siders, Skate shoes - actually all the shoes I wear every day. The one thing I can't fathom is how anyone could play in cowboy boots - I tried and the heel height is uncomfortable and the toes too narrow.

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I don't know what "silly looking crocs" are.
Please explain.

I perfer soft sole moccasins. I wear them to practice, and at occasional jams.



For most gigs I wear black loafers, they are comfortable

but attract snakes. At least it's not Crocks.

Some Tribute Shows require cowboy boots. I have ones with low heals.
(I don't like them, so the pay better be good).


Lately I've had a few Alt-Country gigs in rock bars.
White sneakers fit in with that crowd and felt good playing.

....what they said. For years, I thought I had to play in boots, but it was largely a part of the costuming. But later, I felt being locked into a certain type footwear would dictate the rest of the wardrobe.

If the occasion calls for a suit and tie, I can play in dress shoes as easily as I can in boots or athletic shoes.

I just got used to playing in whatever I was wearing. Sometimes, practicing at home just in socks.

Next time you go to a steel convention, notice how many of the pros wear athletic shoes.

slippers work well

This has been hashed over before.

I've learned to play in whatever I'm wearing, don't have to have anything special.

Thank you. Ya learn somethin everyday.

http://ihatecrocs.com

Mike

i'm like you , it took a lot of getting used to but now i can and do play wearing cowboy boots

I've played in a bunch of bands in 25 years and was known for not wearing shoes. I wore novelty socks that had anything you could think of including toes and such.

I have always worn cowboy boots but if I played in them I sounded like a beginner. A year ago I bought a Williams and the pedals have very sharp flat corners so I had to wear shoes.

It took me a few weeks but I have no problem playing in them now. It's all in what you get used too.

I like those soft mocs too, but on the job I wear diabetic shoes. Funny thing, they're fine when I play my Mullen, but when I play the Carter they seem to be too wide and get tangled up.

Soft soled moccasins. I keep a paia in my paca-seat at all times.

They provide all the flexibility of playing barefoot, and enough cushion to remove any and all discomfort.

These boots are made for steelin'
( thats how I got em' )

For me there are two basic requirements, a flexible sole that's not too thick and a fit that doesn't restrict ankle movement. At home I wear slippers with a soft sponge sole. For gigs some types of running shoes have worked but some have a sole that's too rigid. I may try boat shoes next...they're low and have a thin pliable sole. With the wrong footwear I've run into problems with not fully releasing my 'A' pedal. That can easily happen with loud stage volumes. You really need footwear that lets you feel exactly what's going on with your pedals.

Jim Sliff wrote:Moccasins, Top Siders, Skate shoes - actually all the shoes I wear every day. The one thing I can't fathom is how anyone could play in cowboy boots - I tried and the heel height is uncomfortable and the toes too narrow.

Hmmm...different strokes I guess. I find the high heels most comfortable and narrow toe more "accurate". If I'm practicing without boots, I like to lay a block of wood in front of the pedals to raise my heel for more comfort....

(Besides, there is no better venue for showing off the tops of your fanciest dress boots! )

FWIW,

Dennis

Trivia quiz: Anybody recognize these?

I like any thing with a thin sole, but my favorite is my 20 year old cowboy boots with thin soles, i don't remember the brand name but i can't find them like that any where.

Converse All Stars (aka Chuck Taylor's) low-tops.

I did have a pair of Justin shoe-boots that I loved to play in, but they are falling apart. Since they don't make that style anymore, they must have been good musical equipment!

Switching between "flats" and "heels" threw my volume pedal reference off, anyway.

J Sliff I am with you I can not wear boots! I do envy those that can. I buy shoes with a very small sole so I can feel the pedals better. If I could see my pedals I may try the boots!

I usually play in deck shoes(Dockers).
I don't have a problem with the heal on cowboy boots. After all, back in the 70s I played in some of those "KC and the Sunshine Band" shoes. The problem I have with boots involves the ankle turn. I play the Day setup. It may be easier with the Emmons setup and boots, I don't know. I'm wondering if there is any type of relationship between the type of footwear and the setup.
However, a few month back, my father-in-law gave me 4 pair of boots that he unable to wear anymore due to health problems. A couple of them I think I could play in if worked at it a little.



Ken

Barefoot.

I must admit that with the Fessy I got in December, the edges of the pedals are a little sharp on my feet so I've been thinking of getting some cowboy boots. Wouldn't round-toe boots be easier for navigating the pedals than pointy?

Dan

Shoes off... Only socks.

Wayne Baker

I finally went from socks to some old soft shoes but Saturday I cowboy'd up with the pointed toes and heels. NO MORE!!! The toes kept getting up in the rods. I using the old lace-ups till they fall apart. Maybe I'll get some argyle socks and show them off...

Doesn't Patsy Cline have a track names "Shoes". Heard in on XM-13. Would really like to have a copy of that tune...