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Best shoes for playing ( again, im sorry)

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 3:26 pm
by Ariel Lobos
I know this is a recurrent topic but i have to change my moccasins, they are really confortable but expensive because i bought them long ago for a friends wedding .Im playing a sho bud proffesional and an Emmons push pull with differents types of pedals as all we know...any suggestions ?

I like to use

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 4:10 pm
by Jeff Metz Jr.
A pair of Merona Cloyd Slipper Moccasins. Sox-tab patent with plush interior lining and rubber soul. Amazing for pedal steel playing, and can be bought at Target for around 25.00
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Posted: 8 Jan 2012 4:20 pm
by AJ Azure

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 6:58 pm
by Ariel Lobos
Thanks ! The flexibility of the sole is important , am i right ?

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 8:28 pm
by AJ Azure
definitely in martial arts. foot grip as well as control when kicking. seems like no-brainer to use them for pedal steel

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 8:55 pm
by Paul Sutherland
I don't like flexible sole shoes for playing steel. My favorite shoes for playing PSG are race car shoes. They are designed for working the pedals of a race car so function prevails over fashion.

The soles are fairly stiff and they are just big enough for my foot. There is nothing extending beyond my toes and the side of my foot, so there's less chance of getting tangled in the pedals. I find I have far fewer pedal mishaps, which means my playing is more consistent. Also, the rubber soles have a lot of traction so my foot doesn't slip on the pedals, like with leather sole shoes or boots.

They may look a little funny, but I'm too old to care. If I play good, people seem to forgive my dreadful sense of fashion.

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 10:33 pm
by Danny Bates
I agree with Paul. These are what I use. The only drawback is they get hot because they are designed to deflect heat.

http://www.saferacer.com/simpson-highto ... uctid=1017

Posted: 8 Jan 2012 11:49 pm
by Paul Sutherland
Well at least I didn't buy the red ones!!

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 2:43 am
by Dan Beller-McKenna
Well, to each his or her own. The ideal footwear on steel for me is none. I found that this isn't always "appropriate," and even dangerous: forget the broken glass and unidentified sticky substances on some bandstands--there was the night an inebriated young woman tried (and partially succeeded) to paint my toenails while playing. :whoa:I kid you not. I wear boots or running shoes now.

Dan

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 3:19 am
by CrowBear Schmitt
Loafers or mocassins fer myslef ;-)

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 4:31 am
by Ariel Lobos
Wow those red ones are really cool !!!

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 5:22 am
by Adam Sorber
I wear Etnies skateboarding sneakers.

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 7:54 am
by Tom Grosz
My favorite pedaling footwear are my soft-soled (crepe?) Minnetonka moccasins.

Another option for me are a set of Tom's. They are fairly snug on my foot and have a tad sturdier sole than my moc's. If you haven't heard of Tom's shoes, their business premise is donating 1 pair of shoes to children in need for every pair you buy.

I wear my shoes to the death, so when I calculate a cost per wear of even $50 shoes, it is very small!

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 8:10 am
by Richard Damron
Ballet Slippers!

Don't laugh! They're the next best thing to playing in socks. Just fold them up and cram them into a corner of the pack-a-seat.

"Personal preference" trumps everything so whether it's ballet slippers or lineman's boots they all work.

Richard

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 8:21 am
by Bill Hatcher
man i have seen tommy dodd play bare foot!!! ;-)

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 8:34 am
by Ben Feher
I'm looking at latin dance shoes. High cowboy boot like heel, thin leather sole, low cut and snug fit.

I don't like the extra sole of street shoes, it gets in the way. And moccosins are not snug enough, my foot feels like is slopping around in them. Cowboy boots have a higher heel that seems like it would make everything more comfortable, my calves get very tired/cramp up from holding my foot up sometimes, but the high tops look like they would impare ankle movement for rocking on/off pedals. Dance shoes look like they cover all the bases.

Some dance shoes are available in wingtip too. Just sayin'

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 8:37 am
by Brian Herder
Obviously people's results vary, but I play in whatever I am wearing. PF Flyers to cowboy boots (the heals do make for a tighter fit under the steel). There are enough special requirements for this instrument already without worrying about my shoes.

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 8:44 am
by Erv Niehaus
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Posted: 9 Jan 2012 8:57 am
by Ken Metcalf
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Posted: 9 Jan 2012 9:12 am
by Bob Hoffnar
I just wear whatever I have on. Its no big deal. Mud caked Snow boots are a hassle though.

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 9:24 am
by Ben Feher
Ken Metcalf wrote:Image
You know I have been wondering how you hold 3 pedals at once...

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 9:44 am
by Danny Bates
I always make sure my shoes can bust into some breakdancing moves on my break. I got do something while they're playing that disco crap.. I guess that's why they call it breakdancing?

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PS. This was supposed to de a dancing Gif.

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 12:01 pm
by Ken Metcalf
For more formal affairs..

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Posted: 9 Jan 2012 12:55 pm
by Richard Sinkler
Oh Ken... I want some. :lol:

Posted: 9 Jan 2012 3:34 pm
by Duncan Hodge