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Originally Posted by BktBallRef
New Balance and Reebok much much better shoes.
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I agree and disagree.
A large portion of Nikes are fashion athletic shoes whereas other companies make more performance shoes. New Balance is about performance and that is one of the reasons their shoes have numbers and will continue on for more than one year with little/no changes. Another indicator is the fact that New Balance comes in widths and has easily removeable insoles so the user can replace them with something better/different.
Nikes will have catchy names and the model may die after one year. Running shoes, as an example, from Nikes are mainly about fashion. One of the exceptions is the Bower line - I think that is what it is called.
Reeboks are junk IMO. But I would encourage anyone to wear anything that allows foot comfort.
Having said all of that, we ref basketball and although we aren't playing I prefer basketball shoes instead of running shoes. This is of course for one college game or two high schook games (I only do two because that is the way we do things in Mississippi). If I were to do three rec games, which is my rec game mental limit, I would want something that is more of a running shoe. I think basketball shoes are better because the foot sits down "inside" the shoe more and the foot sits more on top of the shoe with running shoes.
I have one pair of New Balance (I don't know the number) and Kobe Bryant's latest shoe from Nike ID. The first time out, the New Balance seemed to be OK and didn't have the comfort I expected. The Kobe's felt great! I was going to ask my buddy what he thought of the looks because they felt good enough for me to have to live with the looks. Before I could ask him, he told me he liked them and asked me where I got them from.
No matter what I, or any other official, wears everyone should try to get something that is comfortable for them. The season is too long to have your feet hurting all the time.