Yet another officiating shoe question

[RefsNCoaches]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I agree that Presto's are incredibly comfortable - they are my favorite shoe Nike has ever made, but I would never ever wear them to ref in. There is no support whatsoever. I would twist an ankle several times per game in those shoes. I went looking for the shoes JRut mentioned but they aren't available in my size anywhere - I really like the look of them. Gotta get shoes as soon as you see them and get multiple pairs. They never last on the market.

I've not had any issue with that....yet!

Somebody mentioned the running shoe brand, Hoka...I was out at the mall this weekend and tried some on ....damn they were nice!

[Amesman]

Guys, have to ask: Aren't those running shoes a bit narrow and how can they be good against rolling ankles? Obviously, if so many of you are wearing them, they must be OK, but having used long-distance running shoes in younger days, I know they're a different construct and I'd be scared stiff that my oft-rolled ankles would go quickly the first time there's a couple of steals and I had to change directions quickly without thinking.

Second: I have an in between size -- 13 in some shoes, 14 in others, merely because of the cut/style. The first Zig offered a 13.5, which was great, but Reebok doesn't offer it in the newer iteration, I found out the hard way.

So how do you figure out what works with these mail-order joints? Could get expensive (and time-consuming) ordering shoes, sending them back, ordering a new size/style, etc. to get the right fit. It's not as if most of these all-black shoes are available at the corner store to walk in and try on.

I guess maybe I just have to bite the bullet and order a pair, see if they work and then figure it might cost me some return shipping a few times to get the right shoe/fit. Or am I seeing this wrong? Need to get some shoes soon and stop procrastinating!

[BryanV21]

For years I've always worn running shoes to ref in. I currently use a pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 19s (black, of course). I've also had Asics and Pumas in the past. However I found a pair of Nike Infuriate basketball shoes that looked nice, and had some good reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Anybody here ever wear them?

BTW, I can't bring myself to spend $100+ on shoes to ref in. Perhaps I should, but until I can't find a good pair for under a hundred bucks then I'm cool.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Amesman

So how do you figure out what works with these mail-order joints? Could get expensive (and time-consuming) ordering shoes, sending them back, ordering a new size/style, etc. to get the right fit. It's not as if most of these all-black shoes are available at the corner store to walk in and try on.

Go to the mall to a Foot Locker or any athletic shoe store - even Dick's and try on a style you like for size, then leave without buying. Simple as that. Then you know your size. Try on different brands so you know your size in all major brands - you're likely to be the same size in a brand consistently, but not necessarily the same size in each brand.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Amesman

So how do you figure out what works with these mail-order joints? Could get expensive (and time-consuming) ordering shoes, sending them back, ordering a new size/style, etc. to get the right fit. It's not as if most of these all-black shoes are available at the corner store to walk in and try on.

I guess maybe I just have to bite the bullet and order a pair, see if they work and then figure it might cost me some return shipping a few times to get the right shoe/fit. Or am I seeing this wrong? Need to get some shoes soon and stop procrastinating!

Most of them have free shipping, including the return. So, you're at no risk of losing anything. You can even order 2-3 sizes to get it right the first time.

[zm1283]

Amazon Prime and Zappos come to mind. Both do free returns if they don't fit.

[LRZ]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Most of them have free shipping, including the return. So, you're at no risk of losing anything. You can even order 2-3 sizes to get it right the first time.

I believe Ump-Attire has the same policy, at least with some minimum $ order, which a pair of shoes is likely to satisfy. And the customer service cannot be beat--matched, perhaps, but not beat.