Ok Guys, what (in your opinion) are the best and most comfortable shoes one can own (don't be concerned about price) to officiate our sport.

I've sampled a good number. Conclusion: you get what you pay for.

Don't expect comfort from discount shoes given the miles you'll put in.

BTW: Every season I freshen up a pair of "cushin inserts" , Dr. Schols are $12.00.

Or should I say priceless!

I really like the New Balance 609s. Personal choice? Sure, but I can generally find wider shoes available from New Balance, and that is an issue for me. I also like the Dr. Scholl's inserts.

A piece of advice I picked up when buy running shoes this year: buy a size bigger than you normally wear. As you run for long periods of time (like a series of rec league games), your feet spread and you'll be much more comfortable in the bigger shoes.

Shoes are a big issue. We had a thread on shoes a while back, you could prob'ly look for too; I'm using the all black lowtop Jordans. They're pretty sweet, the alligator finished leather isn't the best to shine, tho.

A real popular one is a Griffey (Ken Jr.) crosstrainer that comes (almost) all black. He makes a new one every year, I think. http://www.eastbay.com and at search enter Griffey = called the Griffey 8.

I see the (any) nike airmax bladder-shoe a lot and nike's uptempos.

I also like the adidas SS2g all black, even the stripes, if you can find it. They're hard for me to get a hold on, anyways.

I also have inserts, they help.

I just tried for the first time New Balance 609. They were the most comfortable shoes I've officiated in. I did two full games (stop time) in a row yesterday and did not even notice the new shoes (except how comfortable they were). I remember painful breaking-in of other brands.

My feet are too small for men's size so most officals vendors do not carry my size. I found them by a Google search at Roadrunner.com for $59 (free shipping). New Balance shoes run small, so order 1/2 size larger.

Unless, of course, you have wide feet and have been compensating for wide feet by buying larger (longer) shoes. I wore a 10.5 in Converse, now that I can get EEEE in New Balance (they go up to EEEEEE) I'm down to a 9.5 -- most comfortable shoes ever, but I do also wear a heel lift insert.

Rich

One game - basketball shoe (Air Max Uptempo, low top Jordans, these are like the "hope diamond")

Multiple games - a running shoe

Best of both worlds - cross-training (Ken Griffey 5,6 and 8)