I vote...
 

NO to the shiny shoe!

I have them and like them, I'm with the crowd that's too busy to shine them all the time. I'll take the plastic look over the 500 layers of black polish look.

I don't see the problem with shinning your shoes, I guess if you use Leather Lustre it takes time.

The Adidas I have have some grey on them that I need to touch up with a magic marker and I use plain ole Griffins shoe polish that costs a buck at the 99 cent store. They shine to a near patent leather look and it takes about five minutes every 4-5 games to do it.

I think the shiney shoes look bad.

The plastic look is ugly.

All that matters is that your shoes are all black, and they don't look dull. Liquid polish shine looks sharp enough, even if it is the 50th coat.

Once you hit the 5th row, people can't tell the difference.

The players and coaches couldn't care less.

If they're more comfortable and durable than other shoes you can find, by all means, go for it. But on looks alone, they are not worth it.

I love the patent leather and will stick with them as long as they continue to look great and are comfortable and durrable as they have been the last couple of years

If they're not man-made, who does make them??

So what has been concluded, is that this is personal opinions at play.

I guess what I have always said, shoes are personal. Do not let anyone tell you what to put on your feet.

Peace

Heres my take and take it for what its worth. I have a pair of the converse patent leather shoes and have had no problem with them, i like them. I also have a pair of NIKEs that i sent to Leather Luster and they shined them for me and are very confortble and look good. So if your hesitant on buying the patent leather shoe, and have a favorite pair of shoes that you want shiny, send them to Leather Luster they will shine them for you(Leatherluster.com). It costs about $40 so its all in what you want. Do shiny shoes make a better official, NO but every official should take pride in looking good. We all know how important first impressions are.

Patent leather looks especially good with a toupee, preferably the kind that doesn't stay on too well, and is two or three shades darker than the rest of your hair.