I know, I know, you're thinking, "Here we go again!" (But at least it isn't micromesh vs polyester or gray vs stripes.) I tried on a new pair of the Reebok Dura DMX Walkers recently. I have no doubt what I'll be wearing next season. My old Reebok's were comfortable, but nothing like these. That's my 2 cents. What about ya'll? RR

Be careful with "walking" shoes. I have a friend that screwed up his achillies pretty bad after using them for less than half a season.

Sure they are comfortable when you have them on in the store or when you run with them a couple of times, but in for the long run, I would think twice about them.

My two cents...

http://pages.prodigy.net/hauxfan/Signs/Group_4/20.gif

Walking shoes are designed for....walking.

They look good in the store because they're all black, and they seem to have good cushioning. But unless you're planning on never running during your games, put your money towards some cross-trainers. They are designed for higher impact activity - like running.

Try the New Balance 608's, 609's, or 620's, or the Nike Air Monarchs - reasonably priced, and very comfortable. And they won't ruin your heels, shins, and knees.

The other thing is, walking shoes aren't made for cutting and running like you'll be doing in basketball. They will likely fall apart. Good luck.

Off topic...

refnrev,

I've had your e-mail for awhile, just haven't had anytime to get back to you. Sorry for the delay, I will get back to you sometime this week.

T Jones

Agreed. Stay away from walkers when running.

I plan to never buy another shoe that's not a New Balance.

Besides the ordering problems that some people have, who likes their OC patent shoes? I just bought a pair but have not had a chance to get on the court with them yet.

I have two pairs of OCs and I love them.

NB 620 --> never again.
 

Having worn New Balance 608's for years, I switched to NB620's.

I do not like them. I will not repeat buy.
They required an uncomfortable break-in period, perhaps due to "increased support". Not for me.
mick

I have 2 pairs of the OC shoes, and I love them also

thanks, I am looking forward to getting out on the court with them. I like the way they look also.

__________________________________________________ _________
I have a pair of NB 610 runners on right now. I don't like them nearly as well as I do the Aasics. They seem to take quite a while to get comfortable. The NB cross trainers I tried on were very hard and didn't feel like they had very good support. Which ones are you so sold on?

I've tried all kinds -- 'officiating' shoes, walking shoes, cross training shoes, running shoes, etc. -- and found the best are regular basketball shoes. Think about it ... we're making almost the same kind of movements the players are.

The only hard part is finding them in all black.

:rolleyes:

The New Guy,

From an old guy, I am not even close to the same movements.
I no longer: <LI>jump,<LI>dive,<LI>backpedal,<LI>feint,<LI>crou ch, <LI>slide, <LI>hang from the rim, or....<LI>look at cheerleaders.
mick

I don't do most of the above either, but what kind of shoes are best for looking at cheerleaders?

Dunno.
Don't wear 'em.

How about the ones Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson wore during her championship game? :cool:

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/app...504060342.jpeg

wl

[Edited by imaref on Apr 21st, 2005 at 10:45 AM]

The ones with mirrors on the toes.

Aha! ...Thus the patent leathers!

The first time the pic didn't come thru, but now it does.

Wow.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say these shoes would look REAL good with fishnets. Any chance Honig's will start carrying these?

Same here, except for maybe the last two...

Great...a pair that my wife doesn't have in her closet which is amazing because she only has about 100.

mj....

"when you say...WIS - CON - SIN.....you've said it all!"

wl

Just great! Now I have to clean soup off of the monitor. :D

OK, OK -- back to the original topic. (You guys havn't been getting enough exercise. I think your getting a little "gamey." As for shoes.....MEN'S...not glittery silver.... not worn by a coach of lady bears....I was going to buy a pair of Reebok "The Ref's" but stumbled across a big time sale on New Balance cross trainers today-- and could get two pair of NB for less than one pair of The Ref patents. Now for the question.............will these things ever polish up nicely. OK NB fans, tell me what your experience has been.

__________________________________________________ _________New Guy,
Here's what us old guys are doing -- jogging, limping, aching, sweating, icing, and rubbing on biofreeze, icy hot, ben gay... or all three at once. As for looking at cheerleaders, I just want to know where they are so I don't run into them on the court and find out who they are so I know who my 15 year old son is talking to after the game. RR

Good Shine!

Mick,
What did you use? RR

Keeping it easy and keeping it simple.

KIWI Elite Ultra Black
Instant shine, high gloss (look wet), dries in five.
Sponge applicator. Cheap.

Five or 6 coats to start, and then one before each game as part of my gittin' ready ritual.

There are better, but not for me.
I ask myself, "How much investment should I put in a $50.00 pair of shoes?" [Answer - Not much.] :)

mick

What are OC shoes??

Official's Choice - to my knowledge, they are no longer in production. I believe they were on the front end of the patent leather fashion (behind Converse, of course).

Uh boy, Billy Mac is going to love this. Bringing up a 3 year old shoe thread....

Any Old Threads From Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. On Officiating Sandals ...
 

Someone has way too much time on their hands to search the Forum for a three year old thread on shoes and resurrect it.

Maybe, eventually, we'll actually get Dr. Naismith's original post on proper shoes to wear while officiating.

Which reminds me. I need some new shoes. Anybody tried any of the new NB shoes yet?

I went to my local NB store to order a new pair. The 888's were about $40 more so I stayed with my old standard 610's which have never given me any trouble.

I have a pair of 888's. I dislike them very much. But you like the 610's? I need to find somewhere to try them.

Yes, I do like them very much. They do require some polishing to look good, but one can get by without a lot of elbow grease. So, try this link - Find A Store

I stared this thread back in 2005. How the heck did this one get reopened?:confused:

"We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction" ...
 

Old shoe threads never die. They just fade away, and come back, and fade away again, and come back again, etc.

Highly fashionable for referees in California?:)

I was about to get the 888's. Why do you dislike them?

All of you need to go to a running store and get your foot evaluated as to what type of shoe you need. I say running shoe store because these are the only stores I'm aware of where the sales people actually know more than where the shoes are located in the back.

Many of you have foot problems because your shoe is all wrong. When we were all 23, the shoe choice didn't matter a great deal. When you get older, it does. This doesn't mean necessarily you need a running shoe, but if you don't know what you need, you are shooting in the dark on any shoe.

brooksrunning.com is a good website to learn the different types of foot. They have a shoe evaluator there, though, they don't help much in terms of basketball because only a few of their choices are in black. However, you'll get a good idea where you stand (pardon the pun).

First, your pronation factor: most people over-pronate. That means their foot rolls inward as they walk. It may range from slight to moderate to heavy. These people need a stability shoe to keep the foot from rolling inward too much. They also don't need much cushioning because the way the foot rolls in. Most cross training type shoes work fine for these folks since cushioning isn't an issue. I am an under-pronator or supinator. My foot actually rolls out, but I am in the vast minority. Those who's foot doesn't do much of anything, in or out, are called neutral runners. Like me, neutral runners need good support. Cross trainers are usually bad for these folks since there is too little cushioning. I have gone to neutral cushioning running shoes for basketball and if your foot is similar to mine, I highly recommend you do as well. I wear one of the black Saucony shoes and it works well. I'm hoping Brooks will make their neutral shoe in black soon.

Second, evaluate your arch. Many think over-pronators all have flat feet and neutral runners have high arches. This MAY be true -- for me it is as you can drive a truck under my arch. But there are those with moderate arches that need stability shoes. Here's where you may have to get insoles for whatever shoes you end up with. If you are neutral or supinate, arch support is more for comfort than for anything else. If you have any over pronation, you need good arch support unless you are flat footed.

Finally, the myth that you need strong leather for lateral support is bunk. Unless you have gimpy ankles, running shoes provide all the support you need. If you aren't sure, just wear the neoprene ankle wraps like I do -- I wear them for Achilles tendinitis. I've been wearing running shoes for all games for the last 2 years. I've had no more ankle issues than I did before that.

Anyway, at least go to the brooks site or better, get your foot evaluated before you buy any more shoes. Like I said, for many of you guys, the standard offerings at Honigs and elsewhere work fine, but if you've had trouble with them in the past, this is probably the reason why.

To each his/her own, but I prefer basketball shoes on a basketball court. I think they look better and I also like how mid or high tops allow my pants to fall over the shoe - at least more than low tops.

There are also a lot of shoes that have a loop or something on the back to help put the shoes on. I always cut this off so the pants will not get hung up. This is probably a small thing, but it annoys me.

They don't have the same kind of cushioning that other NB shoes I've used have had. They also didn't fit as snugly. I felt like had thrown away the shoes and was wearing the box.

I put in some spenco inserts, and that has helped. But I had to put the sock liner back into the shoes on top of the inserts, because the shoe was so large that there were gaps between the inserts and the side if the shoes. I also wear two pairs of socks. That has helped.

So, unless you can try them on first, and like the feel of them, I'd give them a pass.

Note that they have a different last from the 608s (which, iirc, is the same as the 610s). In NB (as well as other manufacturers, I assume), you need to find the last that works for you

I have the 888 (one season use) and the NB 620 (two seasons use). I use both...and like both. No problems at all. The 888 look big, but they fit great on my wide foot.

This is an excellent point for all new officials - don't buy something as important as shoes just because someone else likes them - especially over the internet!

Last night at our rules clinic there was a vendor selling shoes. While his selection and sizing were not great he had some I could try on. OUCH! While the size and the width were good, they had a very pronounced arch that hurt my feet just standing there (I have flat feet and am a pronator). No way I could have even tried running. If I ordered them over the web based on a recommendation....I would just have to send em back (pain in the.....).

As with my running shoes (Asics Foundations - specifically made for feet like mine), I have found basketball shoes I like, which suit my feet and have used over the few yrs I've been doing this. When the company upgrades to a new version, I go along for the ride. Works for me - JMO.

Arch? :)

Enjoy it while it's still here. . .

Ya beat me to it!

(You rabble rouser, you)

This thread will not die.

I am wearing the Nike Dart VI Leather this season.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...eaynike001.jpg