I want to get a new pair of shoes but not patent leather, what are your guys suggestions?

Where do I order the all black nike shocks from? I'm interested in those.

i got these off ebay, very comfortable, light weight. go try on a pair of shoxs at the store before buying, mine ran about a half size larger.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...79987&tc=photo

[Edited by roadking on Jun 24th, 2005 at 06:04 PM]

I've used Reeboks for the last five years, but this year I'm switching to the Nike Monarch II. They seem to have great cushinong and support. I'm looking forward to seeing how I like them. I think I'm going to love them. I know Canuck likes them a lot and a couple of other regular posters. (See the Nike Monarch post I started awhile back.)
Off the court I've had success with New Balance cross trainers. I know a lot of guys who use these. But if you get them, don't get a lower model number. The higher the number the better the technology.

i've used NB and converse for the last seven years but i would have to say these nike shoxs are the most comfortable by far.

Do you have a link to the Nike Monarch II?


Also I want the regular shocks, not the ones you posted.

i just picked up a pair of the Nike electric shocks on the clearance rack at Sportmart.They were originally $109. I would not pay that much, but they were clearance priced at $60. I wore them for 12 games at camp this past weekend and they were great. It was a good purchase on my part. I too wear the NB 620's. They are also a good shoe, comfortable with solid archa nad heel support. i don't think you can go wrong with them. Good luck!

I have a shoe fetish. A semi-big one. The Shox from the link above are very comfortable and look good with pants. I don't like the look of shoes being hung up on pants so I prefer mid or high top shoes during the season. Now the bad thing about the Shox from the link are besides the normal fit issues from different shoe companies there are "body type" issues. I've been told Shox are made for heavier people (I'm talking about basketball Shox now). If you notice there aren't really many point guards wearing Shox while there are several big men who wear them. I think I barely flex the shox so they aren't comfortable to me for long stretches. I will wear them during the regular season but don't do so good with them for a 3 game set. I wore them for one out of 11 games at my last camp and two halves the camp before that. Right now my feet are telling me that the best thing for me are the LeBron II low tops. I will only use these during the summer or when wearing shorts and they don't have as much of the shoe to shine as I like even though it is all black. The plus is they are COMFORTABLE. I also have the Huarache 2K4's in all black but they haven't been as comfortable since I wore them too much during a weekend on the court at an Easter tournament in Vegas. There are just many variables when dealing with Nike. They have Shox, Air Max, Zoom Air and a combination of all of them. I will be going to a camp this Friday and the only shoes I'm taking are the Shox and LeBron IIs. This camp is only two halves a day for 3 and a half days so I will be able to wear either shoe.
Sorry for the long post but I do have this fetish :D

I'll go try the shox on at the store, any other shoes I should take a look at? Links to shoes would be nice too, I assume you have them since you have the fetish and all. ;)

http://www.nike.com/nikebasketball/u...f=www.nike.com

It looks a little better on than it does in the picture IMO. You should always go to a store and try the shoes on. I wouldn't buy any shoes online unless I've had them before or they are cheap ($50 or less).

I too wear the NB 620's, i love that shoe. I do not like that patent leather. I guess I am old school and enjoy polishing my own shoe.

I used to wear the converse but they stopped making the 3/4 shoe for officials.

Does anyone know where you can get that 3/4 shoe by converse anymore, I was told that they dont make it anymore.

Which shoe am I looking at? I'm confused.

Also I agree, I plan to go to the store and try them on.

ASICS® Men's GT-2090 and GT-2100
 

After writing the company and waiting for two years, I've learned that the Asics gel GT-2090 and GT-2100 models now come in black for both the men's and women's styles. There is some silver on them, but the type of polish I use will cover right over that and make the shoe all black.

These are running shoes. They are the most comfortable and light weight shoes that I have ever worn. They are fantastic for those multiple games on weekends during the summer. I used to wear my white ones for these events.

Now I'm going to go out and get the black ones for the HS season.
Note: The higher the number the newer the model. So the 2100 just came out, while the 2090 was out last year. They run about $90 new, but the older models can usually be found on the internet or at a local running store for about $45.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...parel&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=UTF8&v=glance

Look for the Zoom LeBron II Low.

__________________________________________________ _________I was on vacation and saw them at Footaction. They were just purchased by Foot Locker. The clerk told me she was pretty sure that you could order them by going to Footaction.com or Foot LOcker.com. Hope this helps.

I looked but couldn't find them, i will look again

Here a better link to the Lebron II's that Tomegun is talking about. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...982822885&rd=1

I've got them, but tomegun is right about them not being black enough. They have some black mesh that doesn't look referee enough for me. They'll be my summer shoe though, because they're still sweeeeeeeeeet. I thought about getting the Huaraches 2K4's but I already have too many ref shoes (and they're expensive). I too have a little shoe fettish.

I've got the all black Shox listed above and they're comfortable to me. I've also got the all black Nike Ultraflights. They're comfortable but my pants catch on the heel flap and I HATE that.

I've got some Griffey's that I haven't worn yet so I can't report on them. I think I'm going to get the Monarch II's because I need something basic to wear sometimes.

Tomegun, what shoes do/did you have?

I just want the old black shox, the ones that you could make on the website and decide which color you want. I cannot find those.

You should really consider Lebron 2's...they are really comfortable and have good ankle protection with or without the straps...

I'm in Indiana right now visiting my sister and I will be going to camp on Wednesday.
I have the LeBron IIs and the Huarache 2k4's with me. I have the Shox from the link above at home. I have two pairs of Nikes that I don't know the name of I have used lately for summer ball. I sent both of those off to Leather Luster so they have that bling look to them.
The LeBron's are not the ticket for the season with pants but they are very, VERY comfortable for the summer.

Well guys I was unable to find the shox I want, I don't like the lebrons nor the new shox. I'd wear the new shox but that mesh is the only reason why I don't want them. All I wanted were the old shox off of the nikeid website but they have taken them off. What now? I want to get a new pair before camp.

Eastbay seems to often have out of date models in stock. Check out their web site

Already have... no luck.

When you want to find some shoes on Ebay, you have to be very patient. I look on ebay every other day and and sometimes it takes 2 months to find the shoes I want at a price the fits.

The nike id shoes will probably never be on there though, sorry. A friend of mine made some all black Shox Elevates and they look pretty good.

I sense a bad shoe pun coming up...

[Edited by lrpalmer3 on Jul 5th, 2005 at 02:39 PM]

People are always complimenting me on my shoes. Whenever they see me they say, "Shoo, shoo".

Nike Shox
 

I am slowly entering the arena of b-ball officiating and may get some lower-level games this Fall (ladies play in the Fall in Michigan still). I purchased some Nike Shox Basketball shoes similar to the ones you highlighted from eBay. They were originally for basketball and are okay but I'm wondering if I could transition them over for officiating. They are black uppers with the "shox" part in red. Would I be able to blacken the red and what would I use (shoe polish seems most obvious)?

Thanks

In my experience, shoe polish works best on real leather and that part of the shoe probably isn't leather.

I've thought about going to a craft store and getting some kind of paint for acrylic or plastic. I'm also interested in hearing what other officials have tried.

I didn't look there but try http://www.eastbay.com they usually have some of the older stuff in sizes still. Over the years, I've probably ordered from them a dozen times and they're good to deal with and ship pretty quickly.

I've heard shoedye works well but I have never tried it. I like a sharpie, then I go over with shoe polish, has worked well for me.

Rizzo,
When you say lower level, how "low" do you mean. If you're doing a lot of elementary or 5/6 grade level games I'm not sure the red would really matter all that much. It would be a shame to try something that didn't work and have them look worse than with the red. Above that level, howver, I'd definitely lean for the all black.

Black/Red
 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I might just go ahead and purchase separate shoes. I really have no idea where I might get a start but I probably meant "lower-level" to indicate middle school. I might get a chance real soon to do some camp games (with evaluaters) involving high school girls. Should be great experience.

One more thing a little off the shoe topic. I wear glasses for night driving and distance. I can see well within the confines of a b-ball court without them but the scoreboard is a little hazy sometimes, I guess I'd rather have them on than not. However, I notice the "image" thing these days is to work with contacts/no glasses at all. What's the feeling these days about that? I'm sure my sight will only get worse and I hate the thought of wearing contacts.

Re: Black/Red
 

The image thing is not to wear glasses, although I know successful officials who wear glasses at HS level, it leaves you open to potshots from the fans.

I personally wear contacts, I wear them all the time so its not an issue. But if you hate the thought of wearing contacts why don't you wear them just for basketball. I know of an official who wears glasses all the time except for when he's on the court.

Re: Black/Red
 

-----------------------------------------------------------

I only wear glasses for reading and night driving, too, but a whole lot of people I officiate with wear them. I'd rather wear glasses than squint to see the scoreboard. Time will tell whether you see better with them or not. If you need them you need them. I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Today I finally decided to order shoes for the upcoming season. I went with the Reebok Patent Leather. They should be here on Friday.

BTW: I believe it's been said a few times on the site, but I ordered them from Between The Lines Official Gear (http://www.btlofficialsgear.com), I've order several times from this company with very good results! If you are looking to dump a company (hmmmm the OC :)), I would highly recommend BTL.

Let me know how they look and feel. I need a new pair (or two) because my current Converse patents are due to be retired. I was looking at both the Reeboks and the (ohmygosh!) OC patents. I've always ordered from Honigs, and have had great luck with their service, but I like the way the OC patents look, as well as the added benefit of the 3/4 style. After reading all the comments here, I've been scared to order from OC, for fear I might only get one shoe, or just both soles and not the uppers.

I found a Tiger Asics cross trainer. They are GREAT!!!

Jim Bob,
I saw those at an officiating supply web site, but I don't remember which one. When I called, the girl in customer service said they didn't sell nearly as many of them as they did the Reebok "The Refs." Have you worn them very long? If so, what do you like abou tthem and how have they held up? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Edited by refnrev on Jul 20th, 2005 at 11:49 PM]

I have worn them for the past two years. They have held up great. I have two pairs and I alternate throughout the season. IMO they are the best shoes I have worn since I started reffing 15 years ago.

And if I remember correctly, aren't they very reasonably priced?

They were very reasonably priced, I think thathtey were about $ 60, that's why I got two pairs.

How do they polish up?

I haven't got my shoes yet... not sure where they are, hopefully not lost!

They polish up nicely. I put a good polish them every couple of weeks. Game days, I usually just buff them. They look pretty good.

__________________________________________________ _________

I'll bet they were kidnapped by an represntative from OC and you'll get them a little bit at a time! Or maybe, since they were patents, some John Travolta fan who watches every rerun of Saturday Night Fever stole them! Are you mising any lesiure suits, Tanner?

__________________________________________________ _________

I'll bet they were kidnapped by a representative from OC and you'll get them a little bit at a time! Or maybe, since they were patents, some John Travolta fan who watches every rerun of Saturday Night Fever stole them! Are you missing any lesiure suits, Tanner?

Re:
 

Well of course I spoke too soon. It had actually appeared that my order had been lost as they said it was put on my steps on Friday -- only problem, no box. So after a little tracking down and finding out they (UPS) somehow sent it to West instead of East. Anyways, even with that confusion they still stated that they dropped it off at my house. Come to find out, they gave it to my neighbors. :)

Anyways, about the shoes, the Reebox Patent Leathers look great. Of course I won't be able to know what they feel like on the court for another couple months. If you are looking for a pair, Between The Lines is the cheapest place I've found them, so far. http://www.btlofficialsgear.com

[Edited by tjones1 on Jul 28th, 2005 at 01:47 PM]

I have ordered from them also...great service.

Yes, very great service!

FYI, it's http://www.btlofficialsgear.com

Thanks Mark. Sorry for the typo.

I finally found the Nike Air Monarch II in my size and extra wide. I love them. I think I saw somebody say that they use inserts in their Monarchs. What kind of inserts are best?

I couldn't even find what these look like, does anyone have a picture? Where'd you get yours Chuck?

I'm selling these on Ebay. Wore them a couple times only.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:B:EF:US:1


And here is a picture of the Monarchs:

http://www.shoestation.com/shoestati...AIAFKHNIGPIAL&

Has anyone put leather luster on their Monarchs? I know that Leather Luster only takes to leather shoes and I don't want to ruin my Monarchs if they aren't. Different websites have conflicting information.

[Edited by lrpalmer3 on Aug 9th, 2005 at 08:46 AM]

I got mine at "Dick's Sporting Goods", which I think is a national chain. They have a little mesh on them, which I'm not crazy about, but for the comfort, I think they'll be fine.

You can usually find them at Shoe Carnival, too, which is also a national chain.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Chuck,
I need a little extra arch support in all my shoes, so I'll add a pair of Odor Eaters and a pair of over the counter Dr. Scholl's orthotics. If I didn't need the orthotic I would probably add a Dr. Scholl's Memory Foam insert. They're about 9 bucks at Wal-Mart. The Monarch will be seriously soft and padded if you add these.