Shoes for refereeing basketball...
 

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Mens-GT-...7155755&sr=1-5

There are many that you can find. I've posted a link to what I have above. Just use a Sharpie marker over the gray.

I'm sure that others will post what they like.

Hang out at the nearest department store or outlet store and find three or four different kinds that are on sale for $25 or $30. When you figure out which you like the best, stick to those, whatever the price. Some of the big name styles that people like are New Balance 609 Nike Air.

There are also several different on-line shopping places for officials. They each have their own brand of shoes, in addition to varied other brands.

These are the best shoes I've ever worn.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...bra/7a0d_1.jpg

They are Nike Air Max Solas, here is how they look after a magic marker and polish.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...a/IMG_0735.jpg

How does the marker hold up? Do you have to do many touch ups?

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but.....about two weeks ago, I happened to be talking with a very high ranking Nike executive. I told him that if Nike made a shoe specifically for basketball (and other sport) referees, they could probably sell quite a few of them. He asked me if I would be willing to endorse them if they did. Obviously, he was kidding. I told him he might get Tim Donaghy for that, since he wasn't doing anything right now and probably needs the money. He thought that was also a great idea. Obviously, he was still kidding. http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...mages/wink.gif

He is probably thinking about him endorsing the new orange model.

I believe it would be the tan model, from what I understand from my prison guard friends.

I currently wear these Reeboks:
http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=12&Item=870


Although they are very comfortable I was thinking about sporting New Balance next season, does anyone have feedback on this model:
http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=12&Item=1093

Maybe his cell mates will be Neal and Ben Dover. :eek:

I liked the New Balances I had for several years, but they weren't this model. I quit wearing the ones I liked because I couldn't get them in wide sizes. No one around here carried them.

Basketball Shoes for Officiating
 

Personally, I prefer basketball shoes to running shoes, but I think that's largely a matter of personal preference. The trick to finding all black, is to ask around. Ask a sales person if they can special order them. Or shop at the officials' sites. Lots of folks wear shoes for only one or two seasons, so that's not so much a matter of the brand as the particular need. Oh, and didn't I just say that I liked the New Balance? Support and comfort, yes, when I could find the right size.

Running shoes don't have very good lateral support, though. So if you find yourself making a lot of quick lateral cuts (like we all do), you may turn an ankle more easily wearing running shoes.