Shoes
 

Hi Guys,

Anyone wearing these? I wore Air Max 360s the past two years, but I haven't been able to find the all black leather ones again. I had a blowout at camp in the 360s too. Any reviews for the Air Max+? Thanks a bunch.

Nike Men's Air Max+ 2009 Leather Running Shoe*Black/Silver/Anthracite *| FinishLine.com

The Air Max 360s are a very nice shoe. I assume you must color in the non-black portion to conform?
I wear a pair to workout and walk the dog. Have reffed in the them once when I went to a summer league game straight from work as a last-minute sub.

I don't care for Nike. I get better sevice out of Reebok or New Balance.

A statement like that is a felony here in Oregon. :eek:

I can imagine.

The last two pair I had both had a Air Shox blowout. They're also more narrow than RBK and NB.

Nike - PPPPPPHHHOOOEEEEYYYY!!!
 

I've owned only two pair of Nike's (one for running & one for officiating). Both of them hurt my feet terribly. So now, it's NB all the way. As a matter of fact, the pair that I had for officiating ended up being donated to a shoe drive sponsored by NB in return for a 10% discount on a new pair of NB's.

That's what rule Nike out for me. Here's what my feet look like:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/...aab3e68b50.jpg

I looked at these also but the cost concerns me. I can get 2 pair of NB for that price!

At least your nails are nicely trimmed! :D

I tried NB once after many recommendations from this board....they felt like I was running with a pair of bricks with slots chipped out for my feet. Stiff, no size fit well, and generally felt like the worst pair of shoe's I'd owned for a long time.

I buy whichever shoes fit best. For my feet, that is Nike or Offiical Footwear (Official Call - Basketball or Official Footwear Referee Shoes: Ump Attire).

I've had a similar experience w/ Nike too and have settled on NB.

As we've talked about many times before on the Forum, what shoe you use depends on a vareity of conditions - personal weight, width of feet, pronation, type of courts, number of games, rotating shoes, etc. To each his/her own.

Botton line for me - no "one size fits all." You personally must try them and see how they work for you before settling on what's best.

Before you buy any shoe, go to a running shoe store and get an analysis of your foot. If you are an overpronator, either bad or slight, most of the cross trainer type shoes (virtually all the officials shoes minus the basketball shoes made to fit) will work fine for you. However, if you are a neutral or under pronator, you need a LOT more cushioning than the shoes sold by Honigs, etc. offer. I wear black running shoes. Hard to find, but when I do find them, I buy several pair.

I've worn Saucony's the last 2 years. Best hoops shoes I've worn by far.

I've always been a Nike guy but I strained a calf my first year reffing and another ref suggested New Balance. Now, I had always scoffed at "dorky" "uncool" brands before, but for some reason I was guided by his wisdom against my more idiotic general nature. I got a pair of NB. I have never looked back. The difference is night and day. NB fit, support, dependability, etc., are unmatched. In fact, I just got a new pair for the upcoming season.

My suggestion: dont be afraid to check out the "uncool" brands :)

They discontinued my favorite old style number, and I am trying the new one this year (608 I think?). Preliminary fit says they are going to be just as great as my old reliables.

You wont be disappointed.

Clark

I'll agree with this. I've used a Nike the last two years and they've held up just fine. This year I'm switching to the Official Footwear that Cameron links. I've only done one scrimmage in them but am very pleased so far with fit, look, and comfort.

Thanks for the responses. I know the best answer is to try them for yourself, but you guys have given me other ideas in case they don't work out.

Camron,

I'm curious. which NB shoes did you try? I've been a big fan of almost every NB shoe I've ever tried. I even buy NB for my non-officiating gym shoes, usually the same make/style, just in white. However, I got the 888's a couple years ago (as I recall because the stopped making my beloved 609's). I hated them. Still do. The fit, sizing, feel, everything about them is completely different from my previous experience with them.

Sadly I'm too cheap to just chuck them out. So I learned to make due (I added Spenco inserts and wear 2-3 pairs of sock with them). I figured I'd replace them as soon as they showed signs of age. But they still haven.t They are maddeningly sturdy and show no signs of needing replaced. Even after 2 seasons as my only pair of officiating shoes.

I don't have a point. Just whining a bit, while putting on my second pair of socks. Off to do a couple AAU games. :)

I just bought a pair of 888's for this season. I haven't worked a game in them yet but they didn't feel that great when I tried them on (bought them online). Every other pair of NB I have worn were great, very comfortable. I tried a pair of Nike's one year and they made my toes numb. Everybody's feet are different, but NB have always been great for me. I guess I'll have to see how the 888's feel after a few games this year.

If you go on-line to new balance, you can see some of the specs of the variosu shoes. My guess is that the 888s are made from a different last, etc. than the 609s.

If you have a pair you like, check out other models with similar design.

I gotta get a new pair of reffing shoes on Monday at our rules clinic. I"ll have to give NB a try and see how they feel.

I had a pair of NB 608s my first year and hated them. Just didn't feel right at all. I now have the Reebok "Refs" in patent leather and they're decent. My favorites are my Nike Air Max 97s. Very comfortable and easy to run in. I have had a lot of Nike Shox and I don't know how guys referee in them.

It's a personal choice!
 

Like grunewar & others have said - try several kinds and use what works for you. It's the 610's for me.

I bought mine online too. That may be the last pair of shoes I buy that way.

My first pair were Nike, because my (now ex) son-in-law worked there, and got them for me very cheap. They were too narrow, caused problems and I ended up at a podiatrist who recommended something much wider. Used New Balance for a couple of years, and like them, but I'm a complete convert to the Official Footwear (Camron, that's Tom's company right?), as Camron recommends. The wide size is VERY good for me, and they all come with a footbed that is much more supportive, especially for my pronation problems. With the NB, I had to buy special insoles, but the built in one in the OF is just right. I like that in a shoe!

Concur, especially with a new variety of shoes!

At our state rules clinic last year, a vendor was showing off several different varieties, makes, and models and even then I couldn't find one that felt good or fit properly. No way I by them just by looking at them on-line... pain in the butt sending things back.

With my running shoes, after many yrs of trial and error I finally settled on a variety of Asics (made especially for my size, kind of feet, pronation, etc.). Now that I have settled on a model/size, I can order them on-line every six months or so.

Happy hunting....there are a great many options and hopefully you'll find something to your liking.

It was the 609's. I still have them. I used them for a few games several years ago and quickly retired them to casual use. I still wear them on occasion (maybe 1-2 times a month) if I don't expect to do much walking (sitting at my desk)...I added a heel cup to snug up the heel a bit so it doesn't flop around so badly.

Yes.

I had a pair of 609's go via the five finger discount recently :mad:. Saddle, do a google search for them, are still out there. the 620's are also supposedly the new replacement for them, and are very close to the 609's to my eye.

Thanks, I'll have to do that. I'll even check eBay. Who knows, your pair may be there. :)

I have the New Balance 609 and the 620. No difference. I also have the 888...not even close. It looks good...but does not feel comfortable. I can wear it for a single game...but not for several games.

Last year I bought the Official Footwear patent leather model. It is a fine shoe, but does not come in a wide width. It is built wider than a regular width, but the NB 609 or 620 remain my shoe of choice for my wider foot.

The current New Balance model is the MX622. Zappos.com is selling them for $65 (http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7402619/c/3.html)

I got a pair of NB 855's right before last season. Pretty darn light. Has rollbar support. Probably could use a new insert for the upcoming season, but everything else is holding up real well.

My last pair were NB 445's. They were very comfortable and worked well for me. I've never had a bad NB shoe so I felt pretty comfortable buying the pair of 888's online. We'll see how they work out. For baseball I really don't have any option other than ordering plate shoes online, nowhere to buy them around here. I ordered NB plate shoes online and they have been fantastic.

[QUOTE=Camron Rust;631206]I tried NB once after many recommendations from this board....they felt like I was running with a pair of bricks with slots chipped out for my feet. Stiff, no size fit well, and generally felt like the worst pair of shoe's I'd owned for a long time.

What number NB shoes felt tlike that? Surely you must have had one of the lower number pairs rather than a quality pair. That sure doesn't sound like any NB shoe I ever wore except for some real cheap ones I bought at Shoe Carnival once.

[QUOTE=refnrev;632978]Mine were 608's and I didn't like them much at all either. I have NB plate and base shoes for baseball and they're pretty comfortable and some NB running shoes (I don't run, they're just my regular tennis shoes) that are very comfortable.

to texas aggie

what Saucony's?

For the last 3 years I have worn the Reebok "the ref's" patent leather shoes. Late last season I started to have shin and heel pain after games so I have switched to a NIKE running shoe for this season. We will see how it goes. I went with the NIKE AIR MAX DREAM.
http://www.finishline.com/store/prod...tId=prod634606 These are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I like to say they are like "sex for your feet"

Any shoe you run in is going to have a life expectancy. A common sign that the shoe has "expired" is the appearance of shin splints and other pains.

Not necessarily true. These companies have many shoes they retire because they do not sell very well or they are not a big market for them. And when it comes to shoes that we like as officials, not many shoes are going to be all black and all leather. It is not uncommon for those shoes to be taken off the market for reasons that have nothing to do with problems with that shoe.

Peace

Lets face it ... we are a strange breed. A lot of people just don't want to buy an all black shoe... so if the aren't selling them, they won't be on the market long.

I was thinking about picking up the Nike Air Max Solas '09... anybody have a pair? Your feedback on the shoe would be appreciated.

That's not what he's talking about, Jeff. He's talking about the life expectancy of a specific pair of shoes being worn -- not the product life span of a particular model. THe midsole gives out well before (usually) the upper or outersole, and the shoes won't be as comfortable and can lead to the problems identified.

Bob is right. If you wear bad or worn out shoes you're gonna feel it in the knees, hips, feet, and shins... especially when you have knees like mine!

That can be true. But you can have a shoe that "fits" well and does not give you the support you need. I know, I had to buy some orthotics to take care of my issues with an arch. And I was having problems with shoes that seem to fit well, but did not give me what I needed and they were new. That is why shoes are such a personal thing and even the NCAA suggested that shoes should be replaced often and in many cases we should have shoes professionally fit to see how we run. Because apparently how you run and how your foot comes down has a lot to do with lower leg problems.

Peace

Too true. A trip to a good running shoe store can pay dividends here. They can determine if you're an under-pronator, over-pronator, or neutral. That information can help you identify characteristics of a shoe that will give you the required support, not just a comfortable fit.

But, as I alluded to earlier, over time the materials the shoe is constructed from begin to break down. Those support characteristics can change, and that can lead to discomfort, pain, even injury.

The onset of shin splints, when you're not normally prone to them, is one somewhat common sign that the shoe has broken down enough that it should be replaced.

But, there are other factors that can induce shin splints: tight calf muscles, a sudden increase in activity level, rapid increase in body weight, a change in running surface, etc. The sudden realization that the season is only x weeks away, and the resulting panicked attempt to get into shape, can subject a body to many of those conditions...all at once. So don't take shin splints as an absolute indicator that the shoes need to be replaced.

I replaced my shoes because they were worn out. Could the fact that they were worn out have been the cause of shin splints and heel problems. Yeah probably. But I am also 29 years old and like to have something that I feel looks good and also performs well as well as conforms to my association's rules regarding the uniform. The shoe I went with has some silver on the outsole and the Nike Swoosh is outlined in silver. If your association doesn't permit that then it can be taken care of with a simple black marker or nail polish. I haven't yet decided if I am going to black out any or all of the non black markings on my shoes or not. so far I have called 4 girls middle school games in them and I haven't yet decided if the non black stuff will annoy me or not.

I have never had shin splints ever (knock, knock, knock). I have had some minor leg pain not associated with the knee, but never shin splint. A lot of this I attribute to not working every day, staying in relatively good shape (I even lost 20 pounds over the summer) and rotating my shoes all the time. I have several pairs of shoes and I almost never wear the same pair over and over again. Some of them I have had for some years, but have only worn maybe 20 games if that. So they stay in good shape. And if a shoe starts to break down, I do not wear them on the court anymore.

Peace

Reebok Ref
 

So far the Reebok Ref shoes have been great for me. No shin splints, knee pain, hip pain, etc... Really like the look as well, have Reebok NFL Thorpe for football, and will be ordering Reebok Magistrate Plate shoe in black/black in about 2 weeks. Reebok has been great for me.

Sorry to bring this one back to life but Sears has the New Balance 608AB on clearance sale for $50.
I think these replaced the NB 606. I loved those shoes.
I picked up a pair yesterday. I like them much better than the newer 608V2.

I went with a pair of black New Balance cross trainers with insoles from Sports Authority and I have been pretty happy with them.

Well since you asked....

I am also wearing the Air Max Dream's this year:Ch... Ch... Ch... Check 'em out!

I had the pair of silver and black that I wore casually and loved them so I decided to grab myself a pair for the season.

Currently on sale at Eastbay for $79

Asics Gel-TRX Black/Black. Got 'em at endless.com but if you google asics gel-trx there are a number of sites selling them. They are a cross trainer by Asics and I love them I bought two pair. The only problem is I gotta shine them after wearing patents for five years.

There have been quite a few guys down here in Texas picking up these Nikes that REALLY look good on the court, and are currently on sale!

Nike Air Max TL5 - Men's - Black/Black/Silver

But I picked up these $159 Air max 2009 for only $61!! That's a DEAL!http://www.nike-dealers.com/index.ph...0311_2_LRG.jpg

re: shoes
 

Picked up another pair of air max 360s, which is what I really wanted. This will be year three for me wearing them. These are nicer with a strip of patent leather from the toe along the sides and around to the heal of the shoe. I use one of those instant shine sponges to dress up the top.

Air Max 360 Men-09 : Airmaxonly.com, Shopping Air Max, Cheap Air max Shoes On Sale, Discount Air max Shoes,

RefAHallic, I would be careful about those shoes. I don't remember Nike officially coming out with that color which means they may not be authentic. The fakes are hard to spot sometimes.

I have the shoes the OP referred to and I haven't worn them; I might wear them tonight. Yes, they cost a lot of money, but my feet are worth it and I will claim it.

I guess I'm one of the few officials who generally likes to wear basketball shoes while officiating...basketball. My favorite shoe ever is a high top Air Max 360 (Stoudamire's shoe) that isn't produced anymore. I don't care for the look of the New Balance running shoes, but it is a personal preference thing.

re: Shoes
 

:eek: WHAT! Fakes!?