Patent leather shoes
 

I'm in the market to purchase a pair of patent leather shoes for the 1st time. Recommendations on shoe brands and websites that I can go to to make this purchase would be appreciated. Thanks

My Reeboks are still in good shape after 4 seasons. Honig's Whistle Stop is where I got them. I think.

Try these http://www.basketballrefshoes.com/index.html (direct) and also available at Ultimate Patent Leather Basketball Referee Shoes: Ump Attire.

I've worn them for about four years now....probably the best shoes [for me] that I've reffed in so far...after trying Converse, Reebok, Nike, and New Balance.

Note that the lighting in the picture on the Ump Attire site is a bit odd. The soles doen't look grey under normal lighting as they do in the picture.

Try these. They go great with fishnets.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/...f0f0edb5_o.jpg

I have worn the "Pentagon" shoes the last 2 years. Very durable and at a reasonable price.

FYI, if you have problems with shin splints, stay away from the patent leather Reebok's. The most painful year of my career was spent in those shoes. When I changed them out with a pair of Shox in the last month of the season, things got almost instantly better.

Rash Generalization?
 

So, on your opinion any referee who ever had shin splints should avoid buying these shoes? Wow! A very condemning statement.

Possibly similar to your experience, I tried a pair of Patent Leather Official Choice shoes this year and had a terrible time. But, I believe it's because my feet were not right for the shoe - IMO. NOT because the shoe is bad.

When trying them on for some reason I didn't realize they had a high arch - and I have a flat foot. After several uses my feet really hurt badly. I even took out the insoles and tried some fairly expensive inserts - still a no go for me.

So, if anyone wants an inexpensive pair of seldom warn OC Patent Leather size 9 1/2's, PM me and maybe we can work up a deal. After a few uses, they're just collecting dust......but, they brush off nicely and look super! :(

I bought this pair of Nikes for $70 at Dick's last September....love 'em....low profile sole is my style. They are my first pair of shiny shoes.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n.../NikeShine.jpg

I just ordered a pair. I have EE feet, but the reviews seem to suggest these work OK for wide feet. I'm tired of shining up my NB trainers, so we'll see how these do, should they fit.

I just put my old Converse Whistle shoes back in the rotation. Wore them for 3 seasons, but the last 1 1/2 seasons they were every other game. They do not make them any more, but they are comfortable. Probably will use them next season.

I bought a pair of Reebok "Breezy" patent leather shoes 2 years ago and have not been able to get them to break in comfortably. I went back to my shox and love them. Just hard to find any in all black up here.

Ditto on the Reebox Breezy. I also have a pair of the New Balance 888 and never could break those in comfortably either.

Last summer I bought a pair of Nike Shox and they are the best of the bunch. Only problem is since Shox really aren't a "basketball" shoe you don't get the complete support you need (according to my podiatrist). LOL!

Which is why I love the Nike patent leather 3/4 high tops. Great ankle support AND, as a bonus, the black pants don't get caught in the tongue of the shoe or hung up on the heel. Love that.

Did you tell your podiatrist that you stopped the halftime shootarounds so the basketball aspect of the shoe was not all that important? [I presume you stoppped them. You did, didn't you?:eek:]

I just finished my first season using a pair of Official Footwear patents and they were great.

You can also purchase them directly from the manufacturer if you prefer at basketballrefshoes.com - Home.