Going through the best shoe debate again this year. What does everyone recommend? How are the patent leather Converse? What Nikes are NBDL officials wearing? Any input is greatly appreciated.

FWIW - After 4 weeks of using the NB608Bs I had to ditch them because they were killing my feet/arches. :( I was able to find a pair of Reebox DMX shoes online and used them for 2 games before the break. Wonderful shoes with their own built-in air cushion innersole. Felt like I could run all day. :)

SHOES!!!
 

You guys wear shoes? :D

Seriously, I have WIDE feet and have found the Reebok DMX fits comfortably, as well.

The Converse Run n Ref shoes (2 different pairs) were killing my feet for several years when I bought a pair of New Balance shoes. My feet haven't hurt since. I have wide feet also. Two friends have done the same and they like them as well as I do.

Wider
 

Funny how things get wider as we get older...

At least consider the possibility that no shoes are perfect alone, and any shoes need to be personalized. I'm having far fewer problems since I went to a podiatrist who specializes in sprinters. He has given me some inserts that he constructed -- not quite custom orthotics, but very, very good. He's also offering to "re-shape" my shoes, although I haven't quite given in to that yet. I'll think about it in February, though, when my schedule has room to breathe, and I can afford to be a little experiemental. If anyone feels like coming to Portland sometime, I'll give you a referral. This guy is fabulous!

Reebok DMX--there the best.

And Run N Refs have always worked for me.

Six years ago when the Converse outlet where I lived had a major sale, I bought about six pairs. I brought out the last pair this season.

Rich

Which DMX ???
 

Which Reebok DMX model are you guys talking about? I see several different ones online... Velocity Low, Answer ???

More on shoes
 

I've been thinking of getting a pair of ref shoes to wear in the office -- where do you guys get them? Any sporting goods store? Particular stores? I just don't recall seeing them anywhere and with my feet can't imagine ordering them on line.

Re: More on shoes
 

Honigs.
Try 'em on
Return 'em.

I wear both the New Balance shoes as well as the patent run and ref converse. The new balance shoes are very comfortable for me but I have wider feet.

As far as the Con's go they look really sharp!! THe shine up almost blindingly w/ pledge and when all 2/3 officals have them on I think they look really professional. We have got comments from a couple of college coaches on hopw sharp they look. THe only problem is they don't breath real well. I wear extra socks and always air them out. Our association purchased our pair from http://www.theofficialschoiceinc.com. We dealt w/ paul. I had a pair blow out earlier in the season and they were returned no questions asked. The people I know that have them really like them... JMO

This may sound weird, but if you have issues with shoes breathing, try wool socks. I had a shoe salesman try to convince me wool was more comfortable than cotton for sports; I thought he was nuts, but tried it. And now I always wear wool socks as the under sock when I play -- the wool wicks away the sweat and keeps the feet dry.

I wear Addidas Superstar SS2G. Most comfortable shoe I have worn. I usually can order them all black, but occasionally I get black w/white stripes and have the stripes dyed by a cobbler for about $10. Not the popular choice, but lots of players play in them and I wouldn't trade mine for anything else.

The best thing to do is find a shoe that work for you and continue to use it. Someone talked about orthodics (sp?). I wear custom made (about $400) and they are great. I highly recommend them. They are pricey, but they do cost less than ongoing foot problems or foot surgery (have had both and it sucks!) Take care of those feet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!

Re: Which DMX ???
 

They go under walking shoes. Got my last pair at Honig's and before that at Kohl's department store.

I tried to order a pair of those patent leather shoes from theofficialschoiceinc.com, but yet to see them after 2 months. Calls and emails have yet to be returned. Are they sold out or on backorder? I mailed them a money order so I hope I have not lost out on $75...

I have been wearing the New Balance 608's for a couple of years now. They hold up really well. They might be discontinued as I saw some 606's at Foot Locker the other day. They looked just like the 608's. They shine up really well using leatherluster polish. The polish lasts a year. I put another coat over the old and look like new again. My partner just got some new patents and he really likes them. He ordered them from officialschoiceinc.com. He had to call several times as they said that he didn't have an order. I don't think they are very organized. But they did finally come. They look nice and he says they are very comfortable.

As stated in the other thread. I have gone with the NIKE Strongside cross trainer this year. I went with the NB 608 last year and wore through them rather quickly. I a big person and run somewhat heavy so the walking style shoes did not hold up well. Usually NIKE's don't either, the air pocket blows out, but these have held up great. I have 2 pair and saw some on sale at Finish Line for $55.00. They have the air cushion running through the heel and the fore foot.
As for socks, thr using some socks with CoolMax in them. Will do a great job letting your feet breath. And finally, by all means head out for some orthodics.

I believe that the 609 Cross Trainer replaced the 608B? They have them at The Sports Authority. Not much different from the 608's, but a few less breathing holes (?). Here's a link. I like them a lot with Sorbothane inserts. Be sure to try them on before buying as I have found them to run small and narrow.

http://www.thesportsauthority.com/pr...entPage=family

Not sure what the problem is w/ officials choice. We ordered as an association though so maybe we got better treatment. Sorry to hear you are getting jerked around. They really look nice once you get them though....

Another shoe selection officials may want to try are the Nike Air Mission Extras. These are the shoes that most D-1 officials are wearing this year. They a visible heel cushion sole and they are very, very comfortable to run on during a game. They are a cross training shoe that Nike came out with this year. They shine really well with any liquid shoe polish or leather luster polish.

I wear a 9 Double Wide but i wear the Converse Patent leather Size 10 and they fit and look perfect.

Still shining?
 

How well does the patent leather shine hold up. I remember my dad having some patent leather shoes when I was a youngster (30 years ago). I remember them getting scratched... it seems like.... something about polishing with vaseline?

Anyway, how does the shine hold up? Do they get scuffed and become unrepairable? If they do become scuffed, how do you shine them back up.

DOWN TOWN:

I have had mine for about a season and a half wore them for 50+games. The shine holds up great. The best way to clean them is w/ spray Pledge and a dry cloth. This takes the rubber scuffs off (from hitting shoes together) and makes them nearly glow. Leather Luster does nealry the same thing for shoes (i have this on my fb and baseBall shoes) but needs to be replaced every season or so.

Hey Jeremy, I called officials choice w a card and received the shoes in 4 days.