Looking for high-tops

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Amesman

Have seen all the other shoe threads here but wanted to ask if anyone has a good line on all-black high-tops for officiating. Have bad ankles from playing days and prefer not to have to try regular height shoes.

Seems the all-black high-tops are getting harder to find this year, especially without all the bling on them that players nowadays like. New Balance had one (of poor quality the two times I got it most recently) but even it's now on back order for months or nobody has it.

Along the same line, anybody with suspect ankle history make the jump successfully from high-cut to low-cut? Looks like I might be forced to go that route ... could be a relief, but I just don't want to find out the hard way with an ankle turn or sprain that I shouldn't have been running around without high-tops, and miss a chunk of the season.

I absolutely agree with the gentleman above. After 9 marathons, I've become to understand shoe design a little bit better than I care to admit. I chuckle at posts that state "these shoes have the best support" while another poster states "these shoes have no support, they suck". Of course that's the case, everyone's feet are different!

As a runner I know that I need a "motion control" shoe if I want to avoid injury for a significant period of time. However, I can't go to the shelf and pick up any motion control shoe because each shoe is still made differently (even within the same brand). It's difficult with officiating shoes because you cannot always go to your local retailer to try them on.

I would highly recommend going to a specialty running store and asking for a "gait analysis" (which is free at reputable running stores). From there they will tell you what type of shoes would work best (neutral/motion control/cushion). If you get a pair of QUALITY shoes that don't fit well but you like the style, take a trip to your running store (with the shoes). They can fit you with an insole that will help support your foot correctly. I prefer superfeet insoles. Unlike shoe cushioning, superfeet seem to last years (usually the smell gets bad before the product does). With that said, shoes aren't made to last forever. If you have had your shoes for awhile (officiating shoes 3+ years) and you're getting odd pains in your ankles/knees/hips, it's probably time to get new shoes because they have lost their cushioning.

Enough of that, I'll get off my soapbox. If anyone is interested in barefoot running, let me know and I'll give you my two cents on that too FYI, I have yet to officiate barefoot

-Josh