Shoe advice
 

I know we have discussed shoes here before but I am looking at a few models that I don't think have been mentioned. Anyone have experiences, preferences, insights on the following shoes compared to the Reebok Zig or Nike Air Monarch ?

New Balance 623 or similar model
3n2 Reaction Referee
Inov8 f-lite 230

I am a little familiar with the New Balance shoe and am leaning towards the Reebok Zigs based on what others have said about them.

The 3n2 shoes look good but seem cheap to me so am interested in what others have to say about them.

The inov8 shoes are for running but may work for reffing so if anyone has heard of or worn these I am curious as to comfort and support.

Your opinions, reviews, and comments are appreciated!

I have both the NB 623s and Reebok Zigs. To me, the biggest difference is that the Zigs are appreciably lighter than the NBs. Although I have a wide foot, I found no difference in how the two fit across the balls of my feet, but I did need half-size larger Zigs.

I've worn the NBs for two seasons and the Zigs for one, so I can't comment about their respective durability.

I don't know anything about the other two shoes.

They Run Small ...
 

Agree.

My advice is to simply go with the Zigs. In 17 years of officiating they are clearly the most comfortable shoes that I've worn.
I was also informed that they run small and so ordered a 1/2 size bigger. That turned out to be a mistake. The larger shoes felt splashy and I ended up ordering another pair in my normal size, which have been perfect.

I love my zigs
 

I have worn only a couple of others but by far my favorite are the zigs.

I can't fit in the zigs (even a 1/2 size larger), so I wear the NB. I alos have some model or another of Nike.

I alternate pairs every game, replce the insoles after one year, and replace the shoes after two years.

I wear nothing but NB simply because they fit my feet the best in my experience. I've worn the NB 610, NB 888, and now the NB 623. It's simply find what is comfortably to you and stick with it.

Yeah, I'm Cheap ...
 

Don't toss the bigger shoes, just wear an extra pair of socks.

They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore ...
 

Back when I started, thirty-four years ago, I had a couple of pairs of Spot-Bilts that were so good that I actually had then resoled a few times before dumping them. They were a little on the heavy side, but were the best officiating shoes that I ever had; comfortable, good support, good grip, and took a good shine.

My Spot-Bilts were comfortable, as was a pair of Converse, if I recall correctly. Although it was a long time ago and my memory has faded, I don't think either was as supportive as modern shoes.

By the way, Rich, I don't know anyone who wears the 3n2 basketball shoe, but the baseball plate shoe is lightweight and comfortable. fwiw.

I got the Zigs, and I'm never going to wear anything else. It took a few games to break them in, but I love 'em.

623 +1
 

I've worn a pair of 623 patent for a couple seasons and they are absolutely comfy on my feet. Didn't wear the 623 leather though. Heard a bunch of goods on Zigs but didn't wear that yet either.

Disclaimer: i have flat feet

I had one pair of zigs that were good but the second pair I had hurt my feet due to their arches. I have New Balance before and just picked up a new pair of New Balance and too my feet they are like heaven. I will never mail order shoes again as I have a brand new pair of zigs that I hate. I am stuck with them bc I cut the insoles up at halftime to make it through the night. I did have to order the zigs 1/2 size bigger as well. I had to go with 10 1/2 vs my normal 10.

Just got these Reebok Zjet's last weekend and used them last night. On sale for $79.99 at Finish Line right now.

http://www.finishline.com/images/pro...gm46541blk.jpg

What did you think of them?

I like them. A partner a couple of weeks ago had a new pair and they look good from a distance. I thought the air pockets might look silly but they don't. I tried on size 12 and they were squeezing my toes together in the front, so I went with a 13. I have to wear two pair of socks with the 13.

I've tried the 3N2 and did not like them. They came with a package deal from Smitteez. I wore them once and that was it. They are not well made, as the price would suggest. They're basically plastic patent leather shells with styrofoam bottoms. They now rest in my garage.

I've run distance and done Crossfit for the last several years in minimalist shoes, so that is what I am used to. I am not a fan of the heavily cushioned running shoes like the Zigs or NB. I found the minimalist style avoids chronic impact problems in knees and the lower back by eliminating heel strike running, and has the added advantage of strengthening the ankle and the arch. But it is tough to find all-black minimalist shoes for officiating work.

I ended up on Nike's main website and customized a pair of their Flyknit 4.0s to all black. I believe Reebok has the same kind of option with some of their running shoes. There is no "patent leather" shine to any of them, but in flat black they look sharp and are very comfortable. Many times I've worked 3 games in an evening with zero complaints. A couple of my co-workers (including my association supervisor/assignor) ended up getting a pair for D-1 games.

Amazon ...
 

Nice. But I'm thinking my assignor might actually shart if I showed up in 'em.

3n2
 

The 3n2 patent leather referee shoes are a good buy. They are comfortable and durable. They are a good buy for the money and I have purchased three pairs over the years. I hear the zigs are a great shoe, but I can't get past the look of the wavy sole.

wjc3

These work really well, especially if you want something to eat at halftime.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...3cf182e754.jpg

These obviously aren't "official" official shoes, but they are incredibly comfortable. Can't go wrong with Max Air.

Plus, they are currently at Nike Outlets for $69.99.

http://images.footlocker.com/pi/1599...ax-tr-365-mens

Nike Air Max TR 365

Old School
 

But back in the day, us really cool guys wore our low cut black "connies" for play and for dates. http://www.converse.com.au/chuck-tay...ow-black-19166

ZIGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought some NuBalance shoes this year to wear occaisionaly.
HATE them - not made for running up and down a floor.
Not sure what they are made for.

The old mid-hi Converse runnin refs were the best shoe I ever had until I started using the ZIGS.

I waited a few years to try the Zigs to see how they worked out. I wish I hadn't.

If Asics made a Nimbus shoe in black patent leather that'd be the shoe.

Until that time, the Zigs are the best referee shoe on the market. Just keep in mind they fit small.

I was just checking that out yesterday since the gel-nimbus is my running shoe. I'd love to give it a try. But, alas they do not. :o

What size nubalance? I have some zigs I'd trade. My flat feet don't get along with my new zigs.

Try them with orthotics. I have feet that are terribly flat. I have one pair of orthotics custom fit for my Zigs and have no issues.

Anyone tried Asics GT-1000 (1, 2 or 3) yet? comments? I'm thinking about getting a pair of the version 2 and would love to hear some experience. Saw Lauren Holtkamp and Joe Crawford wore them though...
http://img.theepochtimes.com/n3/eet-...7910948481.jpg
http://publicradio1.wpengine.netdna-...5971780395.jpg

Luis:
I have a pair of ascics gt 1000 that I used during this scholastic season and the 2014 summer recreational league. I liked the look in that they are all black with a small amount of shiny accents on that ascics "swoosh'' on side panel of shoe--this give an understated yet stylish look to them. Plus they are light and also slightly elevated on the soles which may make you appear to be taller--I'm 6ft 2in..so I become 6ft 3 in those shoes. Only downside of the shoe was that the clothe area on the inside upper area of the shoe is thin and wears out creating a hole there. Invariably when you are running and changing directions while reffing, you will scruff your shoe either against each other or on floor. I eventually wore out a small hole on the clothe area where my bunion was on my right big toe. Fortunately, I wear black athletic sox so you can't tell the hole was there. For this spring ball I may get another pair upgraded slightly. Some of my partners where the zig, but that sole man--sorta looks robot-ish--and that patent leather (read: "pleather") draws a lot of attention to the refs shoes--which either may or may not be intended.

I never knew I wanted a 2706 x 3684 picture of Lauren Holtkamp until right now.

hahaha~~ me too bud

Thanks for the tips - very helpful. Mesh shoes always have a problem of being rubbed and scratched easily... but good to hear that it's a pair of very light and comfy ones.

Right Next To My Poster Of Carl Yastrzemski ...
 

Print up a poster, and hang it up in your recreation room, or garage.

I bought a pair and used them last night, I really liked them, even better than my Zigs.

They're a different feel than the Zigs, but I like them. They look good too.

Do any of you guys put the slits in the bottoms of your pant legs like the two NBA officials pictured above? I have a huge pet peeve with my pant legs catching on the back of my shoes and it seems that would help, but I don't see many guys that I work with that do it.

I have it done to my pants when I get them hemmed, I don't think I get charged extra for having it done.

I've had it done, but the seamstress who did it has closed down shop. Need to find someone else to do it now.

I was all set to buy a pair of Air Max, now that I'm sick and tired of my patent leather Zigs. These z Jets are sweet, though. And, cheaper than the AirMax.

I'm a high school official and I have them, FWIW. A college official on my board recommended it.

So the Zjet and the GT-1000 show up as running shoes...how do they do for traction on the court???

No problems.

The Nike Air Max shoes are all "running" shoes too and everyone wears them.

Interesting.

Thanks!

All "officiating" shoes are either categorized as "trainers" and/or "running" shoes. Until the Zigs were marketed to officials by Reebok, I was never able to go to Eastbay or Footlocker, for example, and type in "officiating" shoes and get returns.

I haven't been able to find those all-black Zjet's if anyone has a link to them.

http://www.finishline.com/store/prod...tId=prod760751

Mine ran a little large. I have the patent zigs and MINE were true to size. The Z Jets ran a little big so I am returning them to a store this weekend. Comfortable but heavier than my Air Max and Zigs.

I tried on size 12 and 13, and the 12s were too tight. I went with 13s but I have to wear two pair of socks. I have had numerous Reebok and Nike athletic/officiating shoes in the last 5-6 years and this is the first size 13 of either brand that have ran big.

I've been thinking about to get a pair of Zigs but I'm not too sure about which size I need to get although I've heard a lot of comments that people should get 1/2 size larger. I won't be able to try them in the store either as I'm not in the States. I do NOT have wide feet (wear D in NBs) and to be honest you are the only one I saw that chose the normal size for Zigs. Any comments about what size I should get... normal? 1/2 larger? I'm definitely ok to break them in for a bit as I always walked my new shoes at home for a few days before stepping on the court. Thanks.

Half Size Larger For Zigs ...
 

Agree. I've been wearing size 11 since high school and have always been able to just purchase shoes, of any type, without trying them on, until I purchased Zigs. I can wear the 11 Zigs when I store them with shoe stretchers inside, but I really wish that I had purchased the 11 1/2's.

Thanks Billy - so what's the kicker then? Is it the middle of the shoe being too thin/narrow? As some one said that the head of shoes are big enough though.

For me my toes ran out of room. 6 games in a Provincial championship a few years ago and my I had 4 black toenails.