I was surfing around eBay today, looking for some good deals on gear, and I found this, I'd bid on a pair, but I'm not a size 9.

From what I can tell there are two pairs, here are the links:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...361790871&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...361790915&rd=1

Good pair of shoes, not a size 9, doubt anyone here is.

Thanks for the info.

Some of us do have smaller feet. It was quite an advantage back in college when I was a kicker. It paid for three years of college. I was able to cram my right foot into a 7 or 7 1/2 shoe even when I wore an 8 1/2 on my left foot. Today 9 or 9 1/2 are just right so I got both pairs.

I was a 9.

In 8th grade.

On the subject of shoes, I figured out that the Spot-Bilt shoes sell for way less on their website than on other websites. The Grid XT sold for $59.95, vs. $82.95 at Amazon and other sites, and AFAICT they have free shipping as well.

I tried to find these (and other official's) shoes around town without much luck. I found an Asics running shoe I like that comes in black, but the silver highlights won't black out.

Those reeboks are the way to go, for 25 bucks! That is an amazing deal, my pair cost atleast twice as much. I own a pair of spotbilts and I prefer the reeboks over them, the reeboks shine up real nice.

My situation is complicated by the fact that I can't find any stores that carry the shoes I want to try. Since I've worn Saucony Grid shoes before, I figured the sizing and shoe features would likely be similar (since Saucony owns Spot-Bilt). Plus, they mention stability in the XT description, and I wear stability shoes for running.

I would have gone for those auction shoes if they were the right size, but oh well.

I ordered mine online, I own a regular pair of reeboks, so I just went with that size and they fit fine.

If only they made our shoes like running shoes. I have always bought Asics running shoes as they are the most comfortable footwear I've owned. Feet are never sore and they last. I don't see why it's so tough to make a comfortable official's shoe that's lightweight and supportive like the Asics shoe.

I might just buy a pair and dye them black this year. The Spots make my feet hurt and the Cons are too big and bulky.

I had considered doing this, but the Asics Gel 110 seems to work pretty well. However, I can't figure out how to black out the reflective stripes (they won't take shoe polish).

Black athletic tape?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LaxRef

Quote:

...I can't figure out how to black out the reflective stripes (they won't take shoe polish).

Perhaps try blacking them out with a <i>Sharpie</i> marking pen first, then shoe polish over that. This method works quite well on many types of shoes.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KWH

Quote:

Originally posted by LaxRef Quote: ...I can't figure out how to black out the reflective stripes (they won't take shoe polish). Perhaps try blacking them out with a <i>Sharpie</i> marking pen first, then shoe polish over that. This method works quite well on many types of shoes.

this is how i did mine.

Has anyone ever considered wearing actual football cleats? Adidas makes a nice pair of quickslant cleats in black on black.

I can't imagine running 3 or 4 games in one day wearing football cleats. My legs and back would kill me. I'll only wear cleats for officiating if the ground is really slippery.

I did try the marker thing on my Asics, and it seems to have worked. I had incorrectly assumed that if the refelective areas wouldn't take shoe polish then they wouldn't take marker either. It's not perfect, but they look pretty good and they'll be comfortable to run in.