Tanel Plate shoes - I've never been so disappointed

[gdc25]

Although I've never worn the plate shoe I have as a player worn the mid-high rubber cleats for several years and just recently started wearing the base shoe as a slow pitch umpire.

I absolutely love these shoes so much that I advertise for them on my website.


However, although they say you no longer have to do this. I recommend ordering at least 1/2 size larger than you normally wear.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Obviously, special shoes are needed for the plate work.

However, once you get away from the plate, I cannot find a better, more comfortable shoe than New Balance.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Obviously, special shoes are needed for the plate work.

However, once you get away from the plate, I cannot find a better, more comfortable shoe than New Balance.

Same here. On vacation in Montana. My son took me to this HUGE sporting goods store. They have enough firearms to stock a verywell-armed third-world country. Also have a HUGE selection of shoes. Went looking for NBs, was talking to a sales person about what I wanted. He asked if I umpired...turned out a fellow ASA umpire I know needed some.

These were sweet...621s...can't wait to try them if I ever get back out there.

[wadeintothem]

Whatever you get.. dont get the ASA Spotbilt shoe..

Its plenty comfy, I like the look and prefer high top which is why i got it.. but I didnt notice until a particular mens FP game that it is "hard toe" .. not steal toe. Gotta read the small print a little better

[tcblue13]

Tom,
How did the meeting with the company prez go??

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

Tom,
How did the meeting with the company prez go??

Haven't had the meeting yet. Ball is in my court to set it up.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Haven't had the meeting yet. Ball is in my court to set it up.

With all of us hanging by a "thread", or is it a shoelace?

[bossman72]

Hardly check the softball board, but i figured i'd throw in my 2 cents-

I use Tanel plate shoes for baseball and i absolutely love them. No problems what so ever. They are light, offer great protection, and look much better than the frankenstein-type shoes the other companies like spotbuilt have (but to credit spotbuilt- i own their base shoes and absolutely love those too).

[Dakota]

For inquiring minds, my meeting is set for Monday afternoon.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by bossman72

but to credit spotbuilt- i own their base shoes and absolutely love those too.

I have the Spotbuilt base shoe, also. Love it. Great traction, very comfortable.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Obviously, special shoes are needed for the plate work.

However, once you get away from the plate, I cannot find a better, more comfortable shoe than New Balance.

I have 2 pair of Ridell plate shoes along with a smooth pair of Dr. Shoells Steel Toe.................I like all of them......a bunch

I almost cried when my Reebok Cross Trainers bit the dust.......I bought several field shoes in the interim and did not like any of them........I just got a pair of NIKE cross trainers.......and love them.........although not as much as my old Reeboks

I guess I missed the NB shoe.........are they cross trainers??

Joel

[tcblue13]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Blue

I have 2 pair of Ridell plate shoes along with a smooth pair of Dr. Shoells Steel Toe.................I like all of them......a bunch

I almost cried when my Reebok Cross Trainers bit the dust.......I bought several field shoes in the interim and did not like any of them........I just got a pair of NIKE cross trainers.......and love them.........although not as much as my old Reeboks

I guess I missed the NB shoe.........are they cross trainers??

Joel

Joel,
If you like Reeboks, My field shoe is a Reebok shoe called the Duty Proof shoe. It has a yellow and black inner sole and a great outer sole for traction on the field. I love those shoes.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Blue

I guess I missed the NB shoe.........are they cross trainers??

Joel

Yup. And they are great as a field shoe. I have been using them solely for about 5-6 years now.

[Dakota]

Well, I met with Mr. Tim Sellner, President of Tanel yesterday afternoon. He and I spent nearly an hour in his warehouse trying on different sizes of shoes / insole combinations. Apparently, my feet just don't work in his shoes. There is not enough room between the bottom of the steel toe and the top of the insole for my toes to fit without my toes constantly rubbing on the edge of the steel toe as it transitions to the leather upper. The shoes are the correct size, there is just not enough room under the steel toe.

Even though the end result was I will be returning the Tanel shoes, I was very impressed with the company's emphasis on customer service. I was also very impressed with the other employees of the company I met. They were all working with apparent enthusiasm for their job and their company and were all friendly and helpful. I would not hesitate to recommend Tanel to anyone with "normal" feet.

After we gave up on trying to find a shoe that would fit, Mr. Sellner asked my opinion on umpire shoe features. Here's a man who is very customer focused! If he ever produces an extra wide shoe, I'll probably give Tanel another try, hoping that would also mean a bit taller as well.