What kind of shoes do you play drums with?

[Piranhadrum]

Please share your experiences! I've been wearing the traditional Chuck Taylor's since 1994. Dig them because of the thin soles. What's your preference, and why?

[joeq]

These days, whatever shoes I have on my feet when I sit down at the kit.

I once used to Think About Shoes in relation to the pedals, and experiment with different shoes - generally the lighter the better and usually looking for very smooth 'slippery' soles.

I even considered buying this brand of 'drumming shoes' I saw advertised in Modern Drummer Magazine, which were super light - similar to Table Tennis shoes - i.e. just about "rubber socks".

Then one day I went to see Tony Williams perform. Up until that show I had only heard him on records, and I had assumed he played double-kick.

But no, he did everything on the record (and MORE!) with one bass drum. The whole time, he was wearing lace-up paratrooper boots. Not only big and heavy with grippy soles, but obviously rigid with less flexibility in the ankles than anything on the market. But his kick was AMAZING!

That left me dazed and confused on the "Performance Shoes" front. I guess I ultimately decided that shoes don't count for much unless you are walking in them.

[Sim]

i don't where 1 shoe in particular but i dig thin soles something not to gripy so i can slide or twist my foot. No pointy toes and no heel. And something that i can lace up nice and tight so my foot and shoe feel as one .

I had a dw 9000 pedal once and the toe part of my shoe use to get stuck between the posts on the pedal it's thinner there than any of their other pedals for some reason.

At the moment I'm using these
their van era's with thin line soles

These are also pretty sweet:


good ankle support their the kinda shoe that makes you can play loud and probably the most durable shoes i've bought in ages I had for three years and thier in excellent condition.

[bdenton]

A certain amount of finding the "right" shoe depends upon your technique.

In my "lick box" I have what might be called a "triplet bounce roll" which requires a somewhat slippery sole.

But I'm also 62 years old, so just plain old comfort is also a part of the equation...

[Sim]

Originally Posted by bdenton

A certain amount of finding the "right" shoe depends upon your technique.

In my "lick box" I have what might be called a "triplet bounce roll" which requires a somewhat slippery sole.

But I'm also 62 years old, so just plain old comfort is also a part of the equation...

that said i do go for a heal if it's jazz and the heel's down. But i find it un comfortable for heel toe technique. There's not any tech where i'd want grip mind

[biggator6]

Socks or bare feet (though the Axis logo on my pedal bugs me barefoot.. it's kind of sharp).

[joeq]

Originally Posted by biggator6

Socks or bare feet (though the Axis logo on my pedal bugs me barefoot.. it's kind of sharp).

and that's how biggator6 got this strange scar on the bottom of his foot

[Jax]

Tony Williams might've been playing with heavy boots on because they gave him extra support and more spring. Or it might never have crossed his mind, although I doubt that's the case. Given how precise and technical his drumming was, it seems reasonable that his lifestyle of eating, sleeping and shitting drums might've affected everything including what worked best for drumming footwear. Or I could be completely wrong. Would love to find an interview that sheds light on the subject.

Me? A pair of slippers, no laces, very flexible, thin sole, no heel. I also get a lot from playing barefoot, but haven't for awhile. Barefoot gives instant feedback. I'll probably go back to it soon.

[Dr. Mordo]

I like a grippy sole. So I tend to wear my standard Converse Chuck Taylors. I play barefoot sometimes, but never in socks.

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by joeq

and that's how biggator6 got this strange scar on the bottom of his foot

If I could play faster - it would be all stretched out vertically
"-)

[staylor200]

+1 on Chuck Taylors. Or anything light with thin soles like chucks would be fine.

[timi]

Regular Chuck Taylors work for me too, but my pair of the newer style "super thin sole" Chuck Tayors are really uncomfortable.

[Alex Vik]

Either barefoot or my Etnies.

[Jimbo]

I was playing drums with shoes, but stopped when I realized that open rolls didn't sound very good.

I've since switched to sticks, and that has made all of the difference!

[Providence]

Chuck Taylors.

[surfspank]

I do something a little different, which makes the shoes matter a little more. I practice with this big heavy pair of suede Simples. Then for the last couple of rehearsals before and the gig I go back to my trusty Chuck Taylors. Sort of the same theory as practicing with heavier sticks than what you do for normal playing, but it's always such a relief to be back in the Chucks.

In anticipation of the next question, boxer briefs...just enough dangle, just enough support.

[Sim]

Originally Posted by biggator6

Socks or bare feet (though the Axis logo on my pedal bugs me barefoot.. it's kind of sharp).

it's a double edged sword it always makes holes in my socks I go sockless when i can't be bothered to shoe up but that's only when practicing.

[Gamelan]

I used to play with just socks on because I like a little extra control from the big toe, but found that it was a pain at gigs to be putting my shoes on and off. These days, I just use whatever is on my feet and surprisingly the drum sounds exactly the same!

[joeq]

Originally Posted by Gamelan

I used to play with just socks on because I like a little extra control from the big toe, but found that it was a pain at gigs to be putting my shoes on and off. These days, I just use whatever is on my feet and surprisingly the drum sounds exactly the same!

[TjTminds]

No shoes! Socks or barefoot. It helps smooth out my dynamics on my kick drum just enough to call it a significant amount worthy of an action required which resulted in me never wearing shoes while I play my drums! Socks seem to be the best, little more comfortable and it's easier to control my foot when I slide it on the pedal.

[joeq]

Originally Posted by TjTminds

It helps smooth out my dynamics on my kick drum just enough to call it a significant amount worthy of an action required which resulted in me never wearing shoes while I play my drums!

and the James Joyce Sentence of The Week Award goes to....

[Jax]

I don't know, sounds a little like legalese.

[Teej]

Pumas in the summer, boots in the winter.

[coreybox]

I greatly prefer being barefoot.

[Bob Ross]

Goddammit, where's that picture of Sheila E tearing up the double kick drums while wearing 6" stilleto heeled pumps?

[joeq]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Goddammit, where's that picture of Sheila E tearing up the double kick drums while wearing 6" stilleto heeled pumps?

just because you asked for it, Bob

[Jax]

H. crap!!!

[joeq]

imagine how fast she could be if she put on some Vans

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Jax

H. crap!!!

ditto!


dose anyone other than me remove their shoes?
i am a boot guy, but i find them to clumsy for playing drums so i kick-em off and go with out.

[The Pressman]

Bare feet!

But if it's cold, I like vintage Skellerup Squash shoes. They're kinda like classic Keds, but with heavier duty canvas, more comfortable, and a slightly thicker sole I think...

I don't think I've ever been fullied convinced it makes much difference though, it's just what I feel most comfortable in. I can still play with no issues whatsoever when I'm wearing 14 hole Doc Martin's or Army Jungle Boots... I just prefer not to.