Lots of shoe discussion here: www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=21837&highlight=shoes

http://www.zappos.com/vans-classic-slip-on-core-classics-black-white-checkered

Seriously though. Vans have some great slip on shoes and are great drumming shoes. Plus they come in a dazzling array of colors and patterns.

LOL. You are describing the Fishheads!! That is what we called those shoes. My dad would brag that he bought me and my brother each a pair of shoes for less than ten bucks total at the G.C Murphy 5&10 store! I haven't seen those for quite some time and to be honest, I didn't want to subject my own kids to all the pleasantries that came with being the kids that wore fishheads anyways....LOL I mention this as you may google fishhead shoes and find some. Better yet, I will google fishheads and if I find something, I will edit with a link!

edit- this http://www.zazzle.com/fish+head+shoes will take you to one site that has fishheads. I am amazed at how much they are charging nowadays, though. Anyways, google fishhead shoes and a whole bunch of stuff comes up so you will be able to find something.

toodles,

drumhack :Santa:WalkingPartysingerKleening

I think this is not an issue with drummers who play "heel down",as their foot is "planted".I play a mix of heel up and heel down,so in certain instances my foot is going down and forward.It's a "bounce and catch"sort of thing,and if your foot slips on the footboard,it doesn't work.If you don't have this problem-you are lucky.

To prevent slippage an adhesive rubber pad on the pedal solves that problem, no need for a special shoe.

I'll agree this thread and the one about drumming gloves are a hoot (also seen on other forums as well). If you need special shoes or gloves to help your drumming, you may want to check your technique, delivery first then equipment (too much tension on the spring?), before going to a crutch that will hinder you from developing into a better drummer.

How in the world can a question about shoes be taken to mean that they are being used as a "crutch"? The question is simple and does not require the soapbox answers that some have chosen to serve up here.

To the OP... it sounds like you are describing Converse Chuck Taylor's to me. Chuck's happen to be my all-time favorite shoe, not only to drum in, but for daily use as well. My feet are flat as a granite counter-top, and I find that the archless design of the Chuck's are far more comfortable for my physiology than any other shoe.

I can play in just about any footwear and feel comfortable playing barefoot as well, but given a choice, I'll go with my "crutch" Chuck Taylor's every single time.

Cheers,

Ryan

I respectfully disagree with this line of thinking. In mostly every other pro endeavor, shoes are considered part of the equipment. Football, baseball, basketball, golf, hockey, Nascar, wrestling, et al. Every sport uses the best technology available to improve their player's performance, and typically speaking, nobody is questioning their technique. Give Roger Federer a wooden racquet, Tiger Woods a wooden driver, Derek Jeter a glove with four loose fingers, etc. Take away Tom Brady's throwing glove, Peyton Manning's knee brace, Andre Johnson's receiving gloves and they still will have flawless technique, only their performance's would suffer.

Certain players in all sports have certain shoes, gloves, hats, clubs, racquets, etc. that they are MOST comfortable with and perform their best with, and they notice the difference when something else must be used.

Drummers adjust the height, angle, spacing, tension, seat height, and alot more on their drums to get the kit to where it is most comfortable for them. Using a certain shoe or glove to play certainly should not be considered a crutch given all of the other tweaking that goes on to get the kit just right for the given player, to maximize his performance.

Toodles,

Drumhack flowerSailing2x-mas3Burger KinJumping2

I wear any thin-soled shoe from Converse All-Stars to the old Puma Speedcats (and the Adidas equivalent). I do play barefoot, but since I am a mostly heel down player, I need shoes. The shoes I had the hardest tim playing is was a three-way tie: Doc Martens, Skecher Shape-ups, and my 3" platforms from when I was in a KISS impersonator band. Needless to say that neither Peter, Eric Carr or Eric Singer actually played in their platforms. I should have known that...

Well- we could talk about what shoes you want your front man wearing so that when he stands on your kick drum, he doesn't destroy your wrap. I know I wanted to kill the Paul Stanley in my KISS impersonator band 'cos he always wanted to stand on my vintage Ludwigs (I was Eric Carr for a short while).