Officiating Shoes...

[Official_21]

Do any of you use the following shoe:
http://honigs.com/product-spotlight/reebok-zig-magistrate-low-black-white.html

If so, how comfortable are they & how do they fit?

Also, what other shoes should I consider that are comparable to the above? 

[ECILLJ]

Before the beginning of the season I purchased the all black Reebok Zigs. I have been a Spot Bilt guy for many years but had to make a change due to Spot Bilt's demise. I was  concerned when they arrived because they were so light compared to my Spot Bilts. Thirty + games later I am very happy I purchased the ReeBoks, they were very comfortable and I had no aches and pains in my feet. Strongly recommend them to others.

[HLinNC]

New Balance has an officiating shoe that some of the major suppliers carry.

There are very few catering to the officials market exclusively anymore.  The closest styles to look for fall under the baseball trainer/turf shoe category.  The Under Armour shoes most of the major college conferences are wearing are baseball trainers I believe.

Our state has allowed white on the shoes for several years now.  However, our area supervisor still thinks that most of the shoes on the market have too much white on them and un-approves most of them.

[Legacy Zebra]

I'll second ECILLJ and say I love my Reebok Zigs. They're a great shoe. This was my first year that I wore them, but it'll take a lot for me to switch away from them now. And from what I've heard, they last fairly well compared to other shoes.

[Welpe]

I hear good things about them but they seem to run fairly narrow. I can't wear them unfortunately. I'd wait to try them on when Honig's comes to visit during the June meeting.

Alternatively, I found Adidas Turf Hogs at Academy that I like quite a bit and the price is right, too. Might be worth checking them out.

[VALJ]

I couldn't wear the Zigs myself - not wide enough. Pity - I like the idea, and I've heard good things about them.

[Official_21]

I hear good things about them but they seem to run fairly narrow. I can't wear them unfortunately. I'd wait to try them on when Honig's comes to visit during the June meeting.

I may not be here in June, going on summer vacation to visit my Grandparents, as it is a special occasion for me and it would be nice to celebrate with them.

I usually wear a 12 or 12.5, depending on the shoe. 13 is just a little bit too big for me.

I will keep that in mind though for when I do come back.

Does anyone know if any shoe/sports store carries those rebook zig-zags so I can try them out?

Alternatively, I found Adidas Turf Hogs at Academy that I like quite a bit and the price is right, too. Might be worth checking them out.

I'll see if my local academy has them and go take a look at them after the Christmas/New Years mad rush is over with.

[Looker44]

that are comfortable. they run small, you need to order another 1/2 size larger than your normal size

[bkdow]

I used the Black on Black ones.  Just ordered another pair this year.  I like them unless you are on a grass field that is really muddy.  They are really hard to clean afterward and they don't grip that well if you need to stop quickly or accelerate quickly.

[ncwingman]

I couldn't wear the Zigs myself - not wide enough. Pity - I like the idea, and I've heard good things about them.

Somewhat ironic. I couldn't wear the zigs because they were too wide -- but I've got super narrow feet.

Alternatively, I found Adidas Turf Hogs at Academy that I like quite a bit and the price is right, too. Might be worth checking them out.

I'll see if my local academy has them and go take a look at them after the Christmas/New Years mad rush is over with.

I got the Turf Hogs last year and really like them. Adidas tends to have a shape that's better for me in general, but that may or may not work for "normal people" with "normal feet".

They do have a cloth upper, so they might be harder to clean if you've got a really muddy field, but I usually go back to soccer cleats if I'm going to have a game in a bog.

[HLinNC]

They do have a cloth upper

It would be so nice if the/a shoe manufacturer(s) would actually take the time to sit down with officials and work out some shoe designs.  That whole cloth/mesh thing is a %$#@* to clean.  Your only real option is to let them totally dry and then hit them with a good stiff bristle brush.

The mesh that athletic shoes have gone to is also like wearing a sponge.  I can live with about anything but I HATE for my feet to be wet.

My biggest gripe with any of the Zig models is if you walk on any gravel (parking lots, roads) those ripples will pick up and hold pretty nice sized pieces of rocks.  I've had 3 pair, the first was just a generic ZigTech, all black trainer.  They didn't have enough lateral stability so I quickly reduced them to everyday wear.  The two "Vero" turf models I've bought have held up well but are a bit heavy compared to some other shoes.  As I get older, I basically want to wear two black feathers on my feet.

I realize leather shoes are pretty much a thing of the past but there was a reason why man made footwear out of it for so long.

[bama_stripes]

I bought a pair of the new-style Turf Hogs last year.  Because of the cloth uppers, I don't wear them on muddy fields.  Instead, I use my old Turf Hogs, which still look decent enough for those games.

[Official_21]

Got a pair of Asics Gel Quantum 360 running shoes (http://www.asicsamerica.com/Shop/Footwear/Running/Mens/GEL-Quantum-360/p/0010248278.3093) for Christmas, which have not even been broken in yet. Only thing I have done to them is take them out of the box and redo the laces (One of my pet peeves with shoes is when the laces are all done wrong ). Brother in law has a pair and he says they are extremely comfortable.

Was thinking about using these as my turf shoes, but decided against it. If stuff got inside the mesh, it will be a pain in the rear end to clean.

Has anyone ever worn running shoes as turf shoes before or is it better to just got out and buy turf shoes?

[HLinNC]

I tried some all black New Balance trail shoes  a few years ago.   They did ok.   The reflective logo was a bear to color in and keep black. It just didn't hold Sharpie ink or black polish well.

 I also tried some of the original Reebok Zigtechs that were all black.  Not enough lateral stability for me on the wing having to move side to side.

I see a lot of the NFL guys wearing the Air Max's, even on grass.  They are mesh though too.

If your group isn't hell bent on being all black, take a look at some of the baseball trainers from adidas, Under Armour, Mizuno, and Nike.  Eastbay catalog will have all 4 brands.

[Official_21]

If your group isn't HECK bent on being all black, take a look at some of the baseball trainers from adidas, Under Armour, Mizuno, and Nike.  Eastbay catalog will have all 4 brands.

I don't like buying shoes online, because if the shoes don't fit, I have to return them for an exchange. I'd rather go to a store, try them on to make sure they fit.

Nike and Under Armour both have outlet stores where I live. Will have to check them out when the time comes.

[HLinNC]

I peruse the outlets when we travel and they rarely have them.  You might find something that will work.  Under Armour may have outlets but they are rarely priced as such.

You CAN use them to try on models but then order online.

Check adidas and Nike for golf shoes.  I bought a pair of adidas golf shoes last year I use some.  They wanted about $100 but I found them at an online golf shop for about $85.  Except for the golf spikes on the bottom, they look little different than Turf Hogs and are lighter.

[bkdow]

I have a friend that uses running shoes for NCAA and High School.  Swears by them.

[TxBJ]

I have a friend that uses running shoes for NCAA and High School.  Swears by them.

Running shoes might be comfortable but they are not meant to provide the lateral support needed for other sports/activities. Just straight ahead running. Trail shoes probably provide a bit more lateral support.

[Joe Stack]

I wear running shoes on turf for subvarsity games in dry weather. The supposed lack of lateral support is a non issue. There isn't all that much support in other shoes, and if someone is indeed concerned about that, they can always wear the ankle supports like I do in basketball.

Have you ever actually worn well fitting running shoes on the field or court?

(For varsity, I usually match my crew).

[HLinNC]

The supposed lack of lateral support is a non issue.

What position do you work, Joe?