Inexpensive dress shoes good for Marching Band

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've got to find DS14 a good, cheap, comfortable pair of black dress shoes to use for his Marching Band.

He's going to be marching at WDW and he needs something more comfortable than the cheapo pair I bought him 2 years ago just for sitting down and playing in the band. He said they'd give him blisters if he tried to march in them.

The Band Director has specifically said no black tennis shoes. Rats.

Any ideas?

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

One of my favorite places to order equipment is the Band Shoppe...www.bandshoppe.com. They have a good selection of marching shoes and their customer service is great. Their prices range from 20 to 30.

 

[momof5boys]

I went to Walmart and bought a pair of their black non slip shoes, oxford type. Cost about $30 and no complaints from my teens, held up pretty well too!

 

[mebbradley]

Please do go with Band Shoppe shoes. They last a long time, are really comfortable, and reasonable!

Take it from someone who has over 10 years of Marching Experience, they are the best!

 

[ebhurleys]

mccormicksnet.com you want drillmasters. These were the ones recommended by our band director. Never heard any complaints from the students.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
My son got a fantastic pair for jazz band at Kohls. We waited until one of their late night sales and they were 60% off. These were a nice quality shoe. My son says they are as comfortable as his $100 hiking boots.

I don't know if I'd get an inexpensive pair if they are made cheaply as he'll be doing a decent amount of walking/marching in them.

Congratulations on performing in Disney. My son hopes his band does someday!

 

[laurafergie]

You can go to a Armie - Navie store and get black military shoes at a discount. DS marched a lot in military school and these last forever AND you can get them resoled.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS14 has to have black military style shoes for marching band. I bought his at Payless, because his feet grow so fast, but the band suggests Kohl's, or Florsheim and shoe stores like that.

My friend's son has the same shoes for band (same band) and he wore them last year when the band marched in the Rose Parade...6 miles....and he was fine. The parade down Main St. in Disney isn't nearly as long as that...I think the Payless shoes would be fine!

 

[marcyinPA]

I went to Walmart and bought a pair of their black non slip shoes, oxford type. Cost about $30 and no complaints from my teens, held up pretty well too!

Hey neighbor...are your kids in the Liberty band? My DS14 is a freshman in the band this year. He LOVES it! We are really hoping they go to London next year!!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

mccormicksnet.com you want drillmasters. These were the ones recommended by our band director. Never heard any complaints from the students.

Please, please, please do not buy from McCormicks. They have the worst customer service. I have taught bands for years and do all of the ordering then my boosters reimburse me. A few years ago, they screwed up my order then overnighted it to me without asking me if I wanted them to. When I called to say I would not pay the $80 extra in shipping, they told me that they wouldn't take it off my bill because they had already pissed me off so why even try to make me happy???? How much sense does that make??

and you can get Drillmasters from almost any band supply store. It's a popular brand.

 

[pipermae]

Please do go with Band Shoppe shoes. They last a long time, are really comfortable, and reasonable!

Take it from someone who has over 10 years of Marching Experience, they are the best!

I second this advice. I'm a band nerd (going on 8 years, 4 in high school and now I'm a 4th year college student) and these shoes last forever. It takes an awful lot to mess them up. I still have the first pair I ever bought and they still look great!

 

[disney4us2002]

I went to Walmart and bought a pair of their black non slip shoes, oxford type. Cost about $30 and no complaints from my teens, held up pretty well too!

Dr. Scholl's by chance? My sons swear by them. They are very cushiony. I think they were $25ish.

 

[HunnyPots]

Both my kids did marching band all through high school and then my daughter also marched in college. The ONLY band shoe they would wear is the Bando Classic from www.bandoshoes.com . They are comfortable, great for roll-stepping, and last forever.

 

[Shmily1]

The band here preferrred Dinkles. DS19 wore them from middle school through high school and he said they were really comfortable. Even when marching in parades (on paved roadways), they were wonderful. They have the extra cushiony support in them to make it comfortable on the kids. I saw them for sale on the bandshop website from $20-$30 up.

 

[richmond282]

Please buy actual marching shoes as suggested (Dinkles or Drill masters) The heels are curved to allow students to properly roll their feet as they march. Any shoe with a hard sole is just going to hurt his feet if he tries to march correctly in them. I'm a bit surprised the band director doesn't require that. We make our band students all buy exactly the same shoe to be completely uniform.

 

[daemom]

Please buy actual marching shoes as suggested (Dinkles or Drill masters) The heels are curved to allow students to properly roll their feet as they march. Any shoe with a hard sole is just going to hurt his feet if he tries to march correctly in them. I'm a bit surprised the band director doesn't require that. We make our band students all buy exactly the same shoe to be completely uniform.

As a band mom I agree completely. Good luck and have fun!

 

[marcyinPA]

Please buy actual marching shoes as suggested (Dinkles or Drill masters) The heels are curved to allow students to properly roll their feet as they march. Any shoe with a hard sole is just going to hurt his feet if he tries to march correctly in them. I'm a bit surprised the band director doesn't require that. We make our band students all buy exactly the same shoe to be completely uniform.

My son wore these in the middle school band, but our high school band requires a military style shoe, to go with our uniforms which are a replica of those of the Coldstream Guards. It is possible to find a comfortable shoe that isn't that roll-heel style. I guess it depends on what style the OP's band director requires. Ours would never accept the band shoes mentioned on here.

 

[disneygirl1971]

Drillmasters. They are around $35, run true to size, and will last for years, and no complaints here about them being uncomfortable on those (many) 12 plus hour competition days