Marching Band question - shoes

[jen0610]

Ok parents or band members - what type of shoe did you find lasted and worked best for your marcher to wear during the long and hot summer drills. They can wear anything - as long as it's mainly white.

I'm not sure there are pros/cons to getting a Cross-trainer vs a running shoe or if there is something else that would be better. I just know he will need something that will last and not kill his feet.

 

[bwolfe]

I am a high school band director and I have several summers of DCI teaching too. Comfortable shoes are a must. Don't get the flat soled skateboarding shoes. I've always worn and reccomended the New Balance shoes.

 

[jen0610]

I am a high school band director and I have several summers of DCI teaching too. Comfortable shoes are a must. Don't get the flat soled skateboarding shoes. I've always worn and reccomended the New Balance shoes.

He has already been told that he will NOT be wearing his beloved Chuck Taylors to march in. His feet wouldn't survive the first week of drills.

 

[golfgal]

Our kids wear running shoes as they tend to have the most cushion in them. They prefer Asics and neither of them can wear New Balance because of their high arches. Take them to a running shoe store (NOT Foot Locker, etc.) and have them fit.

We did just find DS17 some K-Swiss Cross trainers that are SUPER light-all white-for his job this summer that he will be working 12 hour days on his feet all day.

Our band directors also recommend two pairs of shoes so you can rotate them.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I used to be a marching band and drum corps geek! Comfortable, well-broken sneakers are the best shoes for learning drills. We even used to wear two pairs of socks to increase the cushion. You can also get gel insoles to make them more comfortable. Learning drills is similar to going to WDW. You do a lot of standing around in your field spot while the instructors show others what to do. The kids tend to do more standing than marching early on. When everyone has learned the drill, they get more into marching.

 

[disfan07]

I did four years of marching band. I always wore K-Swiss sneakers. Lightweight and the most comfortable shoes. Most people wore K-Swiss, Pumas or addidas sneakers.

One very very important thing...DO NOT buy shoes right before marching band begins. We all always needed at least a good few weeks to break in the shoes. Anyone who did not break in their shoes before practice started would be complaining by the end of day 1

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have no choice in our band. Everyone submits shoe size and the band orders them from a marching band supply company. They want everyones shoes to be the same.

 

[jen0610]

I did four years of marching band. I always wore K-Swiss sneakers. Lightweight and the most comfortable shoes. Most people wore K-Swiss, Pumas or addidas sneakers.

One very very important thing...DO NOT buy shoes right before marching band begins. We all always needed at least a good few weeks to break in the shoes. Anyone who did not break in their shoes before practice started would be complaining by the end of day 1

I was going to have him wear the sneakers we got him for gym to start out with, but I want to get him a 2nd pair. With the 2 4hr sessions a day starting June 14th, I figured if I get him another pair here within the next 2 weeks, he should have time to break them in. And I know with them doing 2 a days for 5 weeks, he will need two pairs to keep going.

We have no choice in our band. Everyone submits shoe size and the band orders them from a marching band supply company. They want everyones shoes to be the same.

The shoes they wear for competitions and marching during football games will have to be ordered thru the school, but they can wear anything they want for drill and camp. Also for the one parade they do in the summer, they just have to be all white tennis shoes.

 

[golfgal]

We have no choice in our band. Everyone submits shoe size and the band orders them from a marching band supply company. They want everyones shoes to be the same.

For practice?

 

[PirateSnowmen]

I had a solid pair of New Balance shoes that lasted me three years and were extremely comfortable. My fourth year I wore a pair of Asics, and my fifth year I wore a different pair of Asics (the tread on my first pair ripped off the soles). I plan on wearing the second pair of Asics again this fall.

I'm in my college's marching band, and the athletic department has a deal with Nike, and we're included in that contract. We get a bunch of free Nike gear, as well as custom black Nike shoes that we march in during games.

I know a bunch of kids that march in Converse, Vans, etc. and are fine. I definitely wouldn't recommend it though. Everyone's feet are different, but just any pair of athletic shoes will probably be just fine.

 

[golfgal]

I had a solid pair of New Balance shoes that lasted me three years and were extremely comfortable. My fourth year I wore a pair of Asics, and my fifth year I wore a different pair of Asics (the tread on my first pair ripped off the soles). I plan on wearing the second pair of Asics again this fall.

I'm in my college's marching band, and the athletic department has a deal with Nike, and we're included in that contract. We get a bunch of free Nike gear, as well as custom black Nike shoes that we march in during games.

I know a bunch of kids that march in Converse, Vans, etc. and are fine. I definitely wouldn't recommend it though. Everyone's feet are different, but just any pair of athletic shoes will probably be just fine.

That is very true. I just cringe when I see some of the girls marching in Ked's. It make MY feet hurt . I think it is almost more important to know WHERE your child will be marching. Our kids practice on the blacktop parking lot, very hard on the feet. If they were practicing on the grass it wouldn't be as big of a deal.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

That is very true. I just cringe when I see some of the girls marching in Ked's. It make MY feet hurt . I think it is almost more important to know WHERE your child will be marching. Our kids practice on the blacktop parking lot, very hard on the feet. If they were practicing on the grass it wouldn't be as big of a deal.

There's a guy in my section who ONLY marches in Converse. It makes my feet hurt just thinking about it

In high school we marched on the pavement, then the football stadium (with AstroTurf) once we got into the season more (late September, October). In college we march on grass (which I hate). The grass provides more cushion, but the surface is really uneven.

 

[Mandychelle79]

When I was in Band there was no shoe requirement for practice so we just wore what we were comfortable in. I would wear my regular tennis shoes on the blacktop and when in grass Id be barefoot.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Back in the stone ages when I marched in drum corps I would KILL a pair of sneakers each summer. I would get a new pair for the school year in September and then in May or June I would get a new pair for tour. By the time finals came around in mid-August I would be lucky if they were still in one piece! Most years I wore Nikes, one year I switched to Reeboks and ended up w/ duct tape around them!! I don't remember if New Balance was around back then (mid to late '80s) but that is actually what I wear now...but I'm old and haven't marched in 20 years.

Good luck...marching was one of the best things I ever decided to participate in!!