Jordan sneakers

[Varsity07]

Hi all.  I have a pair of Jordans that I would like to use on the bases. They are the most uncomfortable sneakers ever! (In my opinion). Does anyone else have the same feelings? If so what insoles would one recommend?

[ilyazhito]

1 hour ago, Varsity07 said:

Hi all.  I have a pair of Jordans that I would like to use on the bases. They are the most uncomfortable sneakers ever! (In my opinion). Does anyone else have the same feelings? If so what insoles would one recommend?

Why would you use sneakers on the bases? I have used cleats, because most baseball fields around me are a combination of grass and dirt. Cleats give me better traction on that type of field.

I had to get a different pair of plate shoes because the ones I originally had rubbed the skin on my feet and caused blisters. Don't force yourself to use uncomfortable shoes. 

[Kevin_K]

A better question might be why anyone would continue to choose to wear the "most uncomfortable sneakers ever!"

[ArchAngel72]

humble brag ?

 

[JSam21]

If they don't work for your feet, don't wear them. 

 

12 hours ago, ilyazhito said:

Why would you use sneakers on the bases? I have used cleats, because most baseball fields around me are a combination of grass and dirt. Cleats give me better traction on that type of field.

I had to get a different pair of plate shoes because the ones I originally had rubbed the skin on my feet and caused blisters. Don't force yourself to use uncomfortable shoes. 

Many people, including myself, wear running or basketball shoes to work the bases even on natural surfaces. They work just fine for umpiring. Cleats might be a bit of overkill for umpiring. 

 

[JSam21]

13 hours ago, Varsity07 said:

Hi all.  I have a pair of Jordans that I would like to use on the bases. They are the most uncomfortable sneakers ever! (In my opinion). Does anyone else have the same feelings? If so what insoles would one recommend?

Which model are you wanting to wear?

 

[834k3r]

I have a pair of Jordan XIs that I wear on the bases and I love them.

But I agree with others that have already responded:  if they're uncomfortable for you, why would you wear them?

[MadMax]

21 hours ago, 834k3r said:

if they're uncomfortable for you, why would you wear them?

Because all the cool MLBUs and adjacent umpires (ie. the guys you work with/around) wear them, and they (purportedly) give you “base cred”. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

@Varsity07, not sure what your association(s) dictate nor your shoe size but, a quick look at www.zappos.com indicates they have 1,300 different athletic shoes in black. I don't settle for "uncomfortable" shoes in any aspect or environment of my life whatsoever so, I'm certainly not putting up with an uncomfortable shoe while umpiring. Life is too short to worry if the Louboutins or the Manolo Blahniks look better versus the (insert comfortable black shoe choice here), which are fundamentally a more practical choice that also have an acceptable aesthetic...theoretically speaking.

~Dawg 

[MadMax]

On 12/15/2024 at 8:54 PM, Varsity07 said:

If so what insoles would one recommend?

If you’re really after aftermarket insoles, I’ve used two brands to good success – FORM and SOLE. My stock Mizuno insoles were paper thin, and invariably, Arizona infields get like concrete. I use SOLE cork-based insoles in my casual shoes, and FORM insoles on my base shoes. 

Both are found at Amazon. 

[Baseballer]

I use FORM insoles and love them. Personally, the Jordan's look sharp, but I prefer the New Balance base shoe in all black. When it comes to cleaning shoes I hate white on them.

[Rock Bottom]

Most of the fields I ump on are not manicured well enough to even use the term "manicured" and especially in the damp spring the long grass is really slippery - went down hard once covering a triple.  For those wet games I've switched to black golf shoes - give me that extra traction and are water-resistant.

[834k3r]

On 12/18/2024 at 3:05 PM, Rock Bottom said:

Most of the fields I ump on are not manicured well enough to even use the term "manicured" and especially in the damp spring the long grass is really slippery - went down hard once covering a triple.  For those wet games I've switched to black golf shoes - give me that extra traction and are water-resistant.

Before I started using my Jordan XIs, I wore them on my lawn during a rain storm and did a series of runs and stops. They held up amazingly well--better than I thought, which is why I use them as my base shoes.

[SeeingEyeDog]

On 12/18/2024 at 6:05 PM, Rock Bottom said:

Most of the fields I ump on are not manicured well enough to even use the term "manicured" and especially in the damp spring the long grass is really slippery - went down hard once covering a triple.  For those wet games I've switched to black golf shoes - give me that extra traction and are water-resistant.

This is next level...FootJoy in particular has always been at the forefront of water-resistant and water-proof shoes. Their modern water-wicking shoes have NO MESH on them whatsoever which means if you wear these on the baseball field, you simply come home, blast them with the hose, scrub with a brush and your done. They have several models that look a lot like the New Balance field shoes.

~Dawg

[boyinr]

On 12/19/2024 at 6:50 PM, SeeingEyeDog said:

This is next level...FootJoy in particular has always been at the forefront of water-resistant and water-proof shoes. Their modern water-wicking shoes have NO MESH on them whatsoever which means if you wear these on the baseball field, you simply come home, blast them with the hose, scrub with a brush and your done. They have several models that look a lot like the New Balance field shoes.

~Dawg

I have a pair of Adidas Response golf shoes that I have exactly for this purpose. A great $65 spent. Wet and cold feet are not fun. 

[alex7]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:27 PM, boyinr said:

I have a pair of Adidas Response golf shoes that I have exactly for this purpose. A great $65 spent. Wet and cold feet are not fun. 

There are 3 versions. You're recommending the 3.0 or 2.0? 

[concertman1971]

Come on fellas!! Got to have a little 'swag' on the field. I'm a Nike Golf shoe on the bases guy. Comfortable,  waterproof (mostly) and they have a bit of style. Look sharp, be sharp. (Style I choose to wear is based on weather and field conditions) 

 

[DerekGDS]

1 hour ago, concertman1971 said:

Come on fellas!! Got to have a little 'swag' on the field. I'm a Nike Golf shoe on the bases guy. Comfortable,  waterproof (mostly) and they have a bit of style. Look sharp, be sharp. (Style I choose to wear is based on weather and field conditions) 

The problem with Nike is they aren't big fans of people who don't have narrow feet!

[concertman1971]

1 hour ago, DerekGDS said:

The problem with Nike is they aren't big fans of people who don't have narrow feet!

I agree with that 90% of the time. But the ones pictured work for me. The Jordan 1 have a nice size toe box

[834k3r]

On 1/24/2025 at 8:40 AM, concertman1971 said:

Come on fellas!! Got to have a little 'swag' on the field. I'm a Nike Golf shoe on the bases guy. Comfortable,  waterproof (mostly) and they have a bit of style. Look sharp, be sharp. (Style I choose to wear is based on weather and field conditions) 

 

I'm actually thinking of some Adidas golf shoes for my next base shoes...

[alex7]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:01 PM, 834k3r said:

I'm actually thinking of some Adidas golf shoes for my next base shoes...

Have you tried Hokas?  Wow comfort. 

Cost a little more but you feel the difference

[boyinr]

Just picked these up.  Jordan Aura 6.  I really like them.  They will be great on clean fields. 

[MadMax]

On 1/24/2025 at 8:40 AM, concertman1971 said:

Comfortable,  waterproof (mostly) and they have a bit of style. Look sharp, be sharp.

Wouldjalookatdat. White midsoles. How dapper. 👌🏼 

 

 

Suck it softball, and ol’ farts with yer all-black shoes! This ain’t church ⛪️! 

[Thatsnotyou]

All black shoes are as cool as navy shirts and heather gray pants. 

[The Man in Blue]

On 1/28/2025 at 8:00 PM, Thatsnotyou said:

All black shoes are as cool as navy shirts and heather gray pants.