Do you have special shoes for shooting pool?

cueball2010

cueball2010

Member
I am in search of the perfect shoes for playing pool. At first I was speculating that cross trainers or basketball shoes would be best to keep your stance secure from lateral movement, but I actually think this is a non-issue. Now I think the perfect pool shoe would be one that is super breathable so your feet don't get hot and sweaty during 16 hours of tournament play. I also think they should be super squishy, bouncy, and light to prevent fatigue.

So, I think what I am describing is a running shoe. I have running shoes, but I don't know if I need new running shoes. I mean has anyone ever noticed how the first couple of days or couple of weeks your new shoes feel the most bouncy? Then the shoe inside kind of molds its shape to your foot. This also feels comfortable, but as it conforms in to this different type of comfort, shoes lose the bounce, or maybe I just get use to it and don't notice the response that gives me the feel of walking on clouds. The spring in the step seems to fade away.

Another Idea is to forget searching for a perfect shoe and just get insole inserts, and just replace them frequently. But then that would add weight and lead to fatigue? I'm so confused.

If you have pool shoes that you are in love with please share the brand, model, and why you like them for playing pool. Or if you use inserts, which ones, and how often you need to replace them?
 
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Not so much special shoes but even when hitting balls at home I put shoes on. These days Ive been rotating through different colors of Nike AirMax 97s
 
Any shoes that are comfortable will be great.
From boots to flip flops…

I have feet and back issues. I got professional orthopedic soles made especially for me and they are transferable between shoes and I can stay on my feet many hours with them with any type of shoes.
 
I sell shoes/clothes and I mainly wear Nike for both but the modern Nike shoes just aren't durable. I bought brand new Nike running shoes and within a week or 2 I stepped on a twig and it put a hole in the mesh. I do have some Nike tennis shoes (actual tennis shoes with extra protection on the front) and they have held up fine but I only like to wear them on hard surfaces. For running shoes I've had the same pair of Saucony's for 6+ years now and they are super light weight, durable, comfortable and I literally can slip them on even with laces! $20 at Academy pre Covid.

For insoles I had foot issues and really liked the blue/navy/red Dr Scholls but finally got away from them but if I had issues I'd switch them out. The added weight from insoles would be zero or unnoticeable unless you had stiff insoles from some sort of ailment but it'd still be hard to notice. The newer Brooks running shoes have really bouncy/spongy soles and I know a bartender that wears them. Nike's w air pockets could be another option but as someone who sells preowned shoes it's very common for them to pop!! Hoka's and On Cloud are 2 of the most popular modern running shoes but Hoka's have the least durable soles and On Cloud is #2 for me with the least durable soles but that's if they're mainly worn on concrete/harder surfaces. I would also experiment with Skechers, a guy I played w had neuropathy and that's the only shoes he could wear, Yoga foam anything are extremely comfortable.

I got the Nike running shoes for $35 at Burlington and they also had some Merrell trail shoes for the same price but they didn't last either. Since Covid the best deals on new men's shoes will be at most Marshall's stores the first or 2nd monday in Jan (look for the yellow tags), I got Nike tennis shoes for $30 and they typically have Skechers on sale too! Burlington was the go to place for deals on athletic shoes pre Covid but that dried up really bad!!! I once got a carload of Nike Golf spikes for $20 each but now they'll be $60!!!
 
Crocs when I'm playing at home. Comfortable, easy on and off.

Skecher's relaxed fit for when I'm out. Same as the above, but a little more presentable for being out in public.
 
cueball2010 said:
I am in search of the perfect shoes for playing pool. At first I was speculating that cross trainers or basketball shoes would be best to keep your stance secure from lateral movement, but I actually think this is a non-issue. Now I think the perfect pool shoe would be one that is super breathable so your feet don't get hot and sweaty during 16 hours of tournament play. I also think they should be super squishy, bouncy, and light to prevent fatigue.

So, I think what I am describing is a running shoe. I have running shoes, but I don't know if I need new running shoes. I mean has anyone ever noticed how the first couple of days or couple of weeks your new shoes feel the most bouncy? Then the shoe inside kind of molds its shape to your foot. This also feels comfortable, but as it conforms in to this different type of comfort, shoes lose the bounce, or maybe I just get use to it and don't notice the response that gives me the feel of walking on clouds. The spring in the step seems to fade away.

Another Idea is to forget searching for a perfect shoe and just get insole inserts, and just replace them frequently. But then that would add weight and lead to fatigue? I'm so confused.

If you have pool shoes that you are in love with please share the brand, model, and why you like them for playing pool. Or if you use inserts, which ones, and how often you need to replace them?
Click to expand...
we know, i dont think you have actually even played pool before
applications for the new justin need to just halt already
one of those was enough
thanks
 
I've played in just about all kinds of footwear, from flip flops to logging boots. They can all work but really just a good, comfortable, decently breathable sneaker is best.

New Balance 574 is my choice for pool and general casual wear, I just buy a new pair when I wear through the soles.

Sandals can be nice 95% of the time and the breathability is great, but I've found some slippage on weird reach shots that make them not ideal for serious play in my mind, though less of an issue on the small tables where weird reaches are way less frequent.

I'd play barefoot if I could, that's actually my preference, but obviously not practical.
 
Vans have good grip and stability on most floor surfaces if you don’t need a lot of arch support.


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