I did some searching and found several threads with suggestions for comfortable pool footwear. I'd like to narrow that down a bit for something that I'm looking for........
I need a nice, classy, dress-type shoe for extended sessions, whether it be tournament or action. Anything from a full-blown Poindexter dress thing to something semi-casual (but erring on the formal side). Obviously I want something comfortable, but comfort is a very personal thing, of course.
Now, I'm a simple guy. Boots, jeans, t-shirt. I very seldom even wear a collared shirt. But, a trip to Tunica opened my eyes about some things. I attended the Southern Classic in July and had the best time of my life. It was my first "real" pool event and will now become my vacation destination of choice every year.
I thought enough of the event to take some nice clothes with me. Things I normally wouldn't wear in my local area. Especially not to play pool in. But, I ASSuMEd that the Open event would have some sort of dress code (it did), but also figured that they might be a bit relaxed on it (....and it was. They eventually allowed players to wear shorts).
Now, I watch pool on TV every single chance I get. I watch Accu-stats videos, Youtube matches, etc. etc. So, I've seen plenty of pro's play, but I gotta say, it was a bit intimidating to see some of the heavy hitters dressed very nicely at the event. Slacks, dress shoes, nice belt, Polo-type shirts.....even a few vests (I'm lookin' at you, Stevie Moore :thumbup: ). It was interesting to see the sponsorship patches on some of the shirts. Seems things are oh-so-slightly heading the direction of NASCAR with that, but hey, it's money and the sport desperately needs it.
Anywho, I decided to dress the part for my 9-ball Open match. I drew a pretty tough amateur and probably played some of the very best pool of my life, only to lose 7-5. He was the kind of player who would have crushed me under his boot back home in the "real world". But this time, the guy was sweating when it was over and he knew he'd been in a battle. And I'll be damned if I didn't FEEL different when I played that day. Here I was in an Open tournament, surrounded by some of the best players in the world, shooting on amazing Diamond 9-footers.....and dressed like I belonged there. There was even a modest little crowd that had gathered to watch us play.
It all felt good except for one thing.........I had on my old cowboy boots. Lol. It's ALL I ever wear really. That was the only thing that made me feel out of place. So, I promised myself that the next time I went to an event, I'd have something nicer.
So, any of you guys feel like it boosts your confidence to go well-dressed to a nice event and play on nice equipment? It's probably a momentary thing, but I could honestly get used to that. It was nice. I know at one local tournament a while back, I was one of only a couple of people NOT wearing overalls. So, for me, Tunica felt like hitting the big time.
Oh yea, as for the 9-ball Open, I went 2 and out. But, for the first time in my pool "career", I felt like a real player. I even had a player approach me later on to ask if I was sponsored by Seybert's, as I was wearing one of their pull-over Polo's.
Again, any suggestions for something nice in regards to footwear?
Anyone have a similar experience to mine?
I need a nice, classy, dress-type shoe for extended sessions, whether it be tournament or action. Anything from a full-blown Poindexter dress thing to something semi-casual (but erring on the formal side). Obviously I want something comfortable, but comfort is a very personal thing, of course.
Now, I'm a simple guy. Boots, jeans, t-shirt. I very seldom even wear a collared shirt. But, a trip to Tunica opened my eyes about some things. I attended the Southern Classic in July and had the best time of my life. It was my first "real" pool event and will now become my vacation destination of choice every year.
I thought enough of the event to take some nice clothes with me. Things I normally wouldn't wear in my local area. Especially not to play pool in. But, I ASSuMEd that the Open event would have some sort of dress code (it did), but also figured that they might be a bit relaxed on it (....and it was. They eventually allowed players to wear shorts).
Now, I watch pool on TV every single chance I get. I watch Accu-stats videos, Youtube matches, etc. etc. So, I've seen plenty of pro's play, but I gotta say, it was a bit intimidating to see some of the heavy hitters dressed very nicely at the event. Slacks, dress shoes, nice belt, Polo-type shirts.....even a few vests (I'm lookin' at you, Stevie Moore :thumbup: ). It was interesting to see the sponsorship patches on some of the shirts. Seems things are oh-so-slightly heading the direction of NASCAR with that, but hey, it's money and the sport desperately needs it.
Anywho, I decided to dress the part for my 9-ball Open match. I drew a pretty tough amateur and probably played some of the very best pool of my life, only to lose 7-5. He was the kind of player who would have crushed me under his boot back home in the "real world". But this time, the guy was sweating when it was over and he knew he'd been in a battle. And I'll be damned if I didn't FEEL different when I played that day. Here I was in an Open tournament, surrounded by some of the best players in the world, shooting on amazing Diamond 9-footers.....and dressed like I belonged there. There was even a modest little crowd that had gathered to watch us play.
It all felt good except for one thing.........I had on my old cowboy boots. Lol. It's ALL I ever wear really. That was the only thing that made me feel out of place. So, I promised myself that the next time I went to an event, I'd have something nicer.
So, any of you guys feel like it boosts your confidence to go well-dressed to a nice event and play on nice equipment? It's probably a momentary thing, but I could honestly get used to that. It was nice. I know at one local tournament a while back, I was one of only a couple of people NOT wearing overalls. So, for me, Tunica felt like hitting the big time.
Oh yea, as for the 9-ball Open, I went 2 and out. But, for the first time in my pool "career", I felt like a real player. I even had a player approach me later on to ask if I was sponsored by Seybert's, as I was wearing one of their pull-over Polo's.
Again, any suggestions for something nice in regards to footwear?
Anyone have a similar experience to mine?
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