Erg Shoes

[jcage218]

I'm looking for shoes that are best for erging, I do not want to row strapless because of blisters, so Ideally I want sturdy shoes that are durable but have a thin bottom so there isn't any lost force from my legs to the footboard. I do have one pair of shoes that have thin soles, but to me it just feels like it is difficult when going around 38 spm. Anyone have any suggestion? if you do please send me a link in this thread.

[Cyclist2]

First of all, rowing strapless won't give you blisters, on your feet anyway. And 38 strokes per minute is way too fast for routine rowing (I may, may hit that in a final sprint to finish a race piece). So, it looks like shoes are probably the least of your concerns right now. Having said that, I use those canvas boat shoes (about $8 at Wal Mart). They are flexible, light, comfortable and have thin but sturdy soles.

[carlb]

I use shoes designed for Tennis and they work ok for me. They are mostly leather and very beefy around the edges (for lateral movement) so I don't feel the straps at all. They have flat firm bottoms and no heel raise. I think mine are New Balance MC804. I think there are also "cross training" shoes of a similar design.

I recently heard a recommendation to use sprinter's shoes because the bottoms are thin and flat. I would think the tops would be very thin and fabric, not sure if I would like the feel of the straps. But its not good technique at the finish to rock back on the heels and pull with the toes.

[Bob S.]

38spm is generally too high for most people to go strapless on a static erg anyway. I couldn't tell from your message if you were at 38 a lot of the time or just for brief intervals. Even if it is just for short bursts, you would probably need to be strapped in. If you do a lot at 38spm for ordinary training sessions, I feel that you are on the wrong track. There are not many ergers that rate that high even in a 2k competition.

Bob S.

[jcage218]

Wow i look like a bafoon, I ment to say shoeless instead of strapless - sorry.

[TabbRows]

I found erging in socks or barefoot on Model Ds and Es with their ribbed forefoot plates to be hard on the feet. And barefoot sometime torques my knees if I can't strap in. In addition to the boat shoes previously mentioned, the cheap water socks/shoes at WalMart or Payless (under $10) with rubber soles work very well. The heel fits into the heel cup and you can strap them down. I do suggest rowing strapless from time to time (warmups and cool downs are perfect examples) to help work on technique. And I'll repeat what others have said...erging at 38 spm all thetime in an attempt to get more work probably means your technique is way out of whack. Save this for the sprints at the end of your race or to throw in during short interval sets.

[Rvanvoris]

I heard a Harvard coach say that he has his rowers row only in their socks so that they can "feel the stroke" of the ERG and I assume the boat when they are on the water. Since then I have always gone just with the socks on my ERG and I am fine with that.
I go barefoot on the water because I normally wade in and don't use a dock. Also I don't have to share a boat.
Hey I may not be as fast nor as young as those Harvard guys but at least my feet look like theirs.