Best Shoes For Rowing/erging?

[[old] beast]

Hi everyone,<br />I was just wondering if you all had any opinion on what shoes/sneakers are best for erging? Would regular running shoes, walking shoes, basketball shoes, cross trainers or maybe something like the nike free running shoes be best? Thanks

[[old] RowtheRockies]

Beast,<br /><br />I have only been rowing since December. I started by wearing Running Shoes (Adidas Supernova) and wore them for about a month. I then tried an old pair of New Balance Racing Flats not sure of the model and while the Adidas were fine, the racing flats were more comfortable (more flexible). <br /><br />I would think that since there is no impact, less would be best. I guess some folks row barefoot. In short, given the choices you named, I would choose the Nike Free for myself.<br /><br />Rich

[[old] stupefaction]

<!--quoteo(post=58154:date=Mar 2 2006, 02:15 PM:name=beast)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(beast @ Mar 2 2006, 02:15 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>what shoes/sneakers are best for erging?<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I suggest you try court shoes. You know, the gum-soled sneakers used for squash and racquetball. These have a level insole, unlike running shoes with their heavily padded heels. This means that your feet can lie flat against the footplate, which is already inclined at the correct angle for an efficient drive. I also find that the lack of padding around the heel makes for more direct contact with the footplate. I like to feel that I'm planting my heels into the footplate and not into a thick layer of shock-absorbing rubber waffle.

[[old] akit110]

I've used my old wrestling shoes to good effect. There's no padding in the sole. They are the most flexible shoes I have ever used with my old track spikes coming second.

[[old] beast]

Thanks for your suggestions I will take them into consideration<br /><!--quoteo(post=58156:date=Mar 2 2006, 02:44 PM:name=RowtheRockies)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(RowtheRockies @ Mar 2 2006, 02:44 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I guess some folks row barefoot. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Thats interesting, anyone here row barefoot?

[[old] johnmcclellan]

<!--quoteo(post=58160:date=Mar 2 2006, 03:01 PM:name=stupefaction)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(stupefaction @ Mar 2 2006, 03:01 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--quoteo(post=58154:date=Mar 2 2006, 02:15 PM:name=beast)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(beast @ Mar 2 2006, 02:15 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>what shoes/sneakers are best for erging?<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I suggest you try court shoes. You know, the gum-soled sneakers used for squash and racquetball. These have a level insole, unlike running shoes with their heavily padded heels. This means that your feet can lie flat against the footplate, which is already inclined at the correct angle for an efficient drive. I also find that the lack of padding around the heel makes for more direct contact with the footplate. I like to feel that I'm planting my heels into the footplate and not into a thick layer of shock-absorbing rubber waffle.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I agree - I'm new to this and started in running shoes but I didn't like the feel - the heel is raised, which didn't work for me in terms of applying force directly to the footplates, so I switched to an OLD pair of Adidas Superstars, which are pancake flat. They felt much more stable.

[[old] csabour]

I used to prefer rowing barefoot, but i found that on the long stuff the strap really made my heel sore. Right now im just in Oasis running shoes and can't complain.<br /><br />Maybe next time i go shoe shopping i will pick up some shoes which feel lighter and are less padded. I imagine some of those small little puma shoes would be really nice to row in.

[[old] John Rupp]

Running shoes would be the worst, as they have built up heels.<br /><br />If you do wear shoes, then use those with flat shoes, as has already been recommended.<br /><br />I always row barefoot, including 108km in a day and don't even think of wearing any shoes.<br /><br />Filing the edges of the plastic strap with emery cloth or sandpaper keeps them from rubbing on your heels.

[[old] rspenger]

<!--quoteo(post=58164:date=Mar 2 2006, 12:13 PM:name=beast)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(beast @ Mar 2 2006, 12:13 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Thanks for your suggestions I will take them into consideration<br /><!--quoteo(post=58156:date=Mar 2 2006, 02:44 PM:name=RowtheRockies)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(RowtheRockies @ Mar 2 2006, 02:44 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I guess some folks row barefoot. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Thats interesting, anyone here row barefoot?<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />In boats, the common practice is to wear socks. That worked fine on the model B erg, but the new models have a blasted, uncomfortable plastic strap up high around the back of the heel. That strap can be very irritating to the heel and it also makes it difficult to get shoes in and out of the footboards. I would prefer the old fashioned brass heel cups that were mounted on the foot boards of the old wooden shells. The DVD that comes with the model D shows the experts (the Oarsome Foursome) rowing barefooted.<br /><br />Bob S.<br />

[[old] davidpmcintyre]

if you wear running shoes or some other soft, cushioned shoe, wouldn't that weaken your drive as the shoe would absorb some of the leg's power? at the crash b's, i saw a rower wearing a kind of shoe with a wafer-thin sole, kinda like a lowtop wrestling shoe. not sure if the shoe was a rowing-specific shoe.

[[old] judgedread]

i just took it for granted you wore socks only - never had any problems

[[old] MomofJBN]

I think I'm going to be looking for some thinner soled - i.e. non-running - shoes, too. Here's the problem that I recently discovered with running shoes. I've been feeling a tingling behind and below my right outside anklebone. When I talked to my father (retired orthopedic surgeon) on the phone last night, he thought the problem was probably caused by pressure from my shoes. Running shoes do often have sort of an inverted V that holds your heel in the shoe. I think this is what's been bothering me.<br /><br />I haven't had a chance to try rowing in any other shoes to verify that that solves the problem.

[[old] chickenlegs]

i have been using indoor football shoes for the past few years.<br />i like them because they have a relatively (to most other gym shoes one can find in a sport store) low and even sole.<br />

[[old] Ray79]

I just wear a pair of standard Nike cross trainers. Havent had any problems as they are very comfortable etc. But I can understand where people are coming from when they say it can detract from the heel drive, but they work alright for me. The simpler the shoe the better (less air pockets/pumps etc is better)<br /><br />In a boat I go barefoot.<br /><br />I think some of the top GB rowers erg barefoot too, Andrew Hodge for one

[[old] ancho]

Used tro erg with my old running shoes, lately I'm doing some barefoot. I like the more direct feeling.<br />Nevertheless, I will continue wearing shoes for short sprints and races.