Noob question - what shoes do you wear to erg?

[dabatey]

I don't do cross-fit, but I picked up some cross-fit trainers by 'more mile' cheap on the internet. They have a pretty solid slightly raised heel sort-of like lifting shoes, and these help a bit with my very inflexible ankles whilst still giving something solid to push off.

I also like to row strapless. So no need to be barefooted for that sort of thing.

[gvcormac]

Socks or barefoot. Socks let me slide in and out a bit easier. I never adjust the straps -- just use them as slip-ons.

[jcross485]

In general, the less you have between your feet and the erg, the higher percentage of power transfer you will have. It's a pretty simple physics equation that cannot be disputed. That said, how much of a practical difference it makes and how much it truly impacts results is a bit more debatable.

I tend to erg in shoes and not barefoot, although I may try to get into the barefoot thing here soon given how hot my garage is. I like my Reebok Nano's for just about everything, erg included. I do find the older models a bit better IMO (2, 4, 6, 9, X are my faves) as they have a lower 4mm drop as opposed to what they have moved to, fairly minimal to modest cushioning with an insole that can be removed for an even more minimal feel, a decently wide toe box, and they just seem to really fit well into the heel cups.

I have tried olympic lifting shoes and just could not make it work personally; the lack of cushioning was nice but they are pretty stiff and I could not get a good heel lock so ended up with some blister issues I don't normally have.

[stevein7]

adidas powerlifting shoes. Solid.

[MPx]

I've used all sorts, Squash shoes, trainers, hard flats, gloves, etc - but for me the best so far have been these Merrell Vibram Gloves in black leather
https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/mer ... ku-mer1218

[Ombrax]

A bit of a random comment:

I've concluded that erging, unlike cycling, my other primary cardio activity, is much more forgiving when it comes to shoes.

And if you row strapless you have the option of wearing nothing at all, as long as the back of your heel isn't bothered by the back part of the flex-foot strap, and if it is, something as simple as a pair of socks will likely fix that problem. (unless we're talking hours and hours on the erg, which is totally not an issue for me, since I never row for that long)

I'm not sure how much energy is converted to heat (the only way it can really be lost) if you wear "thick, foam-soled" shoes, but unless you have a specific foot issue, there's really no need to go that route, so you can totally avoid the energy loss issue by wearing thin or stiff soled shoes, or, nothing at all.

[Elizabeth]

And if you row strapless you have the option of wearing nothing at all, as long as the back of your heel isn't bothered by the back part of the flex-foot strap, and if it is, something as simple as a pair of socks will likely fix that problem. (unless we're talking hours and hours on the erg, which is totally not an issue for me, since I never row for that long)

I just had a lightbulb moment about why so many people love barefoot and I just cannot. The first time I tried was a normal one hour steady state piece, and it ate up my heels. Too much right off the bat probably.

I usually use lifters for hard work, running shoes for steady state. Crocs in an absolute emergency, do not recommend but it also doesn't eat my heels.

[Sandeman]

When I started i didn't have any "training" shoes so I started in socks only.
I've gotten used to it and don't think I'll ever get shoes now for the rower.

Also I have pretty large feet (size 48, that's about 13.5 in US size?) so shoes are always very bulky and I think they will hinder me more than help me.
Also they are always expensive and very hard to find. That's the reason I didn't have any in the first place.

[alex9026]

Another vote for earlier Reebok nano flex shoes. As someone who only has access to an erg in a public gym, I won't even consider bare foot!

[KeithT]

I love the Nanos for rowing and use two different pair and actually like the older ones better. Metcons and other CrossFit shoes work well too. There is some science around it as others have mentioned with the running shoes absorbing more energy, hence why you don't do heavy squats with them either. So, I thing you have found what you need. Others go with socks and barefoot too but I never could.

[Sakly]

There is some science around it as others have mentioned with the running shoes absorbing more energy, hence why you don't do heavy squats with them either.

I wouldn't agree to the argument of absorbing energy during squats. It's more about losing stability, as you cannot "connect" to the floor, and this typically leads to unstable movement pattern, as it goes through the whole joint chain.
For the rower the aspect of stability is not that important as for squats, but due to sole compression the energy absorption could be a point.

I always feel better, if I get a good feedback on all connection points with any equipment, so I don't like cushion at all.

[KeithT]

There is some science around it as others have mentioned with the running shoes absorbing more energy, hence why you don't do heavy squats with them either.

I wouldn't agree to the argument of absorbing energy during squats. It's more about losing stability, as you cannot "connect" to the floor, and this typically leads to unstable movement pattern, as it goes through the whole joint chain.
For the rower the aspect of stability is not that important as for squats, but due to sole compression the energy absorption could be a point.

I always feel better, if I get a good feedback on all connection points with any equipment, so I don't like cushion at all.

Yeah, but I don't like cushion even if stable for squatting. Lifters with a hard heel work better for me or a CF shoe.

[Carl Watts]

Slip on trainers, that way they just stay in the foot straps and remain on the Erg.

[HornetMaX]

I usually row in Merrel Trail Glove 6.

Last days due to heat (had 32C 76% humidity in my garage, ouch) I tried to row socks only (and no straps, I row all my slow sessions feet out).
First time (it was a 1H session) I got blisters on the heels (no, really ?) but then I wrapped some foam around the plasticky part of the foot rests that rubs against the heels and all went well in the next HM and next 1H session.

I'm not sure I can see any gain in terms of efficiency due to "no squishy sole in between", but I definitely like to avoid having my shoes totally soaked when it gets too hot here.

I'm kind of wondering if, when I want to row with no shoes, I can row without the foot rest (the thing that can slide up/down depending on your foot size) completely: I'll try, first sight it shouldn't be an issue for long steady state sessions. Should take the whole blisters problem away, no ?

[Ombrax]

I'm kind of wondering if, when I want to row with no shoes, I can row without the foot rest (the thing that can slide up/down depending on your foot size) completely

In that case what will keep your foot from sliding down due to gravity? The fact that you got blisters when rowing while wearing just socks suggests that they do rest on the supports, so they must be exerting some force to keep your feet up. You don't want your legs to have to do any unnecessary additional work to keep your feet in place.