Black trail running shoes are now my choice, as suggested here. Lots of brands/models to choose from. Many trail shoes have a more aggressive sole (some as aggressive as many turf cleats) and better lateral support than standard running shoes. So add that, and the better comfort and cushioning as compared to soccer cleats or flats, I think a trail show is a great compromise for refereeing.
First of all, I've never had to worry about a little white on my shoe to make me look fast... I just AM fast ;-) It makes my day, when I hear a coach berate one of his players... "geez Joey, the REF is beating you!" I definitely have been converted to the trail running shoe camp - for me they are soooo much more comfortable than any other choice. Have recently chosen one with significant ankle support as I rehab from broken ankle... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O8ZWFW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 At the insistence of the fashion police (my wife) I took at black sharpie to the bright yellow midsole - something you can try for any shoe you think has too much brightness.
I really, really, really like my Adidas Team Mundials. I play indoor (turf) and outdoor (baked dirt) soccer, and ref on hard dirt fields, and couldn't imagine being without them. After a few weeks, the kangaroo leather just molds to your feet like they were made for you. http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Mundia...412&sr=1-10&keywords=adidas+soccer+turf+shoes Definitely give them a try. My feet are a little wide, and they were snug when I first got them, but like I said, after a few weeks, nirvana!
This blog also has an interesting article on building your own referee shoes via Nike's custom shoe program. It's an interesting idea: http://law5tales.blogspot.com/2011/11/real-referee-shoes.html And you can definitely make your shoes as black as you want them!
Love it! Years ago, I was doing a high school varsity boys dual on a VERY wet and muddy field. Play suddenly starts coming towards me so I'm beating feet to get back, with the mud sucking my shoes down, but I'm making progress and I'm ahead of the forward coming down my wing. Meanwhile, the defender, whose bench is behind me, hasn't reacted very quickly and has gotten left behind. His teammates on the bench yell "David! Try to keep up with the ref!" I believe David made some comment to them to the effect that there was a reason they were on the bench and he wasn't. His team lost anyway.
Good idea! This way I can match my jerseys,matching undershirts and matching whistles. https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/referee-nerd-alert-sharem-here.1947383/
I've used Brooks Addiction trail running shoes, in black, for several years. Light, great support, and reasonable grip even on wet grass or turf. http://www.brooksrunning.com/Addiction-10/1101001D924.070,default,pd.html?start=3&q=addiction10
Thread resurrection: Are these too flashy to ref in? I had some all-black Puma turfs some years ago, and they were the most comfortable and effective shoes I've ever ref'd in. I still mourn them.
With the new ATR, I expect many referees won't worry too much about being flashy. Here's what the ATR says about shoes (emphasis mine)... "Black shoes are preferred but referees can wear any color shoes so long as they are appropriate to perform the duties required of an official."
Alas, I fear some referees worry about it because, rightly or wrongly, those they work for do. To Bubba: *I* don't think they're too flashy (though I confess I might not personally choose that much white for historical reasons), but what I (or others on BS) think really doesn't mater -- it's what those you work with/for think. If respected referees in your area are only wearing pretty pure black, you might get the wrong attention from it. If where you are has joined the modern age, then, as Nesto suggests, you're worrying too much. So let's move on to the truly important things . . . like sleeve length . . .
Yes. I can't tell you how many times I get annoyed when I work with a referee and his sock stripes don't match our uniform color.
Mark Geiger posted today on facebook a kit he received from adidas at the FIFA seminar in Switzerland for the world cup. Here are the shoes he received for adidas to use during the world cup. http://www.soccer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&query=11nova&N=0&Product_Id=17672715
I second the trail running shoes. Can't go wrong with that. Is there a pyshcological study on this whole idea stripes make you look faster?
Sheesh, you'd like to think they could at least get the 11pro, which is available in all black to boot. (See what I did there )
I wore these all of last year. They are trail running shoes. http://www.zappos.com/inov-8-f-lite-230-all-black Pros: extremely light, extremely flat (good if you use custom insoles) Cons: your feet get soaked! Not just when it's raining, either; dew is enough to soak your feet if you have an early morning game! Also, mine developed a hole on the side from side stepping as an AR (this is why you need shoes for AR-ing!) I use Mundial cleats now, with cheap Payless running shoes on new style turf. I'm gonna try the Brooks Addiction shoes this summer though (if they're ever in stock). The new ATR seems to remove the restriction on shoe color, while making matching sleeve lengths mandatory...go figure!
Look at the Asics Gel-180 in the training section - I've been wearing these for the last 12 years or so - gel cushsioning forefoot and heel - traction is good, except on very, very wet grass - look on line and probably get them for around $60 or so
I tend to wear either Sambas or Copas from Adidas, but then again, I love Adidas stuff for both playing and for the high school team I coach. I also occasionally will wear AdiPure cleats or turfs, but the turfs were giving me shin splints really bad the last few seasons I wore them, and the cleats are starting to tear up. Plus, I really like the classic look of the Sambas and the Copas, so I typically wear them if I can.
Has anyone ever used these Reebok Zig Magistrate Turf shoes? I found them listed as American Football shoes. They weigh 14.8 oz, but I'm not sure how that compares to the other shoes in this thread.
Those remind me of those hideous old Spot Bilt shoes.... Yuck! I wonder if American football shoes are built for the movements we make on the pitch. From a weight perspective, about twice the weight of Nike Free Runs which are super light, so not terrible. When I'm in the middle, I am still a huge fan of wearing running shoes (studs when its super wet). On the line, I strong recommend something that has more lateral support, as I found it tough to side step in running shoes -- either my ankles or the shoe would wear out quickly.
I briefly used American Football shoes when I was still an AYSO-only referee. They're definitely not good enough for soccer referee movements.