What the best disc golf shoe?

Hi,  I'm doing my first tournement in Feb, looking for a good disc golf shoe.  What shoes do you like the best for the sport?  I find my plant foot slides around alot, especially on wet, and snowy Tee-Pads.

Please advise.

[Gary Burt]

whats the point of disc golf shoes? whats wrong with nikes or under armour shoes?

[The Monster]

Nothing is wrong with regular shoes. In the summer I usually wear Mizuno softball cleats. I work at a park so I get them cheap. I have a pair of Bites just cuz of the waterproof factor. I had seal skinz socks, but they went through the dryer and stopped working.

[CincyChainS]

Thats like saying why Pay so much for Nike, or Under Armour shoes? Just buy Walmart brand! LOL

Your going to get what you pay for, so dont settle for something less! But i do highly recommend the Sealskin waterproof socks. We wear whatever shoes around here (Ohio) and just throw them waterproof socks on, and your good to go. Your feet wont even get wet with holes in your shoes.

[Chris Goodrich]

I started playing with a pair of Nikes, within a month I had busted the seams and a sizable portion of the mesh on the outside of my plant foot.  The tread also got chewed up pretty fast.  The rotational force, especially when throwing from cement tees, is hard on a non-reinforced shoe.

[Boom Boom Dino]

I have a pair of the North Face Hedgehogs,  I play a lot of golf on rough courses and these babies thru mud, rain and snow are waterpoof and don't slip whilst teeing off .... i like them

[Michael Sizemore]

I've been wearing Keen Milos for a year now and I always recommend them. I played a 4 hour round in 5 inches of snow without getting wet socks. That was pretty impressive. They're also light enough that they didn't affect my run up or throwing style at all. Unfortunately I've worn the treads down to nothing from all the concrete tees last season. They still feel incredible though, just less grip.

[Ghost]

I just use a pair of new balance running shoes and boots if it snows.

[LafnLarry]

My day job is selling shoes so this topic is near and dear to my stomach. Our store is only about three blocks from a disc golf course, so I have plenty of opportunity to get feed back. Top advice I give - Get a shoe that is comfortable to you. A round of discgolf involves several miles of walking and can be over a wide variety of terrain and double it for tournament days.

Running shoes can be very comfortable, but they often don't have enough grip in rough terrain and the foam in the midsole is a bit soft so they break down faster. Expect no more than 6 to 8 months of good support from street runners if you are of average size and put the equivalent of 5 miles per day on them. After that, the midsole has collapsed enough that it won't give good arch support. You can tell by looking at the soft midsole, will develop creases and wrinkles. That's you clue that the shoe is breaking down under foot.

 

If you like the feel of a running shoe try "trail runners" like Salomon XA or The North Face Ultra (any number 101-106) or Vasque Blur. These shoes were designed for adventure racing, so they should give better grip, hold up a little better.

 

The one drawback to running shoes is that they were designed for forward motion only. Since disc golf includes both lateral and twisting motions. That's why the Milo has a reputation for coming apart, it's based on a running shoe. And even though they added a toe rand to help with "toe drag wear", it still doesn't stand up to lateral and twisting forces well. The next step up in in shoes is the outdoor cross trainers. Something like The North Face Hedgehog, Merrel Moabs or Chameleons. For my personal use I opt for the Chameleon because the mid sole is stiffer providing more support and stability for my flat, fallen arches. But, I also hear good reports on the Hedgehog and Moab. There are other good brands as well, but these are the most popular ones in the "affordable" category.

 

If you're playing in slush, mud or a very wet area, you may need to add gore-tex or high tops to your must have features. My ankles aren't very stable, so I think a mid top may be in my future. Make that "near" future. I've had my Chameleons as my primary disc shoe for couple of years and it's showing the strain.

 

 

[Tate N]

That's impressive.

[David Ledford]

Good info Lafn. I wear a keen hiking shoe or sometimes a columbia hiking shoe. Both are realy worn down, but still give me support and plenty of grip on concrete even when wet. I have a nice pair of vasque with a lug type sole that I use on courses with no tee pad. The issue I have is finding the right grip balance. The vasque digs into the turf and prevents my plant foot from rotating freely. This can be almost as dangerous as no grip at all, as both extremes can cause a fall. I can't imagine playing with cleats.

The right balance between too much grip and not enough grip is a very thin line. For example, when pouring concrete tee pads on new courses, a "broom" finish in not recommended because it creates too much friction. The plant foot must be able to rotate or injury will result.

[harold king]

the ones i would get in trouble for buying by the wife,merrels,,but ive been wearing columbias and they are a good shoe,and a pair of north face,those also good

[Mark Cuban]

I play in MA so playing in snow is common place , I've tried Northface and Coumbia but nothing can compare to these: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/10414M/0/Mens/Ther...

 

Gore-tex with Polar Tech Lining (fleece used to make Northface) unbelievable traction , and great wrap around toe to heel protection. Basically UNSTOPPABLE!